Charming bar with a lot of character. Visit early on a friday night.Not a whole lot of people.There and one person manning the bar. He was in charge of drinks and food. Hughes also asked to play pool with one of the other patrons. He endeavoured to help everyone and was very friendly. Found this a very nice and relaxing place to have a drink.And at this time, we were able to sit down and have a nice conversation. Unfortunately, on this visit, the Pizza dough wasn't ready, so we didn't get food. However, I'm anticipating that next time. When we get a chance to try it.It is amazing. They have a full bar and bartender is very experienced. read more

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Very low key bar that isn't the tourist trap much of Old Town is. Good, strong drinks, chill bartenders, and their pizza is surprisingly good wheen you're hungry! They also have a jukebox and they're always playing whatever sports game is on. read more

Cool, hideout, hangout spot bartenders were awesome good music, and nice ambience. Did not try to food there, but I did enjoy myself read more

The Back Door Lounge is a classic Old Sacramento spot. It's been there as long as I can remember and hasn't changed much in all that time. It always reminded me of an old Rat Pack hangout even before I found it there's a lounge singer on the weekends. Maybe it's the wallpaper, or the wrought iron railings, but I always think of New Orleans when I walk in the door. It's dimly lit, has comfortable seating, a great jukebox, and lots of character. They staff is always friendly and happy to mix up a cocktail, pour beer, or serve a glass of wine. I'm not sure if they've always served food, but there are some hearty breakfast and lunch options on the menu. I can't say I've tried the food, but it sure looks good. Weather you stop in for a drink, or for a meal, you'll like the Back Door Lounge, cause it's the real deal! read more

Back Door Lounge - The drink menu! They offer a Gibson Martini which is really easy to make but many bartenders confuse with a gimlet. Nice! - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

You think of Old Sacramento as more a tourist area, but there are a lot of bars that cater mostly to locals. I visited "Back Door Lounge" for some day drinking after watching games at another place nearby. It was slow; but the bartender was hospitable and a good conversationalist. Drink prices were reasonable. The place is too neat to be a true dive bar; but it's got a little grit, just because the building is old. read more

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So many updates from the old days but keeps the original flavor. They've added pool tables. And, best of all pizza hot from the oven.

Really cool dive bar with great ambiance and good selection of affordable drinks, their menu is affordable as well

This would be my second time eating here. For breakfast we got the back door breakfast with bacon. We also got the chicken fried steak with eggs. I've got to say that the chicken fried steak is incredible. So good. The potatoes had a good taste and the bacon was nice and crispy. All around a very good breakfast. I'm surprised more people don't come here for the food. It's a dive bar. Not huge inside but has lot's of tables and places to sit. It's in a alley near firehouse restaurant. The bartender was nice and the cook has skill. Whenever I go back to old sac this is the place I'm eating at or even to just get a drink. I hope more people give this place a try. read more

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Went to back door lounge for the first time. Great experience. Great burger. And the bartender Ryan was so welcoming. Couldn't be nicer!!!

My favorite velvet dive bar! Conveniently located on Fireside Alley in old town Sac.

I would consider this a somewhat dive bar so $33 (without tip) for two Botanist Gin and sodas seemed a bit overpriced. We go out to different bars and this seems pretty pricey for getting it in a plastic cup. read more

We were told this was a good breakfast spot. So we gave it a Ordered chicken and waffles, single waffle, biscuits (cheddar bay biscuits) and gravy, country fried steak, a couple more side of French toast and eggs and bacon meal. This if all for family of 6. Chicken and waffles were good. The chicken needed a little more flavoring. The breakfast combo was really good. Eggs cooked perfectly. Biscuits and gravy were pretty good, again gravy needed more flavoring. French toast was really good. Onion rings were good and so were the fries. Service was nice. The price was good. Nice hidden spot. 3.5 stars read more

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Great location, unique atmosphere, attentive service and quality pours. Always love hitting this spot when in Sacramento for a low key old school lounge/ bar experience. A great escape from the over-priced, hipster cocktail bars that seem to be everywhere now. read more

This place has amazing vibes! The staff is very polite and respectful. The drinks are very refreshing and comforting. 5 stars for sure. read more

WE WATCHED TWO BACK DOOR LOUNGE REGULARS STEAL A WOMAN'S PURSE! Was at Back Door, grabbing a beer with a buddy.. These two women, likely regulars at Back Door took a woman's purse! They weren't sly about it at all. The woman whose purse was stolen and her group were calling them out, saying to give it back. The two purse-snatchers seemed to know the bartender and the bartender ends up tossing the theft-victim and her friends out. Waaaay sketchy! We got out before we were mugged. Plenty of other places to grab a beer in Old Sac. read more

An oldie, but goody! Have been coming to this old-style, dark, and great vibe bar for many years, and it's still one of my favorite spots to take family and friends, and/or catch up with my best friend while enjoying whatever we feel like that day. Sometimes it's whiskey, sometimes a dirty martini, either way, we leave this place happy. Next time we're coming back to try their brunch! Their menu looked so yummy. read more

Back Door Lounge - Excited to try their menu items!! - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

Haven't had their food but this is a great Old Sac dive bar destination! Cool ambience, friendly bartenders, and fun crowd!

I brought my birthday pub crawl party here. Everything was great until one of the patrons stole my friends wallet. We saw it, confronted her, found the wallet in the bathroom and proceeded to get gaslit about it by them and the bartender. Anyway, don't EVER go here unless you want to get your purse stolen. FU Back Door, you were in cahoots with them. Enjoy your spoils. You seriously didn't deserve our or anyone elses business. read more

Some of the best service love the new owners, love Hiers can't wait to go back, defined check them out in the alley of old sac!!

The back door lounge is rad AF! Stopped in here last night with my husband and an old friend that I hadn't seen in years. The bartender was very friendly, had a heavy hand when it came to pouring our drinks, and let us stay and talk until they closed. The ambience is super chill. The music was just loud enough that you could talk to each other and not have to scream. The drinks were great. Our bartender made a delicious Moscow mule. I would definitely come visit this place again next time I'm in old sac. read more

Chill place. Good drinks and new menu and cook with awesome food! Music, TV's and live music occasionally. read more

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Babe and I were greeted as soon as we walked in. Mike was our bartender and he made an excellent suggestion. Initially I wanted to order a sidecar, he suggested a blue Hawaiian. Let me tell you, the best blue Hawaiian I've ever had. He was also very knowledgeable about how to balance flavor with the strength of the alcohol. It was just fantastic. We will be back for sure! read more

Back Door Lounge - Blue Hawaiian - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

Came here on vacation. Loved it. Cool vibe, great bartender. Can't remember her name though. We were there Thursday afternoon. 7/14. read more

Back Door Lounge - Inside bar area. - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Fun place, great drinks enjoy the jukebox too. Nice casual atmosphere. Hopefully it's still open as we in from out of town and it was closed on a Thursday night. read more

Off the beaten path in Old Sac small but quaint drinks are good, food excellent customer service 5 stars on its on. The chef was amazing visit our table what a treat. Must try it won't disappoint. read more

Back Door Lounge - Back Door Lounge with the chef phenomenal cook with my girls - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

I don't YELP carelessly and I only comment when something is either EXCELLENT or it's over rated and you shouldn't bother. Here on a wonderful warm day and we decided to stop to have a beverage as we toured Old Sacramento. We were at some of the stores shopping with friends and decided to stop into Back Door. I am having a delicious Michelada that Carmela just made me. FRIENDs having fresh iced tea and all agreed it was great. Having this drink has basic drink making ability for 1pm...hard to make a great drink when most people think it's too early for alcohol. This was PERFECT. If you like REAL places that haven't been Disney-fied and have decided to buy into every current idea of what a saloon should be, you would really enjoy the Back Door. read more

Back Door Lounge - Michelada Beverage courtesy of Carmela, perfectly spiced and with real horseradish and a spicy rim. Deliciousness - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

This place has a great atmosphere if one needs to get away. The service is extremely friendly. Richard the bartender was very friendly, tentative and understanding to my givin situation. I have been coming here for years, since 1991 and have always been made to feel this place is a comfort zone. read more

This will be review number Maestro or Maestra, a few notes on the piano if you please, Review Number Two Hundred Forty Two of this place! September 21, 2023 OWNER BACK DOOR LOUNGE 1112 FIREHOUSE ALLEY OLD TOWN SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA 95814 Dear Sir or Miss My hotel knows I not liking these kind places, I need Child Friendly! However, I did see sign says CASH ONLY PLEASE, so I wanted try! Not at time knowing is the Twenty One And Over Only as the sign not outside your door but is after one enters! Please do thank your bartender David and Chef Lloyd on my behalf! It is so very dark inside! When I enter, I show the Proof Of Vaccination (I keep in my pocket), David asks for my Identification Card! I commend him for that, at least this place is keeping everything Legal! I say Not To Be Rude, But I Am Chinese Culture! Do Not Recognize Many The Food On The Menu! No Problem, He Explains To Me! He seats me! I decide on something call Linguisa Sandwich! Like most places, except awful BRANNAN MANOR, David asks what I want to drink, I say just water please! Remember that it is dark inside! To me it tastes as lemonade or lemonaid! When the sandwich is ready, it is Chef Lloyd that brings it to the table! He explains how to eat it, I guess David had informed him I not used to many of the food items on the menu! Wow, greeted by the chef, not too many chefs will actually take time to greet the person at the table! Later, both David and Chef Lloyd return, ask if I want another cup lemonade or lemonaid! Ah, so it was lemonade or lemonaid! All this, it came to $6.80 with tax, wow, not bad! I like how one poster, poster for lack of better word! It says Three Rules! Rule Number One, "Do Not Yell At The Bartender! They Are Trying Hard To Pour Your Drinks!" Then was Rule Number Two, "The Bartender Is Always Right!" Rule Number Three, "See The First Two Rules"! Please do thank David and your Chef Lloyd for me! I will say tried sometime in July this year! They even explained how walk back to the hotel! I appreciate their friendliness and their helpfulness! Okay as say, I prefer Child Friendly, but I will thank them for all their helpfulness and I will thank them for all their friendliness! read more

Now here is a dive bar that makes a concerted effort to show some class! It preserves an old fashion 1900's look to keep up appearances with being in the Old Sacramento district with its strange, yet interesting mixture of décor, such as red velvet wall paper, brick walls, ornate gold framed oval mirrors, outdoor fake gas lights, chandeliers, Tiffany lamps, ornate black rod iron, white pillars, and a red canvas awning over the stairway that leads to the upper level of additional seating...?? My boyfriend and I decided to stop here for a drink before going to the Firehouse Restaurant for dinner, which is directly across the ally. Since it was about 4:30 pm on a Monday, the bar was easily accessible - unlike other reviewers who mentioned that they are often quite busy. We asked our bartender Dee if there was a Happy Hour going on, but they don't offer them. She did explain that instead, they give you generous pours with the alcohol. We had a simple well drink of rum and pineapple juice, which hit the spot pretty quickly. A piano is located at one side of the lounge in which we were informed a popular singer - Lee Diamond is featured, who croons on Friday & Saturday nights. There is a jukebox, (but no TV). They also have Karaoke on certain nights, and even room for dancing. My first impression of this business was that only us old folks would most likely patronize such a place, but there were actually customers of all age ranges talking, relaxing and enjoying their drinks. It was an interesting "stop off" place to converse with fellow drinkers, and Dee's friendly face made this evening worth writing about. I wouldn't mind coming back here again to people watch and check out the other forms of entertainment...... read more

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Swanky Speakeasy - Better "Back In The Day", But Still A Good Time SITREP I remember the days 15-20 years ago when my friend Bobby Burns would pull out his trumpet here and there's be a jam going on that would rival any night at the Casino Royale. There would be quite the crowd of fun peeps enjoying an eclectic night of music and mixing. SETUP Alas, Bobby has passed onto the next realm of existence, and the crowd that once attracted me here does not come here like they used to: * Swing Dancers * Rockabillies * The Dapper & Their Dames Nowadays, it tends to be more tourist and less "Old School." GREAT DRINKS However, even if some of the original character of this establishment is missing these days, it is STILL a dam good place to get drink, meet up for a stop with some friends while moving through Old Sacramento, and enjoy the ambiance of a still beautiful bar establishment. Bottomline: if I want to get a drink in Old Sacramento, this is STILL the place I want to hit. THE LOWDOWN Back Door still has my vote for a wonderful bar in the heart in Old Sacramento. read more

Back Door Lounge - Mammasita gets ready to check out the Back Door Lounge :) - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

I went to this place for a private wedding reception. The owners and bar staff were so nice! The margaritas were amazing!! I also really enjoyed the atmosphere, it's like being outside but you're inside. I bet this place is a ton of fun on a regular night! read more

I've lived in Downtown Sac for 5 years and I've never heard of this bar until today, 3/27/22. This place is super lowkey and the bartender Mike are awesome. If you want to hear corny jokes. I definitely recommend this spot, good drinks at a cheap price! read more

Nice people- nice bartend, nice clientele. Bartend makes great cocktails. I went when it was slow inside. If I lived closer, this would be our regular get together spot. read more

Back back back it up.......Bar + Alley=creepy and amazing all at the same time. Ever see "The Wedding Singer?" This is that kinda bar. Low lightening, they have a live DJ on the weekends and it's a lets dance and get wasted type of bar and no one judges. It's one of the few bars in old sac and a good bar at that. It's always a good time at the back door lounge. Bartenders are nice and chatty. Full bar and pretty good drinks. I'll take a JameO Ginger please :) read more

Back Door Lounge - Brad loves back door lounge - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

Nice low key bar. Bartender Mike is good ppl! Recommend this place. He makes some fire ass cocktails. Will be returning!

Best social spot fr fr i met my now husband of 19 years here thank you back door lounge!! try the berry margarita, It´s my favorite. :) read more

We were here for breakfast at 11:30 am, Sunday Jan 20, after looking all over Old Sacramento for places doing a late breakfast. I can't believe I didn't know about this place after visiting Old Sac regularly for over 5 years. Why? It's a somewhat hidden place, in an alley that I always thought was empty. And upon finding it, we also found very nice and welcoming staff running an old fashioned and intriguingly decorative bar. Food was excellent in my opinion, well spiced potatoes on the egg and bacon plate. I like how confidently spiced the plate was, as usually other kitchens present you with underwhelming bland food LOL. Thank You again! read more

Back Door Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Sacramento, California

Like dive bars? You'll like this. Make sure you bring cash along--though if you forget, they've got an ATM ready for you. Cold beer, heavy pours, and friendly bartenders. What more do you want? Not to mention, if you've got a lounge singer with you, the piano is just begging for action. Our mess of a group may or may not have turned a Saturday morning into a facsimile of a late night piano bar. We had a blast, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

It's a bar, in an alley, marked only by a single sign high above the rounded top double door set back into the facade. It's a little bit old west It's a little bit older It's dim and it's red(ish) and it's woody There's an upper level, pass under the awning, watch from above or look up from the bar Not many youts mostly those of middle age, or so Youts are certainly welcome, no beer pong Drinks are a gracious pour It's loungey and sultry-ish A juke box and a piano read more

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I went around 7 on a rainy Wednesday night. Parking in Old Sac is a nightmare, especially during the holidays because there's a Christmas show. After finding parking I found it, it's pretty easy if you know where it is. It is in an alley but it's not super difficult to find. There were about seven people at the bar, and when I left around 9 there were a few more but it wasn't crowded. I got an old fashioned, and it was pretty good. The only beer they had on tap at the time was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which I like but I wish they had a few more options on tap. The bartender was very friendly and was also very attentive. There were a few patrons that you could tell were regulars. This is a little divey but overall a great place for a drink, really great staff and regulars at the bar. read more