Category Archives: Sacramento

New Hotel Bar — 3 Fires Lounge

Bar at Marriotts Residence Inn on 15th & L

Aside from a sandwich board sign, there isn’t much going on to let you know this place exists inside the Residence Inn, which would lead one to believe this bar is meant only for hotel guests, except that it’s not.  It’s meant for all the passers-by to enjoy.  Hence the sign on the sidewalk.

Positioning themselves nicely on the corner of 15th & L, they’re walking distance from the after-hours Capitol workers, making this is a decent place to visit at the just-after-five-o’clock hour.  Stop on in for a little bit of that Happy Hour loving, we all love to have make us Happy.  It’s the usual discounted beer, wine, and commonly made mixed-drinks you’d find at any Happy Hour setting, but what sets 3 Fires Lounge apart from the rest is its Happy Hour menu; small plates going for three to five dollars, offering a variety of salty treats to tantalize your taste buds.  I’m a fan of the Cilantro Ceasar Salad, which is regularly priced at $8 but goes for $5 during Happy Hour.  Unfortunately, my favorite small plate, the Frizzled Squash Blossoms (loaded with cheese and chorizo then deep fried), did not make it to the Happy Hour party, but still well worth the time if you’re willing to pay full price.

It’s a two-sided bar with one side facing the hotel lobby, so sitting on the west side is a good idea and makes it easy to forget you’re in a hotel.  The ambiance and decor are what you would expect in a lounge that sells a nine dollar Jameson.  Quiet atmosphere, comfortable sofa-chairs, plenty of low lighting, four televisions (which seem to host a little too much Larry King Live), local art work for 2nd Saturday Art Walk participartory actions, free coffee, and a wonderful serving staff.  The bartenders are friendly and patient, which is an absolute must when encountering the loudness that is our laughter and commentary while seated at the bench reviewing the surroundings.

Definitely consider 3 Fires Lounge for a few snacks before making your way East to enjoy the rest of your night — It’s a nice place to meet your friends after work.


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MARRS Building Home To Luigi’s Slice

Ever since I can remember I’ve been a huge fan of pizza, eating it whenever I can get my grubby hands on it.  I don’t care if it’s two in the morning just before bed, or four in the afternoon and I’m ruining my appetite for dinner — if a slice is available, I’m going to eat it.

Imagine my joy and pizza-eating delight when Luigi’s Slice found its way into the MARRS building on 20th between J and K.  It’s central to all of midtown, so I can get to it from any of my local hangouts whether I’m up on 29th & E or down at 16th and P.  Granted, there are quite a few pizza-by-the slice locations around the grid, but this is my favorite, so that’s why I’m mentioning it here first.  (I mean before I mention any of the others, which I will eventually get around to typing to you about.)

Prices for a slice range from $4.15 to $4.85, which isn’t bad given the going rates and the size of the slice.  Several beers are on tap, as well as some wine from a bottle, in addition to the usual soda fountain.  (I typically take my slice with water, so as not to fill up on fluids.)  The slice itself is somewhere between New York Thin Crust, and Chicago Deep Dish.  It’s filling.  It’s good.  Check it out for yourself next time you’re out.  It’s a great follow-up after enjoying the night at Lounge on 20.

Many a weeknight I can be found running down the street in an attempt to beat their eleven-o’clock closing hour; that’s when the pizza tastes best.


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Lounge On 20 – Grand Soft Opening

Last night wasn’t the first night, but it was the first night.  It’s strange to try and understand, because there could quite possibly be another first night.  That’s right, Lounge On 20 had its soft opening to the public, but it was mostly friends, family, and regulars of the local bar community.  Probably not the typical crowd you’d find once the newness passes.

It’s a lounge, so this isn’t the kind of place where you go to sit at the bar.  Hence the very short and small sitting area at the bar.  The rest of the building is great.  Wide and open areas with high ceilings.  (Not sure why the ceilings matter, but I guess it makes you feel like you actually have more room for you and your group.)  Clean, crisp lines.  Adequate low-light levels for proper dilation of the pupils.  The front walls open for patio seating.  And table service, so you don’t have to leave your conversation to go order drinks.

There is a small dress code that forbids the wearing of hats or tank tops.  (I usually take off my hat when entering a restaurant, so this isn’t a real problem for me.)  They had no issues with my wearing of sneakers and shorts — a plus, especially in this summer Sacramento heat.

I was a little late on ordering food, which stops at 10 during the week (at least for now.)  From what I gathered while talking to one of the line cooks, it’ll be mostly appetizers and snacks.  You wouldn’t come here for dinner or lunch, unless you want a bunch of small plates, which isn’t a bad idea if the food’s good.  (I’ll check back on the menu, and let you know.)

Of course my favorite part was the price of a single Bushmills.  Five Dollars.  Will this last?  I don’t know, but if it does, then it’s fair to say that my GV Hurley’s hours could be transferred to Lougne On 20.


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Latest Addition To The BLOC: GV Hurley’s

I don’t know how to say this, but GV Hurley’s is probably the only place worth spending your time and money when it comes to nightlife on J street between 27th and 28th.  What can I say, I’m a fan of the place.  GV Hurley’s, with its classy and elegant style, fits in nicely among the other nearby eateries, but a wide swooping bar sets this place apart and above others on ‘The BLOC’ .

Let’s not forget to metion the staff is friendly, knows their game, and are familiar to boot (one of our favorite folks is now tending bar.)  The food is tasty and drinks are reasonably priced.  Normally you wouldn’t find me somewhere so far from the Streets of London , but this new restaurant and bar has my attention.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.


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Expanded Drinking Area at Streets of London

Finally! We can all breathe easy, one of our favorite local pubs is fencing in their front patio so we can hang and watch passers-by while enjoying tasty ales. It’s true, Streets of London on “J” has answered our requests. (I think I’ve been asking for this.) Don’t get me wrong, the back patio is nice and open, and a great place to sit and chat for a while, but sometimes you need to switch it up. Chat at different faces, if you know what I mean. Not all patrons make it to the rear patio, but nearly all of them enter through the front door. Imagine that.

Streets isn’t just a front and rear patio, though, it’s a full on legitimate English pub. (Although, for some reason it only gets really really crowded on non-English holidays, whatever those may be. St. Patrick’s day and Cinco de Mayo come to mind.) Beers from all over the valley, as well as a full bar of all the most common spirits. It’s a place to be enjoyed with friends and family. And once you’ve worked up an appetite playing darts or foosball, you can order all the grease and salt your stomach can handle. That’s right, real English food. It’s the best.

Seriously, though. This place is a great local spot. Not too this, not too that. And great central location. I’m fairly regular there myself, so feel free to stop in and order us up a pitcher of Smithwick’s.