I don't think I have ever had a BAD time at Old I. Ok, scratch that...once...but that wasn't Old I's fault. The bartenders are great, the door guys are great and if the Secretions or Knockoffs are playing you are sure to have a good time ;) Support your local music scene - screw the dance parties - go to a show! ***UPDATE*** I felt the need to update my post after reading Chris M's review. They DO have shows at Old I - if I am not mistaking - every week. In fact they had one last night (Monday). So please readers, don't get the idea that this is only a dance club. Pick up an Alive and Kicking for more show listings. read more

Old Ironsides - Danny Secretion @ Old I - Music Venues Near Me - Sacramento, California

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I absolutely love this place! Old Ironsides is one of my favorite lunch spots because it's not too far away from my office; the staff is friendly and wonderful; and I have not had anything on the menu that disappointed me. STAFF and ATMOSPHERE I've become a regular at Old Ironsides. I love the staff and how well they treat their customers. Sam, the mustachioed owner that runs the bar at lunch-time, is sweet, always makes me feel welcome, knows my name, and is fun to chat with while waiting on an order. The place has an older feel to it, a place where you feel comfortable and everyone knows your name. Lol... not Cheers. ;) FOOD The food is superb. I stuck with a few dishes at first but eventually worked myself through the various items on the menu. I honestly have enjoyed each one I tried. Their specials aren't listed as regular menu items, so look out for them on the blackboard. There are dishes that will blow your mind! *Hint: try the lamb.* ^_^ **Sam told me that they will be updating their menu soon! I'm excited to try whatever they dish out.** PRICE It's fairly priced for dining downtown. A meal can range from $6.50 to $13.00, depending on what you get. Burgers and big salads will be around $8. The higher-end meals are totally worth it! NIGHTLIFE I haven't attended their night scene, but they have live bands regularly. They also entertain parties if you call ahead and make reservations. read more

Great Dive Bar. Be read to adjust your eyes when you walk in, when they say dive bar they mean dive bar! Don't be intimidated, super fun and kind staff. $4.50 drafts or less and complimentary goldfish! Check it out! read more

Old Ironsides - Sign out front you're looking for - Music Venues Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Old I has an excellent Blue Cheese burger. Until they break it I will continue order it! They have a short window of 11:30 until 2 to serve food. All the locals know it and hightail it over there. It is not uncommon at all to wait for a table. This place has history predating back to before your grandpappy was born. If your grandpappy was born when this was built then dang you are old and maybe burgers aren't really for you....just saying..... Rich is the man, friendly bartender that after a while recognizes voices on the phone and can remember what your usual is. Its not hard for me, its the Blue Burger.... all d time. read more

Old Ironsides - Music Venues Near Me - Sacramento, California

I've been to several 60s garage rock shows here since moving from L.A. to Davis and I really like this venue. The sound is generally good, the stage is low so you're right in the action, and the dance floor is big enough to cut a rug. Two restroom stalls for the ladies, and they were nice and clean the times I've been. Indoor temp just right - not too hot nor cold. I don't drink, but the bartenders were swift to fill my glass of water. The Old Ironsides neon sign behind the stage always looks cool in photos. This bar definitely has an ambiance I dig, and they seem to book plenty of good shows. I look forward to the next! read more

Cheap drinks. Live music. Sometimes even a DJ! The bartenders are friendly and rather good even if sometimes they don't know how to make a fairly standard mixed drink. Lunch time here is pretty decent. Nothing spectacular on the menu but definitely much better than bad. The food was served hot and fresh but was just a little too cafeteria standard to tickle my tongue. Great place to have a good beer and lunch though. read more

Yeah, Old Ironside hosts Meatless Mondays and for that, I commend them but after giving them five chances to win me over, I reluctantly pronounce the place, in the immortal words of Steve Harvey, "Ahh Hell NO!" Sadly, the meatless Monday food is bland, uninspired, and unrepresentative of quality vegan fare. But if you've only got a fiver and an empty stomach, it might be worth checking out. Personally, if you're light on cash, hanging DT, and have a hankerin for some meatless grub, I recommend heading over to Pieces or Dad's on S. A fellow vegan friend of mine intimated recently that, the food offered on at Old I on Monday evenings actually do a disservice to veganism because it's simply not good food. If a typical standard American eater wanted to get on the bandwagon of eating healthier and sustainably by trying meatless Mondays at Old Ironside for a quaff and a bite, they might be easily discouraged from maintaining the tradition. Let's just add that to the fact that Old Ironside looks like it could be a set replacement for a Horace and Pete episode. In other words, it's a sad, old-timey relic where retired barflies while away their fleeting golden years in pint after pint. The place is dark and smells like only a small dank bar knows how--of shhwetty crotch, stale beer, and cigarette ashes. Granted, if you're in the mood for a quick drink and are on a crawl, this place might just be the place you want to swing by but I can assure you that you won't see me there. read more

Just moved to Sac and went in to have a couple drinks, the bouncer there failed to believe my I.D was real just because it was from another state. When I told him I'd answer any questions that he wanted to prove it was real he told me "it's as simple as this, get the f*** out or I'll knock you the f*** out" I've never been talked to like that before from a "professional" and he was completely in the wrong. I wish I would have let that idiot hit me, but anyways, I don't even make yelp posts. This experience was THAT BAD. Stay away or fire the power hungry idiot you have bouncing. read more

Oh my Old I. This is the place where I met Jackie Green, asked for a light and he obliged. This is the place I think about when I miss old friends that have moved or married. This is also the place that has spawned Sacramento's music scene and my past love for tortured rock souls. But until recently I had relegated it entirely to the past. I'm glad they had their 75th birthday and I hope they turn out another decade of memories for me and the rest of Sacramento once again. read more

If you are over 40 and want to feel your age, go to Old Ironsides on a Friday or Saturday night. The music is loud as I would expect it to be and it is not the kind of music that I feel comfortable with. It is young, claustrophobic, and uncomfortable with service only available at the bar. Did I mention dark and smelly? The music and dance floor is in one room with the bar and seating in another. If you need to use the bathroom, you have to crowd your way past the dance floor. It is kind of an awkward arrangement in my opinion. I have been back during the week when it is a little quieter. Unfortunately it still has the dark, dank, cave with vintage repulsive, wreaking, cigarette stained walls that give you the feeling of being in the ever constricting stomach of a snake vibe like so many other places around Sacramento. I know plenty of people that enjoy that kind of atmosphere but it is not my personal favorite. If you are in your twenties and not part of the Ultra Park Lounge crowd, you will probably love this place. read more

It's hard to say for sure but if Anthony Bourdain came to Sacramento and I had just 1 day to show him the coolest parts of the 916, I think Old I would be a destination. Definitely for the always kick-ass shows that tireless music promoter, lover of Sac and up-and-coming band advocate Jerry Perry puts on if not also for the food and history of the place. Seriously, show up at Old I on any given night they have live bands and if you are open to it, you will probably experience something awesome, whether it's young indie kids, punk rock legends, rock-a-billy locals, touring 19 year olds who have played 23 shows in the last 25 days, unusual tribute shows or just a good ole fashioned hoedown. Their food during the day is some of the best in town. Try the meatloaf sandwich: it's the best I've ever had! Also, the Mediterranean chicken sandwich is a savory delight with a blackened, flavorful chicken breast and feta cheese. They make homemade soup everyday as well, and that alone would drive me here every day if I worked nearby. read more

I've been coming to Old Ironsides since I was old enough to get in. I love that it's casual and divey, without being sticky-seat-divey. There's always an assortment of great live shows, and I love attending the dancy Lipstick night, the new wave Fascination night, or the random goth club night that blows through. The crowd is usually pretty good, I don't remember any run-ins with d-bags or bar skanks. On the nights when there is a cover charge, it's never very much. I've always had good experiences with their bartenders. They're friendly and pour a good, stiff, cheap drink. The last time I was there I ordered a few mixed drinks then after I was fully drunk-flushed- WHOA, they pour a long island iced tea with a vengence!- and decided to slow down with some sodas, the bartender gave me 2 or 3 Cokes for free. Aw, what a mensch! (*Might* have been the obnoxious level of cleavage I was showing that night, but I won't complain with free drinks!) Love you, Old I! read more

Charming dive bar that is the oldest bar in Sacramento. I love coming here for Lipstick and I also enjoy seeing bands here. I have seen some of my very favorite shows here. I have also had a great time when I come here. The cover is generally between $5-7 (total deal) and the drinks are inexpensive. The bartenders never act snotty or put out if you ask for soda or water. The interior is small and dark and a little claustrophobic, but that is part of what I like about it. Such an intimate atmosphere and a great place to see a live band. There is such energy here. They also have velvet fuzzy wallpaper in the bar - which I think is great! I will hopefully continue to see shows here for quite a long time. read more

It appears that I've been quite liberal with the 4's and 5's of late. But I can't help it! I've had a long string of really good luck! When I was living 7 blocks away from this place, I stopped in a few times for drinks. Checked out a couple bands. Big deal. You serve PBR, you're probably a dive bar. Cool; nothin' wrong with that whatsoever. A week ago, I went in for lunch, after I remembered watching a segment on one of those stupid morning news shows. The cook was on there making a tri-tip sandwich with bleu cheese sauce or something. My first Old I lunch experience was just over the top. The soup of the day was lentil and bacon. What did I say about bacon? I'm a Christian; I love Jesus. Know why? Several reasons, but this one's important: even though He was (is!) Jewish, one thing HE WOULD NOT DO is deny me bacon. But I digress . . . I also ordered . . . you guessed it . . . the BLT. Two contenders, in a tie for 2nd place for Sac's BLT: Fog Mountain and Magpie. Sorry . . . this one killed them both. Grilled sourdough, sprinkled with parmesan cheese; the LT with light mayo, plus more B than I've ever had in a sandwich EVER. Throw on a cup of this lentil/bacon nirvana and a Coke, for $10.50 or so? I was too thru! A few days later, I went back and got the Tuesday special, the tri-tip plate, with that bleu cheese sauce, mashed potatoes, and spinach (WITH BACON!) I'll die early (and broke, 'cause this one costs $13.95), but I'll die happy. Is there a jukebox in there? Because while I'm stifling moans of pleasure, barely avoiding embarrassing myself by licking my plate, I'm hearing hits from the 40's. On my 3rd lunch there in a week, the bartender greets me and laughs, probably because he knows I'm trying to avoid the place and can't. read more

1st time and last time coming here. Place was cool people were friendly and music was amazing all good except for the power trip security guard who gave us attitude from the moment my wife of 30 years tried to show him the tickets to venue on her phone. We were there for Kashd out show on thier whiskey n weed tour yet got kicked out for a vape pen. So you allow a show from the whiskey n weed tour but kick us out while the main group on stage. To make matters worse we complied with the no vape rule but while dancing the pen fell out wife's pocket which led to another lady picking it up and puffing it. Then out of no where I'm dancing having great time and I feel this hand of bouncer snatch me up by the arm and said you two out as in myvwife and I. The girl who hit the pen got to stay. My arm has a huge bruise now from being grabbed by this bouncer who obviously had it out for us. I will now tell all my friends and family to avoid this place unless they want to get kicked out. Not to mention I paid $180 for merch to help support the group. Also tipped bar tender well all night for she was amazing. Sucks how one guys power trip could ruin a special event like this. And oh yeah it was our anniversary too so ty for making it one we won't forget read more

Old I is to Sacramento what CGBG is to New York City, except it doesn't feature as much punk. I agree this is a beautiful relic: a solid brick edifice w/ a mural on S Street, cool neon signage, a bar with true character, porthole windows, a marlin hung on the wall, and a CD jukebox -- not one of those new-fangled satellite ones. Mixed drinks are reasonably priced, but the best part is the social scene: friendly bartenders, meet up with friends, make new ones, listen to live music and dance... Jerry Perry books local and travelling bands; he's part of this institution as well! If you don't want to stand and watch the band, you don't have to give up your barstool. A closed-circuit camera will relay the band's performance to flat-panel screens! Tuesday night is LIPSTICK, the nine-year-and-counting indie rock dance party. Thanks to Shaun Slaughter & DJ Roger! britpop and some electro thrown in the mix keep the dancefloor packed. This year also marks the return of Larry Rodriguez's Flower Vato dance parties on Thursdays... read more

I have not been to Old Ironsides in years. I use to be a semi-regular when it was a short drunk walk from my place. Good local talent and good company. Yesterday I went there for lunch with my co-workers. Now, I have not checked the previous yelps but I am sure this is in there multiple times. And here goes one more. The Rib-eye sandwich was not just bomb, it was atomic bomb. And I wasn't even hungry. I will not waste your time with descriptions, just go to lunch there and check it out. Of course, attentive staff. It was cool to go back, I'm sure it wont be as long between next time. read more

Neat Old Dive with a warm home kind of feeling. I knew of this place for a very long time though I don't typically go to bars. For this instance, I came here to check out the open mic night with a group of friends. One of my friend's friend were playing. Coming in, the bar tender greeted us like a mutual friend which was cool. Really awesome service and feel. Great prices for beers too with a limited selection they had. Open mic night was pretty awesomely set up. There was free food for the guests! Great bands and people playing. No one sucked! Recommended for open mic night! Pros: Open Mic Night, Service, Prices, Antique'd Cons: Space Stars: 3.75 read more

I was enjoying the musicians and admired the courage it took for each person or group to get up on stage. However, by 11pm I had not yet performed but several folks who were behind me had been called up to perform. I was not at all happy that the host allowed people to change the order of performers even though we all stood in line to sign up but when I said something he said he didn't do it, that the people did it on their own - yet the sign up was in front of him the entire time. It was hard enough to build the courage to show up but I have a disability and having to wait until 11:30pm just because people and host chose to reconfigure original sign up sheet was really frustrating. I hope they can honor the signups next time. Being new, the impression was that you're not "in" unless you're in. Disappointing. read more

Dear Old I, Oh, how I want to hate you. You've come to represent everything I hate about the Sacramento music scene -- the elitism, the snottiness, the rusty vanfuls of egos raging out of control. Sometimes, in adolescent fits of rage, I just wish you would go away...but like an heiress with a highly-rated reality show, you stubbornly refuse. So since you insist on clinging to life as the sole reminder of the late, great mid-to-late nineties Sac music scene (RIP Cattle Club), I suppose it's only fair that I love and accept you the way I would a blind kitten with a wonky paw. You've done so much for me for so little, Old I. We've been pals over the years, haven't we? I've gone to your shows, both good and bad. I've been a quiet observer, and I've been the belle of the ball inside your hallowed, sweaty, tacky, nautically-themed walls. I've done my share of illegals and vomited up the entire contents of my stomach inside the rank bathroom. I've stood next to the frighteningly tiny stage and fallen in love with the men who tried to jump, but just ended up knocking a panel out of the ceiling. When it was my band's turn to play, I didn't jump. I knew I wouldn't clear it and besides, I'd had a burrito earlier in the evening and I thought I'd spare my drummer the misery. Most importantly, I've felt the hot-pink glow of rock-and-roll right-now love under the sick green lights with many a skinny punk rocker. Looking up at someone with the glassy-eyed sparkle that can only be described as love, drunkenness or both is an experience that I always savor with my oft-shattered heart. In short, I've touched a lot of rock cock thanks to this place, and that is totally awesome. Long after I've left Sacramento for good, long after I lean out of a moving car window - both arms outstreched, middle fingers extended - screaming "SO LONG, SUCK TOWN!!" in my best available Homer Simpson voice...the rickety neon sign blaring "OLD IRONSIDES" will have burned a permanent scar in my mind, and in my heart. Minus one star because the women's room always smells like piss. read more

Tuesday nights! "Lipstick" Electro-pop music, $2 beers. You'd better git goin'. Not much seating. The decor is a little "oh, here's a brick wall and a wooden pew it's fabulous." I absolutely love it! More than a dive bar. read more

CASH ONLY!! ($8 cover) Nice place to come if you enjoy LIVE bands! They host something called "Lipstick" where they play popular Indie/Rock jams and people congregate to the dance floor to show off their latest moves! Old Ironsides caters to an older crowd, for the most part, as most people appear to be in their late 20's to early 30's. The crowd is quite diverse, which I enjoyed, and people were pretty friendly! I felt as if the bartenders ignored us a bit as we had to wait a while to order our drinks but, other than that, the bouncers and door staff were very laid back. It does, however, get extremely crowded inside so be sure to wear a short sleeve top! Seating is limited as they have a few booths and high-top tables available across from the bar. Since it does get packed people WILL BUMP INTO YOU left and right so don't wear anything too fancy as you'll probably leave with alcohol or soda stains on your clothes. Drinks were on the cheaper side and they even allow in-and-out privileges as long as you have a wristband indicating you paid their initial cover fee. There is an abundance of FREE street parking available which is nice and there's hardly any traffic as this is more towards the outskirts of downtown. There is a bar across the street called Elixir and I've heard they too serve cheap, strong drinks. Overall, I probably won't be coming back anytime soon for "Lipstick" nights but maybe to try out their brunch (served from 11AM-2PM). Service wasn't all that great and I prefer less crowded bars where I won't go home with alcohol stained clothes. read more

Last night a friend of mine and went to see two shows at Old Ironsides. We found easy parking just around the corner and were there by 9pm ($8.00 cover) to see to shows play. "Bucho" and "Sol Peligro." We ordered a pitcher of Red Horse ale for $12.00 and waited for one of the bands to start. It was nice to see a variety of ages in the crowd and everyone was very friendly. Neither of the shows started until almost 11pm however. Despite the wait, the music was a lot of fun and we enjoyed talking with friends and others mingling in the bar. Old Ironsides was cozy with plenty of dancing room and was just a great little place to have some good drinks (we tried Red Horse ale, Anchors ale, shots of spiced rum & red headed sluts) and listen to good music. It was a fun night out! read more

While I do not understand why the ceiling is so low or why they can't get some ventilation going, Old I is proving to be an excellent place to see a show or get my groove on. I went to Vicious last night and was actually impressed by the level of music and dancing going on. Not to rag on Sacramento or anything, but y'all seem to be seriously lacking in good dance parties. I got spoiled living in San Francisco, so this was desperately needed and I will definitely be back to check out Lipstick now that I'm living in midtown. read more

Awesome little hole in the wall! Didn't expect the food to be this awesome. Defiantly would come back here. The servers and service was awesome and friendly! read more

Ahhh the stopping grounds back home. Old Ironsides, you've given me so much, and also fucked me in the ass. I had too many drinks here once and well... the rest is history. Ass-fucking aside, Old I is great. I was usually already buzzed by the time I got here so maybe it's a good thing they're drinks aren't too strong. But if I was in the mood for beer... well they had two of my favs. Downtown Brown all the way from Eureka, CA (one of the only places I've been to that has this on tap), and.... you guessed it, PBR. Gotta love that PBR. At one point I was part of a secret org called TNQ, which was Tuesday NIght Quartet. We came to lipstick at Old I. We danced and we fucking owned. Sometimes we were shitfaced, sometimes just there to dance and sweat, sometimes there for the "meat market" (this meat market is totally vegan too). Out front is always a blast... the guys don't tell you to get off the sidewalk and I've hung out up to an hour after the bar closes. You see all your friends wasted and falling down, smoke tons of ciggs, and sometimes see Downtown James Brown, the homeless crackhead, do some sweet dancing. Goddammit I miss Old I. So why 5 stars? The bartenders are great, they do their best to keep up. The cover is reasonable and free before 10. The kids are nice and most of the guys are respectful of the girls. They have lots of great local bands play, and the sound guy knows what he's doing. If you spill a drink on the dance floor, it's cleaned right up, no questions asked. Free pretzels and tuesday night drink specials (on beer) before 11. I need to find a place like this in Boston. read more

I loved visiting this place! The drinks are cheap, but I'm comparing to Los Angeles prices... $7 for a well cosmopolitan and a beer. Beer on a Saturday night is only $2?! Awesome. We saw Ricky Berger, who was amazing. She was so sweet with a loungey voice, played the keyboard, ukulele and flute! I liked the two separate rooms with the TV in the bar area to see what's going on in the show area. You can see their Live Music Calendar on their website for shows, it looks like they have shows quite often! The decor was beautiful, lots of cute relics from the 1940's made it very charming. Ample seating for you and a few guests or a party. There were just enough people in here to make it interesting and also to hide a bit. If this place was in my town I'd go quite often! In fact, it reminds me of another bar I love in New Orleans called Mimi's in the Marigny. Awe, I love to love cute bars! read more

Old I is my favorite place to see a show, and last night was one of the best shows I've ever seen. The Mother Truckers from Austin, Texas headlined. They were electrifying. The lead guitar was intoxicating, the vocals were commanding, and the steel guitar was amazing. They played loud and proud to a small crowd. Even though there was a low turnout of people, The Mother Truckers played as if the place was packed. If you ever get the chance, make sure to see or hear The Mother Truckers. The Bottom Dwellers opened the night and were also really good. The Bottom Dwellers inspired me with their music and lyrics. They were accompanied by the steel guitar player from The Mother Truckers, which really gave a perfect layer to The Bottom Dwellers songs. I swear, that steel guitarist can play! He has mad skills. Rowdy Kate was supposed to open before The Bottom Dwellers, but had to cancel. I've seen them before. They're a good country swing cover band. Thanks to our friend Sacabilly to recommending the show. This one will go down in the record books as one of the best! read more

I have not been to OI in awhile. This is because the prices went up at the door and the bar, and also, I had a baby. The last band I saw play there was The Alkali Flats. Or maybe it was Knock Knock. I can't actually remember, because it was definitely over a year ago. The best show I saw there was Filibuster back before they renovated. The second best show was 99 Tales. I can't believe how many bands I've seen there, and I'm sure I'm not alone. The only places that I think I caught more bands coming through were The Cattle Club (circa 1980s/early 90s) and The Living Room (in Goleta.) I never tried the food. Only the Pabst. And maybe a few Rolling Rocks. I think nowadays they pull more outside bands than the locals. I think some local bands have beefs with this family/bar manager, and you may not see, say, No Kill I play there anytime soon. The thing with this place is that it's family owned, and whether you like that family or not, it's still going pretty damn strong. And that's great. For Sacramento. Now, all we need are MORE places for music and arts, so that the door charges at places like OI, where they get lots of bands coming through, comes down a little... read more

Old Ironsides is my favorite place to see a live local show. Went there recently for The Buck Owens Tribute as well as to see a band out of San Francisco called Social Studies. They're melodic and catchy. I'm always there when Jackpot plays. Jerry Perry books some damn fine shows. I also like the frizzy haired bartender. She's quite sultry. read more

Old Ironsides - great live shows! - Music Venues Near Me - Sacramento, California

Old I is a great place. Besides the fact that it occasionally smells like vomit. In fact, it has smelled so much in the past, it only gets 4 stars. OLD I is a beautiful relic, all old wood inside, porthole windows and funky and interesting architecture. The drinks are poured reasonably, and are a bit more pricey than other dives in town, but considering OLD I does music and dance parties? Its all worth it. This place is definition of "small club" as I don't think they can safely fit more than 150 people in the whole place, so if you want to see a show in a small intimate setting, here's your place! (just don't forget the earplugs!) Lipstick on tuesday nights is a great relief, as its something OTHER than top 40, top-40 "80s", hop hop etc. You can actually hear some decent indie and britpop and if you're really lucky, some electro. The cover ain't much, and the monthly "Vicious" is REALLY fun... themed dance parties that can't be beat!!! Definately more of the fixed gear riding indie kid crowd rather than the " i have a vuitton bag" crowd. read more

I come here for lunch since it's a few block down from where I work. Their lamb burger is yummy and wash it down with a cold downtown brown (on tap) is a perfect lunch. This is the one of the few places in Sactown that still serves corn beef and cabbage only on St. Pat's day....it get's really crowded too, so go early. Overall the ambiance is okay, it's not a dive, but not really glamorous either. There's plastic tablecloth on the small tables and seating for lunch can be limited, so go early. They usually have some kind of daily special, but it's always the lamb burger for me. The sandwiches, burger and even the salad are decent. Just simple food. Actually, I prefer the food here better than the Fox and Goose. Service can be hit or miss depending on the day, but overall friendly. read more

Such a great place to take your date for lunch. The nightlife is really off the chain read more

Old Ironsides - Music Venues Near Me - Sacramento, California

I've frequented Old I on Tuesdays (Lipstick dance night) and it's been consistently friendly. Smaller venue; obviously perfect for a lot of local shindigs. Lipstick itself has grown out of her britches, but I like a packed dancefloor!! I love Old I. Say hi to Art (the awesomest bartender in Sacramento; Id bet money). Good times at that place. read more

Nice spot but be careful. Don't attract attention when you leave. There's a California Highway Patrol (CHP) field office just around the corner, 1 block west, at 9th and R Streets. Their motor pool has a dozen cruisers, SUV's, and motorbikes, with officers coming and going all the time. read more

Old I is my favorite place to see a show. Great lineups and great crowd. A pretty wide variety of acts perform from country twang to punk rock, thanks to Jerry Perry. The crowd is not as stand-offish as at other venues. People actually let loose, dance, and generally act a fool here. Best place to spend New Year's Eve, hands down. The place is small, but can pack a lot of people in. The stage is tiny and the ceiling is crazy low. So low that freakishly tall lead singers have been known to bonk their head on it when rocking out. The sound is pretty good, but not the best in town. The back-to-basics feel is part of the appeal. There's very few douches, and at bigger shows like New Year's Eve parties, the douches generally get kicked out before causing too much trouble. The security steps in when needed, but generally just hangs to the side and outside, so the fun isn't hampered. I don't drink, so I can't vouch for the bar aspect. I wish they had a jug of water off to the side. The bartenders are pretty nice about refilling water cups, though. The jukebox is pretty cool and loaded with a lot of local music. The ladies bathroom is kinda gross, but I've seen worse. read more

Have you ever wondered where one can take lunch, and have a out of the ordinary experience. Treat yourself to Old Ironsides. This modest establishment is old like the city it seems. Yet, the paradox is that it caters to every generation and always provides new entertainment. For lunch, I had the meatloaf sandwhich which was hearty, comforting and modestly priced along with fries. My friend had the pesto spaghetti. The alcohol list is varied, and multi faceted thematically, a plus. Our waitress was succinct and helpful. read more

The calamari steak, Friday's only for lunch, is the best ever. Get there by 11:30 though. It's a popular lunchtime favorite on Friday's.

Pretty good food. I love the garlic fries. And Sam, the owner/bartender, during the days is an awesome man. He reminds me of the cowboy bartender from the Big Lebowski. Definitely worth a visit to if you're in the area. read more

One of my favorite lunch spots in midtown. Service is friendly and prompt, and the food is delicious and well-priced. I typically can't break away my usual garlic steak sandwich, but do make an exception for one of their tasty lamb dishes. I love the large carafe of iced tea. Today was a real testament to their prompt service. There was a large party celebrating a retirement. Despite this, and my usual O.I. partner-in-crime's predictions that it would be slow service, we were in, fed, and out in less than 40 minutes. And our tab was under $22. read more