The Velveteen

We stumbled upon this highly-rated ( Google) cocktail bar in Salida, and it exceeded our expectations! The moment we stepped in, we were struck by the unique vibe. Owner and bartender Ashley warmly welcomed us, sharing the story behind the thrift-themed setup.Ashley's mixology skills are top-notch! I fell in love with the Pinky Tuscadero, ordering it twice. We also sampled an impressive array of cocktails: G Street Smooch, Mezcal Lounge, Mezcal Old Fashioned, Artemis Hunt, and Lady Libation.To accompany our drinks, we savored the mouthwatering Albondigas, served with freshly baked sourdough and Chimichurri butter. Chef Isabelle's from-scratch creation was absolutely divine!This hidden gem is a must-visit in Salida. Ashley's hospitality, paired with exceptional drinks and cuisine, makes for an unforgettable experience.

Stopped in here on a Saturday night for some pre-dinner drinks with a party of four. The bar was in an old, historic building and I enjoyed the layout (the bar had several different rooms within the bar). We found a table in the back room, and came in a little before they were setting up for a live band! I was a little confused by the menus; they had two separate cocktail menus, one seemed to be more of a traditional menu, while the other was like a "potions" themed menu. The prices were very reasonable for the cocktails and they were tasty, although a little sweet. We didn't eat dinner there but the night we were there, they had tapas which was fun. Would stop in for another drink!