This small and quaint pub is the best. The Cesar Salad is fresh and crisp with just the right…read moreamount of dressing. Be sure to try their tasty chicken wings. We had a side of freshly baked flat bread like no other! The service; what can I say, but EXCELLENT. Wait staff was there when needed and not over-powering. Polite and kind and professional. We kinda just stumbled onto Locked and Barrel on our way into the Fleetwood Mac Tribute (a must see) a bit early and boy were we surprised! Couldn't have found a better place if we tried. So next time we're back in SacTown (we're from San Jose), we are certainly coming back here. The guys.

Not a true whiskey connoisseur, but I came here with a friend who definitely is. Even when it was…read morebusy, the place had a super chill vibe and we were able to hold a conversation comfortably. The bartender was incredibly friendly and personable, and we had some great conversations throughout the night. They were knowledgeable without being pushy, which I really appreciated. My friend ordered me a High Gold Derringer, and it turned out to be a great introduction for me. Smooth whiskey with just a touch of sweetness, and very easy to enjoy. I had a great time overall and will definitely be back to try something new from their huge assortment of whiskey options.

Really good experience at Samuel Horne's in Folsom. Great atmosphere, good service, and I was happy…read moreto see they carry South Fork Vodka too. Nice to see a local favorite on the menu. Meg behind the bar was awesome, friendly, attentive, and just made everything easy and enjoyable. Definitely coming back.

This one hurts to write because this has always been one of my favorite little old bars. I've been…read morecoming here for years and the Johnny Burger was always my go-to. Unfortunately, this last visit was a total bust. The burger was not the same flavor or quality it used to be. Not sure if there's a new cook or what changed, but it was disappointing for the first time ever. That said, I still love this place and the atmosphere -- it has such an old-school local charm. I honestly miss the old staff and the consistency it used to have. Hoping this was just an off night because I'd really love to see it get back to what made it so great.

I love the idea of speakeasies. The way that suddenly you are transported to a hidden space that…read moreyou think no one else knows about but then you open the door and it's like you share a secret with other like-minded people. I had been to Bawk before but little did I know about the hidden space behind it. You do need to make reservations, which I did not do. Instead I got on a list until there was a space, close to midnight and way past my bedtime, to discover this hidden gem. Once your reservation time comes up, you are escorted to a booth or bar area and given a menu. We had welcome drinks upon arrival and could choose from a cocktail list. Drinks average about $20 each, so be prepared to spend some cash. You should definitely experience this at least once! Great spot for date night or a fun girls night out.

The Roost in Midtown Sacramento is such a great hidden spot and one of those places you go for the…read morefull experience, not just a quick drink. The space is small and intimate with serious speakeasy vibes that remind me of some of the cocktail bars in San Francisco. The drink presentations are gorgeous, and you can tell a lot of thought goes into both the flavor and how everything looks when it arrives at the table. They have a great selection of gin, rum, champagne, and whiskey, and I often lean on the staff for drink suggestions because they're really good at recommending something you might not normally order. A few times now they've pointed me toward a drink that ended up being a hidden gem. I've been here a few times and it's always a great time whether you're catching up with friends or doing a date night. The food is also surprisingly good and pairs well with the cocktails. It is definitely on the pricier side, but that's part of the experience. Also, because the space is small and intimate, reservations fill up quickly and they do require a deposit, which goes toward your final bill. Helpful tip: make a reservation ahead of time and don't be afraid to ask the staff for drink recommendations -- they're excellent at guiding you to something special. Final verdict: absolutely worth it.

My friend took me to a few events here (in bar area)we loved their appetizers!My mom wanted to…read moretreat us to a nice dinner so decided on Back Bistro. We decided to skip Yard House and that was a wise choice.(If you want better quality food just go to Back Bistro!) We had Beef short ribs,Steak blue cheese salad,Cobb salad and Truffle Mac n Cheese entrees. For dessert we had toffee sticky pudding,burlee and chocolate pot de crème. It was just amazing!Great service too !

Had a nice dinner with my bestie here today... the restaurant is beautiful! We opted to sit outside…read morebecause it was such a nice day .. the outside seating area was cute.. we shared our appetizers .. the steak & potato and fish & rice plates .. the steak and potatoe was delicious! Steak was made well done though when we asked medium well .. the potatoes were soft and yummy. The fish & rice was great! A fried ball of flavored rice topped with a thick cut of seared tuna with some I believe unagi and spicy mayo sauce.. it went well together! I loved it! My main dish was the braised short ribs .. it was so tender you did not need to cut it with a knife! 2 thumbs up! My friend's main dish was the seasonal pasta add shrimp... I didn't try it but it looked delicious Our server was great! He was attentive and made sure to come by to refill and ask if we needed anything ever so often. Perfect place for a nice sit down and chat and enjoy some delicious food

Frank hit all the right notes. The vibe and decor are really cool, the kind of place that feels…read moreintentional without trying too hard. And yes, there is a SpongeBob themed fish tank and yes, I loved it. Cocktail menu is creative and the drinks are actually good, which is not always a given when a bar leans heavily into aesthetics. Service was great too. One heads up though, cash only! But they have a no-fee ATM inside so it's really not a big deal. Just good to know before you go.

Awesome ambiance, lousy bartender. Interaction ruined the experience…read more We go in and are seated. 4 of us. We ask about the menu--we get met with rude sarcasm WITHOUT the humor. The menu out front (which drew us in) was NOT posted anywhere inside. So naturally, we ask about the pricing and what was applicable. That's when bartender's eyes roll and she dishes out snarky responses that insult our intelligence. Yes, lady--we can read, and I hope your boss can too, because you were an embarrassment to the establishment! We didn't ask for the teenage insecurity and projection...we only wanted a drink. Well we got the drink and the flavor was meh. We didn't even tip. Big tab...0 dollar tip. Most likely won't be back. If you're a bartender...be courteous and stay off your fxkin laptop/phone. Understand that customers don't deserve to be the punching bag

Fantastic Spot To "Pregame" Shows @ Goldfields Next Door…read more SITREP We descended upon the Tack Room an hour before our show for "Ally The Piper" (both the classical AND heavy metal bagpiper extraordinaire) began her show! THE SETUP Goldfields is a charming, rustic country-western stylized saloon that serves up beer at good prices. But we weren't interested in beer and wanted quality cocktails. Hence, our pivot next door to the Tack Room! QUALITY COCKTAILS & DRINKS! The Tack Room specializes an amazing array of martinis, bourbons, and other deLISH cocktail drinks at really really reasonable prices! So this was an excellent choice to chill, thus avoiding the tremendous *noise pollution* we were immediately subjected to upon entering Goldfields an hour later for our show. THE LOWDOWN This is a quality bar with plenty of comfortable seating to relax and have quiet, intimate conversations. So if you and your later friend(s) want some privacy, cocktails at a reasonable price, etc., this is a good way to go.

What an absolutely fantastic place to duck into and chill for a bit on a hot summer day. It's about…read moreas classic as you can ask for from a small bar. It's themed around horse racing, but not in an overbearing or... tacky way. The mixologist was delightful and had great recommendations, the lights were dim, and the drinks were all on point. The highlight was the espresso martini, which is among the best I've had. It was reminiscent of the one I had at the Starbucks Roastery in NYC, which is high praise. The other coffee drink that surprised me was the Revolver. I always forget about what a good pairing orange and coffee is, and I'll be taking this one back home with me to try! Every other drink we tried was delicious in some unique way. The Pho drink was savory and surprising, the New York Sour was rich and flavorful, and the Practical Move was refreshing. Will definitely return here after dinner to sip an espresso martini for dessert!

Love this place and vibe ! Great food, good music, friendly staff…read more Recommend for anyone looking for a good place.

The vibe at House of Oliver was great good music, fun atmosphere, and overall a nice place to hang…read moreout. The bartender Steph, deserves major credit. She was absolutely amazing and working incredibly hard, making drinks for the entire restaurant and bringing out food. I sat there for about an hour and a half watching her nonstop hustle, she truly deserves recognition. Unfortunately, the food wait was extremely long. We waited about an hour and a half before our food finally came out, and by that point we were starving and very frustrated. The wait really took away from what could have been a great experience. If you're looking to grab a few drinks with a great bartender and enjoy the vibe, this is a good spot. Just be prepared for a very long wait if you plan on ordering food.

- A Little Luck, A Lot of Vibe…read more If you're looking for that "this is why we don't stay home" kind of energy... this spot nailed it. Walked in on St. Patrick's Day and it felt like the whole place had been plugged into a good mood generator. Packed--but not chaotic. Lively--but not sloppy. Just that sweet spot where everyone's smiling, conversations are flowing, and you can tell people actually want to be there. The staff? Absolute pros. Fast, dialed in, and having just as much fun as the crowd. You don't always see that combo--usually it's either efficient or friendly. These guys brought both. You could feel the teamwork behind the bar... drinks moving, laughs happening, zero stress vibes. The crowd was all in too--green everywhere, patios buzzing, inside shoulder-to-shoulder in the best way. No weird tension, no ego... just good people having a good time. That's rare these days. And honestly, this is exactly why local pubs matter. You're not just grabbing a drink--you're stepping into a community moment. Something real. Something you can't replicate with a six-pack at home. Bottom line: If this is how they show up on a big day, you already know it's solid year-round. Support your local spot. This one's doing it right.

I ordered take out yesterday. I have eaten in the restaurant many times before and ordered the…read moresame thing: just the cheeseburger and fries and a gluten-free bun. When I got there I got the food, went to my car and opened it to find semi-toasted bread, not a bun. Went back in to make sure it was gluten-free, they said they ran out of gluten-free buns. Disappointing, but I went with it. When I got home and cut the burger, I discovered that the inside was completely raw...not rare....RAW. So I had to cook my own burger at home, by which time the bread was even more raw. I felt ill later in the evening and I am still not feeling great today. Really disgusted and disappointed since I have gone in to dine so many times without issue. I will not be going back to 36 Handles ever. The lack of care and basic cooking is utterly sad. $26 for no bun and a raw burger. Waste of money.

The name really does say it all. Tables tucked in the back, cozy atmosphere, the kind of place that…read morejust feels like a good night out before you've even ordered anything. The menu is great on two levels, the aesthetic and the actual cocktail options. Wine was solid too so whatever you're in the mood for, they've got you. The staff was attentive and friendly and made some really good recommendations, which I always appreciate. We went on a busy night and even with a packed house we never waited too long for anything. Really great spot to hang with friends. Already want to go back.

The local after work watering hole for Sac. We came during their Christmas pop up and it looked…read morelike Santas house. The inside was to the T decked out with Christmas decorations. We came for happy hour at about 4:30 and there was no inside seating and it was already packed. Getting a drink at the bar was all most impossible. We opted for the last outside table and our waiter got our drinks. Way faster. Every time Mariah Carey sang it snowed and rained bubbles. Pretty fun not gonna lie. They had space heaters outside to calm the cold. Drinks were in trendy theme oriented mugs and cups. Looking at about $15 per drink on average. They were ok. No food here but you can order pizza and snacks from next door and bring over. Street parking, come early.

"Fries go with everything!"…read more My friend and I went out for a date together and ended up here on a wet Sunday afternoon. I have stepped in The Shady Lady years ago, but never had the opportunity to sit and chill out. We got cocktails and shared a barrel (it was HUGE and delicious) of garlic fries with a smoky sauce on the side. The saloon is dimly lit and they allow kids during the day time. They even have a small stage for life music. This is such a Sacramento establishment. I love a bar with a menu so I don't do the awkward thing of looking panicked at the bar and end up ordering something basic like a rum and coke or a lemon drop. I can't wait to come back.

This bar is carried almost entirely by the live music, which is providential, because the rest of…read morethe experience is a slow march into annoyance. Charlie, the bartender, has all the warmth of a parking ticket. He seems deeply offended by the existence of customers. He is surly, rude, unfriendly, and has the general expression of a man being forced to work off a curse. Ordering from him feels less like getting a drink and more like asking a prison guard for a favor. The drinks are overpriced, which might be forgivable if they were at least consistent. They are not. By the third round, the alcohol seems to have gone on vacation. The smell alone tells you something is off, like the liquor was shown a glass of water and told to do its best. So yes, the music is good, the place is okay, but the drinks are suspect and Charlie acts like hospitality is a personal attack.