Nick on the Town

All the New Stuff in Sacramento

July 9, 2009 at 12:34 pm 3 comments

Showing complete disregard for the rotten economy, new businesses have been popping up all over Sacramento. I’m sure I’m gonna forget some, but here’s a list off the top of my head of spots that have opened in 2009.

DeVere’s Irish Pub - Firestone Building – 15th & L Streets
Instantly popular, this pub is just like the ones you’d find in Dublin only it’s bigger, cleaner and doesn’t smell like vomit. I feel like I should say more, but that pretty much sums it up.

Mix Downtown - Firestone Building – 15th & L Streets
I think this actually opened up on New Year’s Eve so technically it was 2008, but I’m gonna let that slide. The Mix is right upstairs from DeVere’s and offers a comfortably hip atmosphere where you’ll find any number of gel-haired dudes sending out their “vibe” to a plethora of indifferent women. The Mix made a splash with their sliding scale cover charge which charges more the younger you are. I believe it’s $20 if you’re 21-29, $10 if you’re 30-39 and free if you’re 40+. You 39 year-olds might want to see if your old college buddy is still making fake IDs.

California Pizza Kitchen - Also, the Firestone Building – Still 15th & L Streets
This is a California Pizza Kitchen just like all the others you’ve seen. I guess that’s ok.

Hot Italian - 16th & Q
Hot Italian serves up delicious pizzas, salads, panninis and gelato, but also sells Vespas. For some reason, I’m ok with this. Maybe it’s because they are so hip that I just want to be accepted by them. They also have a huge ceiling fan and are Sacramento’s first LEED certified restaurant.

River City Saloon - Old Sacramento – 2nd Street
The River City Saloon fills a hole in Old Sacramento that I can’t believe hadn’t already been filled. Old Sacramento has long been crying out for a peanut-shell-on-the floor, player piano, saloon girl bartender kinda place. Why they charge $3.25 for a PBR is beyond me, but they only charge 25 cents for a sarsaparilla so maybe go for that instead.

The Shady Lady Saloon - 14th & R Streets
Another saloon, but this one is less Old West and more 1920′s speakeasy…and a mug of beer is only $2 (take note River City Saloon). The Shady Lady also offers live music, old-timey cocktails and deep fried mac & cheese balls. What’s not to like?

Entry filed under: Bars, Nightlife, Restaurants. Tags: .