The Aquarium

Had a great experience here when I visited. I sat outside with my wife and, while we enjoyed the…read morefood, the service is what will keep us coming back. The team there were personable, attentive and genuinely cared about giving their guests a great experience. We enjoyed the Caesar salad and calamari for apps, the teres major steak and fried chicken for dinner and then the lemon cheesecakes and peanut butter chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Our child is still just a baby but this restaurant is kid friendly but is still a good venue for couples looking for a date night. The only complaint I would have would be the people smoking outside of The Big Easy next door.

The waitstaff was amazing!!! They were attentive and very friendly…read more We ordered the caprese made with heirloom tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, garnished with beautiful fresh basil leaves, the twist was drizzling a sweet basalmic vinegar instead of olive oil. Talk about happy tastebuds. Our main dish was a beautiful salmon fillet prepared perfectly with just a hint of lemon rubbed on, and presented on a bed of shelled brussel sprouts lightly roasted. The coup de gras was the dessert: a slice of peanut butter and a flourless chocolate cake. Luis recommended a sangiovese for my wife and she enjoyed it immensely. This restaurant I would proudly recommend to all my friends. I would have rated it higher than a five if I could have.

Chicken Dinner

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Outdoor dining

Barber Lee Spirits

4.8(66 reviews)

0.7 mi

The cocktails are top notch, Service is amazing and a great…read moreplace to chill, They just added the wine and cheese along with delicious desserts . We ended up joining the club, It is definitely worth it! Perfect place to start or finish your night! It is a very comfortable place to relax and sit back and have a drink , Cool and comfortable,along with friendly staff!

It's such a fun place to enjoy cocktails and locally distilled whiskies!…read more What even better is they have games for kids so you don't need to worry about bringing kids! We tried the tastings. The chicken shot glass is so fun to look at and drink with. The tasting is $25 with 3 kinds of whiskey your choice and a cocktail. What a great deal! They even have an extensive dessert menu. People recommended key lime pie. I definitely want to come back to try dessert!

Blood Lust cocktail.

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Whiskey tasting

Mario & John's

4.6(121 reviews)

Fantastic bar with a top tier whiskey collection.. Calvin gave us some great selections.. A great…read morelocal spot and we'll be back for sure!!

It's a fun, clean, little dive bar. They've got a decent draft beer selection of local brews. I…read morewas impressed they have a house cocktail menu as well. Bartender was friendly.and prompt. Parking in this neighborhood is kind of tough though. Next time, think I'll try to play shuffle board on their table. It was very dark inside, though. Too dark for my poor old eyes.

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The Hide-Away

2.7(99 reviews)

What an awful experience. I like giving 5 star reviews because recognizing good people is…read moreunderrated these days, but this one doesn't deserve one. I'm not a local. Shouldn't matter. Definitely not a welcoming place ONLY because of the staff. People there were very cool to me and my friend, but as a female, the female staff were the absolute rudest possible. What an awful attitude and experience. Wow. I even had the real "pleasure" to talk to a couple girls that were there but off that night (employed there, sadly). Their pretentious attitudes wouldn't make it anywhere with any class... but apparently they get away with discrimination just fine. Outright discrimination and bullying. I won't describe here why, but ladies... if people there talk to you... they won't like you, because you take from their tips?! Apparently. The female bartenders I met are horrendous bullies. They seem like they never got out of high school. I literally cried there. Yea, not cool as a grown woman. Shame on them. So my kind message to them... if you want better for your lives and are THAT miserable to treat a human being or any life that way, DO better. Just do better for yourselves, and for the sake of others.

Not a review for the place just for patrons to be respectful…read more Just fyi to those who are making a song request......Please do NOT ask more than once. This place is request friendly but If the dj has the song/video, then maybe he will play it maybe not. Do no agitate the dj and say he his rude. He has a set he needs to play based on bpms. One patron kept insisting on a song and wouldn't stop. He wasn't drunk. Just a spoiled kid. He even had his friend ask twice. So please be mindful to not make the dj mad.

Always vodka soda

The djs needed

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Gale's Central Club

4.2(41 reviews)

We attended the NASCAR race in Sonoma over the weekend which was really fun…read more We decided to go up to Petaluma and went to Gale's Central Club and enjoyed really good food and outstanding drinks at a reasonable price. The bartenders not sure if they were the owners were incredibly nice and welcoming. Just like out of an episode from Cheers "Where everybody knows your name" at least it felt like that for a first time visitor! Great place!

We had friends visiting from out of state and we always find a dive bar to enjoy…read more I have been to downtown Petaluma, and in the general area a million times and I've never even seen Gale's. Julie the most fabulous, engaging and hilarious bartender, kept us entertained. There's a couple pool tables and modern juke box, the expected regulars and eclectic decor. PBR on tap, which the menfolk really liked. Always Tito's and soda for my friend and I. We spent way more time in there than we planned it was a great all around experience. Cheers to Julie!

The interior bar area.

Schlitz!

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Vitamin R!

Ernie's Tin Bar

4.5(172 reviews)

5.6 mi

Cool spot! Great selection of beers! Awesome Personnel!…read more Love it here! There's food trucks throughout the week. ( not sure what exact days) Our favorite is Mexikenz ( usually there Saturday afternoons) The tin bar is an old smith shop! Very cool

It's a place where you can get a PBR or a Pliny or just about everything in between. Pays homage to…read morethe local past, pre prohibition days while making a place for local musicians, residents and tourists to enjoy the present scene. No food - come to drink and purchase potato chips, pretzels and other salty bar snacks, there is also usually a food truck parked alongside the bar. The garage is untouched in the back, the long bar is spacious and the bartender is professional, friendly but is working hard so respect that. A no cell phone rule was posted but I did see one person use one lol. I did snap a photo, and my spouse bought a T shirt, high quality. Following them now on Instagram for our next local road trip visit.

Diverse beer board!! Snacks

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Pliny The Elder

The Grove

4.7(82 reviews)

3.8 mi

We tucked into The Grove (with reservations) on a rainy Friday for an early dinner. Despite having…read morethree menus - drinks, dinner, and happy hour - choosing what to order didn't feel overwhelming, and we quickly landed on the anchovy toast, beet salad, shrimp & grits, and mushroom risotto. Our server was incredibly friendly, and the entire room shared the same warm, easygoing vibe. The small, speakeasy themed space was already packed at 5 PM, so reservations seem like a must. Everything we ordered was well-prepared and delicious, but the standout dishes were the beet salad and the shrimp & grits. The beet salad had a perfect mix of textures; chopped pistachios, tender beets, and crunchy radishes over a pillowy ricotta. I finished the salad wishing there was more. The shrimp & grits featured a potlikker sauce that absolutely lived up to the hype; it made the dish. I wish the shrimp & grits were served in a bowl rather than a shallow dish. I found myself chasing the sauce and polenta around the plate, trying not to push it over the edge. That said, if it were in a bowl, I might have just drank the sauce, so perhaps this is the restaurant's way of preserving a bit of dignity for its guests. Next time, I'm hoping to visit when oyster po' boys and fried green tomatoes are on the menu.

I've been meaning to check this place out since they opened, and finally made it in today--worth…read morethe wait. It absolutely lives up to the hype. The vibe is effortlessly chill, with whimsical decor--think antique lamps, an old record player, and lots of little details that make you want to look around. The whole place felt alive in the best way--buzzing with conversation, laughter, and people clearly having a great time. We didn't have a reservation, but lucked out with seats at the community table. Bonus: the other guests were super welcoming, which just added to the fun, communal feel. We hit happy hour, and wow--it's a good one. Tons of interesting bites and a solid drink lineup. I went with a whiskey sour, my friend had the ginger beer on draft (very refreshing), and we shared the prawns, Brussels sprouts, and creamy mac & cheese. Everything was seriously delicious. Shoutout to our server, Melanie--friendly, attentive, and totally on it, even with the place packed. A couple things to note: it does get loud, so maybe not your spot if you're after a quiet, intimate dinner. Also, the happy hour menu listed Brussels sprouts but didn't mention bacon--I'm vegetarian, so that was a bit of a surprise. (It is noted on the regular dinner menu, which I admittedly didn't check.) All in all, such a fun, lively spot. I'll definitely be back for more bites and cocktails.

Most tables were reserved when we walked in at 4pm on Thursday

My friend raved about the steak skewers from their Happy Hour menu

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Most table we reserved when we walked In at 4pm on Thursday

Buckhorn

4.5(42 reviews)

1.3 mi

The service and vibe/atmosphere for sure I also enjoyed the…read moreavailability of their pool tables, along with their whiskey selection without a doubt :)

There's so much rude and mean women here especially the bar tender here seems not to care about me…read moreshe just mocks my t shirt and stuff if I can't find a bar or a place to fit in then I'm moving f this bar

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Lagunitas Brewing Company & Beer Sanctuary

4.3(2.5k reviews)

2.1 mi

We were on our way back from our Saturday trip north when we reached Petaluma and decided to stop…read moreat Lagunitas for a cold beer and some food. It had been a while since we had last come here, so it was fun to be back and enjoy some of our favorite beers. It was a beautiful day, and they had live music. They also had a couple of large-screen TVs set up showing the World Cup game. Our server was very helpful, answering our questions about beer and bringing us a couple of samples before deciding what to order. I asked for my favorite light beer, DayTime, and we decided to share an order of chicken wings, fries, and their P-Town Chop Salad. The beer was as good as I remembered, and the food was well-made and delicious, especially the wings (with Buffalo sauce). They allow dogs, as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash, so our little guy had fun saying hello to a couple of dogs that were sitting nearby in between his breaks from begging for treats from the table. We spent a couple of hours there before heading home.

We were there on a Sunday at open as a FAREWELL after a friend's wedding. The pitchers the groom…read moreordered were delicious -- but I am a massive IPA fan. The giant pretzel and potatoes were really delightful after a night of drinking and dancing, and the perfect amount to share before a drive back south to LA. I would love to come back and enjoy the patio area more -- there are so many gorgeous plants and it feels like a little slice of heaven.

Interior Bar

Fried Chicken Sando ($18 + $3/garlic fry upgrade)

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Lagunitas Burger ($18 + $3/garlic fry upgrade)

Brewsters Beer Garden

3.4(1.3k reviews)

0.7 mi

Brewsters was the perfect spot for our wedding welcome event! The live music was awesome, the food…read moreand service were great, and the convenient location right in downtown Petaluma can't be beat. Highly recommend Brewsters for either a casual meal or a larger special event.

Cute spot. Has a large outdoor and indoor space. They had live music on a Saturday afternoon. We…read moregot the chicken sandwich and watermelon salad. It was good. Service was friendly. I like this place mainly for the ample seating and the outdoor space.

Booze!

Sloppy spicy chicken sandwich. Impossible to eat like a sandwich. Too much sauce.

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Chrismapolitan

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Alana B.

0

1

0

3 years ago

This place is awful my disable unhoused friend was verbally abused and disrespected at this place. Shame on The Aquarium for allowing this behavior. Snobbery and spreading hate is unwanted. read more

Dominic R.

0

1

0

15 years ago

Great place, they always have something new on there special's menu. It's a great family bar and restaurant.

Lindsay M.

2

1

15 years ago

Wednesdays Osso Bucco special - cant beat it!

The Aquarium - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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Beyond The Glory

3.5

(390 reviews)

Nice sports bar, plenty of TVs. Had the small filet off the steak menu. Excellent. However,…read moreservice was horrible. Waiter brought water and said she would bring a menu. 10 minutes later we asked her what happened. The same w the sports choices on TV. Asked to see a certain game. Took 10 minutes to get the remote control guy to take care of it after he was informed. My wife's fish and chips were not up to par. Very bready and not crispy. Overall a good menu, but they need to get more attentive towards service

Pretty much only like the steak and gorgonzola salad. However, it's a hit or miss because the meat…read morecan be overcooked often. Although, the days where it's just right, this salad really hits the spot! I wish they had just a normal cheese and bacon burger. The way their menu is built you have a plain burger and then you have to build it with cheese, bacon, etc. Instead of a $15 Burger. You're looking at a $20 Burger by the time you're done. Or, I guess you could pick one of their other burgers and just refuse the toppings that you don't like? Idk...

McNear's Saloon & Dining House

3.5

(447 reviews)

The building is amazing. So much history! Lots of Americana and exposed brick on the interior. Dark…read morewood and a gorgeous full length bar. Lots to see. We went on a Sat afternoon and there was plenty of seating both inside and out. Menu offered lots of choices. Between the 5 of us we all got something different. Our server was a trained professional who had no trouble getting our orders perfect. Not gonna lie $20 for a salad hurts my soul but it was tasty.

McNears. Consistent with their food and drink and their Mardi Gras menu proved it. I'm not sure…read moreif they will always have these specials but we celebrated Mardi Gras and they had an extensive offering of New Orlean style food for the celebration. The gumbo was superb, creamy, with chunks of sausage and not too spicy nor salty just the right amount of herbs & spices, very tasty. Then we ordered the fried chicken dinner another winner. And the third dish was the broiled shrimp, the shrimp were bathed in a buttery, garlic and other Cajun seasoning and herbs, just perfectly cooked and the toasted, diagonally sliced bread was perfect to dunk and sope up the flavorful sauce. The Presentation was spot on, service was fantastic, food arrived promptly. They even offered Beignets a standard New Orleans dessert but we were too full, I'm still thinking about them. I like that there is a host greeting and guiding one into the restaurant or the large bar area. McNears is an anchor of Petaluma. Good pub food, great service and welcoming employees. It's a must stop for a big or small meal and definitely a good beverage at the bar. I just love this place.

Pete's Henny Penny Restaurant

3.6

(486 reviews)

Went there 11:30 am on a Friday. The parking lot was fairly full. We didn't have to wait for a…read moretable. I ordered the pancake combo: 3 pancakes, nice and fluffy; sausage looked homemade; eggs over easy. Everything was well prepared. There was plenty to eat for the price. My friend had the fried chicken and waffle. A large amount of chicken on top of the waffle. She enjoyed her meal. We agreed we will be coming back. The waitress was friendly and let us sit at the table and talk after eating. I noticed a man at another table had the hamburger which looked appetizing.

Henny Penny is one of those longtime Petaluma spots that feels like a hometown classic, so we…read morestopped in around 10 a.m. on a Saturday for breakfast. We were seated right away despite most of the tables being occupied, and drinks came quickly. It became apparent that there appeared to be only one server handling most, if not all, of the dining room, but honestly, they kept things moving impressively well. Our food came out quickly, everything tasted good, and the portions were generous. As the morning went on, though, the restaurant got significantly busier. The area around the register/podium became pretty congested with people waiting, which also made checking out somewhat awkward. A more organized waitlist or designated waiting area would definitely help during the weekend rush. The biggest surprise came at the end of our meal. We had finished eating and were wrapping up our conversation when we were asked to leave the table because they needed it for other customers. I understand the restaurant was busy and they needed to turn tables, but it was still pretty jarring to be directly asked to leave, particularly since there hadn't been any mention of a table-time limit beforehand. That ending unfortunately overshadowed what had otherwise been a really good breakfast. The food was good, portions were generous, and service was fast despite what appeared to be limited staffing. I'd definitely give Henny Penny another visit, but I'd choose a slower weekday or off-peak time. If you're visiting on a busy weekend morning for a longer breakfast or to catch up with someone, just know that once you've finished eating, you may be encouraged to wrap things up pretty quickly.

Volpi's Ristorante & Bar

3.6

(374 reviews)

The food was amazing and the service was wonderful, good vibes, would recommend for a fun date…read morenight.

Volpi's is historic for sure. Please google its history. You will be transported to its era. The…read moreambience is classic Italian from my childhood. First bite into the lasagna and I was transported back to my childhood!!! What an awesome memory of taste and feeling . The Lasagna of course, Carbonara are our favorites. I apologize now for no pictures. Meals served and no time wasted. I can't say enough about Volpi. One must patronize and enjoy for themselves. You won't be disappointed. I will say Thank you to my sister Mina, her hunny Kerry, for introducing us to a marvelous Italian eatery.

Buckhorn

4.5

(42 reviews)

The service and vibe/atmosphere for sure I also enjoyed the…read moreavailability of their pool tables, along with their whiskey selection without a doubt :)

There's so much rude and mean women here especially the bar tender here seems not to care about me…read moreshe just mocks my t shirt and stuff if I can't find a bar or a place to fit in then I'm moving f this bar

The Grove

4.7

(82 reviews)

We tucked into The Grove (with reservations) on a rainy Friday for an early dinner. Despite having…read morethree menus - drinks, dinner, and happy hour - choosing what to order didn't feel overwhelming, and we quickly landed on the anchovy toast, beet salad, shrimp & grits, and mushroom risotto. Our server was incredibly friendly, and the entire room shared the same warm, easygoing vibe. The small, speakeasy themed space was already packed at 5 PM, so reservations seem like a must. Everything we ordered was well-prepared and delicious, but the standout dishes were the beet salad and the shrimp & grits. The beet salad had a perfect mix of textures; chopped pistachios, tender beets, and crunchy radishes over a pillowy ricotta. I finished the salad wishing there was more. The shrimp & grits featured a potlikker sauce that absolutely lived up to the hype; it made the dish. I wish the shrimp & grits were served in a bowl rather than a shallow dish. I found myself chasing the sauce and polenta around the plate, trying not to push it over the edge. That said, if it were in a bowl, I might have just drank the sauce, so perhaps this is the restaurant's way of preserving a bit of dignity for its guests. Next time, I'm hoping to visit when oyster po' boys and fried green tomatoes are on the menu.

I've been meaning to check this place out since they opened, and finally made it in today--worth…read morethe wait. It absolutely lives up to the hype. The vibe is effortlessly chill, with whimsical decor--think antique lamps, an old record player, and lots of little details that make you want to look around. The whole place felt alive in the best way--buzzing with conversation, laughter, and people clearly having a great time. We didn't have a reservation, but lucked out with seats at the community table. Bonus: the other guests were super welcoming, which just added to the fun, communal feel. We hit happy hour, and wow--it's a good one. Tons of interesting bites and a solid drink lineup. I went with a whiskey sour, my friend had the ginger beer on draft (very refreshing), and we shared the prawns, Brussels sprouts, and creamy mac & cheese. Everything was seriously delicious. Shoutout to our server, Melanie--friendly, attentive, and totally on it, even with the place packed. A couple things to note: it does get loud, so maybe not your spot if you're after a quiet, intimate dinner. Also, the happy hour menu listed Brussels sprouts but didn't mention bacon--I'm vegetarian, so that was a bit of a surprise. (It is noted on the regular dinner menu, which I admittedly didn't check.) All in all, such a fun, lively spot. I'll definitely be back for more bites and cocktails.

Stormy's Spirits & Supper

3.1

(201 reviews)

•$$$

Everything is fantastic, from the charming atmosphere and quirky interior design to the generous…read moreand well made drinks (I got a gorgeous martini that was like 2.5 martinis), to the delectable clam chowder, salad and prime rib. The service is friendly and welcoming! We had a great time and made some friends at the bar before moving to our table. I can't believe I didn't know about this place before, growing up in Sonoma County since I was 14. Its the very definition of a hidden gem, popular with locals like me, and a real coup for any traveler or tourist who stumbles upon it. I particularly enjoyed our Hostess/Waitress, Taylor! She's the best! And her mother and father (who tends bar) are also incredibly friendly! My compliments to the chef, Fabio. He did my steak perfectly: rare, like I like it! Trust me, you will not regret patronizing this establishment! My spouse and I intend to make it a monthly haunt, if not a weekly staple. It's a stunning 20-minute drive from Rohnert Park and parts of Santa Rosa; well worth the trip!

One of our close friends recommended Stormy's. We have never been there before, so our expectations…read morewere pretty high. Sadly, it turned out to be disappointing. When we arrived, we were greeted by our waitress. At first, she seemed nice. She introduced herself and told us she was the owner's daughter. We thought it was great that she was helping with her family's business. Then we chose what we were going to eat and that's where everything took a wrong turn. My husband ordered "The king of steaks", which was rib-eye, and I got the prime rib. We also got clam chowder and a salad to share. When our waitress brought the soup, she spilled some on the table. That was totally fine, it happens. But later, when she served the steaks, my husband's steak looked very overcooked. We asked her to remake it, and she took it back to the kitchen. When she came back, she said she won't charge us for it but claimed that under the kitchen lights, it was definitely medium rare. That caught us off guard, because the steak was so overcooked and it was incredibly charred on the outside. On top of that, it was completely unseasoned. My prime rib was also overcooked, closer to medium well than medium rare, so I just gave my piece to my husband and stuck to the soup. The clam chowder was okay, just average. The salad, however, was terrible. The veggies didn't look fresh, and the overall presentation was very unappetizing. Our biggest issue was with the service. As soon as we told our waitress we were not happy with the meat, she became dismissive and spoke to us with an attitude, or ignored us completely. The restaurant is very overpriced for the quality and quantity of food. One last thing worth mentioning is that my husband wore beige shorts, and when we left the restaurant, I noticed stains on the back of his shorts, most likely from the chairs. We won't be back.

Willowbrook Ale House

4.4

(41 reviews)

I love these old bars, especially in an old house. This place is awesome., it's been open for 30…read moreyears. I grew up in Petaluma, but I never really hung out at this particular bar until up to five years- six years ago. It's a as my dad who introduced me, and so glad he did. So this was the perfect location to celebrate my boyfriend's 50th birthday party with his friends and family. The food is really good here, fun karaoke on Saturday nights, free pool at seven. There's tons of space and outdoor area. The only complaint was my mom who was very particular, said she couldn't hardly taste the vodka in her drink (Tito's) that is the only complaint, the prices are great for what you get. And it's fun to watch games here too.

Awesome dive bar Got…read morethe following: Brook dog: 4.5 stars, toasted bun, really well done dusted mushrooms, and spicy dog. Great combo Western burger: 4 stars, cooked medium perfectly with crispy edges. Juicy. Good crispy onion ring and toasted bun as well Fries: got the garlic fries. Needed salt. I'll try the onion rings next time Will be back!!!'

Mario & John's

4.6

(121 reviews)

Fantastic bar with a top tier whiskey collection.. Calvin gave us some great selections.. A great…read morelocal spot and we'll be back for sure!!

It's a fun, clean, little dive bar. They've got a decent draft beer selection of local brews. I…read morewas impressed they have a house cocktail menu as well. Bartender was friendly.and prompt. Parking in this neighborhood is kind of tough though. Next time, think I'll try to play shuffle board on their table. It was very dark inside, though. Too dark for my poor old eyes.

Plaza Tequila Taqueira Bar & Grill

3.9

(244 reviews)