BarSmart User Reviews

Club Cafe

Positives - appearance, food,friendly bartender, availibility of live music.Negatives- Drinks were overpriced, small venue, unfriendly staff, not enough staff to meet demands even for a small crowd.I would not go back there, nor would i recommend this bar for someone looking to go out and have a good time on the southside, when there is so many other options.

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Hambone's

Hambone's is a decent little place. The menu looked very good, but I was there to test out their reuben sandwich. I started off with a cup of their turtle soup, which was pretty damn good, and a just a little spicy, with what I think was a hint of sherry in it. (I could be wrong due to a nasty case of allergies lately.) The reuben was really good. Nice, thin corned beef, crispy toasted rye, and the sauerkraut, dressing, and cheese were all very good. It was a good sized sandwich, but it was also pretty light and had a sweetness to it that was an interesting change of pace from reubens I've had in the past. Other than that, the bartender was very friendly, the prices were reasonable, and I will definitely be going back to take a crack at the rest of the menu.

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Tramps

Good Cheep Beer and a whole Lot of Fun! I had a friend from out of town visiting this past weekend, he wanted to do some Karaoke, and I had been looking for a good excuse to drive out to Tramps and check out their Sat night Karaoke ever since they won the BarSmart Awards "Best Karaoke Bar" a few months ago. The DJ was a Lot of Fun (and So was her Very Cute Sister!), and had real Good selection of songs all run from her laptop. She was having some equipment problems that night so she was down to only 1 speaker but Technical problems happen. Even with 1 speaker she kept the party rolling. I'll definitely have to go back there soon!

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Cappy's

I really like to loosen up the old tie here after a hard day of number crunching and downsizing. It really grates on my soul (not to mention my integrity), and a fresh beer or seventeen helps ease my tortured mind. This place is a fresh sigh of relief when compared to my Wall Street like position down on Joncaire street.The first thing I noticed here was that the waitresses were totally bangin'- those are some good looking ladies- and friendly too! No sass to be had. Service is quick, just like my trading, except stress free. My doctor told me that my stress levels are leading me down the path of a very short life, but when I catch a nice buzz and start schmoozin' with the ladies, I feel a good three weeks or so added onto my life. Especially while I'm relaxing to some Matchbox 20 or Papa RoachNow, onto the food. It's great. I love the patented grease-free cooking system- it helps maintain my rock hard abs, which aids in the aforementioned schmoozing (and what always happens afterwards, heh). Everything is fast and delicious- made with a superb attitude, a smile, and a monumentally creative sense of humor. I wish those cook guys worked with me, but I'd probably have to fire them because I doubt they know very much about the stock trade. Hell, I'd keep em anyway!Try the new boneless wings. Heaven!

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PM Nightclub

Slip down a back alley and head toward the red light – it feels a bit forbidden, like a tryst with a secret lover. In this case, my secret lover of choice is a glass of Hangar One, and my tryst – a night at PM. The Venue:PM is actually the top floor of D?j? vu; a doorman is positioned outside the door illuminated by a red light on Spring Way. Once your I.D. has been checked you'll proceed up a few stairs and make a right where you'll pay $5 cover if you're not on the list. Then it's a short trip up a staircase to the front bar, this bar is a bit removed from the action and an ideal place if you'd prefer to be able to talk for a bit and if you're carrying a purse you'll find hooks below the countertop. The bathrooms are off a short hallway that leads into the two main rooms of PM. Both of the main rooms have seating and tables around their perimeters and the farthest of the rooms has a bar against one of its walls. The lighting is low with candles on the tables and bars and the color scheme as you'd expect is mostly red with deep yellows and a few pieces of artwork on the walls. The Staff:There are two bartenders behind each of the two bars at PM. The bartenders at the front bar are a bit slower paced but all are equally friendly. Unfortunately the last two times I've been to PM my two favorite bartenders – two very friendly blondes – were no where to be found. Nonetheless, all the bartenders were relatively attentive though none of them seemed to really comprehend what I was asking for when I asked for Hangar One. Like the rest of the staff the cocktail waitresses were dressed in all black; I didn't really care for their dresses on opening night – they kind of looked like cheap hookers – but the dresses they were wearing this past Saturday were at least a step in the right direction. They seemed friendly, were obviously attractive and seemed to be hustling all night to keep bottle service patrons completely satisfied. The Drinks:For the most part the drinks were decently strong though there was the occasional short pour and on one particular evening it seemed that every drink I bought was a bit on the light side. The cost of a Hangar One and soda is $8, which might seem pricey but for special order liquor that's not carried anywhere else I'm relatively happy with the price. As for other drinks, well liquor is $1 from 10 to midnight and $5 (I think?) thereafter and the cost of a grey goose (for those of you who believe its worth paying extra for) is $6. I have heard from a few people that they were charged $8 without asking for (and perhaps not receiving) top shelf liquor. I'm sure this issue will be addressed but if anyone ever feels they're being over charged for a drink it's your job to speak up and say something. As certain individuals can tell you, I'm the first one that will speak up if I feel something's gone awry with my bill. Everyone should realize its ridiculous to be charged $8 for a non-call liquor so call the bartender on it, chances are at a place that's new the bartenders just haven't completely figured out the system yet. The Music:The DJ smoothly and seamlessly transitions between tracks and blends a nice variety of old and new house with top-40 remixes. I do think they'll have to work on finding the right mix for the crowd but I don't think that means converting to a primarily top-40s play list. It's a relatively small venue, house plays to a wider audience than other forms of EDM and PM is located just down the street from Firehouse, a venue that has had relative success with mainstream forms of EDM. Ultimately I think PM could be a nice spot for those who like Firehouse but detest the excessive crowd that tends to be there past 11pm on the weekends. The Crowd:On the three nights I have been to PM one of them was slow, one of them was decently busy, and one was packed. Friday was by far the slowest of the three evenings but as I understand it that particular Friday was slow everywhere in the Strip. Both Saturdays were busy but obviously opening weekend was particularly busy. There's been a lot of concern given Paul's unfortunate choice of words that the crowd would be pretentious. On each of the three occasions I was there I never encountered anyone who seemed pretentious and I never felt out of place. It seemed to have a good mix of people, some of which were dressed up and some were rather casual. That being said I have walked past the door guy while he's turning people away; the particular incident I witnessed related to a particularly rowdy group of guys that the doorman refused to let in despite the fact that he was offered a money to do so. Now, I'm going to be completely honest – I'm a bit biased on this one. PM is the only place in the city that carries Hangar One vodka (it is in fact not even carried in the liquor stores), it's a short walk from my apartment, and the DJ (who was recommended by a friend of mine) spins mostly house. It is almost everything I want a place to be and it will likely be as good a place as any to find me. NOTE: As always, I waiver on my rating and decided to go with the higher rating in part because I appreciate the fact that PM is trying to do something different rather than just succeed off of being the new location for the same old stuff. There is certainly a challenging road ahead but I hope it will rise to the occasion instead of folding to the pressure.

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Cappy's

Rolled in here with my boys the other day, and it was poppin'. They had a karaoke going on Friday called the trademark "Cappyoake." I ain't normally for cutesy crap, but it was totally off the hook. Girls galore, great for a single thug like me.Got a little bit hungry part way through- no problem though- kitchen was totally open as a mother. Decided to get me some boneless wings and those little guys were perfect. Nothin' like dippin some chicken with hot sauce in some ranch dressing to make a body satisfied.Waitresses were smokin, cooks seemed a little nerdy at first, but then I realized those cats were cooler than me. Party and a half.

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Peter's Pub

Every Thursday The Upstairs at Peter's Pub is 80's Night called "Pressure". Decent size dance floor and 80's favorites. Plus a mix of some electro pop. So far this seems to be a secret. For the last 15 years Oakland has been the place for 80's and this night continues the tradition. If you stop by downstairs and feel it's to crowded or need a change in music (which is pretty good on it's own) come on up.

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Fat Heads

Fat Heads has good food and decent drink prices, but the staff there is horrible and they act like a bunch of tough guys. the bartenders and bouncers, etc better check their egos at the door before they say something to the wrong person and get their heads handed to them.

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Porky's

Nice affordable place with very good food, friendly bartenders and staff, unique set up and a lot of tv's to watch the game. they also have an outside deck equipped with tvs so u can enjoy the warm weather in the summer. Overall good place to drink.

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Castaways Outside Inn

Castaways is a very fun, comfortable, laid back local bar. Service is good, always get attention when you walk thru the door. A lot of regulars frequent on a daily basis and it just has a good over all vibe. Food is excellent and they have really good drink specials during the week. The outside bar is a great place to relax on a nice day, especially when the deck is open. It has a beachy theme to the place and has a lot of great drinks for those hot summer days. Everytime I go there I have a great time, its become my favorite place to be.

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E-Town Bar and Grill

The E-Town bar and grill is a nine new clean place, unlike most of he places in the Etna area. Drinks are a little pricey for a local bar, but still within reason. the drinks are cold and made strong. i had a buger and fries last time i was there and it was very good, the wings always look and smell good as well. I recommend this bar for the good food good drinks and nice people for the most part.

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Mullen's Bar And Grill

I was here on a Saturday after a Sunday Pirates/Phillies game, The service was terrible, the bartender was more interested in talking to his buddies than waiting on us...he seemed disinterested. would i go again? yes, but will not put up with the bad service again, there are too many other nice places on the north side ( Ugly for one)its definitely a step down from Hi-tops but its still early for the new owners ... hopefully they'll workout the kinks and the Bartenders attitudes

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Paddys' Pour House

One of the worst bartenders in da burgh works here. He's nasty and rude. Very disappointing, decent place otherwise. F for service from this guy.

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Z Lounge

By the time I ended up at the Z lounge I was pretty toasty but wow the people were so friendly and bartender was super nice too It was a smaller bar but it appeared to be clean and well maintained.

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McGrogan's Taproom

I just wanted to say that this place is great! HUGE beer selection, great food, wing nights, NON-SMOKING!!, great prices

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Cheesecake Factory

They have professional bartenders here who really can mix a good drink. I ordered my infamous Singapore Sling and not only did the bartender know what it was, he made one of the best mixes I have ever tasted - and I've had quite a few. It would be nice if the average club/bar in the burgh could make drinks like these guys. I'm rating this place a 9.999 because nobody is perfect.

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Lot 17 Bar & Grill

I ate dinner at Lot 17 around 7:30pm on 4/23/08, and it was damn good. My server was fast and friendly, and the sirloin strip steak sandwich was very good. I decided to dine in this time after I picked up a good reuben for dinner the other day from here. I will definitely be back, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good sandwich in Bloomfield.

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The Library

First off I gave this place a 9 because apparently I cant give it a 10, even though it deserves a 12. I had dinner and drinks there last night for the first time with a couple friends. WOW I don't get impressed to often but the service there was second to none. period. I couldnt believe it, the bartender, I believe his name was Rob? (I had a few too many draft beers) BTW I was extremely surpirsed they had Arrogant Bastard beer on Draft! (go ahead) anyways He was unbelievalby friendly, he even brought us over some shots to try out since they were a little slow. The food came quickly, and was absolutely delicious! The staff had perfect timing with asking if you needed another drink before your runs out. I highly, highly recommend the Library. I also think it was a very unique and out of the box concept to go for the library theme! I love how the menu is on the inside of books! Will definately be back again!

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Backdraft

For a local bar it is 10/10! Since my bitchy post last year the food and bar have gotten much better!

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Sunset Inn

Lots of pool tables.Drinks are cheap.Bartenders have a bad attitude and owner is not nice to outsiders. If your not a regular... you wont be treated well.

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Brothers Grimm

Great place to have some beverages and eats.Typical bar food for the most part but nice atmosphere. Big place w/ 2 bars.LOVE THE NON SMOKEING!!!!!!Good prices!

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Mad Mex

GREAT MEX FOOD!Over priced for the area but I seem to go back alot.THe Margaritias are wonderfull but also high in price.The crowd is good.On the downside on the weekends they normally have a band Saturdays packed into a small place. Charge a covers on top of the high drink prices.Lots of diffrent beers.Good food! :)

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North Star Bar

Diverese crowd.Great prices and friendly bartenders.The food is wonderfull!

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Game Day Gathering

Place is nice to watch sports games.Food is decent.Lots of TV's to watch the games.WAY over priced for the enviroment. Bar is big but cramed into a small place.They need to lower price for food and beer and it would do better.

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Slapshots

Ehh, if you are young and on a budget this is the place for you. The wood paneling inside gives me a headache, the weekend DJ plays ok music, with the exception that my buzz gets killed when, like clock work, the DJ plays that emo cover version of "Gin and Juice" at some point in the night. One night when I was there, a fight broke out but the two dudes were pushed out the back door very quickly and festivities resumed as quickly as they stopped. I hope it is not a habit.

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