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 .

The Botanist is such a vibe. From the outside, The Botanist is unassuming. But don't be fooled, a…read morehidden oasis lies just beyond the front door. The food was toptier. I was especially surprised by how great their chicken wings are! They also make a mean old fashioned. Our server was very welcoming and attentive. If you're looking for a nice, positive, and slightly secluded/intimate vibe with great drinks and food, I definitely recommend The Botanist.

The two stars are for the delicious food they provide, the great cocktail options they have, and…read morethe beautiful atmosphere inside the restaurant. The service is questionable. Last year I made a large reservation for about 10 ladies to celebrate someone and on the way to the restaurant they called to confirm the reservation (about 30 minutes before), but I did not hear my phone. When I arrived, a distraught friend told me that they did not have our reservation so I asked what the issue was. The manager told me because I did not confirm, they were not sure they were going to hold the table. I apologized that I had not recieved a call, but asked if we could still have the table (I was there on time and could see the large table with the reservation note on it). The manager begrungenly said they would allow us to still dine with them, but they said they would not seat us until more of our party arrived. I asked if we could wait for our party at the bar, but they said they would not because every seat at the bar was taken. So just a heads up, you cannot stand at the bar, you cannot stand around the restaurant, and they do not have a place to sit and wait for your table, you just have to stand outside (I'm sure it has to do with safety or firecodes, I didn't argue, we waited outside until people at the bar left). Once we were seated, the staff was not friendly. Wondering if we should leave or not, I called a friend who works near the building who frequents this place often on what I should do. He told me to go back inside and that the staff would be nice. When I returned, a new server came to our table with a tray of shots and said they would be taking care of us for the rest of the evening. I figured maybe the manager and that other server was just having a bad day, my friend must have called the restaurant and asked his most trusted server to help us, and enjoyed the rest of our evening. I didn't want to risk it another bad experience, so I haven't returned since. A few months ago during the whole Cesar Chavez news broke out, that friend who frequented the place went with another friend to the Botonist and was talking about the news while they were dining. The manager overheard. Later when my friends were getting ready to leave, the manager started becoming upset with my friends and told my guy friend, "I HOPE SOMEBODY R*PES YOU". Stunned, he asked her to repeat herself and she did. My friends left. The chefs and building are wonderful, but obviously something needs to be done about the management and staff with being professional and treating customers with respect. I've worked in the service industry and understand how stressful it can be, but I have always been able to keep my cool around people who are trying to enjoy a nice meal. Hoping they recieve the help they need as I love to see my community thrive.

I see you El Puesto! Everything about our dining experience was A+!…read more Upon arrival on a Wednesday evening we had an approx. 5 minute wait to be seated which was quick for a party of 8. All the staff were friendly and checked on our table frequently. Lots of fun & mostly Spanish music was played at a decent volume throughout the evening & they played a different song for each party celebrating a birthday ~ They let you choose from a shot or a flan for the birthday, you better choose wisely ~~~ The food was plated thoughtfully and went with their nature inspired theme throughout the restaurant. Everything we ate was well-seasoned and the portions were massive. We really enjoyed our time at El Puesto. You'll love it too if you appreciate concept restaurants.

If you are looking for a peaceful escape from the office grind, timing is your best friend. We…read morerolled in for a Wednesday lunch with the coworkers and found a literal oasis. With only two other parties seated, it was blissfully quiet. This is a rare treat when you actually want to hear your colleagues speak. The Main Event: Enchiladas con Mole. I opted for the $14 Lunch Special, and the value to flavor ratio was off the charts. The Enchiladas con Mole were a revelation. They were deep, complex, and packed with a spicy punch. The Sidekick: The beans were just okay, but with mole that soulful, I was not complaining. The Refresher: The Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca was the MVP. It was crisp, refreshing, and the perfect cooling counterpoint to the heat. I genuinely wish I had ordered a second one. The Vibe and Service: The decorations are absolutely darling and make the experience. While our server was perfectly nice, they were a bit of a disappearing act despite the empty room. I am definitely curious to come back for dinner though. They have a great setup for live music that looks promising. Know Before You Go: The Receipt Trap: Heads up! They added an automatic 18% gratuity to our check. I am not sure if it was because we were a party of seven, but I did not notice until after I had already added a tip.

I haven't been here since I was 21 years and now I'm 40 years old…read more Big upgrade new style.. Security at the front door and back exit, but they monitor all areas, so even if you tried to dip out in the back, they will capture you. So you will end up in Kern County Activities. I can't blame my bartender for not putting cherries in my drink, even though I told her not to, she was the only one behind the bar. Either way. The restrooms were very clean with great lighting. I am amazed by the fact that there was only one bartender for the whole night for Friday 07/10/26 and she made the drinks agreat plus she ran the bar smooth AF. GREAT PLAYLIST from people willing to drop money on the jukebox. I took advantage and networked, so hopefully commission check will come in fatter. Overall great atmosphere plus great drinks/musicb solid 10/10. The cherries taste like they've been soaked in alcohol which maybe taste my whiskey sour taste off. After work activities. Fyi my whiskey sour was delicious but the cherries were bitter. 10/10 for establishment.

The VIP Lounge has been in business since 1976. Just a great neighborhood bar. Dark & moody with…read morethat old school vibe. Red leather banquets, tables with red leather chairs, very comfy by the way. A fairly long bar seating 11-12 . The lounge is very well maintained. The carpet & room is clean and the upholstery is in great condition. A good selection of libations. TV's for the sports fans. A juke box for your listening pleasure. A dart board for those so inclined. Karen was my friendly mixologist today. She seems to have quite the Sunday afternoon crowd. She knows everyone, is friendly providing excellent service.

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.

Nice space for any celebration Plenty of space…read more Owner is helpful Chairs an tables can be move to your preference

The first time we came here was great. The food is delicious so I thought Valentine's Day would be…read moreperfect. We came at 6:30 for our reservations, which were made via txt but we weren't on the list. That wasn't an issue though we were seated. The waitress took like 20 minutes to bring water we finally placed our food order around 7:20. We finally got our food at 8:25 pm. My mash potatoes were cold and tasted like boxed mash potatoes little flavor, the salmon 0 flavor. Just tasted like salt and that's it, my fiancés steak was just ok also the veggies served were just carrots little flavor and were basically raw. Saying I'm disappointed is an understatement. We drove an hour out here for a good experience and we could have just gone to our local Applebees for what we got. And the total was $120 In my opinion not worth it.

This place is beautiful . Super modern and reminds me of Tulum. We usually visit as a family with…read moremy toddler and staff has always been very welcoming (can be nerve wrecking because other restaurants usually give the side eye to children but not ritmo). We do choose to sit outside and that doesn't affect their service. Noel was our server this past Sunday and he was very attentive and kind. We ordered the porter house steak with garlic mashed potatoes and it was incredibly delicious. My son ordered the chicken alfredo an entree and almost finished it all because it was so dang good. This restaurant never misses , it is consistent with their service and food. We will be back for the x28373727728272 time.

Had a great experience.The steaks were cooked to perfection--tender, flavorful, and high quality…read more Every dish was well-prepared and full of rich flavor. The service was attentive and professional, making the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. The atmosphere is stylish and comfortable, perfect for a nice night out. Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

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.