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Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Sacramento / Sacramento Valley

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OpenTable
Updated February 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Sacramento / Sacramento Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of House Kitchen & Bar - Sacramento restaurant
4.8
4.8 (50)
$30 and under
American
West Sacramento
About the restaurant
House Kitchen & Bar in Sacramento is a classic comfort food restaurant with an upscale and casual atmosphere. The staff and chefs at House Kitchen & Bar have been working tirelessly to provide high quality customer service and exceed expectations since 2010. By creating a home-like environment and serving fan favorite comfort foods, House Kitchen & Bar makes each and every guest feel welcome. The contemporary food with a twist won�t disappoint. Try the double dipped fried chicken and waffles with country gravy, the steak tacos with guacamole, corn salsa and chipotle sour cream or the beer can chicken with smashed potatoes and chicken au jus.
Top review
Erin
Dined 1 day ago
Wait staff and chef were great. Food was wonderful also. The dining area has a high ceiling and it was crowded so it was loud, but no big deal. Lots of patrons going to the NBA game from there.
A photo of Alaro Craft Brewery, Restaurant & Cocktail Bar restaurant
4.8
4.8 (482)
$30 and under
American
Midtown
About the restaurant
Alaro is an award winning Modern American & Spanish Inspired Farm to Table Restaurant & Craft Brewery in the heart of Midtown Sacramento. Owners Ray and Annette Ballestero invite you to enjoy the beautiful but casual interior & lush outdoor patio area of this historic location. Featuring a diverse selection of creative seasonal dishes showcasing fresh seafood, tapas-style small bites & full-bellied burgers that border on sublime, our team has curated one of the most unique restaurants on the grid. In addition to Sacramento's most awarded craft brewery we feature a full cocktail bar, a well curated wine list including Spanish varietals and house made Sangrias, Fair Trade Sodas & Teas and Organic Soft Serve Ice Cream! Open for Lunch and Dinner daily. More at AlaroCraftBrewery.com
Top review
BarbaraVIP
Dined 5 days ago
We try to stop in if we are heading to Sacramento. It was a rainy Sunday and the super gooey grilled cheese and soup was perfect! The service is always attentive and responsive
A photo of Pink Martini California Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant
4.8
4.8 (123)
$30 and under
Californian
Rocklin
About the restaurant
Good Vibes Only! Join us for our award winning Happy Hour, Dinner or dessert. Sip on craft cocktails while enjoying our beautiful patio. Happy Hour 5 days a week 3-5pm. Live music indoors Friday & Saturday 6-10pm. The perfect spot to gather your tribe & celebrate any occasion or enjoy date night with loved ones. Walk ins welcome & reservations suggested.
Top review
Nicole
Dined 6 days ago
This was our first time here and we loved it. The food was amazing, our waitress was so sweet and attentive. I am not sure if you need reservations but we had them and it was super busy for a Friday night and most tables were reserved. We did get put in a back table that was super small. I think next time we may request a bigger table . It was hard to hear each other but that was ok because the singer was great and the atmosphere was perfect itself. We are definitely going to go back.
A photo of Polanco Cantina restaurant
4.7
4.7 (334)
$30 and under
Mexican
Sacramento
About the restaurant
Polanco Cantina is a festive, contemporary Mexican restaurant and bar. Serving Mexican-inspired familiar favorites and celebrating the bounty of central California, Polanco is located in Downtown Commons, overlooking the Golden One Center.

Polanco Cantina, turns into a Late Night Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights from 11:00pm-1:45am, Cover Charge Applies

Top review
Mike
Dined 7 days ago
This is my second time there. I went a few years ago and always wanted to go back, but there are always too busy on the night that I went because I’d go when there was an event at Golden one. Glad I can get in.
A photo of Shangri-la Fair Oaks restaurant
4.7
4.7 (47)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Fair Oaks
About the restaurant
Reflecting the charm of its surrounding neighborhood, Shangri-la is a distinctive space in Fair Oaks that serves seasonal, contemporary American fare, along with handcrafted cocktails in a unique setting.

With modernist architectural design, fire pits and classic cocktails from an indoor/outdoor bar, Shangri-la is a full-service restaurant and private events venue that feels like a Palm Springs resort. We have two beautiful indoor dining rooms as well as a 6,500 sq. foot patio featuring bocce ball (adults only) and corn hole (all ages) and full-service seating inside and outside. (Voted Best patio and Best restaurant by Sac Magazine). Well behaved pups are also welcome on our patio when weather permits.

Come visit us, and enjoy an escape from it all!

Top review
Janice
Dined 1 day ago
Very nice place and service was excellent. Food came out hot and they checked up on you to see if you needed anything and if food was ok. Very clean and nice atmosphere.
A photo of The Oxford - Lodi restaurant
4.6
4.6 (437)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Lodi
About the restaurant
Chef Srijith Gopinath brings "London Fare to Lodi". Oxford cuisine is inspired by the vibrant multicultural food from London street markets. Menu spotlights the flavors of Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

The Oxford is a modern kitchen that features an eclectic variety of multicultural cuisines from London markets. Discover a unique fusion of different flavors in amazing dishes, and take your taste buds on a global adventure by sharing a selection of dishes. Enjoy playful dishes — from Wellington to Shepard's pie or, Great Britain tikka masala to Original Fish N Chips. Menu is inspired by the organic and sustainable bounty of the Central Valley.

Top review
SusanVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Very nice waiter- great experience & food. Visiting from Dallas Texas- cute town
A photo of Chevys Fresh Mex - Elk Grove restaurant
4.5
4.5 (301)
$30 and under
Mexican
Elk Grove
About the restaurant
Making the best Fresh Mex food from scratch, daily!
Top review
Jewelle Lachelle
Dined on Jan 17, 2025
I always have a good time at this restaurant. Staff is always very pleasant.
A photo of Pi bar restaurant
4.4
4.4 (12)
$30 and under
American
Lodi
About the restaurant
Welcome to Pi Bar! Experience elevated sports bar vibes with delicious pizzas and craft cocktails in the heart of Woodbridge, CA
Top review
Karen
Dined 5 days ago
My friend picked this place because it is between our locations. The restaurant is located in a small town called Woodbridge which looked very charming when we got there at night. PiBar was well lit, and parking was easy. It was also very crowded which is a good sign to me. We had dinner reservations for 7PM. You enter through the bar seating area which was odd to me. We were a little early and wanted to get a cocktail but the check in guy said he could seat us in the bar area. We said we wanted our regular table that was reserved and didn't mind waiting because it was very loud in there but he said a DJ was actually starting at 7PM in the main area. So we relented and sat in the bar. We were by then more than a little skeptical on how nice our birthday celebration was going to be. However, the wine list and craft cocktail menu were impressive and our cocktails were top notch delicious. And the salad and pizza we shared (there were 3 of us) were delicious and of great quality as well. It seems to be a fairly new place and in my opinion they are marketing themselves more for a club spot than a restaurant. I say that because of how loud it was but also because of the attire of some of the ladies strolling in. So if you want a young energetic vibe this is your jam. If you want a more intimate dining experience this would not be a first choice for me.
A photo of Midgley's Public House restaurant
4.2
4.2 (1407)
$30 and under
American
Stockton
About the restaurant
**HAPPY HOUR DISCLOSURE Happy hour is walk in only and limited to the bar, and the bar side of our patio. Adding notes to your reservation requesting happy hour does not guarantee you a happy hour table.

Our menu is a true California Cuisine, offering a wide array of steaks, seafood, appetizers, soups, salads sandwiches and burgers, and creative desserts. We have a hand picked wine and cocktail list and a fun atmosphere.

We also offer "whole pig" dinners that must be pre ordered.


Top review
Rita
Dined on Jan 18, 2025
Our First Time here! We had reservations, & we were seated at an undesirable table - so I chose to be “That Lady” & requested to be seated elsewhere. The young ladies at the door were accommodating - at least one of them was - & we were seated at another table. We will definitely be back!! Great steaks, & service!! Shannon was our waitress & was Great!! Thanks!!
A photo of Sauced BBQ & Spirits - Sacramento restaurant
4.2
4.2 (732)
$30 and under
Barbecue
Sacramento
About the restaurant
We are so excited to have the opportunity to bring authentic BBQ to Northern California. Our goal at Sauced is to provide excellent food with unmatched southern charm and ambiance. Axe cages, crafted cocktails, 40 beers on tap, 200 whiskeys, bourbons, scotches or ryes and of course our award winning bbq will surely get you Sauced.

For axe throwing reservations please visit www.saucedbbqandspirits.com.

Top review
Alina
Dined 6 days ago
Sauced has been amazing in the past when we have went. Tonight there was an event at Golden One so they were busy. Our waiter was very nice but not a good waiter. He had no problems holding back his opinion which was not necessary. We had to flag him down and didn’t put in our full order.
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