Fun bar with a pool table. Not a very big space so a lot of standing against the wall, as the bar is not that big. Great bartenders and drinks. Very friendly. Good vibes. read more

Smitty's Cocktails - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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You can't knock a bar with such a devoted set of regulars. That was the vibe I got when I walked in because everybody knew each other including the bartender. Escaping the rain outside, I felt a bit solitary with my Diet Coke since I was on the wagon at the time, but it was sure a lot friendlier than The Alley nearby (review: https://yelp.to/WFr48fQ28Z). This spot felt one level above a dive because they had a nice pool table in the back and an art gallery of local paintings (Photo 4). I'd give it another try when I'm feeling boozier. DRINKS - n/a...I just had a Diet Coke AMBIANCE - 3 stars...might've helped if my name was Norm SERVICE - 3.5 stars...serviceable enough TOTAL - 3 stars...a dive plus RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/aAisA3Lynt read more

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I live in San Francisco and my family convinced me to come to Oakland to spend the night. It's my birthday and they take me to Smitty's. Still they call all the family and friends to come through. Everyone walked in the door was purchasing drinks. The bartender had a major attitude and I said thank you and may I have a cocktail and was very polite and my FOLKS!! tip. We had to spend a couple hundred dollars in a couple hours we oughta drink. My brother told him it's my sister's birthday and we're starting off tonight. He look nonchalant. I don't think he even said happy birthday and my brother called friends and family and told him to roll through when we were ready for another drink. I would raise my hand and say Mr. Bartender, sir may we please have another round? I'm 5'9 and very athletic. I raise my hand like I was in grade school, saying Mr. Bartender, sir, I'm sorry I don't know your name. He still didn't tell me his name. It was turning his head as if he didn't see us through as hell and major unprofessional attitude. Even after my brother told him it was my birthday, his attitude was worse before it was better. Made us feel like he was doing us a favor to pour as a drink, I'm a Small Business owner and I will never make anyone feel the way he made me feel. Why would he wanna work in a bar with that shit attitude, Service and people and using it as a superiority or something. I don't feel he should work in service or maybe he was having a bad day. It's a tough economy out there if you can't handle the job why would you wanna work dealing with people and having a shitty attitude, it was the worst attitude I've seen in a minute. I was so annoyed and asked my family and friends. Why would you guys tell me to come to this bar? I hope the owner see this and tell him his behavior was inappropriate. I waved by hand so much he turned his head and all we wanted was cocktails. I hope the owner sees this and talk to him and tell him that behavior is unacceptable. We told him it was my birthday and he hate worse with a negative attitude and I said thank you and please it was very polite and I still feel like I barely want to ask him to take care of my friends. There was a many people at the bar and he never asked me on my group. Let me know if you need anything else is everything and OK terrible experience on my birthday. Being a business owner and I saw this review I will call him in and talk to him, but I think most people don't leave a review. I have always looked over people and let them be and never write a review even when they gave horrible service. I'm going to write a review from now on when is good. And I'm definitely gonna write a review when it's not so good. But I've never been to a place, after you discloses your birthday and you still get it ignored. I asked them did you guys do something to him or is something wrong that I don't know? Are you a bartender and you hear the work and pour drinks with pleasantry. I just can't believe that he was still acting like he was pissed or something and my brother just told you it was my birthday. I don't appreciate his attitude and his non-attentiveness and with all my politeness and throwing my hand up when no one is at the bar, but family and friends. They have to chase them down for a cocktail. If you don't let his job he shouldn't work there, but if I'm ever treated like that again, I'm leaving right away and tell my family and friends. I don't wanna be there. I don't like the way you treat me and I'm a happy person. If I didn't know better I would've thought that I've done something to him personally that's how bad it was I even? My family and friends I'd say this something happen between you and the Bartender. I said why is he acting like this? Are you guys tipping? What's wrong? I told him I do not appreciate that. He's acting like this and you told him it was my birthday they said he's gay. I have so many gay friends and they never have a bad attitude like that so I hope the owner sees this so he can talk to him because he is too comfortable and we've spent a lot of money there to have a bad attitude on my birthday. read more

Racist. I'm deeply disappointed by what happened here. I came in, ordered tequila, 2 ciders, paid for it, and closed my tab. I then stepped just outside to sit down finish the last bit of one of the ciders - something I've seen people do countless times in my life all around this city and the world. A few minutes later, when I tried to return to toss it in the trash, I was told by the same white bartender who served me that I had STOLEN the drink and was now banned from the bar. Let me be clear: I paid for the drink. I was calm and respectful. There was no reason to escalate the situation, and certainly no reason to accuse me of theft. The fact that I, a Black man, was immediately assumed to be stealing despite doing nothing wrong speaks volumes. To make matters worse, I was on the phone at the time with someone who overheard the entire exchange--and even they commented on how much disrespect and contempt was in her voice when she said it. That kind of condescension and accusatory tone was just unprofessional. Instead of a simple heads-up about a policy (which, by the way, was never made clear), I was criminalized. Loudly. Publicly in front of someone else. Without hesitation. It was humiliating, infuriating, and heartbreaking to experience this in a city I've called home for 30 years. To those who run this bar: If your staff can't enforce rules without racial assumptions or power trips, the problem isn't the policy--it's the people. I won't be back. read more

Stopped in here one random Saturday around noon!! Absolutely cute!! Not crowded at our time. Max was friendly and welcoming!! If we lived closer would probably make this a regular stop!! Thanks for being so friendly!! Had a great time!! read more

This is one of my favorite dive bars. Drinks are not pricey. The bartenders are very friendly. Check it out.

Cool place with great crowd. Don't expect to be able to order a mixed drink. Girl wasn't in the mood. But for on the rocks or beer, it's a decent spot read more

Rude bartender. No prices listed and they won't even mix up a cocktail for you despite having a moderate -sized collection of hard liquor right behind them. Not to mention that the establishment is called Smitty's COCKTAILS!!! Instead of wasting people's time, just tell us you're not very good at your job and hand us a list your bottled/canned beers. read more

Shitty smittys tonight before 5 he was out side smoking said hi to him walk in to have a beer and a shot walk in after a customer . He came and asked the customer befor me what he wanted to drink . At that time I was at the bar waiting . Walked past me to ask the 2 guys buy the door at the bar if they were good on drinks . Walks past me again and tells a customer you break for pool and just stands there ...... wow what good service I know the other bars that the owner has and they dont do that read more

** Cash Only ** Smitty's no longer has shuffleboard, but still has cheap drinks and the pool table. Cash only and pay as you go (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/smittys-cocktails-oakland?select=HYzETg2UvA7E4AKxIYoKSg) No draft beer and nothing too fancy available in bottles unless you count Racer 5 or Guinness (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/smittys-cocktails-oakland?select=yJjUlNpSCFdagYAD5b7twA) Great for a low-key drink, but go elsewhere for your artisinal craft cocktails with housemade tinctures. read more

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Smitty's is what a dive bar should be about: Nice pour; cool ass people from all walks of life and good music!

New owner: BYRON #amazing I always love this place (even with the old somewhat "shitty" mean old lady's service) because it opened early. But now, welcome Byron! I guess the bar changed hands, so to speak. Great move. Thank you Bruton for not screwing up another dive bar by Lake Merritt. Gentrification really screwed up this area, but thank G-d the new Smitty's owner is local and loyal. #newgotobar read more

Smitty's Cocktails - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I came here a few days after i'd been in a bad accident and my face was really messed up. One thing to note- there's a lot of mirrors on the walls here... so if you look messed up it's going to be very difficult to keep that under wraps. I wasn't really in the mood or headspace to be out and about but my friend was visiting from NYC and we'd decided to do a dive bar tour of oakland on his long weekend here. Smitty's was pretty similar to the townie bars we'd go to right when we turned 21 in the lower class suburbs of chicago illinois. Nothing fancy. But there's character and it's cheap so it's perfect. There's a pool table in back where we witnessed a very heated argument between two almost uncannily good pool players. It was more fascinating than anything but I gather that the table is not for gumshoes... or whatever a newbie pool player is called. The crowd is a real mixed bag, in a good way. Down to earth people. Who play very good music on the juke box based on my experience. When my friend went out to smoke a man did come up to me and ask if I had bad make-up on my face. He wasn't very shy about it. Like I actually had to tell him to please not touch because he went in with his hands like my stitched, swollen, bloody, bruised face was special effects makeup. And i'm certain he meant it in an interested way... but I dunno it was a little too friendly for me in that moment but otherwise might be a good place to make friends if you're curious. read more

It's too bad they close, I liked my bars smelling like piss, stale beer, and nicotine.

In the neighborhood for dinner, the girlfriend thought it would be nice to grab a cocktail as an aperitif before dining. Of course, her idea (& mine too) of an aperitif is a Manhattan. The 1st bar we walked past was Smitty's, so in we went. If steel bars on the outside of the tiny front windows seem foreboding & somewhat reminiscent of a penitentiary, don't worry. Once inside, the atmosphere is relaxed, the patrons are neighborly & the bartender is jovial & personable. We ordered our Manhattans. This being a dive bar in Oakland, we passed on the pretense & went with well instead of some top shelf bourbon. Our drinks were ready in a jiffy & actually tasted pretty darn good. $5 each. That's right, it wasn't even Happy Hour & the Manhattans were only $5 each. With our appetites properly stimulated by spirits, we went on our way to get dinner. Smitty's was a nice little find in this neighborhood & I can definitely see stopping in again sometime. read more

Smitty's can be described as an hole in a wall, dive bar. they have no draft beef. and pretty of bottled beers, mostly bud, miller, and domestics. heartell they pour stiff drinks, their claim to fame and longevity. oh, and smoking is tolerated here though i didn't see it. flatscreen(3), pool table, skeeball samplings:miller bottled(3) on draught: -older mixed crowd. -bar stools all taken -2.5 stars for longevity. read more

Like many others, I'm a regular at Smitty's. It's a great bar (I'm a smoker, so the smoke doesn't bug me and actually endears the place to me). Even if I'm not specifically meeting anyone down there, good (or at least interesting) conversations are all around. The games are really good, with the "Bones Memorial" shuffleboard table taking up the majority of the space next to the bar. The shuffleboard table is absolutely perfect as a bar game because: 1) it can be played by drunk people 2) it facilitates communication among casual observers 3) it's easy to score I personally appreciate the central (and sometimes in-the-way) placement of the shuffleboard table because everyone is forced to giggle and chat around it. The pool table is fun but tilts lower to the North. People are not seriously competitive and tend to end games with hugs and back slaps. All's fun in the game... this is not a hustlers' joint. In recent months, I've noticed it has been becoming more of a meat market (is that "meet" or "meat"?). I'm not into dating people from bars, so this kind of turns me off. I've also sometimes felt the need to watch my drink. I'm never sure why, but sometimes I get a little uneasy. Still, though, it's an incredibly awesome locals bar. For me, it's close enough to stumble home and that's just damn awesome. read more

Smitty's Cocktails - Photo Credit: SplatWorldwide (flickr) by permission - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Best damn neighborhood dive bar in the East Bay! Pool table, shuffle board, 3 flat screens (&1 old school TV), internet jukebox. Cool folks and great vibe. As an added bonus the drinks are very affordable. read more

Hello Readers! This place is 'Quadruple OG' (that's 4xxxxOG), if there is such a thing. Maybe come here one of these evenings, possibly play some pool, drink a bit of whiskey, shoot a lil' pinball, check out a Warrior's game, etc, perchance? You owe it to yourself, good friends. Love, Ben H. read more

Just what you're looking for in this kind of place. According to yelp I need to keep writing to make this review legit. Maybe this is enough but maybe not. We'll see what happens when I hit post this time. read more

Note the name: Smitty's COCKTAILS. That's not just a marketing ploy, they have a ridiculous assortment of booze here. It's like a mini BevMo behind the bar. Quite impressive for an old-school dive! Problem is, this isn't exactly the kind of bar I want to sip a cocktail in. The frills-free atmosphere (with shuffleboard, pool table, scruffy clientele, and a high-tech jukebox that doesn't get nearly enough love) caters more to a Bud Light with the boys mood. We enjoyed an hour of playing free shuffleboard, but the pool table was being dominated by intimidating regulars. Gotta say, the bartender here was SO nice! He was the only guy working the bar, an older gent with a cheery face and Hawaiian shirt on. Seems that friendliness & funkiness come as a package deal here, which makes Smitty's A-Ok with me. read more

Smitty's is kind of a double edged sword. I really liked the vibe and all, but they allow smoking inside. I hate cigarette smoke more than anything else in the whole world! But, the bartender was fast, friendly and even checked back in with us to make sure we were doing OK. Considering I had just left The Alley with the worst service in the entire universe, his attention was greatly appreciated by this drunk bitch. There were a lot of hot guys here last night. But, considering I'd rather suck my big toe than kiss a smoker, their hotness was pointless to me. read more

I had never heard of Smitty's Cocktails. Frankly, there are a lot of places in Oakland that I have never heard of. It's getting to be embarrassing, really. So how did I come to enter this den of booze and smoke? Well, when you talk up a guy at a bar wearing a sweatshirt with your favorite football team on it, and then said guy invites you to watch said team get their asses handed to them at a new bar, why not? Smitty's reminds me of some of my favorite places in Reno- regulars yelling at t.v.s, lots of smoke, cheap drinks. There was also a hangover curing hot dog, which went nicely with my hair-of-the-dog bloody mary, which I followed up with a random assortment of bottled beers. Will I be back? Why not? read more

If you are wondering where the Sexist, Homophobic, Racist men are hanging out in Oakland, this is the place. I went here to watch the second half of the Women's World Cup Final between team USA and Japan, as the bar I usually frequent was not open in time for the game. I was glad I found the place not too busy (as usual) and was able to sit down at the bar and watch the game. The two patrons to my right, both middle aged men, one who kept mentioning how he'd rather be watching the NASCAR race, the other sporting a USC hat, and a few other people at the bar, including the big, bald, bartender, were making derogatory comments about the women playing on TV throughout the game. I ignored it as best I could, ignoring the Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima bomb references about the Japanese team, ignoring the comments about how the US team's female coach looked like Mr. USC hat's dad, ignoring the comments about how the US team looked like lesbians, ignoring how in the Air Force they referred to the female service members as "marine mattresses" and the constant comments about each player's looks. After 30 minutes or so of this, I could ignore it no longer. I can't believe, living in a diverse a place as Oakland, where we pride ourselves on our multiculturalism, and progressive values, even in my own neighborhood, I had to ask these people to cut out the Homophobic, Racist, Sexist talk. The bartender's answer was "Fuck being PC", but the other guys did tone it down after I asked them to stop. Little comments would still slip out here and there, mostly about me being "too sensitive" and watch out what you say around this guy, but I could tell they were just going to keep quiet while I was still there, than resume as soon as I left. To be fair, there were also a lot of patrons not joining in the banter, but aside from one other guy asking people to be nice, nobody else said anything. I guess since there were no Women, Asian people, or (presumably) nobody that was gay, the people making the comments felt it was safe for them to do so. Now I know why this place is so empty, and it's not just because they allow smoking. read more

This place should be called Shitty's. The bartender was the most judgmental prick you could meet--super unwelcoming and clearly letting the 10 of us know that our type is what has ruined the Bay Area. Place is cash only and has no beer on draft. Broken pinball machine too. May gentrification swallow up this loser's business. read more

What can I say about our experience that Kristen S. hasn't already? http://www.yelp.com/biz/smittys-cocktails-oakland#hrid:3FYrgsx4DA19OL2Bd76VfA OK, a few things. First, you can smoke here. While I don't consider myself a "real smoker", I am known to bum cigarettes when I get nice and liquored up. It's good to be able to smoke indoors when the weather is colder. If you do not like to smell like smoke after a night of boozing, then this may not be your place. Also, if you are "lucky" enough, one of your fellow patrons may drop his pants for you at the end of the night. I'm still not sure why Kristen and I were so fortunate. It was a fitting end to a strange and fun night. By the way, Santa hasn't kicked down my sports car. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that Santa shouldn't have a boner when you sit on his lap, should he? Actually, I don't think that he was the real Santa. read more

"cough","cough","cough" Are you a smoker? welcome to your paradise! Awww damn! They have a shuffle board !! Damn Damn Damn !! OK this non-smoker will stay for a game. What? They have PBR in bottles? OK maybe 2 games. read more

I have no fuckin idea what is so damn appealing about this place but I go there all the f*ckin time. It gets a bad rap from some people who think it's really clever to call it "shitty's". Yeah it's a dive. So what the f*ck were you expecting from a place where the cocktails start at $3 and they serve 7 o.z. baby budweisers? Maybe if I make a list I can figure out why it's so appealing: 1. Cheap drinks! 2. Good pool players 3. It's located in my hood 4. you can smoke inside, I only smoke while drinking but at least you don't have to go outside 5. Internet juke box 6. The owner is the best football handicapper I know, she gives great tips 7. They have shuffle board 8. It's kinda like my Cheers. And lastly they have CHEAP DRINKS.......wait what? .....I already said that. oh, I'm kinda drunk. Anyway SMITTY"S IS AWESOME! read more

Introduced to this neighborhood bar by a former roommate, I found Smitty's about 5 plus years ago. Now he practically lived there having been tossed out of numerous clubs and bars in SF and the East Bay for mouthing off. Sometimes we'd crawl up the Stairs of Death to our apartment or maybe I'd wake up to him falling through the door in the morning proclaiming, "Dude, I just got out of JAIL!" when I'd only left him half hour before last call. Think Barfly w Mickey Rourke. I tend towards the dive bar... Smitty's qualifies. Proof: 1) There's a hole to throw up in under the pay phone by the front door... divey-ness cred only exceeded by what's at Merchants (Jack London). 2) There's sometimes an 80yr old guy in a fedora dancing w a 20something that came on a lark. You've got barflies, bar hags, and occasionally some fashion punk who keeps getting cut off and kicked out. You just gotta come on the right night. 3) Along w a shuffleboard game and a pool table that's seen better days, Smitty's claims a video trivia machine that shows you more and more of a naked lady the more correct answers you get. Of course you'll spend $8.75 getting her naked, but damn it, that's what you were hoping for at the end of the night when you walked in anyway... not that I've ever played that game... *achem. Be forewarned: the drinks suck, the crowd is hit and miss, and you might find yourself running around the pool table to keep equidistant from the bar hag who's taken a shine to ya, but where else can you start a conversation by leaning in either direction and asking, "So what the f*ck is YOUR story?" read more

Typically, I like dive bars, but this place gives new meaning to the term dive bar. Trust me, I somehow talked two women I met outside walking by into coming in to give the place a chance but they took one step inside, turned around and walked out. The ratio of M:F was easily 10:1. Some of the worst service i've ever received was from the bartender who scoffed at me when i asked if he could mix me a cocktail. His unequivocally rude retort was that they're more of a beer and shots bar. There also didn't seem to be any set prices but whatever the bartender felt like charging me. That said, I did enjoy conversing with some of the regular patronage. pro's - pool table (although only 6ft) and shuffleboard - location (close to lake merrit) con's - terrible service from rude bartender - no women - cash only read more

I think it's kind of a testament to how awesome Oakland is to have a bar like Smitty's across the street from wanna-be-bourge Kingmans, just a few doors down from The Alley (best bar evar!) and on the same street as the historical Grand Lake Theater. My friends and I walked in on a Tuesday night to find thugs and punks mingling with zero tension, an attentive bartender and more than a few lungfuls of second-hand smoke (sorry, but minus a star for that). Even the music being played on the jukebox was a collaborative effort--I heard the skeezy bum in the corner shout out a request for Bob Dylan, which was, of course, accommodated, then followed by DJ Shadow. Very unpretentious and mellow. Will definitely be back. read more

On the grand scheme of Shuffleboard playing establishments, Smitty's is one of my least favorites. Here they are best to worst: 1) Kingfish (Oakland) - Best 2) Thalassa (Berkeley) 3) Doc's Clock (Mission, SF) 4) SMITTY'S (Oakland, Grand lake) 5) Club 93 (Soma, SF) - Worst However they still have a shuffleboard table which puts them at 3 stars or better automatically. If you're into tar and nicotine, you can smoke a cool smooth Laramie here as well. read more

I started going to this bar when I was just 21, living down the street and up the hill. I became a regular here and because I didn't have a TV at home even became a fanatic of shitty reality shows here because the awesome ex-bartender big Dan let us watch it here. It was awesome. Then I moved to Alameda and almost never came back, because what's the point of going to Smitty's if you can't get wasted and stumble home? Now I'm back in the hood and while I have yet to reestablish my regular status, I can say that Smitty's is still Smitty's and will always be Smitty's. This is a dive's dive. That means smoky, cheap, and full of weirdos. Most of the freaks are very nice and are great for talking to when you're bored. Occasionally you'll meet a bothersome guy, particularly if you're a single female just trying to have a beer and a cigarette. Luckily they always have great bartenders who have thrown out a harrassing guy more than once on my behalf. Pluses: Shuffleboard Wooden Clown Paintings They will let you eat your take-out from Miss Saigon next door here Minuses: The new jukebox kind of sucks That's it! Go to Smitty's! Edit: Why oh why are my fellow Yelpers knocking stars off this place for allowing smoking indoors? It is the only bar in the neighborhood where you can smoke! Go hang out at the Alley, you hipster freaks, and stop considering the smoking at Smitty's a negative. read more

Its a Wednesday night, and everybody is smoking, ashing in empties. The cans are cheap and there these carved wooden clowns on the wall and someone plays "Rusty Cage" on the juke box again and again till the bartender completely freaks and unplugs it. This old lady sitting next to me is all "There gunna be circus people at my party when I turn 60. 60. THIS is the champion Grand Avenue dive. For fancy drinks or people on the make or whatever, head across the street to Lucky Lounge. This is a place to get purely, plainly, dive-bar shitfaced. read more

my guy used to work here...and yes, while it is true, this is a true dive, local's bar. I should warn you the smoking is INTENSE! Truthfully, he'd probably still be working there if they didn't allow smoking! I'm glad he quit cause I was sooo sick of him coming home smelling like an ashtray! read more

It is what it is. A good starter bar . Put another dime in the jukebox, baby. Not the best drink selection and I had a Corona for the first time in....I don't remember. I never drink them anymore. It's a private spot, super casual and I watched some basketball. read more

I like Smitty's. It's close (within stumbling distance), it has 4 TVs (I have none) and you can smoke inside. In addition, they have a pool table, a Juke box, video golf and a big ol' shuffle board table. SWEET. I haven't played shuffle board since rainny days in elementary school. Nice local bar. Even nicer that it's not Heart and Dagger read more

This is a true dive. When I first moved to this neighborhood, I popped my head in a few different nights and got intimidated by the men-only demographic...but, alas...it has the one of 2 local pool tables, so after months of chicken-shitting it, I finally went in to satisfy my need to shoot a game. Recognizing my newbie-ness, the bartender, Blair, checked on me constantly to make sure I was 'okay'. I now have a huge crush on him AND his hot-ass girlfriend! We have a compromise... I refrain from biting his woman...he refrains from giving me a beat-down. A collective of very good and competitive pool players to help me keep my game up. Only bar in Oakland I go to alone. Always a homie around to help me stave off unwanted advances. Best place to watch football ('cept at the coliseum, of course) and Warrior games! ((actually, the Bear may be 'better', but I'm particularly fond of getting yelled at by bar owners, and that only happens at Smitty's)). This is my neighborhood dive, even though I've left the hood...Blair is a badass and often has my beer opened before I even get to 'my' end of the bar. Rocks balls! 'Slow' nights are my fave cause crowded or sparse, it's MOSTLY regulars and super chill. Fridays and Sat's kinda bite coz the scenesters come and try to claim 'their' bar. **rolling eyes** The only thing that would make this bar even better, would be beer on tap and some pinball. read more

Oh, how i love thee. I went here on Friday night around 10 and the joy rushed over me. We get there to discover an open pool table and shuffle Puck, Cheap Corona( my fav), and smoking inside. Its been a long time since i have been in a place that allowed smoking and even as a smoker I didn't even really smoke inside, but the fact i could, i love them for that. The crowd was mixed between us, hipsters, seedy-like fella's, but everyone was nice and it felt like a community of people excepting each other for there differences. All-n-all: I will be back. again and again!! read more

My friend took me to Smitty's for the first time a couple months ago and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite dive bars around! 1) The drinks are cheap. 2) They have shuffle board. 3) The bartenders are cute and easy to chat it up with. 4) I always have a story to tell coming out of it. 5) The game is always on. Only 1 con - They allow smoking inside. read more