The city of Bakersfield is expanding more and more every year, and, as a result, it has opened the doors to more nightlife options.
Whether you choose to spend your night downtown, southwest, or in east Bakersfield, there’s rarely a dull moment.
Riley’s
A small Irish pub located in downtown Bakersfield. No cover charge and drink specials are great during happy hour.
There are multiple bars, but their service can be lousy on the weekends. It gets extremely busy and getting a drink becomes a mission. During the week it is less crowded.
On the weekends the dance floor converts into a mini dance club featuring latest hip-hop, R&B and the classic rock hits. On occasions there are local band venues.
The Mint
It is a kickback, dingy little bar located in the ghetto (eastern downtown).
However, the service is superb. Bartenders are personable and extremely polite.
The Internet jukebox has various distinct music selections, especially punk rock; these are selections that you wouldn’t necessarily find anywhere else.
The atmosphere had a friendly feel; everyone knows everyone, and it was kind of like the TV show “Cheers.”
It is a great place to meet unique people who have a different sense of style. It was a very cool hangout to shout and sing.
And lastly, the women’s restroom offers interesting packaged items for a couple of quarters (body paint, etc.). You get the picture.
The Nile Bar & Grill
This downtown relic is an upper-middle class, newly renovated mini restaurant, bar and dance club.
The Nile is the only place in Bakersfield that offers a true club vibe with its roomy dance floor, multiple bars, VIP section, lights and video projectors. Drink prices are fairly reasonable.
Service is average; however, they do have servers who walk around from table to table asking patrons if they want drinks.
A dress code is enforced. They do not allow any tennis shoes, and you must be dressed to impress.
Fish Lips
A local restaurant that combines music, food and cocktails all into one. No dress code and offers a more comfortable vibe.
The bar has 12 beers on tap and 20 California wines. They offer excellent service, and it is not as crowded on the weekends.
There is live music on Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m. Pool tables, mini-dance floor and comfortable seating are there.
The bar is open late Tuesday-Saturday. Dinner is Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. till midnight.
El Rio Grill & Cantina
The restaurant offers delicious Mexican food selections.
El Rio is technically a restaurant, but they turn the place into a nightclub with music and dancing on the weekends.
There is only one bar, but they have excellent service and cheap margarita happy hour specials. During dinner on Fridays, you can enjoy mariachi music from 7-10 p.m.
CafÇ Med
A posh restaurant and bar located on Stockdale Highway.
The bar offers a great variety of martinis like Green Apple, Red Apple, Lemon Drop, Vampire and many more.
On Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-11:30 p.m., the cafÇ features live music (The Late Med band). CafÇ Med offers good quality (expensive) service, but it isn’t as roomy. It’s small and really crowded.
The dance floor is really tiny and it doesn’t offer patrons that much room to dance.
However, they do have tables with chairs and patio tables where you can hang out and have some drinks.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
A Chicago-style brewhouse located on Stockdale Highway.
The restaurant sells delicious Chicago-style pizza and enormous baked potatoes. It is a fun atmosphere to have dinner and drinks.
Sitting at the bar can be an exhilarating experience if you’re an avid sports fan. Located directly on top of the bar is a huge screen with four different sports on each corner and another in the center.
It is truly a sight to see, and, if you’re not careful, you can find yourself becoming dizzy and confused trying to decide which one to focus on (it is sports heaven).
But most importantly, they sell their own beer.
Granted, they sell the regular specialty drinks and some beer selections, but nothing beats the distinct beers they brew (Harvest Heffweizen, Blonde, Piranha, Tatonka, Jeremiah Red, PM Porter).
If you have a love for pale ales, this is the place for you. On the weekends, the bar is open from 11 a.m. till 1 a.m.
Grenadier Cocktail Lounge
A small little hole in the way bar located blocks away from Bakersfield College.
It is a great place to hang out drink booze and play pool.
On Tuesdays, they have pool tournaments. The bar offers a different drink special every day at a really good price.
There is a full bar with a variety of beer selections.
The bar isn’t aesthetically all that pleasing, but it is a great way to meet new people in the community of east Bakersfield.
Amigos Restaurant Bar & Grill
A Mexican restaurant that offers great food and live music on the weekends. On Fridays, there is a local band called The Beagles that plays a tribute to The Beatles.
If you’re looking to hang out and listen to some great American music, Amigos is the place.
The restaurant and bar is geared to a more mature crowd only because the music played is classic.
It is a great place to relax, drink and observe middle-aged people dance their butts off to Beatles music.