Nightlife
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