Riley's Tavern

My best friend wanted to dance, so we walked around the corner from Alley Cat. There was a door right across the door from Alley Cat, but the bouncer said something about them not letting people in through that door after a certain time or something. We were charged $5 just to enter Rileys, unsure if that's just how it is every night. The dance floor was a good size, and some guys started rapping with the music. It sure did get the crowd hyped, but it didn't get people dancing, I noticed. I didn't get anything to drink at Rileys, so I can't comment on the drinks. Rileys was a younger crowd, and it didn't strike me as a mellow place. I don't see us returning to just have a drink and chill, especially if there's a cover charge.

Me and my wife went to Riley's on a Thursday night as recommend because we were from out of town. We showed up at about 5pm on Thursday. Jake the bar tender was incredibly welcoming and served us drinks while we played pool. But once the band started playing the OWNER rejected our ability to play pool even though we had already spent a couple hundred dollars at the bar. He walked up to me while I was trying to take a shot and grabbed the pool que out of my hand and said me and my wife were done.

Riley's got a face-lift! Yes, it's still a dive bar, but now with a little flair. New owners have made this downtown establishment much better than previous experiences. Walls are freshly painted and there's plenty of seating and tables in the side room. The bar remains on the small side with the bartenders a bit overworked. But they're still friendly and offer up some great service, when you can get it. Two pool tables and shuffle board add to the fun, but are crowded and impossible to use on busy nights. Only two bathroom stalls for the ladies, but they were fairly clean and well stocked. Parking downtown can be tricky. The new structure offers DT-goers some safe parking, but after 2 hours you do have to pay. Hopefully, more downtown establishments will start cleaning up their act too!

So I've been to Riley's a few times. The last time was December 2017 and I will never return.Friends and I were dancing, I bumped into a stranger, he turned toward me and made a verbal assault, after which he punched me in the face. It sounds ridiculous, but it happened.My friends and I went to security to report it, and the assailant followed us. Security told us to go back inside. The assailant was back within minutes.We left, and later I tried calling the bar multiple times. Finally, I stopped by to speak with a manager, only there wasn't one. I left my name and phone number. Nothing happened.I assume this was an isolated incident, but I have never before in my life been assaulted, and considering that the management at Riley's seemed to have absolutely zero concern, I am posting this review. Just know that if something happens you won't have a lot of assistance.

During my rendezvous in Bakersfield, I decided to see where the happening nightlife would be. I was directed to Downtown Bakersfield which is a section filled with restaurants and cool little bars. This one place in particular caught my eye. Riley's Tavern is a hole in the wall divey joint that I just happened to come across during one cold evening. I came on a Thursday night and I walked right into karaoke night! Nice! There is no cover charge and drinks are cheaply priced. I'm strictly a beer drinker so I know that will run for cheap! For a Boddington's Pub Ale and a Sex on the Beach(which they made with such sweet perfection by the way) it ran me for about $10. Not bad considering anywhere else I would have paid twice that! They do have a dj spinning Top 40 hits, hip hop, etc. They also do have a big area on the side that should have a fully stocked bar. Instead they have a few tables with seats along with two billiards tables. This is a happening place to be in the late evening if you are nearby the area.The bartenders were very friendly and service was prompt. If I am ever in the area again, I would definitely drop by again for some swill! Vibrant ambience all around and a great place to be. Just be careful to not drink too much and then drive afterwards. Bakersfield PD drive around very rampantly!

My fiance and I came here on a weeknight, hoping it would be less busy than it is on weekends, and it definitely was less busy. The place was somewhat dirty and uninviting from the outside, but overall it was great inside. The drink prices were fair, and the music was good, plus they had some events going on for Taco Tuesday, so that was pretty neat. Although I am not much for the club scene type, I enjoyed my visit and I know my fiance did too! I would definitely recommend!

If you like fun and astronauts this isn't the place for you because they have no astronauts. They do however have hot bartenders like Shaina. Mmmm. MMMMM. MmMmmmmmMmMMMMMMMMmmmm. Also they have karate nights to assist you in mastering skills in the art of Kung Fu, how can you beat that?! They also give you the opportunity to pre-order alcohol since they have none. In addition, every 150 shots you take, they donate $1 to the animal shelter. This bar is a must- experience!!!

Jake and Mario and tommy are the best bartenders in all of down town. Rileys is a place you wanna be friday saturday an sunday!!

I've been coming to Riley's since May for my 21st birthday and I love it. No entrance fee & affordable drinks. There's always a different varieties of music genres during the week, and it's always a good time.

They've got zero control of their own security. One of them sucker punched my friend and started to harass his girlfriend this last weekend.Drinks are good, and it's a shame that the bartenders are so nice but their security is just people on a power trip, would not recommend at all.