Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Sacramento / Sacramento Valley

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Alaro Craft Brewery, Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

4.8

4.8 (471)

$30 and under

Spanish

Sacramento

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

Jonathanvip

Dined 2 days ago

We had another great time at Alaro. Our Duchess of Draft, Shari, was outstanding. She made great recommendations, was fun and personable and really helped make it a great night. We will definitely be back.

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Experience

“On Sundays We Brunch”!! Need we say more?

Experience

Castle Happy Hour – Unwind Like Royalty! 🍻

Experience

Industry Mondays -Cheers to Hospitality Heroes! 🍻

Shangri-la Fair Oaks

4.8

4.8 (13)

$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

Natalie

Dined 1 day ago

This was our second visit to Shan Gri La and we had a fantastic time. The food was great, we love the atmosphere and the service was attentive. Will be again in the future!

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Experience

Dine at a Bocce Ball Court!

Star Lounge at Hyatt House Sacramento

4.7

4.7 (149)

$31 to $50

American

Midtown

About the restaurant

The historic building of the Star Lounge was a social gathering ground for almost one hundred years. Our Midtown Sacramento Lounge carries on the tradition of being a community incubator of creativity, an oasis of thought, and a great place to unwind. A place for all to come together and celebrate the arts, music, food, and a great cocktail. We use traditional local ingredients, authentically prepared, in a historic upscale inspired setting.

Top review

Melanie

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

Love this place. Great ambiance. Food was great, staff were so friendly. I will definitely be back.

Midgley's Public House

4.6

4.6 (1400)

$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

NanceeL

Dined on Jul 22, 2024

This was a professional meeting. It was private, quiet, elegant and perfect

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4.6

4.6 (321)

$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

Jasmine

Dined 7 days ago

We had a reservation for 4:45 before a concert and it was pretty quiet in there. Our waiter was very friendly and prompt about bringing our order and made sure to check in on us throughout our meal. I'll be back again. Thanks!

Mosaic Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (176)

$31 to $50

Californian

Redding

About the restaurant

Experience a fresh spin on casual dining at Mosaic. From delicious appetizers to crisp salads and brick oven pizzas, our versatile menu has something for everyone.
Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge's Mosaic offers a family-friendly restaurant with communal tables and heated outdoor seating. See why vineyards in Northern California are world-renowned with a tall glass of red or white and relax in our laid-back atmosphere.

Top review

Ian

Dined 6 days ago

Fantastic food. Great service. Will return again at holiday time.

Dave & Buster's - Folsom

4.4

4.4 (11)

$30 and under

American

Folsom

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

Holly

Dined on Aug 3, 2024

We had a great time here! We went on a Friday night so there was no special dine and play specials, but we still had a wonderful time and would go back.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Stockton

4.3

4.3 (39)

$30 and under

American

Stockton

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Brittney

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Server was attentive, food was great, drinks were strong.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Elk Grove

4.3

4.3 (78)

$30 and under

American

Elk Grove

About the restaurant

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 13, 2024

It was frustrating that we made a reservation then when we arrived we were told it would be a “10 to 15, maybe 20 minute wait” and it was nearly 15 minutes. Also the bathroom was a mess.

Sauced BBQ & Spirits - Sacramento

4.3

4.3 (709)

$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

Christina

Dined 4 days ago

The food was outstanding! Our friends picked this place and we were a little nervous because we are not crazy into BBQ, but we were so wrong! We had the Rednexican Nachos (I added the spicy coleslaw) and the Dougie Burger! SO AWESOME! And our waitress Tatiana went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. We never had to wait to get drink refills. She was so patient and attentive 5 stars for sure

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