What are you looking for?

Sometimes, all you need is a seat and a glass of something strong and sympathetic. Other times, you want something more specific.

What are you looking for?

Somewhere to hear live music

Sure, there’re casinos, where you can go see Van Morrison for about $100. But what about places where you go for a beer and stay for the music, or the other way around? This year we’ve seen the passing of two of Reno’s most popular small music venues—XOXO and the Green Room. They were places you could see a decent live show for $5 to $15. Sigh. But we still have some options. The small but stylish Satellite Cocktail Lounge (188 California Ave., 786-3536) may be the best bet for local indie rockers and regional rock talent (and sake cocktails). New kid on the block Ceol (538 S. Virginia St., 329-5558), is an inviting Irish pub. It’s name means “music” in Gaelic, and there’s a steady stream of the mostly Irish folk and Celtic variety onstage at week’s end. East Fourth Street offers rock ‘n’ roll dives like biker bar Davidson’s Distillery (275 E. Fourth St., 324-1917) and Abby’s Highway 40 (424 E. Fourth St., 322-9422). Further down the street is The Underground (555 E. Fourth St., # B, 786-2582), where local and national rock, hip-hop and metal bands perform. Tonic (231 W. Second St., 337-6868) and Red Rock Lounge (271 S. Sierra St., 324-2468) have begun to host more live music. For mellower, often jam-band rock, head to Sparks for the Great Basin Brewing Company (846 Victorian Ave., 355-7711), where local and nationally touring musicians perform.

Somewhere new

About a block north of Ceol is the brand spanking new Amendment 21 (425 S. Virginia St., 786-0808). Named for the constitutional amendment that restored our legal right to drink, it’s a cross between a sports bar and your grandfather’s study. It has dark wood-paneled walls, a small shelf of (probably purely decorative) books, an open floor plan with plasma screens, free wi-fi, separate rooms with pool tables, and an internet jukebox. The crowd during a recent visit was of young- to middle-aged professionals and college students. Amendment 21 serves dinner and pub food with a tempting appetizer list, as well as drinks. Gone is the endearing, decrepit white-painted and green-lettered Mr. O’s at the corner of Mount Rose and South Virginia streets. The red brick has been uncovered and the inside remodeled to make way for Chapel Tavern (1495 S. Virginia St.). The sleek but not stuffy bar has patrons singing hallelujah—or praying for forgiveness. There’s a wide selection of booze, a pool table and a “Sunday Night Mass” from 8 p.m. to midnight with a DJ and $2 well drinks. Supper Club Zulu (1537 S. Virginia St., 333-9858) is a new addition to South Virginia Plaza. The place aims for an African safari-like theme but is all over the place with swing, salsa and ballroom dancing on its large dance floor. The enigmatic bellydancer Shaska shakes her hips on Friday nights. There are also Hawaiian luaus, comedy, knife-throwing, live big-band music, two lounges and a full bar. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, and its menu is equally schizophrenic, with Italian, sushi, Mexican and Indian selections. Maybe that’s where the safari theme comes in—you never know what you’ll come across. The Imperial Bar and Lounge (150 N. Arlington Ave., 324-6399) is a year old this month, and it’s proven itself a local favorite, especially for those in their 20s and 30s (see “Drinking good in the neighborhood,” page 6). The Imperial’s owners are planning to open a new bar downtown and another in the now defunct Jazz Club on East Fourth Street, so keep an eye out.

A place to play pool

As mentioned, Chapel Tavern and Amendment 21 have pool tables. But for a roomful of billiards, Keystone Cue and Cushion (905 W. Fifth St., 323-2828) has 20 pool tables, weekly pool tournaments, video poker, slot machines, a sports bar and serves food. Women drink free on Thursdays, and there’s free pool from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and 6-7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Q’s Billiard Club (3350 S. Virginia St., 825-2337) also has wall-to-wall pool tables, a jukebox and bar and grill.

A place to find the GLBT community

The Patio (600 W. Fifth St., 323-6565) is a popular place, drawing mostly women on Friday nights. It has dart tournaments, pool, dancing, outdoor patio and weekly karaoke. The crowd at Carl’s Pub (3310 S. Virginia St., 829-8886) is mostly gay men. They have a dance floor, pool tables and events like a leather contest and a boxer shorts contest. Tronix (303 Kietzke Lane, 333-9696) is a dance club for men and women with beer pong tournaments, a 10 cent beer college night on Mondays and Wednesday karaoke. Reflections (3001 W. Fourth St., 322-3001) is an inviting place with DJs and dancing, a country night and special events like chili cookoffs. The Ten99 Club (1099 S. Virginia St., 329-1099) is open 24 hours to everyone and especially welcoming to the GLBT community, with drink specials, occasional live music and a Touch Tunes jukebox. Five Star Saloon (132 West St., 329-2878) is a 24-hour club for men and women. There’s live music, DJs, Internet jukebox, a weekly ladies night and game night. The place is even part of the monthly downtown Wine Walk.