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    The Elbow Room Sparks

    4.2 (29 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars, Sports Bars
    Open 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    The Elbow Room Sparks Photos

    Business Info

    THE ELBOW ROOM SPARKS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual

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    Reviews With Photos - The Elbow Room Sparks

    Live music! Nevada Highway Band
    Sheryl M.

    A GenX / boomerish dive bar for the not too quiet, not too raunchy, and not so chic inclined patron. Live music on a regular basis and it would appear this would be where "everyone knows your name" but it seemed most folks here on the night this Saturday night when Nevada Highway Band played were supporters of the band. (Not to say it isn't a locals/regulars sort of spot.) The drink pricing was on par for local pocketbooks and the vibe was super casual and friendly. There is one pool table in the center of the bar and on the back end is the stage. I would definitely return with a gal pal for discreet gossip and giggle session.

    They have a pinball arcade!!!!
    John H.

    What a great bar. Neat little hole in the wall, local bar. No corporate ties, just a good ole bar with booze, pool, and above all, a dang ole pinball arcade that apparently has a league!!!! The fireplace works!!! No smoking, but for someone who doesnt smoke, yes please! To be a 5 star i feel food is needed, BUT, they do have a sweet deal with a pizza joint.

    There's no food unless you count popcorn or a semi-decent bloody mary. The lead bartender, Deidra, is an absolute nightmare who constantly fires folks without cause and screams at bands on stage that *she* hired while trying to stop them from retrieving their equipment from the storage closet *she* told them to store it in. I'm amazed this place is still open. Maybe it's because the tweakers from Rail City need somewhere to go when they're kicked out across the street. Deidra, you make me embarrassed to admit that I'm from Sparks. When this business fails, it will be on your shoulders. And I hope it happens soon. OH AND AS OF 2AM 9/8/23 DEIDRA SENT ME A TWELVE SCREENSHOT LONG DRUNK RANT FROM HER BAR STOOL telling me she didn't want to post it on the elbow room review but has to tell me what she really thinks of me, calling me names and making more accusations. Telling me I'm regurgitating gossip when I was at the show and saw her abuse the bands. What a business. What a response. Stay classy.

    Helen B.

    When we walk in the bartender asks us what we want, we are sitting at the bar in front of machines and I have already put some money into the poker slot machine. We wanted a Coke and a bottle of beer and he says that would be $7.50. I said even if you're gambling? And he says, Well, you have to put at least 20 in the machines, and then he takes our $10 and brings back $2.50 in change. We were going to gamble and I told him so, and he says, 'Oh well, the next ones will be free.' That's not really how it works in Reno. Avoid.

    Long Beach !
    Ralph A.

    I did a check in there were they offer a free drink, but when I showed the bartender, she said that wasn't their business. So it wasn't honored. Drinks are fairly priced. I forgot that not every state has banned inside smoking! I forgot how much I appreciate that law.

    Occupy A.

    OVERALL FOR OCCUPYADVENTURE COUPLE: 5 Genuine +1 Correct order +1 Cleanliness +1 Value +1 Overall taste OVERALL FOR OCCUPYADVENTURE: Great local music. Fun to dance and sing to +1 Small town bar feeling. Parking along the street. Lit streets. +1 Clean bar and restrooms +1 OVERALL FOR MISSOCCUPYADVENTURE: We love this bar. The crowd is dynamic. The music is fun. They have a lot of bar games to play such as large jenga, pool, corn hole, etc. They also have a wood fire place. +1 I always feel safe here. The bartender's are friendly and check in often +1

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    Photo of Michael R.
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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

    Pretty cool bar came after work with some of the boys from work will be coming back for sure

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    7 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Great find!! We will be back! We are new to the area and this place seems like a hidden gem. Also Bird was great

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    What a fun quirky little neighborhood bar. Went to play pool and enjoyed the ambiance

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    Photo of Casey J.
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    3 years ago

    Just won bank! I love this new refreshed Elbow Room! New machines. New pool tables. New pinball. New floors. New bar! I would go back.

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    This is an great bar, with good vibes, and an amazing pinball selection. Bartender was super nice and welcoming

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    3 years ago

    Great service and a relaxing place to hang out. The staff works hard to make you feel welcome.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Love the vibe in this place! The bartender, Serena was a true mixologist. Our Manhattans were perfection with a nice twist.

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    13 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    Ask the Community - The Elbow Room Sparks

    Review Highlights - The Elbow Room Sparks

    The clientele seem to be comprised of pretty much all the recreational drinkers between ages 30 and 70 who live within a four block radius.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I've been back to the "Smoking" dive bar and not much has changed. There is a small shift in crowd…read moreso average age is 58 on most nights. Not all dive bars have the smoke issue. So if you like the Smokiness of a dive bar, going home smelling like an ashtray, and hanging with older cool people is your thing than you're home here. I think there's better choices within walking distance. It would be nice if the owner didn't respond with a snarky comment and maybe took constructive criticism, fix your exhaust system and I would happily give you a 4 rating for an authentic dive bar. As you can tell by the owners response they don't care and not going to change. Staff are friendly, and at least the one bartender isn't asleep behind the bar (maybe they switched him out or I came on a day he wasn't there). I'll give it a 2 star rating because it looks like they're cleaning up and painting a bit, but it really should be a one. EP Listening Lounge is clean 1 block away Ryan's is a dive bar, a bit clampish for my taste but whatever Vassar Lounge has lots of parking and pool tables, but more than walking distance I think there's a new scene happening off 6th street or is that 4th, new changes down there. Z bar All of Midtown Etc...

    This bar is HANDS DOWN my favorite in Reno. We stop here every time we're in town. I love the owner…read moreKathy. Chris and TJ are awesome!! They are usually tending bar when we come in. The regulars welcome us wholeheartedly and I appreciate that in a dive bar. Dive bar etiquette is pretty simple. Don't be an Asshole . thank you W for all the fun times!!

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    Excellent. Chill.
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    The Library Bar

    The Library Bar

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    This is one of my favorite places to frequent on any night of the week, but I especially love…read moreFridays! They have karaoke on Friday nights and the best part is you actually get a turn to sing unlike West 2nd Street Bar. West 2nd Street Bar is always crawling with drunk 21 year olds screaming at the top of their lungs, and you almost have to bribe the DJ $20 to just be able to sing within the hour. I like the Library so much better because of this reason. The drink prices are not bad either. I love me a good Moscow Mule and the bartender makes them right. The hookah is not bad priced as well. Only $20 and it lasts us for about an hour and half and they are very attentive in making sure its not harsh and the coals are being turned. Overall, a great dive bar for playing pool, testing your voice at karaoke or just wanting to chill to have a drink and play pool. I recommend this place to anyone over 25 looking for great bar spot!

    The 2 drinks I had tasted watered down but more Importantly there was a baby cockroach crawling on…read morethe side counter where my purse was while I'm playing pool. When I cashed out my tab I mentioned to a bartender about the cockroach and her response was; "there's roaches in every bar in this town." Touché, but I'd never seen one crawling on the counter in another bar scared it was going to crawl in my purse and me take it home. I won't be back.

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    Me, enjoying the singers!
    Me, enjoying the singers!
    Shot Skis at the Library
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    Chickie's & Pete's

    Chickie's & Pete's

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    We haven't been to Grand Sierra Resort in quite some time, so it was nice to be back--especially…read morefor a birthday celebration. We were greeted by hostess Julie, who was warm and welcoming right from the start. I really appreciated that the staff acknowledged the birthday without us even having to mention it. Our server, Mary Jane, already knew, which was a great touch (likely from reservation notes which, honestly, was a refreshing change from a past experience at Peppermill). Mary Jane was excellent--attentive, consistent, and on top of everything. Even with how busy it was, she made us feel like we were her only table. Chloe, our food runner, kept things running smoothly. The atmosphere was lively with trivia night and team competitions going on, which added a fun vibe. They also have outdoor seating available. Food was good overall. The birthday boy loved the Crabfest! Tried their sampler platter and Lobster fries both were just okay. Our shrimp came out overcooked at first, but they quickly corrected it and the second round was great. The seafood pasta, fish & chips, shrimp, and poke tacos were all decent, but nothing particularly memorable. Service is definitely 5 stars. Food is closer to 4 stars--but still a solid experience overall.

    This was an extremely disappointing visit to Chickie's & Pete's. We had reservations here for…read moredinner before the Lucy Darling show. Upon arrival, we were sat immediately and greeted by our waitress. The restaurant was clean, bright, and had very few occupied tables. The service from our waitress was non-existent during our stay even though there were very few tables requiring service. She was at our table to greet us and take our drinks, and to take our order but that was it. We had to leave our table to find her to get drink refills and to ask for our check. To drink, we ordered the Churchill Sour and the Blueberry Mojito with a shot of the house rum (it's a virgin on the menu). The Churchill Sour was well balanced and complex. The Blueberry Mojito with a shot of house rum was anything but good. It tasted like straight soda water...even after being mixed at the table. I did order a 2nd one later on and did 2 shots of the house rum and specifically asked for the bartender to mix it and it did taste slightly better. I was shocked to see that on the bill that EACH shot of house rum cost almost the exact same as the Churchill Sour! To start the meal we ordered the crispy calamari. Not only did this come out barely warm and chewy from being overcooked, but it also came to our table with our main courses (I specifically told her that this was our appetizer and we wanted it out first). For our main courses, we ordered the fish and chips, the warm lobster roll, and the lobster philly cheesesteak. The fish and chips were delicious. The fish was light, flaky, and flavorful. The lobster philly cheesesteak was a good surprise. I was on the fence about seafood with cheese, however they complemented each other nicely. The meat was seasoned to perfection and cooked to beautifully. The fries that came with the fish and added onto the philly were the HIGHLIGHT of the meal! They were crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, and the seasoning was on point. The warm lobster roll was just ok. The lobster was ice cold (the butter it came with to dip it in was cold too) and slightly overcooked. The roll was also lacking all flavor and seasoning. Sadly, during our time at Chickie's & Pete's we were not the only table that had these or similar issues. We watched 2 tables walk out before ordering as their wait time for drinks and/or to be greeted was pushing 20 minutes after being seated, other tables actively searching for servers, and heard several complaints from nearby tables about food quality. Unfortunately, I think we may be taking a break from Chickie's and Pete's for a while when we visit GSR.

    Photos
    Chickie's & Pete's view main entrance with host podium.
    Chickie's & Pete's view main entrance with host podium.
    Philly cheesesteak
    Philly cheesesteak
    Bar area

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    Bar area

    The Elbow Room Sparks - divebars - Updated July 2026

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