Patio drinks!
Table menu
interior
Backwoods
Fuller than full bar
Cigars
Unopened vinegar beer in my trash
Have to stay hydrated
a brick building
The bar in the back lounge area
drink
Grandfathered
interior
interior
The Bar
Jakes. Doug tested, Marty approved.
outside
interior
interior
interior
drink
Moscow Mules
Islandalumni T.
Oct 24, 2024
I've been going to this place for 20yrs; I've always had positive interactions there with vibrant, like-minded people who love art, show; playing and writing music ;beautiful, peaceful people. I've spent a LOT of money there on whiskey, cigars, craft beer & since I'm in the service industry, I'll always overtip.However, this place had done way down hill. A lot of the clientele in the evening and the bartenders are not welcoming at all. For example: I have a service dog named Teddy because he helps me avoid panic attacks and reminds me to take my bipolar meds. I bring himTo bars in Benson, Blackstone, Downtown, Vinton, South O, Gifford Park, Underwood; you name it! Finer establishments than Jake's. They love him! He's a service animal so he's trained. I bring this dog in and the young male bartender doesn't even ask if it's a service dog, he tells me it can't be in here. I hip him to the ADA of 1975 and just says yeah whatever like he has no regard for a Federal Law because he clearly doesn't understand law. Two nights after that, I go back to give them a seconds chance: order a cigar and then try to order a beer but this bartender tells me he can't because he said I was doing whip it's outside with some guy. I suffered from a panic attack on the way to Jake's that night and he could tell so did a hit of oxygen so I could breathe. It was an handheld oxygen tank, not a whip-it. He accused me of so I didn't do & then when I tried to explain myself he kicked me out . I left willingly and in peace but as I'm leaving, "PJ" says hey in a an agressive tone and try's to walk up quickly behind me so U turn around and said don't ever walk up on a man like that again. That's what cowards do; if you want to have a conversation, make eye contact and talk to me mano y Mano. Of course this would be his childish behavior.So in conclusion, if you're looking to chill, order drinks, lounge, vibe, vent about all the BS going on in your life, this place ain't it at least IMHO.Also, I work in the restaurant and service industry and this was the absolutely worst customer service and experience I've ever had in my entire life and that says a lot because I'm. No Spring Chicken!I tell the bartender that and he doesn't believe so he basically called me liar. My rebuttal: perception is not reality; just because you think it's truth doesn't make it so. So then I start filming it again because my rights have already been violated AND I'm PJ the "owner" who's not an owner but says that he's a God & he can do whatever he wants to do.Ummm PJ, that's not the way it work; you are an ignorant bully with low intellect & a lot of anger & bitterness & pain thats hopefully going to end soon for you. I've been hurt a lot dude, I get it. shoThen PJ tells me he's the owner, which I know he's not because I looked them up on BBB & they're each 50% owner; neither of which these guys is "PJ". If he lied about being the owner, he probably lied about his name because he knew he was in the wrong.Sorry if I already stated this but as I was volunteering to leave, OJ says hey pal and walks up behind me really fast like he was going to try and physically assault me. I told him don't want up on someone like that because that can be taken as a threat and I know how to defend myself Mx fromThere I just stared at him and he walked about which was the best decision.I'm sorry this happened and I'm sure all of these dudes are cool; maybe they were just having a bad day because I know I do: it's been a thought 6 mos.I hope PJ & the other bartender are doing ok: I forgive them but I'm never going back here again because you should be able to go chill and smoke a cigar with bourbon and other men( or woman) & this ain't the vibe they're pushing here these days. Maybe they can get back to that point where they were 20yrs ago when my wife and all our friends used to hang out there and have fun!
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Brian S.
Mar 26, 2024
Stopped in today during my travels and picked up a couple cigars to go. Didn't carry my cigar brand Nub or Cain but they had a decent selection. Service was ok but no one asked if I needed help or assist in finding my cigars.Ambiance cool. Full Bar and smoke inside. Next time, I will hang out a while and enjoy a smoke.Pretty cool place.La Aroma De Cuba an excellent cigar and super fresh at Jake's
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Sara C.
Sep 28, 2023
Jake's is an interesting little spot in Benson, with a cigar/convenience shop at the front and a lounge-type bar at the back.I don't smoke, but have a few friends who do, and they have noted that Jake's has a good selection of cigars and cigarettes, with a lot of variety for each.Now I CAN speak for the bar in the back, as I usually head straight back there. Ambiance-wise, it's a little darker at times than I would like. There is a long curved bar, with comfy leather hightop chairs all along it. If you have a small group, they also have a few booths along one side of the bar. If your group is much larger, there is a little area at the back that is basically one giant booth all around that wall.The staff is great and always tries to find me what drink I'm looking for based on what I'm craving in taste and body, etc. They have a good selection of beers, both on tap and in bottles/cans. So always ask if you're trying to find a certain thing - they may have it! The wall behind the bar also has a million bottles of every liquor you can think of, so whatever mixed drink you may want, I'm sure they can concoct for you too.They also have an outdoor patio, but it can get a little smoky at times, as that is where everyone goes to smoke now that the half indoor/half outdoor little smoking room they used to have is no longer.Jake's is (very) slightly off the beaten path of the main drag of Benson, but it's definitely a good spot to have a few drinks if you're wanting to spend some time there!
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Gabriel W.
Feb 23, 2024
Always here and never disappointed. Good beer and environment. If you want a true Benson experience you'll have to give it a shot. I can't say how many times I've came here to unwind. Almost a meditation on other places in the area that have been ruined by popularity and the tragedy of what the madness of people flocking to the next big thing. I talked to some local/lifers of Omaha that have seen the rise and fall of good bars like this. Come to support and experience some of the best people watching imagined.Cheers to Jake's, Waiting Room, Reverb, and the Fullhouse Karaoke down the road! Still living the dream! Cheers
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Christine H.
Sep 30, 2019
My husband and father are both cigar smokers so I end up at the random cigar bar from time to time. Here is the real winner about Jakes - they have a designated walled off smoking area, this keeps the strong smells away from everyone else. In other shops around town like Havana Garage and Safari, it is in all-in-one type set-up and is frankly too overwhelming for many. I can't really speak to their humidor, but on the drink front I was really impressed with the variety of not only beer but also unique liquor infusions. I couldn't resist a sample of peanut butter whiskey. Bartenders were great, I am sure we will be back.
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Will S.
Sep 24, 2017
Time to update my review. Jake's is a fantastic Benson bar that kind of epitomizes the neighborhood. It's full of eclectic patrons. It projects a sort of snarky sense of humor. But it's real smart. Maybe even a little depressed. A tad crazy.It all comes together nicely here, fragile mess that that it is sometimes.Fantastic drink selection. Some of the best bartenders in town work here. All the cigars. A convenience store up front has all you'd need for sneaky drinking on the cheap while out bar hopping. Free condoms, even.Five stars.
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Clare M.
May 22, 2022
The bartender Jen was extremely ablest. Despite only serving my hard of hearing friend one beer in over four hours, she decided that she had been over-served. Absolutely disgusting.
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Anna G.
Jan 22, 2022
Use to love this bar but our whiskey sours were straight sour mix. Tasted so tart it was unenjoyable. The staff was nice but was really disappointing.
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Jonathan N.
Nov 1, 2019
I don't drink or smoke at Jake's but it is a great place to grab a couple kick off shooters before bar hopping in Benson or grabbing a 6 pack at the end of the night. I often go into Jake's between bands at the Waiting Room. They have a good selection of beers for how small of a convenience store it is.
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Koty E.
Mar 25, 2023
I live in the neighborhood and stopped by the retail shop for craft beer for what I hoped would be the first of many visits. One 4pack, and one single stout. I got home, opened the single bottle and realized it was rotten. Expired in November 2022. Came back and they exchanged it. Cool. Next can also rotten. Checked the 4 pack at this point. All expired. Came back with everything, brought the emptied can (down the sink) so they could smell the vinegar I had purchased. They then refused to exchange it and would only refund the 4 pack I brought back. I was spoken down to and told not to come back if I "think" they're serving rotten beer. Terrible service.
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