It can be enjoyable to go out and socialize with friends or family after a stressful workday or workweek. Reno has many great bars to have some drinks or a meal and get together with others. To help you decide where to go, here's a list of some favorite local hangouts and a description of what makes each of them an interesting place to visit.
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by Ken Lund
Seven Troughs Speakeasy
Seven Toughs Speakeasy offers the true prohibition experience with their locally produced spirits and throwback cocktails. This “hole-in-the-wall” distillery and cocktail bar produces some of the most authentic (and delicious) cocktails you will find in Reno. With libations like their Black Cherry Manhattan or their Classic Bloody Mary, there is a drink for to satisfy the tastes of drinkers of all types. Also be sure you don’t miss out on their delectable brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm!
Seven Troughs Speakeasy is located in The Basement at 50 S Virginia St. (located in the same building as Wide Canvas).
The Depot Craft Brewery and Distillery
The Depot is right in downtown Reno, and the most impressive thing about this combined brewery and distillery is that it sits in a train station that was built in 1910. The Depot distills several liquors and sells its private label Silver Corn Whiskey along with its own bourbon, gin, rye whiskey, and single-malt whiskey. Distinguished as Nevada's first combined distillery and brewery, The Depot also features a wide variety of beer on tap with intriguing names such as The Nomad, The Drifter, and The Milkman. The Depot serves food as well, with options including appetizers, salads, burgers, and more.
The Depot is at 325 E. Fourth St.
The Brewer's Cabinet
The Brewer's Cabinet feels a bit rustic with its wood decor, brick walls, large open space, and hanging lantern-style lights. The bar features both in-house brews and other local beer, and its beer receives raving reviews from the locals. From the crisp Tahoe Blonde light ale to the Dirty Wookie brown ale, with many other choices in between, The Brewer's Cabinet has a suitable beer for any palate. The bar offers food ranging from snacks to full meals, and the juicy burgers are especially popular.
The Brewer's Cabinet is at 475 S. Arlington Ave. in Reno. It also invites customers to attend a free tour of the production brewery at 8565 White Fir St. on Fridays from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Pignic Pub & Patio
Pignic Pub & Patio offers an experience unlike any you'll find at a traditional bar. Customers can bring their own meat, fish, or vegetables to prepare on the community grill on the outdoor patio and kitchen area. In addition to heated grills, the pub provides prep stations, utensils, and tableware for customers. You bring meat and get to work with a drink in your hand. The unique grill yard design is set up to foster community and relaxation with drinks, laughter, and plenty of food. Meat is also available for purchase if you don't bring your own.
Pignic Pub and Patio has a fully stocked indoor sports bar as well, featuring four TVs and shuffleboard for guests to play. You'll find Pignic Pub & Patio at 235 Flint St.
The Eddy
The Eddy is a unique open-air bar on the Riverwalk with three separate bars housed in shipping containers. It has 24 craft beers on tap and 10 wines on tap. The Eddy is also a collaborative community space with a large courtyard for socializing that contains many shaded tables. It's a family-friendly place during the day with a large variety of fun things to do and see, such as bocce ball and other yard games, local art, free fitness classes, and other entertainment. The bar has live music on weekend nights, and the seating fills up quickly.
The Eddy is at 16 S. Sierra St. in Reno and opens at 11 a.m. daily. The outdoor bar and the community area are pet-friendly.
1864 Tavern
1864 Tavern is a fascinating period bar that celebrates the year Abraham Lincoln made Nevada a state and pays homage to the Silver State. Complete with exotic rugs, dark paneling, overstuffed furniture, and Lincoln's portrait hanging on the wall, 1864 Tavern may make you may feel for a moment that you walked through the door and into a Wild West saloon. The tavern has a relaxed ambiance, and customers can play many board games for amusement. It also offers fun mixology classes, informative guest speakers on many interesting topics, and events and bands.
Perhaps the best thing about this bar, though, is the collection of amazing skilled bartenders. True experts, they are happy to create an endless variety of finely crafted cocktails. The drinks have clever names that are often tied to state history. The Armagosa is a favorite with many customers, starting with tequila and muddled strawberries. Another favorite is the Desert Rose, a gin drink with muddled blueberries. Fans of complex mixed drinks or early American history will want to stop in. The address of 1864 Tavern is 290 California Ave.
Chapel Tavern
Chapel Tavern is a trendy Reno bar with indoor or patio seating and wonderful ambiance. The Chapel has a wide selection of drinks, including many wine and beer choices. But it also has an impressive liquor selection, a unique cocktail menu unlike anywhere else in Reno, and very informed and talented bartenders to make your evening extremely satisfying. The Dealer's Choice selection on the cocktail menu enables you to inform the bartender of your preferences, which enables them to concoct a drink for you. Customers love this option, and the skilled bartenders often amaze the clientele.
The Chapel Tavern has an indoor stage and frequently features live music events. The tavern is at 1099 S. Virginia St.
Rum Sugar Lime
Rum Sugar Lime is a lively bar in Midtown that specializes in classic tiki drinks. The skilled bartenders create handcrafted cocktails and make delicious and visually appealing drinks. The bar also offers many bottled beer and wine choices. The quality liquor, expert bartenders, and live music make this a great destination for a night out.
Rum Sugar Lime is at 1039 S. Virginia St.
If you're ready to head out to grab a drink or a bite to eat, we hope this list of some of the best bars in Reno will help you try some new destinations. We would like to hear about your favorite local bars and breweries. Contact us at Wide Canvas and let us know the bars, both on and off this list, that you most enjoy.