Nick on the Town

Sacramento Bars

June 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm 3 comments

Here is a list of bars in Sacramento along with my feelings on them. Keep in mind that my tastes are less high brow and more Hof Brau (This is a line I’ve been waiting to use in a post for months. Really nailed that one, right?). Also, I’m sure I’m missing some places, but lay off me, I’m doing my best.

Alley Katz – It took a lot for me to even give this place a chance because of the awful name, but I’m glad I did. The room is nice and the beer selection is crazy. I think removing their sign after being open for only like a month was an odd choice, but it has neon sings in the window so, at least, you still know it’s a bar.

Backdoor Lounge – Old Sacramento’s best bar. I love any bar with velvet wallpaper and a real jukebox.

Benny’s – Benny’s was great when I was working at the Bee because it was right across the street. Now that I work elsewhere, I also drink elsewhere. Cheap drinks, but the crowd is rough sometimes.

Blue Cue – I haven’t been to the Blue Cue for a long time, but I’d like to get back. I’m assuming it still has pool tables and drinks…and I like those things.

Bonn Lair – This is a good neighborhood pub, but it’s kinda small and they don’t have liquor. Still, it gets a thumbs up from me. Plus, it’s across the street from Big Spoon.

Brownie’s – If you find yourself south of Land Park (SoLaPa) you can’t go wrong with Brownie’s. The place is old school and every time I’ve been they have some kind of free food.

Bulls – If you like to mix your drinks with potential personal injury, then head to Bulls where you can take your shot at riding the mechanical bull. It’s a stinker though and if you find my thumb on that mat, please return it to me.

Chargin’s – Chargin’s gets into the mix from time to time because it’s a dive bar that serves breakfast. This is a real bonus on certain days.

Cheaters – Say what you will, but Cheaters is still my favorite sports bar in town. Great bartenders, cheap drinks, every sports package known to man and a million tvs. Plus, it’s on my bike ride home from work.

Club 2-Me – Back in the day this place was packed every night. Then the ABC wouldn’t let folks drink out back any more and the crowd died off a bit. Still, if you haven’t ever been here on the night before Thanksgiving then you can’t really call yourself a Sacramentan.

Clubhouse 56 – I come here to totally dominate Trivia Night on Tuesdays…at least, I do when it’s not softball season. Can’t go wrong with the 2 tacos for $3 happy hour deal. Also, their wings faired well in the Nick on the Town Wing Tour 2010.

Delta Lounge – This is the bar on the Delta King and it’s pretty awesome. It’s on a boat fer crissakes! Nice old wood bar, live music and river views. What more do you want?

The Depot – Just another packed bar in Lavender Heights. I haven’t actually had a drink here, but I did go in and use the ATM once. Darker in there than I thought….

DeVere’s Irish Pub – One of the most popular recent additions to town, DeVere’s has quickly settled in as a Sacramento institution. The bar was built to last and it looks like it has staying power. The food is good too. Also, they do about a million charity events each year and I’m all into that. Big thumbs up for DeVere’s even though I don’t get in there as much as I’d like.

Dive Bar – I was skeptical when this place opened up thinking it would be packed with a bad crowd and pricy drinks. It turns out that every time I’ve been, it’s been super laidback and the prices are totally reasonable. Of course, I haven’t been during prime mermaid time, but still so far so good.

Eastern Empire – This is more of a Chinese restaurant than a bar, but it serves the flaming tiki drinks that I like so bad, so I thought I’d list it here. Where else can you get a Zombie, Fog Cutter, Suffering Bastard or Flaming Volcano?

Elixir – One time I was here and I guy tried to fight me over a chair. Other than that, it’s ok though.

Espanol – Also more of a restaurant, but the lounge side of the place is one of my favorite bars in town. Dark and friendly with a jukebox that plays 45s, it’s the perfect place for a dirty martini and a bowl of minestrone.

Faces – The cornerstone of Sacramento’s gayborhood…unless you count Cornerstone which is across the street.

Fanny Ann’s – I know Old Sacramento bars sometimes bring in a weird crowd, but I’m a fan of Fanny Ann’s. It’s hard to get around, ordering is difficult and the prices aren’t great, but I’m still going to stand by them because I’m a sucker for a place with wacky crap on the walls and delicious wings.

Flame Club – The Flame scares away some people due to its uninviting exterior. And I’ll be honest, the inside ain’t much to look at either. But, man, the drinks are cheap, the bartenders are sassy and the food tasty. I’m in to it.

Fox & Goose – The one thing I don’t like about Fox & Goose is that they won’t seat you for breakfast until your entire party shows up. I’m a very prompt person and my friends are lazy, so this results in me having to mill about out front for extended periods of time. Other than that, not a bad British pub and they have good live music from time to time.

Gallagher’s – Remember the old Gallagher’s? Me neither, but I hear it was great. This place is ok. It’s in the lobby of an office building which is a real bonus if you work in that office building. Otherwise, it’s a weird location, but comes in handy from time to time. It’s kinda blurry, but I think the bartenders here are real good.

The Golden Bear – Still going strong after like 7 years, I’m glad things are working out for the Bear. This spot housed a number of short-lived bars prior to the Bear coming along and becoming a haven for Sacramento’s cool crowd.

Harlow’s – As far as live music venues go, Harlow’s has really been knocking it out of the park recently. I’ve never been here just to drink and/or eat, but it’s a great place for a show. Bring back the Old (7s because I missed them last week!

Henry’s – Oh man. I really want this place to be cool, but it’s always Sketch City. Still, if you’re in a pinch, it’s not a bad place to run into, have a quick cheap drink and run back out of before making eye contact with anyone.

The Hideaway – This place has a strong rockabilly feel to it and the jukebox to match. So if you like that…or at least don’t mind that, then you’ll like it here. Also, if you like tasty cocktails and food. However, if you like tv, don’t bother. They think they’re better than tv.
Shenanigan’s – I still haven’t been here yet. It looks like the bands they bring in don’t play my style of music and their favorite sport is MMA fighting. Not really on board with that. Still, I should give it a shot sometime.

Hilltop – This place just keep getting better. I remember coming here years ago and having some Clampers treat me to a real sh*tshow. Now, it’s a cleaned –up friendly neighborhood bar that’s steadily moving up my list. Plus, it’s across the street from OneSpeed.

Idle Hour – I know it’s out of the way for a lot of you, but the Idle Hour is worth it. $3 Jameson on Wednesdays? Come on. You’ll see me here at 10am every Sunday throughout football season. Come on by and say hi.

Kupros Bistro – I was riding high on Kupros when it first opened; the fried pickles were cheap, the poutine was the best thing I’d ever eaten and the bar was beautiful. Well, the bar is still beautiful, but the food has definitely changed. I guess the original chef left. Kinda sad.

Limelight – The limelight was once my go-to bar. Now I avoid it. Of course, now it’s a poker room, so that has something to do with it.

Marilyn’s on K – Marilyn’s is one of the few places that steadily brings good live music to town. I respect them for toughing it out on K Street during some not-so great times and I’ll be back here soon. I wish they’d bring back the Americana Ramble though. I know I was the only person that went, but man, what great tunes.

The Mercantile Saloon – Perhaps the gayest of our gay bars, the Merc is still going strong after all these years.

Mix – If I were younger, dressed better and wasn’t such a grouch, I’d come party at the Mix all the time. The place is beautiful and comfortable, but cover charges and my general lack of coolness keep me at dive bars instead of the Mix’s dance floor. Oh well.

Monkey Bar – I haven’t been here forever, but I’m glad it’s still around. It’s a good middle-of-the-road place where dive bar connoisseurs can mix with more respectable folks in a comfortable environment.

MVPs – MVPs switched locations last year, but it still hasn’t won me over. I like a sports bar, so I really want to support them, but there’s just something off about the place. I think it’s just a floorplan issue.

Old Ironsides – Old I is probably the one bar in town that’s earned the adjective “venerable.” For the past 70-something years it’s just been quietly sitting their being awesome in every way. That is, quiet at lunch when they serve some of the best food in town…and not so quiet at night when it’s featuring the best the local music.

Old Tavern – If you need a cheap pitcher of beer or a huge plastic bottle of Bud, this is the place to be. Dress down though if you don’t wanna stand out among the tatted-up regulars.

Parlare Eurolounge – I have a pretty hard and fast rule about avoiding “Euro-lounges” at all costs.

Pine Cove – Ahhh, the PC. I know a lot of people they say it’s stinky and rundown and, yeah, they’re right. That said, it’s been a favorite of mine for over a decade now and there’s no looking back now. Plus, they got new carpet and new tvs! Long live the Pine Cove!

Pre-Flite Lounge – The Pre-Flite has been hidden under the Downtown Plaza mall for decades with its cheap drinks, funky jukebox and 1970s decor. There are changes afoot, though, and the Pre-Flite is bringing in new crowds who may not appreciate the old-school charm of the place. We’ll see….

Press Club – I remember when the Press Club had live music and fights every night of the week. Those were the days. It still has occasional live music, but more frequently has DJs and an alternative dance crowd. I guess that’s ok with me.

R15 – Like its Paragary’s brethren, Monkey Bar, this place is a great middle-of-the-road place where everyone should be happy. Happy hour lasts pretty much all day so drinks are cheap. There are plenty of tvs so you can go to watch the game even if you’re with people who don’t want to watch it. Plus, there’s food supplied by Café Bernardo. Not bad.

Shady Lady – Surprisingly, the Shady Lady is still sticking to its 1920’s speakeasy them. I thought for sure they’d throw that out the window early one because it just seemed like so much effort. I feel weird ordering drinks from someone in suspenders or a flapper dress or whatever, but once I settle in with a Dark & Stormy, Horse’s Neck or a Pimm’s Cup, all is well. No tvs here, go to R15 if you want that.

Socal’s – Another place that’s been a favorite for a long, long time. The pretzel bowl is gone after another over-zealous ABC inspection, but there’s still shuffleboard, pool, drink specials and a great neighborhood tavern vibe.

Streets of London – Not quite as stinky as it used to be, I’m cool with Streets. Plus, I was the first person to ever do an Irish Car Bomb here.

Tallac Lounge – This is the closest bar to my house, so it definitely gets a shout out here. Hi Tallace Lounge! See you tonight!

The Chambers Room – If you’re downtown and Henry’s is just a little too much for you to handle, try the Chambers Room. It’s like Henry’s only slightly better.

The Distillery – If you like cheap drinks, karaoke and $13.95 prime rib, the Distillery is for you.

The Park – Mostly, I only drink here during private events when the drinks are free. I recommend this. Again, it’s a bit classy for me on a regular basis, but that’s my bad not the bars.

The Raven – The Raven seems a bit cleaned up these days. Now the not-so-dirty bird might be a little too welcoming for me. Of course, the regulars are still there so I guess that makes it ok.

The Trap – Stuffed badgers and a slanted pool table are the main draws at the Trap. Not bad, if you’re in the neighborhood.

Torch Club – I’m cool with the Torch. The free live music happy hour is one of the best things happening that nobody seems to know about. Also, with live blues almost every night of the week you’ll always have a place to take your dad when he visits. Oh and try not to confuse it with the Flame Club. Yes, I know a torch has a flame, but they are different establishments.

Town House – I’m never sure if this place is really open or not, but I’ve had some good times there.

Zebra Club – The Zebra seems pieced together from different scraps of other buildings, but somehow it’s still there and still serving drinks. The took the bras off the walls like 10 years ago and that bartender that used to pinch my nipples and call me offensives names is gone, so I guess that’s a plus. They open at 6am, so I’ll see you there.

Zelda’s – I know it’s a pizza place, but the bar is fantastic. Outside of the inattentive older gentleman behind the bar who watches tv while I sit with an empty glass, I pretty much love everything about Zelda’s…especially the way it take my eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness in there. Maybe that’s the bartender’s problem….

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