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    The University Bar

    3.5 (46 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars

    The University Bar Photos

    THE UNIVERSITY BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Such a sick bar. The drinks are cheap, the vibes are good and the people there are super fun.

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    11 years ago

    This bar has got a mediocre dance scene poor service and the bouncers are generally jerks

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The University Bar

    Strong Water - Outdoor area

    Strong Water

    4.6(27 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Strong Water is one of those places that feels like somebody had a really good idea and actually…read morefollowed through with it. The atmosphere is probably the first thing you notice. It has a cool, relaxed feel that's a little more grown-up without crossing over into being stuffy or pretentious. You can actually sit down, have a good drink, eat something, and enjoy the place instead of feeling like you're competing with the music to have a conversation. The cocktails are where Strong Water really shines. They're creative, well made, and definitely a step above the usual "pour some liquor in a glass and hope for the best" situation. The food is really good too and fits the whole vibe of the place perfectly. Service has always been friendly and attentive when I've been there, and I like that they can make recommendations without turning ordering a cocktail into a chemistry lesson. It's also right next to Lost Dutchman Taproom, which makes that little area dangerously convenient if your original plan was to have a responsible, uneventful evening. Strong Water is definitely a place I'd recommend when you want something a little nicer than your typical bar but still want to relax and actually have fun. Five stars for the drinks, food, service, and atmosphere. The cocktails may be strong, but apparently my ability to say "this is my last one" is considerably weaker.

    We love the drinks and atmosphere. Mary shake the bartender mixologist (can we call her that? She…read moreis a pro! ) is fantastic, so knowledgeable and fun to talk to. Outside area is cute while smoking the cigars. Very private and calm.

    Photos
    Strong Water
    Strong Water
    Strong Water - And then we ask Pro Kev to do it again... he killed it all night!

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    And then we ask Pro Kev to do it again... he killed it all night!

    Cheers Chico - Beers on tap

    Cheers Chico

    3.5(30 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Food was really good!! Salads were a little different but decent! Drinks were good! I had…read morethe Black Cod, the lady had the Lobster Lasagna!! Deviled Egg was so good also!! Service was good , friendly and helpful!! The best part was the Apple Tart! Ambiance is exactly like the Cheers Bar!! Was a great outing will be back!!

    First time there was had the best food and service! It was top notch and I was so excited to go…read moreback and try more of the menu. Drinks were fun and fresh Staff attentive and really made us feel welcome Vibe - LOVE IT! The booths are amazing and I love that it was the towne lounge so there's lots of history! Food - the lobster lasagna was delicious. Prime rib cooked on point and loved the sides, they were a little small but the meat made up for it! The duck, it had good flavor but wasn't our favorite good sides though!! 2nd time there.... Staff seemed a little stressed and not as friendly VIBE - LOVED IT! The music started right when we got there and it was perfect for our dinner date. Food - kinda made me sad. The halibut was cooked well but over salted and when it was plated it was a little rough looking. The lamb - tough and did not enjoy it, the rice was bland but the veggies were on point! The others had lobster lasagna and enjoyed and the prime rib and it was just so so that night. drinks: Espresso martini was tasty but served in an odd glass!! Wine was nice and of course when you get anything on the rocks you know what you are in for. Sweets: The Cassata (if I spelled that right) sounded amazing but left us unimpressed. The apple tart had great flavor and was warm which was a nice touch! Overall the 1st visit would have had 5 stars but the 2nd is really a 3 stars so I went with 4. I will try going back because I really want them to do good and enjoy the atmosphere there!!!

    Photos
    Cheers Chico - Bar area

    Bar area

    Cheers Chico - 1/2 Caesar Salad

    1/2 Caesar Salad

    Cheers Chico - Front entry warm and inviting

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    Front entry warm and inviting

    Lost Dutchman Taproom - Ample seating and beautiful space

    Lost Dutchman Taproom

    4.5(72 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Lost Dutchman Taproom is one of those places that's just easy to have a good time at. It has that…read morerelaxed, laid-back taproom feel where you can show up for one drink and somehow look at the clock later wondering when exactly "one drink" turned into your entire afternoon. The beer selection is great, with enough variety that there's something for pretty much everyone, including the person who needs to sample half the menu before finally committing to a full pour. The atmosphere is probably my favorite part. It's casual, open, and comfortable without feeling overly polished or like it's trying too hard to be trendy. The staff has always been friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to help you figure out what to try without making you feel like you need a degree in craft beer first. It's also the kind of place that works just as well for hanging out with a group as it does for stopping in and having a couple beers without making a whole production out of it. Good drinks, good people, good atmosphere, and absolutely no pressure to be anywhere else. Five stars from me. The biggest problem with Lost Dutchman is that stopping by for "just one" requires a level of self-control I apparently do not possess.

    Great selection, staff is pretty awesome and the bar food is on point . Love the patio too!read more

    Photos
    Lost Dutchman Taproom - Maui Mango Sticky Rice IPA

    Maui Mango Sticky Rice IPA

    Lost Dutchman Taproom - This place looked awesome too but was closed at the time. Would love to try the cocktails next time!

    This place looked awesome too but was closed at the time. Would love to try the cocktails next time!

    Lost Dutchman Taproom - Awesome place

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    Awesome place

    Madison Bear Garden - The Great Bacon Burger

    Madison Bear Garden

    3.6(854 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    The Bear - Downtown Chico My husband, my brother, and I…read morestopped at The Bear after a morning hike one weekend. We were starving, and the food hit the spot. I especially loved the curly cheese fries, and the fried chicken sandwich was good too. The place is steeped in history. I'm not really a bar person and the energy isn't quite my vibe, but there's a lot to appreciate--especially the wild ceilings packed with random items. It's unique and full of character, even if it isn't perfectly aligned with my usual preferences. My husband, a local who grew up in Butte County, shared some great stories about his Chico State days, back when this was still a quieter town of wealthy families with unpaved roads. Those little pieces of local history made the visit even more interesting. A solid, character-filled stop if you enjoy the Bar vibe, you're hungry after a hike and open to a place with real personality.

    I was visiting my son in Chico and had heard that "The Bear" was a must-do for Chico…read more The restaurant itself is very vibe-y. It is a lot! Loads of TVs with a variety of sports events playing. We ordered at the counter and then sat down at a table. We only waited about 15 minutes to get our food. My son and I ordered the Great Bacon Burger and specialized it to our liking. I ordered the side salad and he got curly fries. His roommate ordered the Near Burger with curly fries. When we got our food, the boys' burgers were not the way they had ordered them (one had cheese and the other had tomatoes). And it wasn't clear was whose was whose. My side salad was basic basic fare. I should have ordered the curly fries. I probably won't be back, but it was fun to visit the iconic Chico restaurant.

    Photos
    Madison Bear Garden - Upstairs at night.

    Upstairs at night.

    Madison Bear Garden - Ruba dub dub in my tum

    Ruba dub dub in my tum

    Madison Bear Garden - Upstairs at night.

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    Upstairs at night.

    The University Bar - bars - Updated August 2026

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