The Yummiest Music Venues in Sacramento

Goldfield Trading Post

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (79)

"The poor reviews for the Trading Post are very disappointing. This place is impressive and gives you an up-close experience with the bands. I took my daughter to see Escape the Fate and Stitched Up Heart; what a fantastic concert! She was right in the front, pressed against the gate; like an old man, I chose to get an assigned seat with a server that brought me all the drinks I needed to enjoy the music. The bands rocked! The service is excellent! The food partnership may need some work to expand the offerings, but it is a worthwhile experience. Rock on everyone!"

Drytown Club

★★★★☆ 4 (25) • $

"Drytown Club was kickin' butt again this past weekend. Leather Souls featuring Allen Frank, Allen Kreutzer, Rick Arnold and Phil (Hicks?) were on fire. Why Drytown club isn't on more people's radar for a fun blues setting just escapes me. Other pros would do well to perform here.Here's video proof:http://www.youtube.com/user/NevadaDuke#p/a/u/0/x9RD77dHgiohttp://www.youtube.com/user/NevadaDuke#p/a/u/1/uFXGaFDFpq0"

The Silver Lining

★★★★★ 4.8 (29) • $$

"We checked out this cute little piano bar while pregaming before dinner and a concert last night! We walked in and were immediately greeted by the bartender on duty, William. We ordered The Die Hard Old Fashioned, Anchor + Tree Carajillo and a few beers. I love a good espresso martini and the Carajillo was better than any I've had. It was made with tequila instead of vodka and it was so smooth and it's even made with the coffee from their business neighbor! I could have had 4 of these - they were that good!We didn't try any of their food, but the menu looked and sounded delicious - especially their hot dog! They have live music and a band was setting up when we were leaving! It seems like a pretty busy spot and I'm glad we stopped in to check them out.I'll definitely be in again for that Carajillo!"

Two Rivers Cider

★★★★★ 4.5 (132) • $

"First time here and it was cozy on a rainy Friday night. I had their strawberry and Boisenberry mix and flavor were good, but pretty sweet for my liking. I was only able to drink half a glass. Bartender was cool and help with choosing drinks.They have a setup inside with vinyls and a spin table so it's be fun if they had someone there to bring up the energy. We went next door where they have an area where local artists perform every Friday. Really enjoyed it!"

The Starlet Room At Harlow's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (11)

"A pretty decent experience! Came here for the Kid Bloom concert and it was very nice and explosive. The outside area can be a bit confusing as there is another venue just next door, but the bouncers would usually clarify. However, it is very cozy overall and has both a front and back outdoor area for fresh air. I highly recommend eating beforehand as the menu at Starlet is very limited and overpriced. With that, there is extremely limited seating if the venue you are attending is on the packed side. However, they do have interesting shows, and features and the lights are dope!Parking can be pretty limited around the area, but circle around the residential street to find two-hour parking!However, it is pretty cozy and more of a chill venue than anything, so it's pretty good for a late-night hangout!"

Placerville Public House

★★★★☆ 4 (260) • $$

"This place gives you a sense of a historic feeling, hang town USA....the ambiance is awesome, it takes you back in time momentarily. The restaurant has an entrance to the bar, the bar is the same back in the 1900's just amazing. The service is even better, the waitress was very attentive and friendly. The food was delicious. We ordered the chicken sandwich with mushrooms. The sandwich was topped with pesto and cheese, with a soft brioche bread, the taste was phenomenal, must try. You have your option of potatoe chips or tater tots, we got the tots, it was a bit on the overcooked side. We also ordered the Bratwurst sandwich, the Dijon spread was overwhelming but very tasty. It is also topped with your choice of tater tots or chips.. I definitely would come back possible for happy hour, the ambiance alone is worth coming back, it also has a pool table, adults only for that..I was very impressed overall !"

Woodbridge Crossing

★★★★☆ 3.5 (345) • $$

"Well decorated and smoked old fashioned would order again. Dinner was good but would come back for drinks and lounge"

Opera House Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.5 (99) • $$

"Cool place , went to a concert there , great service, nice theater and big ole dance floor ! We'll be back !"

Old Ironsides

★★★★☆ 4 (186) • $

"Our boss bought us lunch today and wow it was so yummy.....I had the mushroom sandwich with portabella mushroom omg it was so delicious I hear it's under new ownership but let me tell you it isn't skipping a beat..:.. go enjoy"

The Venue At Thunder Valley

★★★★☆ 3.5 (147) • $$$

"As of November 2024, this is an indoor venue (my friend tells me it used it be outdoors, but they've clearly made changes in the past few years, so it's now a beautiful and well-designed indoor performance space). We attended Mariah Carey's holiday concert, which put viewers in the christmas spirit but also included some of her greatest hits, like Hero, Fantasy, and Always Be My Baby. Her show even featured the musical talents of her two kids who took the spotlight during a segment of the show. My partner got great seats so I was lucky to have a front row view of the stage from the balcony overhang section, though looking around, there didn't seem to be a bad seat in the house. And there are two large screens, one on each side of the stage, too. The bars inside the auditorium made it easy to grab a drink without missing any action, no waits or lines either. They are not super strict with the bag policy. The have many signs at the casino, venue, and online, stating that they only allow up to 8x8 inches (if not a clear bag). My purse was 10x6, and they didn't even notice or care, and we didn't encounter any delays as we arrived early for the show. The staff throughout the venue were friendly yet professional, which allowed for a carefree atmosphere where everything went smoothly, so we could fully enjoy and appreciate the musical entertainment and amazing vocals of Mariah Carey. What's more, the impressive lighting and sound on stage ensured a truly engaging experience for the audience. We certainly had a good time."

The Boardwalk

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (160) • $

"Came in for "You Front the Band" night. Fun. Real community of friends who all seem to be good long time pals. About 10 different singers. Some really good ones.Clean bar. Nice vibe room. Dozens and dozens of electric guitars on the walls and ceiling.Three in my party. We were made to feel welcome by everyone.We ate food. We drank fancy cocktails.Well worth the price of admission, which is free."

La Terraza Mexican Restaurant

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (859) • $$

"My mom took me out for a belated birthday lunch. She enjoys Mexican/Mexican-American food, and we were in old Sacramento, so this place seemed like a decent lunch.I see on average this place rates a 2. While this place wasn't anything special, I think a 2 average is somewhat harsh. I ordered the beef quesadilla lunch special, which was a decent amount of food for $13.99. The quesadilla had good flavor.....a little dry, but good flavor. The refried beans and rice were fairly standard. Good for what it is, but you'll get this at any Mexican restaurant. My mom and sister enjoyed their meals, too.Our server was very polite and attentive, and drinks were always refilled. There is Mexican music playing, and a window seat from the second floor gives a nice view of the foot traffic. Again, nothing sensational, but for a good, honest Mexican/Mexican-American lunch in between old Sacramento fun, this is a good spot"

Midtown Barfly

★★★★☆ 3.7 (60) • $

"Came in for Club Necromancy and it has been the most comfortable and enjoyable goth night club experience for a while for me. Everyone seemed to be there to dance and be seen in their outfits. Oh, and drink! Reasonable drinks and bottled/draft beers there.I want to go back!"

Wild Eye Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (86)

"This place is so cool. You make you reservations and get to see a live band while you eat. The service was quick and super friendly. One side is the big bar area and the other side of the building is a sit down and eat with live music. The food was like going to a high class restaurant the mushroom soup which is vegan was so good. I love meats but the soup was great also had a patty melt loaded with onions and local beef and a huge fresh hummus dip.. yum yum"

Concerts In the Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (29) • $

"Concerts In The Park at Cesar Chavez Park is still a great addition to summer in Sacramento, but it has slipped over the years. It is still held every Friday evening at Cesar Chavez Park between 10th and 11th and I and J Streets. Parking is not available at the event, but you can easily walk from light rail or downtown offices. The event is free for everyone. This is a nice benefit to the region allowing for a nice open air concert. Being outside can be a gamble. A beautiful delta breeze one week can turn into a smoggy heat wave the next. The music is eclectic and usually fun for the audience ranging from babies to the elderly all enjoying the music. Unfortunately, the food and drink options have deteriorated. The event is now sponsored by Budweiser so the drinks are all industrial brews, although they have some Bogle wine and limited cocktails. Food is also limited to a few food trucks with the typical greasy and meat heavy options popular in the suburbs. The token system is a bit weird in an era of square and Apple Pay. Fortunately the portable toilets were clean, and La Cosecha is open too. Seating can be tough with limited grass space, but the fountain is run in again acting as a weak mister for the area. Live music is always nice, especially in Downtown Sacramento. However, Concerts In The Park is suffering from some growing pains. This is expected somewhat due to pressures to keep the event free through sponsors and cost control. It still may be cheaper to hit up a local bar for happy hour and mosey over later in the evening."

Stoney Rockin Rodeo

★★★★☆ 3.6 (280) • $

"I've been to Stoney's a few times, most recently this past Saturday for a Girls Night Out. We arrived after 8pm and it started slowing getting busy around 9pm. The dance floor had a few people cutting loose by the time we got there!I like that they offer dance lessons from 7-8pm which we will definitely be taking advance of next time. We were able at least do the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle - the other dances were a bit harder to learn that quickly - didn't stop us from trying though! They also do Karaoke around 9pm inside and that's always a blast - whether you have the confidence to actually sing or are just an innocent bystander. They're food is pretty good too! We didn't partake this time, but I am a fan of their fried pickles! I know that they did a Prime Rib dinner special earlier in the evening as well!Drinks are strong and fairly cheap. Parking is a bit questionable depending on what time you arrive and there was a $7 cover charge when we showed up just after 8pm."

Roseville Theatre Arts Academy

★★★★☆ 4.4 (39) • $

"My son had a field trip to the Roseville theater I signed up to help out and enjoy the field trip with my son! I had never been to the Roseville theater before it was pretty nice to check it out. I love older buildings, so walking into this building was exciting for me to look at everything, the decor that older feel ! The play we watch was called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day! The play was excellent. The performance was beyond good all the kids loved it . I really enjoyed also . The singing and the acting was very good for a small theater in Roseville. They are very talented. On the way out I seen that they have more plays coming like a SpongeBob musical .I would definitely want to come back with my other son and my husband to check it out. I seen that they had a snack bar. It was not open at the time of the field trip but I'm assuming it is for regular plays so that would be nice to check out. .Overall, it was a fun time. My son had never been to a theater or seen a play before, so it was fun to experience that with him.! I would like to come back and enjoy with the rest of my family and try out the food. They have their maybe grab a glass of wine and watch something. Everyone there is very talented. I enjoyed it."

Second Saturday Art Walk

★★★★☆ 3.6 (57) • $

"I've been doing the "Art Walk" for many years now. It's still Fun. But it's not what it used to be...SITREPThe convergence of Art in the Midtown area has always been a fun, enjoyable romp every 2nd Saturday in Sacramento. This has given local galleries - and the local artists that have a chance to share their talents - an opportunity for community get-together and enjoyment."CHA-CHA-CHA-CHANGES"But in the words of a very obscure and shy musician named DAVID BOWIE, the scene ain't what it used to be. A surly element and rambunctious youngsters have taken over the midtown domain of the Art Walk.It's even gotten to the point where people GET KILLED on this special night and law enforcement has had to step in and set-up restrictive barricades and lay a heavy hand on some pedestrians."Second Saturday Art DRIVE"...which is why I recommend that you power walk, bus or even drive to some points a bit more distant. Such as Creative Vera @ 12th & S Streets; or Sol Collective and Beatnik Studios actually both south of Broadway, or some of the studios and galleries further into East Sacramento. You can still find some great galleries and fun if you are not up for the core-midtown range.THE LOWDOWNIt still works. Just very differently now."

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (80) • $$

"This is a tough venue for musical stage performances. The floor is one level (maybe VERY slightly inclined) so floor seats can be challenging for shorter people. Also, the seats on the floor are temporary and installed with no continuity - the space between rows varies from not even inches to almost a foot. The row behind us had room for people to place full handbags between the seats. Our row barely allowed us to shuffle sideways. The signage isn't great for floor seats since they aren't permanent.The acoustics were decent and the stage itself was well done. The set has elaborate screens and those were visible at all angles and done well. There were no ushers handing out programs so we actually sat down before realizing we would need to head back out to the lobby to pick up our programs. The bathrooms were a challenge too. There were multi-stall portables located outside of the building. When I stopped into them after the show (the lines were too bad at intermission) they were locked. Why would you lock a bathroom without allowing patrons a chance to use them before exiting? We didn't purchase any food or drinks so I can't speak to the quality but at intermission, when heading to the restroom, the lines looked long as usual. No idea how fast they moved. I can't wait until the remodel is done and we can return to our normal venue. I would hesitate to attend another performance here unless I had no other place to see the performance."

BarmHaus Brewing

★★★★★ 4.8 (30) • $$

"One of the most middle of nowhere breweries I've experienced. Reminds me of the hard to reach Brewing Lair further north on the east side of Sierra as far a far flung. Very good European style beers. Their black lager and Pilsner were quite nice. I'm sure this spot is popular during river rafting season. Visited in early spring and was one of a few there.Friendly staff and large space around brewery for outdoor seating or other activities while enjoying quality brews. Definitely not an IPA stop which is nice to have other options versus so many IPA centric places."

Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (176) • $$

"The bartender/servers work hard here! They greet, provide menu, mix drinks, provide place settings, take orders, and clear bills. At least on the day we visited. It is a very cozy spot with eclectic decor. We loved our brats, drinks and cubano. As first timers, we weren't sure, but it is totally kid friendly during the day. Thanks for the great food and wonderful service!"

UNDERTONE

★★★★★ 5 (1) • $

"Getting Our Dark Wave Techno-Dance Groove On At A Stalwart Location!SITREPThe Old Navy Sailors & Merchant Marines of World War II days probably wouldn't know what to make of the youngins dressed in dark eye shadow, skirts and make-up - and I'm talkin about the guys here. ;)THE SETUPBut that's the fun eclectic environment of UNDERTONE, the new club event to hit Sacramento and hosted by the uber-traditional venue OLD IRONSIDES. But there you have it: talented DJs with their new fangled sound equipment, mixing boards, deep deep bass speakers, high-tech laser stands, etc. etc.DJ TALENTAnd speaking of DJs, this is a Battleship's worth of talent here:* DJ Dark Star (aka Natalie L.), the mastermind behind clubs such as FASCINATION (Retro 80s & New Wave) and DARKNESS (uber-Gothic-Industrial-EBM) here in Sacramento. and she's partnering up with,* DJ X (aka Xavier H. & fellow Yelper), THE mastermind of the Bay Area's best UBER-uber Gothic-Industrial events of the 90s - both HOUSE OF USHER (Oakland), and RODERICKS CHAMBER (San Francisco), as well and founder & frontman of the band MALIGN.AWESOME MUSIC DANCE FORMATThe music was fun, swirly, stompy and techie spanning the decades of the 80s up to the present with lots of familiar standards, and some unfamiliar terrain that DJ X introduced us too. COVER & PARKINGCover is a very low $5 (I think just so the doormen have some drinking money). ;)And Parking generally not a problem finding a place to park around Old Ironsides, even on a Saturday night. Lots of street parking in all four directions, but the Waffle House across the street has a big parking lot if your prefer to be off the street.THE LOWDOWNDefinitely a fun time with cheap drinks, and some great music to listen to until the wee hours."

The Club Car

★★★★☆ 3.9 (403) • $$

"came here between crew stops during the 100M as we needed to refuel ourselves. Great place, great food and a lot of variety to choose from, awesome drinks on top and fun vibe. They have live music as well. Unfortunately we were only able to hear 2-3 songs as we had to keep on schedule. Ordered the miso salmon which was delicious. The salmon was perfectly cooked - tender and flakey, the miso dressing/sauce was flavorful, not overpowering and the sauteed veggies hit the spot to round out the entree. Ordered the Humboldt cherry cider and it was one of the best ciders. If I didn't have the 10pm shift that evening, I would have ordered another. Service is very friendly and attentive."

Rhythm And Brews

★★★★☆ 4.4 (91) • $$

"Have No Fear! Beer & Gear!SITREPLocated on the main drag of the beautiful little Hamlet of Sutter Creek lies this delightful store that doubles as a pub. Or is it a pub doubling as a store? Hard to tell! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sutter-creek-provisions-sutter-creek?select=6K-bwHGM3ULcIWwz6aIAjw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wBut it continues the old fashioned traditions that greeted a tired gold miner or cowboys bringing in the herds. So be assured, as the old school sandwich board signage indicates, YOU GET BOTH! *Heehaw!*https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sutter-creek-provisions-sutter-creek?select=ghllwWqGIywIgR1Wo6liNQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE SETUPThis is indeed a "provisioning" stop of yesteryear, where - when it comes to necessities anyways like food, alcohol, candy and the like - it's your one stop spot! Kinda like 7-Eleven if 7-Eleven actually carried a large variety of quality goods, ranging from craft beers, cheeses from around the world, sauces & breads & spices, etc. etc. etc.And come to think of it, I'm not aware of ANY convenience store (7-Eleven, Circle K, etc.) that is a tenth as cool as this spot."HEY YOGI! IS THAT A PICK-A-NICK BASKET?"If you find yourself in Sutter Creek during the day, and hankering for a late morning or an early afternoon romp with the family, Sutter Creek Provisions (SCP) is the place to collect your items to make a pretty remarkable pic, from the delicious food items to the wide variety of drinks should you prefer derivatives of the grains, the grapes or not.NIGHT TIME HOT SPOT!And in the evening, SCP is the social mecca of Sutter Creek, hosting outstanding bands and musical artists to their stage! And when that's not happening, they also do Karaoke.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sutter-creek-provisions-sutter-creek?select=eNQk02HnCdZRgfFq8rVIOw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wMeanwhile, people can sip their brews and dance a bit if they have the hankering to do so, since SCP allows all of the above. And when you have great bartenders like these, it's impossible to be dissatisfied!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sutter-creek-provisions-sutter-creek?select=uo99mY51mzS_t2wmHl6PlQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE LOWDOWNBest place to just wander on in, knowing nothing about it because then the discoveries of all the things this spot is about, investigating all of it's nooks and crannies for that rare item, will be a lot more fun for you."

The Green Room Social Club

★★★★☆ 4.3 (57)

"This is just for the concert venue and not restaurant because the kitchen was closed when we went. We had the absolute best time at a show the other night. I took my son and was a little nervous as it was a late show and he's a minor, but hey, kids like music too. The venue was safe and accepting of a kid being there. We reserved seats and were right by the stage and safely out of the way of the mosh pit. It was loud as a concert should be so I brought earmuffs for my son which I would recommend for any kids attending a concert. I'm looking forward to more shows there."

Harlow's

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (388) • $$

"Expanding Into Fun DJ-Dance Events More!SITREPI've always enjoyed Harlow's a swanky speakeasy dinner theatre that hosts some really sweet bands. But I love seeing more of the kind of DJ-Dance events that l like to participate in.Usually the fun Gothic-Industrial events I like to patronize have been relegated to the Starlet Lounge ABOVE Harlow's on the 2nd Floor. Starlet is a great venue in itself, but much much smaller, with considerably less square footage for it's dancefloor.CHANGE-OF-HEARTNow apparently the management have had a change of heart and realize that not only is it good business for them, but it's great for the loyal Gothic-Industrial scene to *open up* the larger Harlow's venue dancefloor to this loyal dance scene.THE SETUPHarlow's dancefloor is a nice large expansive floor that has tables and booth around the perimeter. There is a large expansive bar that is located on the right hand side as soon as you enter the venue. Makes it quite convenient to grab a drink, and then go and peruse the rest of the venue.HUGE PATIO!The patio is (almost) a venue in and of itself! Both lawned and hard surfaced-pathed, there are times when there is a DJ spinning out back here with some pretty chill music to relax to, or even host their own dance patio here!Very cool artistic media is thrown up onto the high walls and on some nights, the patio - which is accessible directly from Harlow's and by the staircase leading up & down from the Starlet Lounge - can be quite the multi-venue event space which can be accessed and intermixed by both venues at the same time.THE LOWDOWNI love this venue, and the best part? I live only 3 blocks away!"

The Torch Club

★★★★☆ 3.7 (202) • $$

"Nothing Too Fancy, But Good Music & Reasonable Prices!SITREPCame in with coworkers for a quick drink, some relaxing melodies and just a chill time. Thanks to our wondrous host for opening the doors early for us and relaxing our souls with the best drinks.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-torch-club-sacramento?select=HOW4YrPuA-DRhQAaKNZIyw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE SETUPIt had actually been a few Covid-years since I had walked through the doors of this esteemed establishment. A couple in our work crew thought it was about time we RE-establish our after-work get-togethers since more of us were in the workplace. And on this occasion, our OLD old boss Tom was traipsing through town from his much vaunted retirement "estate" in the North Coast, so this was the perfect time to lasso him for some drinks and memories.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-torch-club-sacramento?select=1Y-oTX5yIdLiS_NvFi88yg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wDRINKSFor me it just comes down to reasonably priced drinks and the friendly staff here to make the experience friendly and memorable. About six of us show up a full half hour early! Apparently they were still on a covid hour and weren't open til 6pm. However, we showed up at 5:30pm and she opened the bar for us.And because Torch Club has a reasonably-priced menu of drinks, I found myself (surprisingly) buying the first round of drinks for everyone! (WTF?) :)OLD FASHIONEDWhen it comes to my poison, I always head to WHISKEY. And if I'm doing whiskey, I'm going straight to an Old Fashioned. And Torch Club knows how to make it perfect.But dam if my current boss Jodean won't let me drink my Old Fashioned in peace! :Dhttps://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-torch-club-sacramento?select=Ruy3Ksef4TUD_Kh5YEjL_Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wMUSICAnd of course, if you're into some smooth jazz, some Blues, or light honkey-tonk, there's a stage where a lot of bands set up and wow us with their skills.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-torch-club-sacramento?select=X1o4r2CFHUSb5e_rWmxXbw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE LOWDOWNA wonderful time for friends & colleagues in the Torch Club."

The Backyard

★★★★☆ 3.8 (8)

"This venue is right behind Rock n' Brews by Cal Expo. It's essentially a parking lot with a stage. There are no indoor bathrooms, only porta potties. They have a few food trucks on site and a couple of bars. There is a VIP area, it's referred to as "the hill" because it's slightly elevated so you should be able to see over the crowd. Parking is $20 (bring cash) and you enter through Gate D at Cal Expo, if the parking lot in front of Rock n' Brews isn't full they have you park there. The two times I went I was there early so I was able to park close. Try to avoid going to a concert during or after the State Fair. The Backyard is near the stables where they keep the livestock during the fair, which means there are a LOT of flies when the fair is going on. I've only been to two daytime shows (Sad Summer and Summer School Tour) so I can't say what it's like to to go a regular nighttime concert. The shows I went to were standing room only, and they were on very hot days. I will say the venue did an excellent job keeping everyone cool and hydrated. For Sad Summer it was over 110 degrees, they had setup a white tent, had misters, plenty of free water and a few large trash cans filled with water so you could wet a cooling rag (they also provided new towels for those who didn't bring one). They let you bring in one empty water bottle or a sealed one. You were allowed to bring in sunscreen, but it had to be lotion, it couldn't be aerosol. The staff was very friendly and helpful. It's definitely not my favorite venue but it is new, so there may be some improvements."

Swabbies

★★★★☆ 3.7 (816) • $$

"Enjoying warm weather never was better than at Swabbies! From cover bands (today was a Chicago cover band!) to a variety of beers on tap (and more in bottles) and cocktails to pub style fare, Swabbies - on the Sacramento River is a lovely spot for locals to chill and hang out on the weekend with family and friends. Down the country road, Garden Hwy, the path leads you alongside the Sacramento River. At the bend - near Elkhorn Boat Ramp, is Swabbies...a local hangout. With its beach vibes, from the Pirates of the Caribbean and Capt' Jack Sparrow statues to the sandy pit area before the music stage, where local cover bands provide the ambiance and groove, this is truly a fun easygoing local joint that's unpretentious and relaxed. Seating is all outside under thatched roofed huts and covered umbrella or patio seating. Servers are friendly and efficient. I tried the guacamole and chips. The chips were fresh made and sprinkled with Parmesan - reminding me of a JimBoy taco. The shredded beef taco was delish, too. One was perfect for a light lunch along with my draft beer.An afternoon at Swabbies is always a good choice."

Pink Martini California Kitchen & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Thanks to Pink Martini for an awesome "ladies night out"!!! Lots of fun in this great environment, beautiful colors & cool aesthetic. The staff was very attentive & friendly! Live music night was just another layer of fun for this evening"

Crest Theatre

★★★★☆ 4.1 (359) • $$

"We visited the Crest Theater for the first time to see Phil Rosenthal. The theater is so cute from the outside and I was surprised to learn that they encourage guests to visit the Empress Tavern ahead of the show and allow guests to bring food and drinks in from the Empress for the show. I heard the fries are really tasty.We ended up heading straight into the theater and were greeted by ushers and our tickets were scanned. There was no line for the concession stand when we arrived, about 45 minutes ahead of the show, so we ordered popcorn, frozen Junior Mints and a couple bottles of water. Within the next fifteen minutes the lines for both the bathrooms and concession stands were pretty long. I would definitely arrive early.The stage and seating area is beautiful and every seat is a good one. I will say the seats are a bit close together and if you do bringing snacks and drinks in there isn't a lot of room to have those. Aside from getting cozy with the people next to you, the seats are comfortable.We'll definitely be back for more shows soon... in fact we already have tickets to see Bob in September."

The Owl Club

★★★★☆ 4 (68) • $$

"Had the best time here with my family friend Kylie for her 21st birthday, It was such a blast! Fred rocked those jeans!!!!"

The Side Door

★★★★★ 5 (6)

"The Side Door, Sacramento, CA - May 20, 2023I came to The Side Door on a Saturday evening with a couple of friends to see Joe Craven and the Painted Mandolin, a four piece band made up of Joe Craven (Mandolin, violin, percussion, and vocals), Matthew Hartley (acoustic lead guitar, banjo, and vocals), Larry Graff (acoustic rhythm guitar and vocals), and Dan Robbins (stand up bass). I had purchased my ticket online at https://www.thesidedoor.net/shows a few weeks earlier at the suggestion of a good friend of mine who had seen the band before. Right next door to The Side Door is The Hop Gardens Restaurant. My two friends and I showed up at The Hop Gardens restaurant at about 5:30 PM to get a bite to eat and have a couple of beers before the 7 PM show. Doors at The Side Door opened at 6:30 PM. We were the first to show up. We were greeted by super cool and friendly Side Door owner John Green who had our name on his list and checked us in as we arrived. John explained to us a little bit about his business model for bringing through great performers at a reasonable price to the audience. You can get a discount on your ticket if you order early. I got mine for $20 and one of my friends got his for $25.The Side Door is a very intimate setting. The room is a triangular shape and seats about 100 people, with the stage at one corner and the chairs arranged in curved rows leading away from the stage. The front row is literally 6 feet away from the edge of the stage. I got to sit in center of the front row.Joe Craven and the Painted Mandolin are considered to be one of the best Grateful Dead cover bands ever, and of course, we did get to hear some great GD songs; however, on this pleasant Summer's eve, we were mainly treated to songs from their newly released album, "Sweet Rain." Most of the songs were written by Larry Graff. Matthew Hartly engineered the album produced by Joe Craven. Songs included: Sweet Rain, After the Fire, Love in a Rose, Shine On, Mather, Bird Dream, and Northern California Banjo Hound. The melodic tunes filled the air with comforting rhythmic resonance, like sweet honey over a warm raspberry muffin. A true delight to the senses as the musician's instruments and voices blended together to form an amalgam of fantastical enchantment. Each musician brought his special talent to the stage, and combined, they delivered pure perfection. The band did take a 15 minute break at about one hour into the show. Good time to grab a quick beer at The Hop Garden next door, and yes, converse face to face with these wonderful musicians.Go online to find more great shows that this band will be bringing to audiences in the coming months https://matthartlemusic.com/painted-mandolinThe Side Door also has many great additional shows lined up for the coming months. Check out https://www.thesidedoor.net/shows to learn more!"

Press Club

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (210) • $

"Glad To Be Back In This HoodSITREPI've been hitting Press Club since the late 90s (wayyyy back in my pre-Yelp days before 2010). Since I've been yelping, I wrote my last review (2-Stars) back in early 2012, more than six (6) years ago. It was a time of decline in my enjoyment of this venue at the end of a personal run of about 15 years - it was just time to say "goodbye". But as is the way of the world, "Everything Crashes", and sometimes for the better - fresh starts happens, romances are rekindled - and now the last couple of months I've been coming BACK to check out the latest musical offerings on some really fun kick-ass nights.Consequently, to be fair, I've "Blitzed" getting this update finished.THE SETUPThere are some duos of DJs I really enjoy following and, as it turns out, Press Club is the home of their event nights. So I would be remiss in not coming here as long as they are DJs-in-residence, and also in giving Press Club an updated shout-out for recognizing these multitalented folks.In order of Press Club's event-resurgence for me: * "BLITZED" On monthly Thursdays now in Nov and Dec, DJ Dada (aka Michael G.) and DJ Lady Grey (aka Kylie J.) spin the moods & tones, in & out of Post-Punk along with healthy tracks of synth, minimal, new & dark wave along with some mutant disco realms.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=8l11RY6bCPtXSC5yol20pQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w It's the kind of format where while dancing your mind spins along on a transcendental rhythmic plane. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=GeKlCzRLQ4mygJgWRxjHRQ&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w And I love their complementary styles! Dada is an experience, consummate DJ I've known almost as long as I've been in Northern California (32 years - born, raised & graduated high school in D.C. before going Westward) - he brings an indepth knowledge of musicology that is a treat to listen to like a layered dessert. Lady Grey is *BREAKS* the norm, with almost an invigorating youthful brashness, mixing it up, cross formatting, cross-genres. I love their teamwork.* "EVERY THING CRASH" My friend - AND fellow Yelper - DJ Reggaedelic (aka Nina C.) is part of duo bringing some of the best Funk and Reggae on the event night "EVERY THING CRASH!" https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=i6kAJB1JpqRwgThaL6OmYw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wWhat a blast and a half to be swept away by the rhythmic Caribbean vibe!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=98rRyetYqRJUuYdtkhMkoA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w* "BOOGIE A GO GO" And then DJ Reggaedelic makes a REappearance behind the mixing board with her BEST BUDDY DJ Annimal (aka yelper Ann T.) for Boogie A Go Go's ALL VINYL DANCE PARTY! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=mptmbnlTh-zhU4fLxE9GsA&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w The 2 dynamic ladies "bring it" with their fusion "one-two-*punch*" format, where DJ Annimal kills it with 1960s garage, pop, and bubblegum.https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=w5vb68r45_hqj07zdIh09Q&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w And then DJ Reggaedelic knocks it outta the park with her 1960s Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=wGB_SfPw5piLKzflN7qbrg&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0w It's adorable to see them LUG in their crates of original vinyl - 45s to albums. [In some twisted dreamy beach movie, I see them STILL jumping up and down on one of their beds, playing records on their Scooby Doo player, sharing their 45s like they were in 7th grade.] Like me, these muses are avid Yelpers, and we really bonded over the Yelp Halloween party and so naturally I've been *stalking* their musical gigs since.... :DTHE BARThe drinks are some of the most reasonably priced you can find anywhere in the Downtown Sac arena. So take advantage of them!https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/press-club-sacramento?select=e8fzdTbotLL-EJmrx9wuTw&userid=3mNz5nQFTIBQm0oU5mBR0wTHE LOWDOWNA venue that has REappeared on my radar and I will enjoy as long as it remains relevant to my music joys and loyal to my favorite DJs. You should too, so make sure to "Boogie (a Go Go)" on over to Press Club!"

Midtown Stomp Swing Dancing

★★★★☆ 4.3 (48) • $

"Such a fun dance place! Love to go on Friday swing nights. I lot of fun sociable people!"