This place is so cool, it's the best hidden gem in Winston! I love the vibe and the bartenders are great!

Open at 3pm, hurrah. Tables are solid bar size, a bit worn but playable. Good parking in rear.

Well this is an extremely racist establishment. Walked in with family & friends trying to celebrate a wedding ( we are from out of town) a few of us walked in from the front and the other half walked in from the back.The few that walked in from the back walked right with out a problem and no IDs being checked. The other half that walked in from the front walked in and headed straight to the bar. We were rudely bombarded by I guess security whom was asking us for IDs and Membership. We asked the security guard how can we obtain a quick membership and the cost he rudely responded that it was only done on the week days. I tried to ask a table of 6-8 mainly Caucasian if they had this issue and they seemed confused as to why we were being asked about a membership. Needless to say i won't be back at this establishment and hope this review is seen by management. Train your employees to better speak to customers especially a large party more than willing to pay. read more

West End Opera House - Dive Bars Near Me - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Just moved into the neighborhood last fall, and WEOH is already my Cheers. My SO and I are usually there at least once a week, if not more. Parking is a little tight up front, but if you come around the backside, there's a good sized parking lot back there with a rear door. You'll walk through the covered (and heated) outdoor smoking porch to get in, so if smoke bothers you, coming in the front door may be a better experience for you. Inside, there's two (free!) pool tables, and five (free!) dart boards. There's a TouchTunes jukebox (fun to Rick Roll/Nickelback the whole bar). The drinks are inexpensive, with good pours, and there's specials every night of the week. I don't usually put this in reviews, but since it's very unlike most bars, the restrooms are fantasic - big and clean. The bartenders Katie, Ashley, and Patricia are fantastic - it does get busy in there, especially over the weekend, but they do a good job of keeping drinks flowing. You can run a tab - they'll take your card and give it back when you close out. For what it is, it does it very well, so I'm giving it 5 stars. Come shoot some darts with us and share a beer! read more

Robin and the bartenders here rule, there's plenty of seating, pool, darts, and TV. The best outdoor seating in the city. The whole place reminds me of walking into a cool safari loving grandpa's study/library if that makes sense. On Thursdays it becomes inundated with "Chads" and their Vera Bradley toting lady counterparts but on other nights there are usually about 20-25 people of varying ages and usually chill. Drinks are strong. read more

West End Opera House - Patio - Dive Bars Near Me - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Perfect hole in the wall bar with a huge covered outdoor patio. Drinks are reasonable with an excellent selection of spirits. Many beers available in bottles. There's no taps here, if that's what you're after. Two free pool tables and many dart boards add to the entertainment as well as a pinball machine. There's a host of TVs to catch a game or two. Most of the staff has worked there years even decades and there's a strong regular crowd from all times of the night. Private membership is required since there's no food (except some snack mix). It's just $1. read more

Were visiting from Detroit, Michigan for a wedding... Was highly recommended by a nearby local bar. We LOVE DIVE BARS & stopped in on a Sunday evening ... such a unique atmosphere! The back ally offered outdoor seating and corn hole! Definitely will be back when we visit again! read more

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I'm new to thw city and I enjoy shooting pool, partially because of the friendly people that are associated with the watering holes that has tables... not here. I was the only person of color when I git there, then was ignored by both bartenders, and got that disdained look from some if the patrons there. I hope the rest of the city's local sports establishments aren't as unfriendly. read more

West End Opera House - a street scene at night - Dive Bars Near Me - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

While I don't go to the West End part of town very often, when I am; I try to stop in. They have great drinks and a good neighborhood bar atmosphere. Many dart stations and pool in the back. The decor in the bar is very relaxed and makes you feel comfortable. The only knock I have on them is that they do not accept American Express. Please be sure not to pass up this spot!!! read more

We first went up to the door and it was locked but we noticed a doorbell on the wall. Hit the doorbell and they let you in. Only one person in a group has to buy a $1 membership to be able to hang out and drink. The bourbon selection was very small with Woodford, wild turkey, makers mark, Jim beam and bulleit, but the fair pour on the Woodford makes up for that. They have two pool tables and four dart boards you can play on. The server we had was very nice and friendly. The bathrooms were surprisingly immaculate! Very refreshing! There's also a patio out back for all of the smokers since thankfully there's no smoking inside. We noticed people trying to get in the locked door and walking away, which is pretty funny. But hey, if you can't figure out how to get in, maybe you shouldn't be in there! read more

This is a BAR. A proper bar. There's a deer's ass on the wall, but there are also genuine, original concert posters and album covers from the likes of Zeppelin and The Beatles. Take a quick look at the decor, take a longer look, think for a moment, and you'll realize why it's bolted into the wall. Then, have a cheap, wicked-strong drink, and look again. Then, play some free pool. Throw some free darts. Have another cheap Crown and Coke, and realize that yeah, you really DO like Jethro Tull, when it comes over the PA. Step into the genuine London Phone Booth in the back, and order some delivery. It's a private club - you can do that. If you pay the $1 membership fee, that is. Or don't. They don't really care. As we said, it's a proper bar. Don't want to order takeout? Have some scooby snacks. Just ask the bartender. Don't expect a fine selection of draft beers. Wrong sort of place. If you like beer though, don't fret - there's a solid bottle selection. Step outside to the back ... corridor? patio? Enjoy a smoke, since you can't do that indoors anymore - it's virtually enclosed but TECHNICALLY open, so blow your smoke in "The Man's" face. Revel in the unprecendented social equality of a genuine watering hole, and we dare you to tell us we're wrong on this one. If you didn't have fun, you didn't try. read more

I've been to five continents, and I stand firm in my belief that this is my favorite bar in the world. The bartenders are friendly and know everyone's name. The drinks are strong, but cheap. Both darts and pool are free. Opera House knows all demographics. Whether you are a preppy Wake Forest kid, or a elderly man in camouflage overalls (I've seen it), you can feel at home in this bar. Tip: Ask for the Scooby Snacks read more

First impressions: - Good decor & vibes - Nice bartenders serving strong drinks - Entertainment for everyone: many tvs, free pool and darts - Covered outdoor seating a huge bonus As someone has already said: a strange mix of townie and WFU smarmy, but all that really means is there's something for everyone, right? I'm new to the area and have only been there once, but I can see it making it onto my list of Places To Go. read more

Three stars for the ambiance, dark and loud. I would rate it four but the last time I checked, you can still smoke at the Opera House; if that changes my review will be higher. I go here to hang out with my old family friends when I go back to town to visit. The place is teeming with divorcés and drunk college rednecks and I'm okay with that. I like the ambiance, other than the smoke-filled air. I like the darkness and the old saloon chairs and the ridiculous music I would never listen to otherwise. And it's pretty ridiculous music. But I'm okay with that. read more

GREAT bartenders, even stronger drinks! They give free trail mix.... UM YES PLEASE! and they have darts, pool tables, and a few other small games to do while socializing. Don't go with a HUGE crowd thought because its not a very big place. read more

I had the worst experiences I have ever had at a bar at this establishment. The woman behind the bar was extremely rude to both me and my friends and refused to serve us, even though we came to the establishment for a drink to start our night off. read more

So I come here very often. This is the first time they made me get at membership. I did it. As the night went on they didn't require it. When I went to check out the waitress was confrontational about my tip. She did nothing. I had to get my own beer everything. What did she except. read more

Great place.awesome staff... Always very friendly and the staff that is there has been there for years for a reason.. they are good! Great mix in ages of the crowd. read more

This is a great place to grab a stiff drink and play some bar games. It gets quite crowded so if you're looking for a quiet place to talk this might not be it. It's definitely a fun time with pool, darts and lots of tables to hang out. I don't smoke, but my friends that do appreciate the heated patio right outside. I don't care for it because to get in you have to walk through the smoke, it's pretty thick and I smell like a smokestack before I even order my drink. Nonetheless it's a staple in Winston Salem and has convenient parking on the backside. read more

Cozy bar. Truly spectacular bar stools. Friendly staff and clientele. Has a nice little covered walkway in the back for smokers. There's some seating out there and decent protection from the elements. Would definitely return. read more

How can you not love a good dive with snacks, free pool and darts, a heated smoking patio and a mix of people that makes you totally comfortable? Settle in next to the regulars in plush bar seating, grab a few delicious cocktails (one of those places where you can say "oh, give me something with pineapple" and they make you something you didn't know you wanted but was exactly what you needed) and feel right at home among animal pelts and antler light fixtures. The patio is big enough that you're not burning strangers with your cigarette, and the bathrooms are always clean. Really, what more could you want? read more

Dive bar is the right categorization, but it has a nice local feel to it. They have strong mixed drinks, pool, and darts to recommend it over other places. Also, Publius is right about the collision of Winston and Wake. It's interesting to say the least. read more

The Opera House is what happens when Wake Forest students and W-S locals collide. The results are always interesting. A friend of mine got carried out once. It was kind of like a war movie only drunker. Great place to play darts. Pool tables, too. read more

3.5 stars. Good dive bar with strong, cheap drinks, pool & darts. Kind of out of the way in terms of location.

This has to be one of my favorite bars in the area! Katie and Robin are there to help keep the atmosphere exciting and the drinks flowing!

Opera (or Slopera, affectionately named by Wake students) is what you'd expect from Winston Salem. The city isn't much of a college town, and since beggars can't be choosers, Opera is a frequent stop during the week when looking for a place to have a couple rounds and play some pool. One guy has been playing pool here pretty much every night for 17 years, and he's a fast-talking, quick-shooting chatterbox who loves to win. You go to bars to meet people like him, and Opera is the place where local characters come out to play. Be careful on Thursday nghts, though - Wake students overrun the place and make squeezing by the bar even more difficult than it normally is. Waiting for a drink is pretty much inevitable, but the hospitable bartenders do their best amidst the drunk, often underage patrons who think they own the place. All in all, the closest thing to Cheers that you'll find in Winston, and a definite must for he who wishes to understand the southern townie. read more