02 May 2015
The revitalization of Downtown and Midtown Sacramento has generated a surge of nightclubs, comedy clubs, live music venues and many more entertainment venues throughout the region. So, put your party clothes on and get ready to discover Sacramento's nightlife.
Dancing
The dance club scene in Sacramento is truly as diverse as its population. District 30 has a one-of-a-kind sound and lighting system to welcome global leaders of house / dance music and targets sophisticated guests, age 30 and above. Other dress-to-impress DJ dance venues include The Park Ultra Lounge (for 20-somethings), M!X Downtown (age 30 and above) and Social. More DJ music flows from the intimate Momo Lounge, atop the art deco Harlow's, which features live music and dancing of various genres. Consistently considered two of the best DJ dance clubs in the capital are FACES and Badlands. Both welcome LGBT guests, but multiple dance floors, bars, and outdoor patios are popular with everyone who simply wants to have fun.
Salsa dancing sizzles up Country Club Lanes on weekends. Swing dance fanatics enjoy Friday nights' Midtown Stomp, and country fans flock to the Stoney Inn.
Wine Bars
Wine connoisseurs gravitate to 58 Degrees & Holding Co. and the Grand Wine Bar – all in Midtown. Stop by Downtown & Vine near the Convention Center, a multi-winery tasting room serving small plates.
Brew Pubs and Beer Bars
Sacramento has a long history of beer and brewing. During the Gold Rush, German immigrants brought their beer-making prowess to the region, taking full advantage of the fertile land and abundant water from the Sacramento and American rivers. Before prohibition, Sacramento-grown hops were the most sought-after in the nation, and the city was home to dozens of breweries. Today, that tradition is alive and well with 35 craft breweries, gastropubs and craft beer bars located throughout the city, including:
Live Music & Bars
Every week the Sacramento News & Review publishes a free listing of local live music showings at trendy dive bars, cozy pubs, blues clubs, coffee shops and more. Pick up a copy of this resource for up-to-date information on venues such as Shady Lady Saloon (jazz), Ace of Spades, Old Ironsides (local rock bands), the British-inspired Fox & Goose Public House (singer/songwriters), the Torch Club (blues), Tapa the World (flamenco guitar) and Kasbah (Moroccan belly dance), The Distillery (karaoke) and Capitol Garage.
Dive Bar,adjacent to District 30 and Pizza Rock, features mermaids and mermen who swim above the bar in a 40-foot-long saltwater tank. Built by first-generation Irish immigrants to reflect friendly Irish hospitality, de Vere's Irish Pub with its beautiful woodwork as well as family's paintings and antiques affords Sacramentans a slice of Dublin culture.
Visitors and residents alike enjoy hanging out with old and new friends in Sacramento's local bars. Midtown boasts several spots with tons of character, seemingly on every street. You'll find stiff drinks and the college scene at Pine Coveand Zebra Club. For trendier bars and billiards, check out the people and pool tables at Bar R15, Blue Cue, Monkey Bar and BarWest.
Other
Looking for an alternative to the nightclubs and bars? Sacramento offers options galore, from comedy shows at Sacramento Comedy Spot, Laughs Unlimited or Punch Line Sacramento. Put your detective skills to the test in a thrilling “who done it?” at Suspects Murder Mystery Dinner aboard the Delta King. Musical theater enthusiasts flock to California Musical Theatre for standard and progressive productions.
Late-night eats include Hot Italian (where artisan pizza celebrates Italy's art, music, design), Pizza Rock (artisan pizza meets classic rock), and tattoo culture-inspired INK Eats & Drinks. Willie's and Hot Rod's (burgers, shakes, fries) serve food long after midnight as well.
The Esquire IMAX Theatre boasts a 6-story-tall by 80-foot-wide screen and a state of the art sound system. Even film reels for these amazing movies are an impressive 5 feet tall! Catch an art, independent or foreign film at the historic Tower and Crest theaters – or the newest box office hit at one of many cinemas throughout the city. Country Club Lanes offers 24 hours of billiards and bowling fun.
Finally, if you're feeling lucky, both Thunder Valley and Red Hawk casinos are less than an hour's drive away.
