Nobody plans to spend an evening in Bakersfield. You pass through it on the way to somewhere else…read more-- Mammoth, the Sequoias, the long flat grind up the 99 to Sacramento -- and if you stop at all, it's for gas or a bathroom or because your BMW's brakes have decided, somewhere around the Grapevine, that they'd rather not. Thank you, Weatherford BMW of Berkeley, for the near-death experience and, inadvertently, for one of the best nights out I've had in years. Stranded and waiting on repairs, we checked into The Padre, the only hotel in Bakersfield that feels like someone with a subscription to Dwell had a hand in it, and set out walking through a downtown that time has treated with more kindness than reputation suggests. There's a Woolworth's luncheonette still hanging on. There are old brick facades and wide sidewalks and the particular quiet of a Central Valley evening when the heat finally breaks. And then, on 18th Street, there is Tiki-Ko, and suddenly you are no longer in Bakersfield at all. You are, instead, inside someone's magnificent obsession. Tiki-Ko is a proper tiki bar -- not a tiki-themed cocktail lounge, not a place that bought some bamboo at a craft store and called it atmosphere, but a genuine, committed, floor-to-ceiling shrine to mid-century Polynesian fantasy. The carvings are real. The lighting is correct -- which is to say, barely there. The mugs are serious. There are pufferfish lamps and carved totems and the whole glorious taxonomy of tiki ephemera, accented here and there with a skate-culture edge that keeps it from feeling like a museum. It's reverent without being precious. The drinks are the real thing. Mai Tais built with actual orgeat. Zombies that earn the name. The bartenders make them with the kind of care and enthusiasm that tells you this isn't a gig -- it's a calling. They want you to be here. They want to talk about rum. They want you to try the Painkiller. In a city that most Angelenos regard as a punch line, somebody built a world-class cocktail bar and filled it with joy, and the regulars clearly know it. You will not plan a trip to Bakersfield. But if you find yourself there -- by mechanical failure, by accident, by the peculiar mercy of a bad brake job -- walk downtown. Find the tiki bar. Order a second round. Stay longer than you intended. Bakersfield has been underestimated, and Tiki-Ko is the proof.

Haven't been in here for probably 15 years. It's changed- a bit. I love Tiki bars and I go to every…read moreTiki bar I can find. It's tiny- like a lot of tiki spots. Decor is nice. Little hidden gems. Lighting is dark with bits color and neon popping through. The Bar Top curves around the bar- there are two booths that seat 5-6 and two short tables next to them- one seats 4- the other will comfortably seat two. There are a few bench style seating areas at the front with some short coffee tables. Think- skater tiki bar. The drinks were good- small menu if you're not sure what you want or are new to tiki. Both sides of the menu are the same menu. There are some nice mocktail options as well- you don't see that often. The service for me is mixed- it wasn't busy- steady but not busy- 1/4 full. I ordered two drinks to start for our table- (no cocktail servers here/not unusual for a small Tiki bar) I asked for a soda water- the bartender looked at me without a word- popped open a can of soda water and walked away. When he walked back by, I asked for a glass of ice- he said nothing and I got an eye-roll huff. I almost left. I don't think providing a glass with ice to pour your canned room temp soda water in, is too wacky an idea to be perturbed by the request. The female who took the order was friendly, smiled and was professional. We got a third cocktail- the Mai Tai. The grumpy bartender was friendlier this time. So, that helped. Maybe he felt overwhelmed and I threw off his groove by asking for water- then a glass... either way- being annoyed wasn't cool. The music.... Wasn't Tiki- it threw off the "Tiki Vibe" and made it feel typical small local bar that serves only Tiki drinks with some Tiki decor. It didn't take you to the land of Tiki- disappointed. Drinks were good.

I must say this was my first time actually staying in Bakersfield and I was honestly surprised that…read morethe Marriott was completely booked! Granted it looked like all construction workers because there was nothing else but oversized trucks in their parking lot! My fiancé Googled "clean hotel without bed bugs" and Padre Hotel came up first! Their online reviews were great and we were exhausted and needed to rest! We pulled into their valet parking just to drop off our things. As my fiancé parked the car, across the street in the over night garage, I was able to get a Single King room on a Monday night for $159. As we walked into our room #701, it was rather small, but fine since it was just the two of us. As I sat on the bed, it was actually hard! Yay!!!! I can't STAND soft beds and rather sleep on the floor! Haha no joke! Then my fiancé went into the restroom and suddenly he tapped on something glass sounding as I was turning ing on the tv..... I noticed there was a curtain by the bed, so I pulled it across and lo and behold by the bed was the shower and just a curtain the person from the outside of the shower could open/close as they please..... hee. We also had a mini fridge in the room along with a desk and chair. We had planned on staying one night, but got inside LA, and we figured we'd extend our stay. Upon doing so, we went downstairs the next day and asked if there was a deal if we could stay 3-4 days, and sure enough there was!!!! It's always great to see what happens once you ask! Hee. We got a larger room with a corner room location, I forgot the room number, but the restroom was larger and had a separate wall between the toilet and shower area, so if someone was in the shower, someone else could use the toilet and not be seen. This longer hotel room also had a chaise lounge chair and a better view of their downtown area, granted a lot of the places have closed. Overall, I honestly loved our stay here! It reminded me of a county version of The Fairmont SF! They constantly played new aged country music in the lobby! Then on Fridays and Saturdays there was a live band or singer in the bar area! I love how they had a community aspect to the hotel with some local live entertainment!!! My fiancé also loved watching The Knicks play on the bar tv with other people at the bar! Hee. Oh and they had an adorable coffee shop that made Ready To Order items downstairs too! See my review at Farmacy Cafe, but too freaking too! Country SHREK! Hee We will definitely be back again!!!!!

The Padre Hotel is a historic vintage jewel with updated slick styling…read more Service is outstanding from (Sara) front desk, (John) Brimstone Bar, (Alexis Food services Mgr) Farmacy Cafe to (Iman) housekeeping. The only hotel we will use when visiting Bakersfield.

Went thereafter Saturday for my friend bday party. The var was classy nice benches and barstools…read more The KJ was great the crowd cheered every one on and danced. The prices are good as well.

The female bartender was not only rude, but just trash. She yelled at us in front of all of the bar…read morebecause we didn't pull out our ID's quick enough for her. This was a regular place I'd visit. No mas. Not ever again. I won't spend a penny here again .

Close and comfortable extraordinary jazz performances & the people are so nice and relaxedread more

I've been here once with friends. Its a pretty chill place. The music was amazing and the owners…read morewere nice and friendly. They sell food I just wish they had more of a selection as far as alcoholic drinks but what they had did the trick and we were all having a blast! I definatoy recommend this place if you want to listen to some good jazz. :)

I've been here twice now. Here's things we love about it:…read morethey greet you right away when you walk in, it's clean, aesthetically pleasing, and close to the Fox Theater and The Well Comedy Club. The first time we came here, my husband and I came for dinner and drinks, both were amazing and the service was perfect. The server checked on us enough but not too much to make us feel rushed. Tonight we just went for drinks as we were in the area before the event we were going to started. My husband had an old fashioned and I had a lemon drop martini, we sat at the bar. The bar tender was friendly and her drinks satisfied the thirst.

Went here for dessert after a hearty Italian dinner on a Friday night. It looked full but we were…read moreimmediately seated. Interior is visually aesthetically pleasing - even their downstairs bathroom mirror, don't miss out! And of course their milkshake, can't really go wrong with your $10. It was filling, delicious and costs roughly same as two hot fudge sundaes! Service was likewise exceptional. Will surely be back and to try to eat something from their house specialties and of course have dessert again afterwards!

The Best Music in town, right in the heart of downtown Bakersfield. I enjoy the drinks and my wife…read moregets down on the dance floor. RECOMMENDED.

Crash is a nice place for really good signature drinks. One of the best espresso martinis I've had…read morein downtown Bakersfield.

Crash lounge is hands down one of my favorite downtown Bakersfield lounge bars. This classy "dive"…read moreis the best chill spot for a weekday or weekend sip. There's always great music and great service. Stop in and have an award winning Basil Gimlet Martini made by Elias!

I love the experience. It was a great opportunity for me and my company. We enjoyed everything…read morethere that evening.

Bottleshock is amazing! the outside seating is so nice and feels like I'm in my own backyard…read moreenjoying Sangrias. They have good snacks like charcuterie boards and bruschetta or they usually have food trucks on weekends/event days. The staff is always great and super friendly.