Sacramento Night life, cr-examiner.com

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 GLBTQ guests, but multiple dance floors, bars, and outdoor patios are popular with everyone who simply wants to have fun. Salsa dancing sizzles up Azukar Lounge, Harlow’s, and Country Club Lanes on weekends. Swing dance fanatics enjoy Friday nights’ Midtown Stomp.

Wine Bars

Wine connoisseurs gravitate to 58 Degrees & Holding Co., The Grand Wine Bar and L Wine Lounge –all in midtown. Head to Lounge ON20 for an extensive sparkling wine selection as well as its equally chilled downtempo DJ music.

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 The Shady Lady (jazz), 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 (punk) and Capitol Garage (reggae).

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. A larger-than-life-sized iPod allows individuals to bring their own music and play it overhead. Two grand pianos also can accommodate dueling talent. Built by first-generation Irish immigrants to reflect friendly Irish hospitality, deVere’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 Cove, Club 2 Me, and Zebra Club.  For trendier bars and billiards, check out the people and pool tables at Bar R15 and Blue Cue.

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 riverboat. Musical theatre enthusiasts flock to The Cosmopolitan Cabaret and 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), bicycle-themed Spin Burger Bar (custom-built, gourmet burgers), and tattoo-culture inspired INK (diner fare meets Calif. bistro). Willie’s and Hot Rods (burgers, shakes, fries) serve food long after midnight as well.

The Esquire IMAX Theatre boasts a six-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 five feet tall! Catch an art, independent or foreign film at the historic Tower and Crest theatres – 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. Both offer their own transportation to and from their respective resorts.

Courtesy of Sacramento tourist bureau