I do love this bar, chill vibes, good drinks, lovely bartenders. But music can be so loud :/ makes it hard to have a conversation

So every once in a while,the wife and I like to go out and enjoy a cocktail or 2-living in Natomas,downtown is a short Uber ride both ways-so driving is not in play so we both can enjoy ourselves.When we do decide we are going to go downtown we usually either end our night of debauchery or begin it at this bar-B-Side on 14th and S street. This bar is truly a definition of a dive bar-dark lighting inside,they tend to play throwback music 100% of the time which is awesome-the bartenders here are always super friendly and always seem young-not always the most experienced bartenders you will run into but they always do their job with lots of enthusiasm and friendly demeanors-I think that's important. The drinks themselves are pretty inexpensive per todays Sacramento downtown standards,I think my old fashioned ran for either $10 or $11 which is pretty good and they are always solid-they make very solid get the job done keep the vibe going level drinks and at that price-that's a winning combination. My favorite part of this bar though for me is easy-it's the outside back patio.It features a few long tables and it's mostly frequented by someone either looking to smoke a cigarette or vape,I personally will go back there and light up a cigar and just enjoy the craziness that occurs back there.By craziness I just mean a lot of people socializing-laughing telling stories and getting along,u literally can strike up conversations with people you never met before just based on the fact that you know anybody who finds themselves in the back outside patio at B-Side knows what's up-nobody lands there on accident-it's a super chill spot with a never ending cast of unknowns who might sit next to you and just be prepared as your probably going to have the most random conversation you have ever had in your life. B-Side isn't a fancy bar or a place to go before a nice dinner-this place isn't for everyone,especially at my age,but if u are ever lucky enough to walk thru those doors be prepared to be transported to a time when all you ever wanted was a place you could kick back-have a cheap drink,maybe enjoy a smoke and just chat with people who don't have their noses buried in their ohones-a true throwback. read more

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I've been here several times and at first really liked coming here but with changes they've had it's become a less than favorable one. When I first started coming, they had a huge spacious outdoor space where you could sit and hang out at, smoke, drink, and play games at. But they had to close this area and it's now a parking lot, leaving a super small awkward and dark "outdoor space" that barely fits a group of people. The inside is dark and a little cramped but theres booth seating and bar space. I honestly like the look and feel of the inside. The drinks are decent and they have DJs on certain nights. My friends and I had a less than great experience once on a bar crawl when we weren't given great service and overcharged. Hopefully in the future things improve. read more

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B-Side was alright. It is pretty small and intimate. The drinks were alright. There isn't any dancing or much music. There were quite a few people at the bar though! The bar was playing a movie on the TV. I would recommend for an intimate date night but not for a night out dancing with the girls. There is a small area for outdoor seating out back, but it is also very limited. read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

Yes, and yes exclamation came here on a Friday a bit too early so we had the place to ourselves. Nice chill retro vibes. They have a nice patio outside in the back, dope MF Doom piece. I'm positive this place was packed after we left so dope. read more

Third bar in, chaos has never been sweeter First off tiny spot single-stall bathroom diabolical That said the energy hit. The Kiwi Lemonade stole the show: bright, tangy, and somehow the perfect antidote to our growing chaos. Small space, big personality, and the kind of place that makes you laugh, sip, and already plan your next visit. Prices are medium range $$ read more

Amazing dive bar! Superb vibe inside, loved the music and the drinks were cheap! Aaron our bartender was very kind and the only reason why I'm leaving this review :) read more

The B side is a great locals only spot with an excellent price point on their adult beverages. My friends and I stopped here as an in in-between place to chill during a holiday midtown crawl. They have several large comfy booths, which is where took our seats, and a bar that flanks the entire length of the room. It was chilly outside and having stopped at this cozy little bar while sitting at one of their comfy roomy booths made it hard for us to move on to our next crawl spot. We eventually moved on and I'll definitely return to revisit the B-Side. read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

After hanging out at a few places in Sacramento we decided to end the night here . We came in for a drink they had music playing in the background and they were playing Halloween movies on their TV's since it's October I thought that was a nice touch . They have this cute disco ball by the music that lights up the place nicely . Everything looked clean and organized. The bartender was really nice and made me a really good White Linen. We had a great time here with friends . I would definitely be coming back .. read more

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This spot has such a relaxed, local vibe that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the moment. It's warm, inviting, and perfect for catching up with friends or taking a break during a night out. The seating is comfortable, the space feels well laid out, and the long bar adds to the classic neighborhood feel. The staff is friendly and welcoming, creating an atmosphere that feels familiar even on a first visit. It's one of those places where time passes quickly because you're comfortable and having a good time. Definitely a place I'd return to and recommend to anyone looking for a laid-back, cozy hangout. read more

I have nothing bad to say about B-Side. The drink I had was good and the service was quick. I just didn't really feel like there was anything about it that stood out to me. Good place if you want a low key night. read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Great place to come hang out and socialize at. B-Side neighbors the R & 15th area, but because it's not right in the heart of it. It's a more relaxed and chill type of environment. The back outdoor area is perfect for larger group fathers, where you might want to just enjoy the open area and local art. I like the murals of iconic musicians to include that large solo piece of MF Doom. You can also get into a game of corn hole in the far back, if that's your type of thing. Inside is the bar and smaller booth area. And at least on the weekends, (can't speak for the weekdays since I've never been) had a live DJ to provide a mix of music. Overall: Good lounge and social type environment. read more

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Love this place. The bartenders are super nice, drinks are very reasonably priced, music is good, and there's always a movie on. Tonight I asked Aaron to make me a drink and he came up with this amazing drink. We named it Florence. If you like gin and rosewater, this is your drink! The mint in it is a perfect combo with the rosewater. Aaron is always very friendly and clearly a great bartender. Come visit and get a great drink, watch some random movie and chill. read more

B-Side - Gin, rosewater...with other stuff too! - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

You know how ...first impressions make a big impact? Yes, well our first impression of B-Side was not just disappointing- it was actually enough to make us want to leave... and not return. The service was slow, awkward, and judgmental. B-side was listed as part of the Sacramento Halloween Bar crawl, and if I could stand outside and hold a sign saying not to go - I would. You could tell the owners, the bartends, pretty much all the staff was just not friendly to our group, made us wait over 20 minutes to serve us shooters, not even mixed drinks -shooters. The ambience was ...fine? No halloween decor or friendly lights, the tv playing was ....ok. But the worst of this all- is the shooters are priced at $5 each and we were charged $10 each- but because we felt so intimidated by the service and the staff- we didn't even bother to try to accommodate our drinks. *since we were sitting at the bar, we overheard 2 staff members, maybe the owner? Tell a bartender to ignore the people in costumes and just serve the other customers first* Basically if you are a college student, a Halloween party goer, or young person looking for a funbar- this is NOT THE BAR FOR YOU. Bummer, but good to know now. Keep in mind there are SEVERAL other kind, fabulous, welcoming bars and are also NEW that are much better. Save your money, skip this bar- go to another! read more

B-Side - The proof that Sacramento was part of the Bar Crawl - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

I am honestly shocked that this place got such a high rating. Maybe we just came on an off night. We dropped in on a Saturday night and it was crowded. No inside seats were available. We would have sat outside but it had been pouring earlier and everything was much too wet. They had live music which they asked people to stay 6ft away from the DJ which limited space to order drinks from the bar. Once we were finally acknowledged, we ordered a tequila sunrise and a Moscow Mule. I have no idea what I was given, but it was NOT that. It was pink. Never have I seen a pink Moscow Mule. Whatever it was, it was not good. The tequila sunrise wasn't good either. For the first time ever, we literally couldn't finish our drinks. It took me over 10 minutes to catch the bartender to close out. I'm sure this place is better than this experience but I can't say I'll be going back to find out. read more

B-Side - Not a Moscow Mule & Tequila Sunrise - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

I absolutely love the vibe at B-Side. It's not trying too hard to impress, and yet the staff and setting have great appeal. Besides bar seats, they have a few booths with tables, and an outdoor area as well. It wasn't crowded on a Saturday night, super laid back and just a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy some quality time, good conversation, and good music with my partner. The decor and music are perfect, especially if you like oldies. This past Saturday night, the DJ played awesome 90's rnb hits like Too Close by Next, and You Don't Have to Call by Usher. And with it being Halloween season, the TV's at the bar were playing old horror flicks. All three bartenders that helped us during the night were really awesome, friendly, patient, great drink suggestions, and great cocktails! Last call for drinks was around 1:30am, so this is a great option if you're looking for a cool spot that's open late on the weekend. read more

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If I could give this place no stars I would. Female bartender was rude! Screamed at us and told us to get out! Get out! Get out! 20 minutes before closing. We were finishing our drinks. Totally felt unwelcome from the moment we came in. Read all the other comments about her. The owner needs to see these reviews. read more

In the past I really enjoyed this bar mostly as a day off option when I'm bored and nearby around 1 PM. The male bartender short with a backwards hat was always welcoming and professional but I feel like when I come at night time it attracts a shadier crowd and rude bartenders who may have had too much to drink and affects there ability to operate the bar. read more

Great Low-Key DJ-Music Events! SITREP Since the end of the summer, I've been saying, "Yay! OPEN!" Always wonderful barkeeps plying their crafty trade of great drinks for inexpensive prices! A big reason I don't feel the need to do the 90-mile trek to SF to get the socializing in. THAT, and the $50 round trip in gas, right? [My new post-covid reality to save money because I have to.] THE SETUP Also, always a good time with the 80s Vinyl event w/ DJ Bryan Hawk playing my favorite 80s classic rock and New Wave alternative hits. A evening of Madonna, Prince, Depeche Mode, Sisters of Mercy and Def Leppard ALWAYS leaves me in a good mood! THE LOWDOWN Check the calendars, and make sure to hit this venue on a night when some of your favorite DJs and their awesome music formats are playing. read more

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Good place to hang out for a drink. The vibe is cool with nice drinks. Service is great. read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

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B-side is fun! They have a live DJ Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays too maybe?? The inside itself is a small space with about 3 booths of 4 people and a bar with maybe 6 chairs?? There's always a dance floor. They expanded to a large outdoor patio space with large benches. They have good music and the vibes are fun for small or big groups. Spent a birthday here with a group of 30people in the enclosed patio area. read more

Cool little bar Went here Saturday night with my girlfriend. Great bartender A few local beers from New Glory, Track 7 and my lady's cocktail was good read more

Now that businesses are starting to reopen, my wife and I decided that we should leave our home/office/gym and go on a well-deserved date night. After parking the car, we aimlessly wandered the streets looking to stop at any bar that we came across. Lucky for us, we stumbled upon B-Side. I have always wanted to check out B-Side, and my wife for obvious reasons, thought that it was a local record store (remember those?). As we stepped in, we were greeted by the nostalgic melody of late 90's R&B (my favorite!), mood setting lighting, and a friendly-face bartender. We ordered our go-to...vodka tonics with lime juice, and took them to the grassy "backyard" area with physically distanced picnic tables. After finishing our deliciously strong adult beverages, we bid farewell to the bartender and skedaddled. B-Side is a vibe (that's what the young kids are saying now right?)! If you're looking for breathtakingly beautiful drinks with umbrellas, this is not the place for you. However, if you're looking for good music and strong beverages at a decent price, I highly recommend B-Side! read more

What a great bar! As a child of the 80's, the vibes and aesthetic are a nice homage to an era I think fondly of. Im sorry I don't remember the bartender's name, but he was fantastic. Very friendly and seemed like a genuinely good person. The drinks were nice and heavy, and the tab was cheaper than I expected. Pop in on B-Side if you are in the area. You will leave with only good things to say! read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

No, I wouldn't go back. Not the best vibe. Kinda awkward and as far as drinks go no recommendations as a bartender. Kinda uncomfortable when we asked for any suggestions. We were out looking for a place to chill and have a couple drinks. Saw this lounge decided to stop in. Not so friendly or inviting. Just kinda there. No food served here, if you are wanting bar food, nope nada. That's ok, at least the drinks we ordered they were kinda strong. So yeah, not the best, not the worst. Maybe it was just the wrong night to check it out. read more

Fun place, great music and good drinks. It's a cozy spot and easy to find. Service was great overall as the bartender was attentive. This is a great dive bar. read more

We ended a fun night out at B side because....well... It was the only place that was still open lol. The bar looks small when you first come inside but the outdoor patio is where the party is at. Lots of picnic tables and string lights create a fun atmosphere to just drink and chill with friends. I had a Moscow Mule and it was pretty good. But unfortunately all good things come to an end. The bouncer told us when it was last call and when it was time for him to start kicking us out. We downed the rest of our drinks and went off into the night. It would be nice to come back at a different time to enjoy the patio space a bit longer. read more

Love the physical ambiance in this place but I found the crowds to be very clannish/cliquish as well as the staff. The bartender was very standoffish, which no bartender should be. Don't wait till you know me to be friendly, you're a bartender, it's your job to be friendly. Invariably you will have the unfortunate experience of witnessing a LOUD drunk chick who talks to the person next to them as through they are across the bar, but in this case, it was the bartender herself won was LOUD AS HELL! No one enjoys that. Third time I've been there, first time I've posted but the experience has not improved. read more

I used to come here back when it was a different bar (that was way dive-ier and kinda sketch). Now it's like a hip and clean dive bar. The floors aren't sticky and the bathrooms are clean, but it still feels like a hidden gem. And the decor and vibe are just awesome. The bartenders are friendly and great. And there's even a large outdoor area and occasional food trucks. In sum, this is a great bar and great spot to hand. read more

B-Side - a bar with a lot of audio equipment - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

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I live down the street and come here every week. Today i came in and met a bartender named Margo i never see and she was my absolute favorite. Great personality and natural kindness and care. Very happy to meet a bartender that genuinely has a passion to serve and laugh with customers read more

Nothing much to report since my visit was less than 10 minutes, if that. Walked in with some girlfriends last night, to be greeted by Chad the bartender. It was Tuesday and there were no customers. Music was playing overhead and the interior gives off a cool dive-bar feel, it was really dark as far as the lighting goes. Bathrooms were clean and fully stocked. The drinks were pretty good too. They do offer inside and outdoor seating. I will definitely drop back in on a future weekend with friends. read more

B-Side - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

Visiting from out of town, a lil wary of the Sacramento nightlife scene as a person of color after reading several Yelp reviews about racist dress code policies and bone headed security personnel. Not here. I was made to feel welcomed by a lovable bearded teddy bear of a guy. I chatted up some locals on everything from Mingus, to Monk, to the woes and wonders of gentrification, AND I even popped my fingers on the dance floor a bit. Good people, great DJ.,.... Cocktails were beautifully crafted with love, and at $8, a bargain (compared to Detroit). Not really sure I would classify this spot as a dive, however. Maybe it used to be. In my book, dives don't incorporate ingredients such as Luxardo cherries, and artful fruit twists - all of which made me giddy with excitement. They usually don't pull world renowned DJs (I'm still keeping that under wraps - kee kee). The place is very clean, modern, unisex restroom accomodating, all of which seems more hipster than dive. This spot is representative of the change, dare I say "evolution" of its neighborhood. Cheers! read more

B-Side - With Billie D "Don't let the smooth taste fool you" Williams overlooking the dance floor, I was so inspired! - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

I have lived down the street from this place for years and I finally tried it 2 weeks ago while out with a friend. The staff were super nice! But it seemed like they were struggling with a few things. First, I felt bad that the bartenders had to use flash lights to see. I think the lights under the bar went out? Also my friend and I got separate drinks (hers was poured and mine was from a can put into a glass) and both our drinks tasted moldy. We couldn't drink our beverages. I think they may have an issue with their dishwasher needing to be sanitized. I have no problem coming back....as long as someone pinky swore they cleaned the dishwasher lol. read more

Immersive atmosphere for those who seek raw authentic vibe. Those who want to escape the ones that excessively try just to try. Bartending is done very elegantly at this place. The music is raw which greatly appreciated. read more

B-Side - Booth view - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

Great chill bar with great staff and customers and fantastic drinks! I especially liked The Corpse Survivor 2 Aja made for me. read more

B-Side - Corpse Survivor 2 - Dive Bars Near Me - Sacramento, California

Friendly bartender, good drinks, nice atmosphere, close to other entertainment. Would recommend it.

One of my favorite bars in Midtown. If you're a music head and or love vintage 70s vibes, you'd love this spot. The interior is a bit small but it's never been too crowded where you feel overwhelmed. There is a huge outdoor seating area perfect to get fresh air, be able to chat without music playing, and or take a smoke break. The drinks are good but be warned they have a heavy pour. Lol. The bartenders are always chill and up to chat. read more

This place is nice place to just chill and have fun. The drinks are very refreshing and at good prices. The staff is also very chill but still respectful. read more

I've only been here a couple of times, but I thought it was a cool little bar. They were playing 80s movies on the TVs, not that I was there to watch movies, but I liked the vibe of the place. read more

Espresso Martini is the best! If you want a place to start the night off, then this is your place. It's cute and comfortable! You can actually hear your friends when chatting!! Bartenders are nice and competent! read more