Nightlife & The Arts

If there’s anything that makes Chico really Chico, it’s its eclectic, inspired nightlife and arts scenes. From craft cocktails and wine-and-food pairings to local theater and visual exhibits, there’s never a lack of things to do in this fun town—see our This Week (page 58) and Nightlife (page 64) sections for proof. Naturally, locals have their go-to spots, and here they are.

Bar

FIRST Place: Argus Bar + Patio

212 W. Second St., 570-2672

SECOND Place: Duffy’s Tavern

337 Main St., 343-7718

THIRD Place: The Banshee

134 W. Second St., 895-9670

Sports bar

FIRST Place: Bella’s Sports Pub

134 Broadway, 893-5253

SECOND Place: Oasis Bar & Grill

1007 W. First St., 343-4305

THIRD Place: Pour House

855 East Ave., Ste. 270, 893-3000

Watering hole for townies

FIRST Place: Duffy’s Tavern

337 Main St., 343-7718

SECOND Place: The Handle Bar

2070 E. 20th St., Ste. 160, 894-2337

THIRD Place: Studio Inn Lounge

2582 Esplanade, 343-0662

Cocktail

FIRST Place: White Linen

Bill’s Towne Lounge, 135 Main St., 487-7031

SECOND Place: Lower Park Lavender

Parkside Tap House, 115 W. Third St., 636-4239

THIRD Place (tie): Mojito

Crush, 201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000

THIRD Place (tie): Vincent’s Demise

Christian Michaels Ristorante, 192 E. Third St., 894-4005

Mixologist

FIRST Place: Scott Barwick

Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main St., 343-7718

SECOND Place: Liz Von Aspern

Christian Michaels Ristorante, 192 E. Third St., 894-4005

THIRD Place: Vince Villegas

Christian Michaels Ristorante, 192 E. Third St., 894-4005

Happy hour

FIRST Place: Crush

201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000

SECOND Place: Pour House

855 East Ave., Ste. 270, 893-3000

THIRD Place: Christian Michaels Ristorante

192 E. Third St., 894-4005

Place to drink a glass of wine

FIRST Place: Wine Time

26 Lost Dutchman Drive, 899-9250

SECOND Place: Unwined Kitchen & Bar

980 Mangrove Ave., 809-2634

THIRD Place: Christian Michaels Ristorante

192 E. Third St., 894-4005

Margarita

FIRST Place: Tres Hombres Long Bar & Grill

100 Broadway, 342-0425

SECOND Place: La Hacienda

2635 Esplanade, 893-8270

THIRD Place: Casa Ramos

2490 Fair St., 893-5050; 216C W. East Ave., 894-0119

Bloody Mary

FIRST Place: Duffy’s Tavern

337 Main St., 343-7718

SECOND Place: Mom’s Restaurant

209 Salem St., 893-3447

THIRD Place: Joe’s Bar

749 W. Fifth St., 894-3612

Karaoke night

FIRST Place: Madison Bear Garden

316 W. Second St., 891-1639

SECOND Place: The Maltese

1600 Park Ave., 343-4915

THIRD Place: Studio Inn Lounge

2582 Esplanade, 343-0662

Place to dance

FIRST Place: Madison Bear Garden

316 W. Second St., 891-1639

SECOND Place: The Beach

191 E. Second St., 898-9898

THIRD Place: Duffy’s Tavern

337 Main St., 343-7718

Venue for live music

FIRST Place: Sierra Nevada Big Room

1075 E. 20th St., 892-4647

SECOND Place: La Salles

229 Broadway, 487-7207

THIRD Place: Unwined Kitchen & Bar

980 Mangrove Ave., 809-2634

Local music act

FIRST Place: Hot Flash

SECOND Place: Lo & Behold

THIRD Place: Off the Record

Local visual artist

FIRST Place: Janet Lombardi Blixt

SECOND Place: Christine Mac Shane

THIRD Place: Ashley Penning

Art space

FIRST Place: 1078 Gallery

1710 Park Ave., 433-1043

SECOND Place: Museum of Northern California Art

900 Esplanade, 487-7272

THIRD Place: Chico Art Center

450 Orange St., 895-8726

Place to buy art

FIRST Place: Chico Paper Company

345 Broadway, 891-0900

SECOND Place: Art Etc

256 E. First St., 895-1161

THIRD Place: Chico Art Center

450 Orange St., 895-8726

Theater company

FIRST Place: Chico Theater Company

166-F Eaton Road, 894-3282

SECOND Place: Blue Room Theatre

139 W. First St., 895-3749

THIRD Place: California Regional Theatre

(800) 722-4522

Open mic

FIRST Place: Blackbird

1431 Park Ave., 433-1577

SECOND Place (tie): The Maltese

1600 Park Ave., 343-4915

SECOND Place (tie): Tender Loving Coffee

365 E. Sixth St., 433-0414

Place to be seen

FIRST Place: Parkside Tap House

115 W. Third St., 636-4239

SECOND Place (tie): Duffy’s Tavern

337 Main St., 343-7718

SECOND Place (tie): La Salles

229 Broadway, 487-7207

Casino – regional (Butte/Glenn/Tehama)

FIRST Place: Gold Country Casino

4020 Olive Highway, Oroville, (800) 334-9400

SECOND Place: Feather Fall Casino

3 Alverda Drive, Oroville, 533-3885

THIRD Place: Rolling Hills Casino

2655 Everett Freeman Way, Corning, 528-3500

Beer event

FIRST Place: Oktoberfest

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E. 20th St., 893-3520

SECOND Place: Beer Camp

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E. 20th St., 893-3520

THIRD Place: Secret Trail Brewing Co. Anniversary Party

132 Meyers St., Ste. 120, 487-8151