The 10 Best Bars In East Sacramento California

As California’s home of farm to fork dining, Sacramento has no shortage of excellent cuisine made with the finest and freshest ingredients. People of all backgrounds are sure to find something they’ll love in this diverse city. When it comes to bars, East Sacramento offers something for everyone, young or old, quiet or loud, casual or sophisticated. Explore our list of the best bars in East Sacramento, and you’ll be sure to find your new favorite.

1. Selland’s Market Café

Bakery, Bar, Cafe, Market, American

Sellands Market-Cafe East Sacramento, Sacramento

In the heart of East Sacramento, Selland’s Market Café has served up high quality handcrafted entrees, sides, sandwiches, salads, soups, and pizzas, as well as offering a full service bakery and wine shop, since 2001. It is owned and operated by Selland Family Restaurants co-founders and owners, Randall Selland and Nancy Zimmer, and their grown children Josh Nelson and Tamera Baker. The family also owns popular local restaurants The Kitchen and Ella Dining Room and Bar, and all of their restaurants use products and ingredients sourced largely from local producers and farmers. They have extremely popular carnitas sandwiches, meatloaf, teriyaki chicken thighs, and pizza. Patrons also love the amazing wine selection, with great wines at a great value and excellent recommendations from the staff.

2. BonnLair

Bar, Pub, Restaurant, British

Since 1994, the BonnLair has been a favorite European pub and restaurant in Sacramento thanks to its great pub dining, welcoming atmosphere, and fantastic selection of imported and specialty beers. Many locals are regulars at this cozy bar, and nearly everyone knows each other. Even if you’re just visiting, the bartenders are always extremely friendly and you’ll be sure to make many new friends among the bar’s numerous patrons before you leave. The Irish tacos and fish and chips are extremely popular, as well as the Guinness, and there is almost always a soccer game playing. This is one place you don’t want to pass by if you are looking for a classic European pub and great conversation and friends.

3. Clubhouse 56

Clubhouse 56

With two movie theater screens, numerous TVs, a state-of-the-art sound system, and all of the DIRECTV sports packages, Clubhouse 56 has earned its reputation as one of the best sports bars in Sacramento. The friendly and knowledgable staff have served quality food and beverages to the neighborhood for years, with their great burgers and steak fries and wide selection of drinks. They have eight beer taps, ranging from Bud Lite to Lagunitas, and also an extensive bottled beer library for the beer lovers out there. If you prefer wines, they have everything from house wines to select superior wines, and if there is something else you want, they even have cold liquors kept in a freezer for ice cold shots. Whether you want to watch the Kings, 49ers, or the Giants, Clubhouse 56 is a great place to go for a drink, great eats, and sports.
Address & telephone number: 723 56th St, Sacramento, CA, USA, +1 916 454 5656

4. Cheaters Sports Bar

Bar, Pub Grub

Anyone looking for a great dive bar will find a home at Cheaters Sports Bar. Customers love the chilled beer glasses, the many flat-screen TVs, the Touch Tunes jukebox, charging station with cords for all of your electronics, and, of course, the great draught beer and liquor selection. The bartenders are nice, knowledgable, and attentive, and the sports memorabilia around the bar adds to the atmosphere. If you’re a basketball fan, this is one of the only places in Sacramento with the NBA package, though lovers of all sports can come in and find any game on one of the many TVs. The drinks are all pretty cheap too, so people love to come in after work and relax with a great drink while watching a game.

5. The Shack

The Shack

Originally Doc’s Place, or The Root Beer King where visitors could get a hot dog for a nickel, The Shack has been serving East Sacramento since 1931. This is little spot was home to one of the first drive-ins and then to the first drive through. California Governor ‘Sunny Jim’ Rolph was said to have had his first beer after prohibition in The Shack’s beer garden (now the kitchen). When Highway 50, now Folsom Blvd, was one of the main roads that led to Sacramento, Doc would sell up to 30 barrels of beer each day. Today, it has over 100 beers in bottles and on draft, and it has been voted ‘the best place to drink a Belgian Ale.’ They also have amazing steak fries and onion rings, and the reuben sandwich, fish and chips, and mimosas are extremely popular. The outside patio offers plenty of seating, which is especially great for trivia night when it can get packed.
Address & telephone number: 5201 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA, +1 916 457 5997

6. Socal's Tavern

Bar, Pub Grub

People love coming to Socal’s Tavern for the table shuffleboard and games of pool, as well as the great selection of beers. There are also a few arcade games and TVs inside the bar, along with a jukebox full of songs from the 80s and 90s. Social’s Tavern is especially popular among students, who often take over the games at night, but in the middle of the day, you’ll find a much older crowd hanging out and watching sports. If you’re there on St. Patrick’s Day, they have been known to give out complimentary Irish corned beef and cabbage and even a St. Patrick’s Day cake. The chill atmosphere and free snacks make it a great place to hang out with a drink, dance to music, watch sports, and play games.

7. d Street Bistro

Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, Contemporary, American, Steakhouse

Since brothers Matt and Fred Haines opened it in 1995, the 33rd Street Bistro has been an East Sacramento favorite for its fresh food and great bar. Executive Chef Fred Haines spent nine years in the Seattle and Portland areas, gaining inspiration that he has taken home to Sacramento. The result is a dynamic Pacific Northwest-inspired menu that features fresh ingredients, generous portions, and colorful presentations. The restaurant also serves a wide selection of drinks, featuring a wine list of over 40 wines that are some of the best Washington and Oregon have to offer, as well as some California favorites. Patrons love the Puget Sound sandwich, the Oregon Blue Cheese salad, the sweet potato fries, trout hash, Northwest scramble, chop chop salad, and especially the bottomless mimosas.

8. Hilltop Tavern

Bar, Pub Grub

Known as a melting pot for people from all walks of life, Hilltop Tavern has been serving up great drinks to diverse customers in a fun atmosphere for over eight years. They have an excellent selection of draft beers and hard ciders on tap, the bartenders are very friendly, and the neighborhood regulars are easygoing. They also have a game room with two pool tables, air hockey, and shuffleboard. With lots of TVs as well as pingpong and darts, there is no shortage of things to do at this fun sports bar. What makes it especially great compared to other dive bars is the cleanliness, large interior, and nice decorations, along with the cheap prices. They also have specials like Industry Night, when you get a dollar off your purchase with your industry pay stub, College Night on Fridays, and Sister Saturdays, as well as beer specials every Monday.

9. Chargin's Bar & Grill

Bar, Pub, American

Chargin’s Bar & Grill has been a neighborhood favorite since 1986 thanks to its extremely popular fried rice, friendly staff, and fully loaded bar. The famous Frank’s Fried Rice comes with bacon, bell peppers, mushrooms, Longaniza, and breakfast sausage, topped off with an egg any style you want. If you aren’t into fried rice, they also make fantastic pancakes and omelettes. People also really love the Bloody Mary here, because they make it simple without a mix – just tomato juice, vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and some pepper. There are plenty of TVs for sports watching, great popcorn, a jukebox, and a fun Photo Hunt game, too.

10. Formoli's Bistro

Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, European

Sitting at the bar in the popular Formoli’s Bistro affords you not only easy access to the great selection of beers and wines that the restaurant has to offer, but also a fantastic view of the kitchen and the chef preparing every meal. The Whiskey Burger, the stuffed dates, the yam frites, habanero aioli, pulled pork sandwich, mussels, and poutine are only some of the amazing and elegant dishes that Formoli’s serves up everyday. The servers are great at recommending the perfect drinks to complement your food, and a Groupon can be purchased if you want to save money on two burgers and a bottle of wine, which many people choose to do because of the deliciousness of the Formoli’s burgers and the quality of their wine.

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