The state of California is already synonymous with a buzzing nightlife and a lively populous. Whether you’re looking for a bar to hang out at late at night or a place where you can simply chill, The Golden State always has something to offer.
Fresno is one of the liveliest cities in the state, and you can bet that there is quite a selection of fantastic bars in it. With so many options to choose from, it might be tough to pick which doors to go through next, so here are the best bars to visit in Fresno, California.
19 Best Fresno Bars
Dog House Grill
📍 Address: 2789 E Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93710 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 294-9920
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun-Thurs, 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat
Don’t let the name fool you; Dog House Grill is one of the best bars in Fresno. They have a great selection of dishes worth your money. Some of the food you should order is the Monster Burger, ABC Burger, and Steak Cobb Salad.
It’s a sports bar that serves fantastic food and cold beer. As there’s still the pandemic going on, management is taking safety precautions to ensure that you’ll be dining safe.
One of the common praises you’ll hear from Dog House Grill is that the staff is friendly and accommodating. Aside from that, they work quickly, so you don’t have to wait too long before your delicious order gets served.
Pismo’s Coastal Grill
📍 Address: 27937 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 439-9463
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Mon-Sun
If you’re looking for great seafood and a great selection of drinks, then Pismo’s Coastal Grill is definitely up your alley. As one of the top seafood restaurants in Fresno, you’re guaranteed to be served the catch of the day every visit.
Some of the locals’ popular food options include their signature Clam Chowder, Calamari Steak, and Crab Cakes.
The bar itself is designed to be as open-air as possible, making dining at night a must as the breeze makes the experience much better. The place may be far from the sea, but the seafood quality and the ambiance make it feel like you’re by the beach.
The Annex Kitchen
📍 Address: 2257 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 248-8512
🕐 Hours: 5 pm – 9:30 pm Tue-Thurs, 5 pm – 10:30 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Mon & Sun
There are many Italian restaurants in Fresno, but one that manages to keep diners hooked is The Annex Kitchen. Serving authentic Italian cuisine, this restaurant also houses a bar with a fantastic selection of beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and wines.
The menu offers a selection of Italian dishes like hand-tossed pizza and a wide array of pasta. There are also many choices to pick from if you are a vegetarian.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Italian cuisine if the place isn’t operated by an accommodating staff that’s quick to work and very polite.
Since the pandemic, the restaurant has made eating outside the restaurant a norm. The tables are separated comfortably enough to make you worry less about the current situation.
Yosemite Ranch
📍 Address: 1520 E Champlain Dr, Fresno, CA 93720 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 434-4403
🕐 Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Sun-Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat
Yosemite Ranch is often distinguished for its simple and minimalistic interior. Since the pandemic, the bar has expanded its dining area by taking diners outside of the restaurant. Both indoor and outdoor reservations are available, but we highly suggest dining outside, especially at night, for the extra ambiance.
This bar and restaurant specialize in great steaks and a vast selection of wines and alcoholic beverages to go with their meat selection.
If you’re a newbie when it comes to food and wine combinations, then you’re in luck. The servers at this place will be more than happy to give you their recommended combos when you’re ordering.
KuniSama
📍 Address: 6825 N Willow Ave #101, Fresno, CA 93710 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 322-5864
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 9:30 pm Sun-Thurs, 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat
You don’t always think about sushi when drinking at a bar, but KuniSama made the combo a hit. This Japanese-inspired restaurant at N. Willow offers a wide selection of drinks, fresh sushi, and even teppanyaki for your cravings.
Although KuniSama’s sushi and drinks selection is impressive, you’ll probably spend most of your time in awe of the teppanyaki chef preparing your food right in front of you. It’s usually hot in the kitchen, but proper ventilation keeps KuniSama fresh and cold even if the kitchen is right in front of you.
Their sushi and sashimi are fresh and prepared as you order. What’s great about their bar is that it includes a few Japanese drinks you’ll rarely find elsewhere.
Cracked Pepper Bistro
📍 Address: 6737 N Palm Ave, Fresno, CA 93704 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 222-9119
🕐 Hours: 4:30 pm – 10 pm Tue-Thurs, 4:30 pm – 11:30 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Mon & Sun
If you’re looking to bring a special someone on a date, then you should try booking a table at the Cracked Pepper Bistro. The place’s interior and ambiance make wedding anniversaries, select dates, and even small celebrations feel more intimate.
The Cracked Pepper Bistro’s bar selection includes a hefty offering of cocktails served as stylishly as possible. Of course, what’s a good date if there isn’t fine wine to go with it? With this establishment’s impressive selection of red and white wines, you’ll have plenty to choose from to pair with your meal.
The place itself is quiet and serene even on a busy day, so it is perfect for romantic get-togethers.
Cosmopolitan Tavern
📍 Address: 625 O St, Fresno, CA 93706 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 266-8662
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 3 pm Mon, 11 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 8 pm Tue-Thurs, 11 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm Fri, 11 am – 9 pm Sat, Closed on Sun
Cosmopolitan Tavern serves an American-Italian cushion for lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s plates are quite heavy, so it’s a must if you’re looking to get your belly full. As for alcoholic choices, you have plenty to choose from, including draft beers and hard liquors like rum.
All these are enjoyed in the Cosmopolitan Tavern’s rustic feel and aesthetic. The service at the restaurant is also praise-worthy as everyone moves fast to serve you. While there’s a limited seating capacity, the Cosmopolitan Tavern can still accommodate you whether you want to dine in or take out food.
Tamari Robatayaki and Whisky Bar
📍 Address: 6731 N Palm Ave, Fresno, CA 93704 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 721-7300
🕐 Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Mon-Thurs, 5 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Sun
Robata is a style in Japanese cuisine similar to barbecuing in which various meats are cooked over a charcoal grill. Tamari Robatayaki and Whisky Bar offer the best of this cooking style in Fresno while keeping an impressive selection of Whiskies inside their cellar.
Aside from Robata dishes, the place also offers fresh sushi and oysters to partner with their bar selection. However, the smoky flavors of Robata are best paired with a shot of whisky.
The place also features Japanese-inspired decor, which matches perfectly well with the food. Like most places during the pandemic, the restaurant now offers tables both inside and outside the restaurant.
The Library at Detention
📍 Address: 750 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728 (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 7 pm – 11 pm Wed, 7 pm – 1:30 am Thurs-Sat, Closed on Sun-Tue
One of the bars with a unique aesthetic and atmosphere in Fresno is The Library at Detention. True to its name, the bar surrounds you with a massive selection of books as you drink from their generous bar selection. This bar offers almost every liquor imaginable, from absinthe to tequila.
The selection of cocktails is also impressive as you get to choose from various drinks with whisky, tequila, and many other hard liquors as the base.
The place does get crowded before the pandemic. Luckily, there is a secret area inside the bar, which helps you get away from the crowd. Since the pandemic, The Library at Detention has also served food but only expect light snacks and not a heavy meal.
Kocky’s Bar and Grill
📍 Address: 1231 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 266-5500
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Mon-Thurs, 11 am – 10 pm Fri, 4 pm – 9 pm Sat, Closed on Sun
Several restaurants in Fresno offer a solid offering of American dishes, but one that stands out is Kocky’s Bar and Grill.
This restaurant’s menu is filled with filling sandwiches and finger food. Of course, these dishes are best eaten with their bar selection, including cocktails, on-tap beer, wines, hard liquors, and much more.
With an area dedicated to live band performances, Kocky’s Bar and Grill is always a fun and delightful restaurant to dine at. Whether you’re looking for great food or great drinks, Kocky’s is a go-to place.
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Mochuelo
📍 Address: 2305 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 348-5555
🕐 Hours: 4:30 pm – 10 pm Tue-Sat, Closed on Sun & Mon
Spanish tapas are always great when paired with alcoholic beverages, and that’s what Mochuelo has to offer. This quaint little restaurant offers authentic Spanish dishes and a bar that features drinks from the local scene and a few signature beverages from Spain.
Many diners have commented that Monchuelo offers a relaxing ambiance mostly because the dining area is spacious. The restaurant has offered a patio as an alternative dining area since the pandemic, but others have commented that the outside is relatively small.
Still, regardless of where you eat, you’ll be enjoying Mochuelo’s dishes. We highly recommend their seafood pasta!
Tioga-Sequioa Brewing Co.
📍 Address: 745 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 486-2337
🕐 Hours: 3 pm – 8 pm Mon, 3 pm – 10 pm Tue-Thurs, 12 pm – 11 pm Fri & Sat, 12 pm – 8 pm Sun
Craft beer is a fairly common practice nowadays, and if you’re looking for one of the best in Fresno, you’re sure to find it at the Tioga-Sequioa Brewing Co.
This quaint and humble bar offers a vast selection of beers and liquors to choose from. They also offer excellent finger food, which you can eat within the restaurant. The place isn’t exactly suited for romantic dates. However, if you’re alone and are looking to treat yourself, then this is precisely where you want to be.
The place features a light and friendly atmosphere. Be ready to listen to some fantastic music while drinking one of their excellent craft beers.
Fort Blossom Cafe Bar & Grill
📍 Address: 9433 N Fort Washington Rd, Fresno, CA 93730 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 231-5259
🕐 Hours: 8 am – 2 pm Mon-Thurs, 8 am – 8 pm Fri & Sat, 8 am – 3 pm Sun, Closed on Tue
Fort Blossom Cafe Bar & Grill features food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so there’s always something to eat regardless of what time you visit. The restaurant offers a mix of various cuisines. Some of their specials include Thai Peanut Chicken, Cinnamon French Rolls, and Pot Roast Sandwiches. Aside from heavy meals, the Fort Blossom Cafe Bar & Grill also specializes in cocktails!
If the restaurant’s inside is fully-booked, you still have a shot a booking a table on the patio. It’s spacious and fresh outside Fort Blossom Cafe Bar & Grill, so the experience remains excellent nonetheless. Partner this with excellent service, and you’ve got a winning dining experience.
Manhattan Restaurant
📍 Address: 1731 W Bullard Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 449-1731
🕐 Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Tue-Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat, Closed on Sun & Mon
Splurging is nice every once in a while but make sure that you’re spending your money in the right place. That being said, the Manhattan Restaurant is one of the high-end places that’s worth your time.
While on the pricey side, Manhattan Restaurant’s steak menu and fresh seafood are worth every cent. Aside from being delicious, the servings are also large.
You can view the bar from the dining area as well. Just one glance and you’ll see a large display of what the Manhattan Restaurant has to offer in terms of drinks and cocktails.
Red Wave Inn
📍 Address: 2375 E Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93710 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 228-8446
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Mon-Wed, 11 am – 10 pm Thurs & Fri, 12 pm – 10 pm Sat, Closed on Sun
The Red Wave Inn offers an authentic pub experience because of the ambiance and decor. It’s the perfect hangout spot for groups of friends, or if you choose to, it’s also an excellent spot for having a drink on your own.
It offers Mexican staples such as tacos, nachos, and much more. While tequila is a favorite at the Red Wave Inn, you still have plenty of other drinks to choose from at the bar. Make sure you come with an empty stomach as the serving on drinks and food are plenty. Despite this, the prices on the menu remain relatively cheap.
Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen
📍 Address: 1279 N Wishon Ave, Fresno, CA 93728 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 555-1234
🕐 Hours: 4 pm – 12 am Mon-Thurs, 1 pm – 1 am Fri & Sat, 1 pm – 12 am Sun
Music and beer just go well together. This perfect combination is best experienced at Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen. It’s a dive bar located in Fresno. It’s a hit with the locals looking to chill while drinking a selection of fine alcoholic beverages.
The place may be designed as a mortuary, but that’s all just aesthetics. Overall, this place offers a great hangout spot for those looking for a new chill spot. The humorous decor is complemented well by a very welcoming staff.
Spokeasy Public House
📍 Address: 1472 N Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93728 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 492-7765
🕐 Hours: 1 pm – 12 am Mon-Sat, 1 pm – 10 pm Sun
The Spokeasy Public House is one of the hidden gems in Fresno. Once people discover it, they’ll keep coming back to it again and again.
Aside from the friendly atmosphere and servers, the bar’s extensive selection of drinks is also one reason people keep coming back for more. The place used to get crowded before the pandemic.
Since they are functioning at a limited capacity, it’s best to call ahead and book a reservation as there’s a good chance that the place is already packed if you walk-in.
Mad Duck Craft Brewing
📍 Address: 3085 E Campus Pointe Dr, Fresno, CA 93710 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 325-3825
🕐 Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Tue-Thurs, 11 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat, 11 am – 9 pm Sun & Mon
Mad Duck Craft Brewing has three branches. The place is mostly known for its craft beer, but aside from that, there’s a massive selection of other drinks, cocktails, and hard liquors available as well.
It seems as if Mad Duck Craft Brewing is a master of both food and drinks as people can’t seem to get enough of the food they offer. There are vegetarian dishes on the menu so you and your friends can enjoy the experience regardless of your diet.
Their buffalo wings and sliders are often partnered with their craft beer, so be sure to check this out.
Lucy’s Lounge
📍 Address: 733 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728 (Google Maps)
📞 Phone: (559) 293-3108
🕐 Hours: 4 pm – 1:30 am Mon-Thurs, 11 am – 1:30 am Fri-Sun
Lucy’s Lounge is one of the preferred spots for a night out with friends. It would be considering the place has an incredible live band waiting to entertain every night. What’s even better is that Lucy’s Lounge has a menu to die for.
Diners are often ordering one of their pizzas, which is always a great dish to pair with bar drinks. Speaking of bar drinks, you’ll never run out of choices at Lucy’s Lounge. They specialized in Instagrammable cocktails, but there’s an assortment of wines and champagne at the Lounge as well.
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