Nightlife

Editors’ choices
Best way not to repeat the mistakes of the past

We have a habit of thinking that history starts now, which is why a lot of journalists tend to claim things are the first this or the largest that when they’re not. As we watch our city cope with this recession and the decline of gambling, it’s useful to know some of the things Reno has tried before, either with success or failure. For instance, there aren’t many, if any, who recall when Reno tried to market itself as a health spa. There’s a book, Reno’s Big Gamble by Alicia Barber, that tells a revealing tale of how this city has tried to sell itself since the 19th century. The balance between satisfying residents and appealing to tourists was no easier in 1890 or 1920 than it is today, but there are lessons in these pages about past—and possible future—mistakes. The book is available at Sundance Books and the Nevada Historical Society shop at 1650 N. Virginia St.

Best place to build your own robot

Sandy’s Electronic Parts on Matley Lane is the ultimate joint for tinkerers, hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers. The store is part of a small chain, but the store has a distinctly local feel, with sparse décor and a simply organized system of items. It has parts for nearly any electronic project, including project boxes, LED lights of all sizes, switches and more, especially hard-to-find items like USB hubs or a particular size of wire. The employees behind the counter can provide suggestions or answer questions based on the project, and if they don’t know something, they can direct you to someone who does. There’s almost always several other customers browsing nearby for parts, which usually results in some good, nerdy conversation. The store is only open on the weekdays, but it’s worth it to go browse during your lunch break.

Readers’ choices

Most romantic bar

1. Chocolate Bar

multiple locations

2. Fireside Lounge

Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

3. Roxy’s Bar & Lounge

Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

Best trivia night

1. St. James Infirmary

445 California Ave., 657-8484

2. Ceol Irish Pub

538 S. Virginia St., 329-5558

3. Sierra Tap House

253 W. First St., 322-7678

Best strip club

1. The Men’s Club of Reno

270 N. Lake St., 786-7800

2. Wild Orchid

515 S. Virginia St., Reno, 324-1010

3. Fantasy Girls

1095 E. Fourth St., 322-2582

Best sports bar

1. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

multiple locations

2. Coach’s Grill & Sports Bar

1573 S. Virginia St., 329-2202

3. Legends Grill Sports & Spirits

6015 S. Virginia St., Reno, 853-5550

Best place to watch movies

1. Century Theatres Riverside

11 N. Sierra St., Reno, 786-1743

2. Century Theatres Sparks

1250 Victorian Ave., Sparks,353-7470

3. Century Theatres Summit

13965 S. Virginia St., Reno, 851-4635

Best place to watch Monday Night Football

1. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

multiple locations

2. At home

multiple locations

3. Peppermill Resort Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

Best place to see a concert

1. Knitting Factory

211 N. Virginia St., 323-5648

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

3. Reno Events Center

400 N. Center St., 335-8800

Best Comedy Club

1. Catch a Rising Star

Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., 329-4777

2. Reno-Tahoe Comedy

Pioneer Underground, 100 S. Virginia St., 322-5233

3. 3rd Street

125 W. Third St., 323-5005

Best Hotel for a Secret Tryst

1. Peppermill Resort Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Eldorado Hotel Casino

345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

3. El Cortez Lounge

235 W. Second St., 324-4255

Best place to hear quiet music

1. Walden’s Coffeehouse/ Reno Music Project

3940 Mayberry Drive, 787-3307

2. Roxy’s Bar & Lounge

Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

Best place to hear loud music

1. Knitting Factory

211 N. Virginia St., 323-5648

2. The Alley [tie]

906 Victorian Ave., 358-8891

2. Brew Brothers [tie]

Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

Best place to have sex in public

1. Burning Man

2. Downtown/Riverwalk/Truckee River

3. Lake Tahoe

Best place to cure your hangover

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs

multiple locations

2. Gold-N-Silver Inn [tie]

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. Squeeze In [tie]

multiple locations

Best place to buy sexy underwear

1. Chocolate Walrus

1278 S. Virginia St., 825-2267

2. Victoria’s Secret

multiple locations

Best place for live music

1. Knitting Factory

211 N. Virginia St., 323-5648

2. Brew Brothers

Eldorado Hotel Casino 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

3. The Alley

906 Victorian Ave., 358-8891

Best place for a first date

1. Downtown Riverwalk

2. Campo Restaurant

50 N. Sierra St. Reno, 737-9555

3. Chocolate Bar

multiple locations

Best open-mic night

1. Java Jungle

246 W. First St., 329-4484

2. Reno Music Project

Walden’s Coffeehouse,

3940 Mayberry Drive, 787-3307

3. 3rd Street

125 W. Third St., 323-5005

Best neighborhood bar

1. St. James Infirmary

445 California Ave., 657-8484

2. Reno Public House

33 Saint Lawrence Ave. Reno, 555-5663

3. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best microbrew

1. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

5525 S. Virginia St., 284-7711

2. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

3. Brew Brothers

Eldorado Hotel Casino 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

Best karaoke

1. El Cortez Lounge

235 W. Second St., 324-4255

2. West Second Street Bar

118 W. Second St., 348-7976

3. The Point

3001 W. Fourth St., Reno, 322-3001

Best happy hour

1. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

2. Bistro Napa

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

3. Cin Cin at El Dorado

Eldorado Hotel Casino, N. Virginia St., Reno, 954-4042

Best gay hangout

1. 5 Star Saloon

132 West St., 329-2878

2. Tronix

303 Kietzke Lane, 333-9696

3. The Patio

600 W. Fifth St., 323-6565

Best dive bar

1. Shea's Tavern

715 S. Virginia St., Reno, 786-4774

2. 5 Star Saloon

132 West St., 329-2878

3. Foxy Olive

220 Mill St. Reno, 324-4119

Best dance club

1. Edge Nightclub

Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 689-7444

2. Bubinga

Eldorado Hotel Casino 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

3. Five Star Saloon

132 West St., 329-2878

Best concert venue

1. Knitting Factory

211 N. Virginia St., 323-5648

2. Grand Sierra Resort [tie]

2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

2. Reno Events Center [tie]

400 N. Center St., 335-8800

Best club DJ

1. DJ Chris English

2. DJ Jessica "The Ripper" Thomas

3. DJ Xmfreddie

Best bar

1. St. James Infirmary

445 California Ave., 657-8484

2. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

3. Ole Bridge Pub

50 N. Sierra St., 322-8877

Best all-ages spot

1. Holland Project

30 Cheney St., 742-1858

2. Knitting Factory

211 N. Virginia St., 323-5648

3. CommRow

255 N. Virginia St. Reno, 398-5400

Best bowling alley

1. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

2. Coconut Bowl at Wild Island

250 Wild Island Ct., Sparks, 359-2927

3. AMF Starlite Lanes

1201 Stardust St., 747-3522

Best billiards room

1. Cue & Cushion [closed]

935 W. Fifth St., 322-0116

2. Q’s Billiard Club

3350 S. Virginia St., 825-2337

3. Diamond Billiards of Reno

5890 S. Virginia St., 828-0616

Best beer selection

1. Craft Wine-N-Beer

22 Martin St., 622-4333

2. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

5525 S. Virginia St., 284-7711

3. St. James Infirmary

445 California Ave., 657-8484