Sacramento
This friendly dive stands out from Sac’s many workaday joints with its huge beer selection, tall pours and 1980s-loaded jukebox.
Must-see nightlife in California
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Our favorite of Oroville's no-frills watering holes serves very cold beer and spicy Bloody Marys and has a shuffleboard table.
Sonoma
Thirty global vintages by the glass let you compare what you’re tasting in California with the rest of the world’s wines.
Central Coast
Catch an organic, fair-trade java buzz at Mr Toots Coffeehouse which has an art gallery, live music and ocean-view deck.
Napa
Live music Thursday to Sunday, TV sports nightly and a pet-friendly, riverfront patio. Often packed, usually messy.
Gold Country
Sonora's classic and fairly rugged hangout in the center of town. Bottles glitter like gold on the backlit bar.
Sacramento
Hip young patrons nurse organic free-trade coffee and chai morning to night in this steel and concrete space.
San Joaquin Valley
Campy decor, friendly bartenders and an indoor fire pit give this gay hangout lots of cozy atmosphere.
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Across from Mariachi Plaza, this Latin-flavored wine bar comes with frequent live music and DJs.
San Diego
This one’s for the locals, so be cool. Swill a Bud Light, and play pool at one of four tables.
Berkeley
Open late, Au Coquelet is a popular stop downtown for coffee, pastries and late-night studying.
Calistoga
Live music plays on Sundays and one Saturday a month at this hoppin' corner bar-restaurant.
Napa
Dudes with beards swill craft beers and throw darts inside this lively pool hall.
Redding & Around
Cafe in the Turtle Bay Museum Store serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks.
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood & Westwood
A monument to postmodern coffee, disposable plastic capsules and the overseas-only George Clooney advertising model. You can buy the fancy machines here,…
Sacramento & the Central Valley
The house specializes in 31 variations of Long Island iced teas (most of which are around $3), so brace yourself. The only way to take in alcohol any…
San Joaquin Valley
Patrons sip colorful cocktails while bathed in blue neon at this (almost) swanky lounge. When the Giants are on, it takes on the vibe of a (almost) swanky…
West of I-5
Serving delicious Etna brews on tap, come here for the beer more than the ambience or food (mostly burgers).
