Handle District

This area has always been one of my fave places to grab a beer and a bite but even more so now bc of how Covid compliant they are. You really can't go wrong bc there are so many great places to choose from - Zocalo, Sibling by Pushkins, Fieldwork...lots of outdoor seating and heat lamps for those chilly evenings. Don't forget your mask and hand sanitizer.

Props To "The Handle District" For Another Great Public Event!SITREPI've already done my reviews for the "events" such as "Too Hot To Handle", "Capitol Dime's Yelp Elite Event", and yesterday's "Farm-To-Fork" Spectacular Community Event, as well as my underlying FIRST review for The Handle District.In those, I radiate sunshine, sparkle glitter, and feed the unicorns in the positive fashion that they deserve. However, in this update, I'm going to take to task the negative-nancys.LAY OFF THE HUBRISI get sick of hearing about how "The Handle" just can't compare to "San Raphael", "Bodego Bay", "Petaluma", etc. etc. etc. until the bullshit comes home. Well guess what? We're not living there in San Raphael or Sausalito, or Bodego Bay or Carmel, or ...where the hell the is Petaluma anyways?! Let's be BLUNT: Community development, social revolution, and demographic logistics all fall into play in how some Block Communities and District Hoods get to evolve or NOT to evolve. And "walls" such as curfews, municipal codes, and neighborhood groups play as much a factor in what kind of restaurants and bars and venues, etc., are allowed to get to come into community, and even more importantly how they are allowed to conduct business.BARKING UP THE WRONG TREEA great example of this are those so-called arm-chair critics who blast Ace of Spades for being a limited venue that closes by 11pm. Well you know what? Talk to the Sacramento City Council and the neighborhood associations that FORCE Ace of Spades to close by 11pm because of curfew codes. Honestly, people are barking up the wrong tree most of the time when they criticize businesses, venues, and neighborhood district associations about what they DO and can NOT do.That being said, let's move on...FERRIS BUELLER & "MR. ROONEY"I'd like to take this opportunity to give big props to Shawn Rooney (the "Mr. Rooney" to my rambunctious "Ferris"). From last year to this year, I've seen nothing but hard work from him & his team (oh god - that beautiful lady with the clipboard who was so stellar yesterday - why. can't. I. remember. her. name - she's Diane S's cousin). They are dynamic in pulling the Handle District community of businesses and shops and restaurants and living spaces all together for a wonderful time.THE LOWDOWNMad props for the hard work and the great accomplishments of the "The Handle District"! *waves his poms poms*

An excellent designation for a much-loved and popular area of the midtown Sacramento scene. This is the couple square blocks most people think of when they think of midtown. It's beautiful, and contains an eclectic mix of traditional craftsman, handsome brick and sleek modern structures.It makes perfect sense that the businesses here would unite to better manage what happens in their own backyard. Now 20+ of the city's most popular restaurants have become one unifying force while still retaining their great individual traits.True, it seems sort of silly to have another district, whether officially or unofficially titled, but this one makes a lot more sense since it has a unifying purpose.

Considering this section of town houses both my favorite restaurant (Press Bistro) AND my favorite gelato shop (Devine Geleteria), I would be crazy to give it anything less than 5 stars. You can walk around the block and enjoy everything from budget Chipotle burritos' to gourmet cheese and wine. The handle also has some great coffee shops, clothing boutiques and antique shops. You could literally dress yourself, furnish your home, and get an amazing meal all in one convenient location. If I could possibly find a complaint, it would be the lack of parking coupled with one way streets that make parking even more challenging at times. I guess it should be expected considering the handle is home to several of the best restaurants and businesses in Sacramento. I suggest you ride a bike, take a cab, or just park a few blocks outside of this main strip.

Wasn't going to review my own neighborhood, but I feel obligated after the crappy review from Rick E (all 5,000 words of it). 10 to 1 that guy tries to put a book together someday, collection of his 5,000 word reviews. Brevity man.Where else in Sacramento can you find 10 very good restaurants, not to mention four very good dessert places? I've been here 25 years now and we have a lot more options in Sacramento, but nothing with the concentration (and character) of Midtown. The Handle District happened pretty organically from what I know. Good project here, good project there. Dozens (hundreds if you include the surrounding area in Midtown) of restauranteurs and shop owners gambling on downtown Sacramento becoming a place to be in the region. Is the Handle District a true five star? Close as it gets in Sacramento, but I'll pull back a bit because I might be considered "biased." Four and a half by comparison to the best Sacramento has to offer. I remember sitting under the tree at 18th and Capitol in the 80s when there wasn't anywhere else to go. No Granite Bay, Roseville Galleria, Fountains, Eldo Hills, or any other suburban draw. Midtown (and the Handle) has come a long way from those days, competing year after year for Sacramento's attention, give it credit...

I love this area of midtown Sac... good restaurants, lots of choices and great food. I've gone to a few of them and I will keep going back.

Before I forget; where is your business link Handle District? If I wanted to know something about you I would need a link.I would like to give the Handle District a great big, enormous THANK YOU for everything they did to help make the recent "Yelps Too Hot to Handle" event so successful. Anyone reading my review can use the following link to help them understand what the Handle District is:http://thehandledistrict.com/

This is a favorite neighborhood for me. With Zocalo, Paesanos, 58 Degrees, you can't miss. Plus you can always sweep through Scout for the latest cool stuff.Yesterday however Yelp! hooked it up and threw an awesome party!Great fun!

Wow, haters wanna hate. I think its cool that this area is being given a name so that I can easily reference it when wanting to meet down there. Other areas have names, such as the "lavender heights" and "fab 40s"so why not the handle district? I can't wait for the too hot to handle party that kicks off the name!

It was an amazing block party. There was plenty of parking stil available around the area. My favorite there was the mac n cheese at Rinds and the pull porked from buckhorn. There was free sampling from food/wine to eyebrow wax/massages/henna designs (with tip). It was well worth the trip and donating $10 to a children or health foundation. Will def be coming back next year. Great job guys!