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    Buena Vida Tapas Lounge

    4.1 (192 reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    BUENA VIDA TAPAS LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Seafood Torre
    Alfredo A.

    Was there this past weekend an let's just say ..It's changed a lot when it comes to food quality.. down grade big time ..Had the fish tacos burnt more like Gordon frozen fish on a tortilla ..the shrimp tacos had 3 tiny an a lot cabbage idk why would they down grade on food .. a this place was good .. service was great tho .. just the food was fail

    Erik L.

    Went for happy hour and was not disappointed. Always looking for another to add to our happy hour rotation: Eureka, yard house, flame, Valle, etc and think we found one. All of the food was flavorful ceviche was fresh with a great amount of acidity. The service was friendly and efficient. Maybe only downside was there were several lights not turned on and it was quite dark.

    Fish Tacos
    Armando M.

    Buena Vida Tapas Lounge is such a relaxing place for dinner! Went after a big exam and had a relaxing beer at happy hour. We got the street tacos, and fish tacos. This fish tacos are perfect! I will back for those tacos however the asada street tacos were not the best and I cant recommend them. But don't let the street tacos discourage you (im also picky about my street tacos). The waiter accidently poured the wrong beer so they just brought me both beers and that was perfect way to start me evening. The staff is great and responsive and beer is cold.

    Menú
    Susana C.

    This place is such a vibe! We came in for brunch on a Saturday and it was busy! We were seated quickly tho. The staff is attentive and fast too. We were a party of 5 and order a couple of the Mexican paleta shots, those were so good! Also the horchata colada was really tasty. Food portions are huge. I ordered the tropical ceviche which has mango and only finished a 3rd of it. We also ordered the steak and shrimp skewers, pasta al ajo, and shrimp tacos. The hallway leading to the bathroom has photo ops and the bathroom was also nicely decorated. Had me feeling like I was back in Cancun :)

    Best bartenders in town
    Ton H.

    Having an old fashioned @buenavidatapas. Great drinks great service great atmosphere. One of the few places in my neighborhood to get at drink and late night eats. Come grab a drink and some great food.

    Pasta Spaghetti Verde & Shrimp tastes as good as it looks!!
    Alan P.

    Another fantastic meal at Buenavida Tapas. We enjoyed happy hour margaritas and appetizers, as well as two main dishes for the three of us. We arrived in time to catch a birthday and Sunday Night Football on the big screens with excellent service and a tasty meal.

    Wake me up mimosa

    The food was really good! I'm obsessed with the salsa flight! The mimosa was delicious! The service was on top of their game! I will definitely be returning to try more foods at Tapas!

    Question
    Lauren R.

    Our third time at this spot at the old Chuy's. Decorations kind of modern Latin cookie cutter but a fun vibe. We liked our food and had fun. I liked the (spicy) Aquachile verde and queso fundido. My dad had the salmon a la plancha (I didn't try it but he liked it), I tried my mom's sopes de tinga it was "ok". We wished they had some more vegetarian/plant based options such as flor de calabaza, veggie enchiladas, more salads. My spicy mezcal margarita was really good! Our service was good; our waiter was patient with us deciding on our entrees and answering questions. Important to note this place is LOUD for dinner, both from the people and loud music. Not relaxing and hard to have a convo but it's super fun, good place for a fun dinner, birthday if you're not trying to have intimate convos, drinks at the bar with friends etc.

    A mango and a guava margarita. Potato tacos.
    Garrett H.

    Came for happy hour and left sad. Happy hour prices are great but hindered greatly by the abysmal service. We waited 30min before being served after being seated. Then between ordering drinks we had to flag the waiter down, who also kept forgetting what we ordered, after waiting another 30min. Drinks arrive and food preset was taken. Waited another 45 minutes before food. By that time happy hour was over and they no longer would honor happy hour pricing. Food was barely warm and tasted of soap. Lacked any real flavor. The drinks were good. Ambiance is kinda unique but feels somewhat slapped together. The chairs were uncomfortable and felt like they were going to break.

    Aguachiles, chicken poblano rajas, watermelon margarita, and a beer
    Cynthia V.

    This is my favorite place for happy hour! We eat here at least once a week- everything is delicious, they have great portions, the staff is attentive, and the drinks are so good. The music is always on point and they have a live band on Sunday evenings.

    Salmon a la Plancha
    Dakota P.

    Everything was AMAZING Service was fantastic, drinks tasted great, and every plate we ordered couldn't have been better. We will definitely be back!

    Pineapple margarita
    Henry S.

    This spot is located where the old Chuy's was at on new stine rd, It's pretty easy to miss if you're driving by and don't look over into the shopping center. I happened upon Buena Vida after doing a quick search on Yelp. The Margaritas were delicious, to be honest everything we had was on point. The service was exceptional as well as the food. They have happy hour specials that we took advantage of and we're not disappointed by the selections offered. The décor inside reminds of being in Mexico it's really nice and there's plenty of seating for big parties. I would definitely recommend getting the margarita flight with a bowl of Ceviche or taquitos de papa it will not disappoint.

    Tacos De Tuetano
    Matthew D.

    My wife and I stopped in for lunch this afternoon and had a great meal. The ambiance is boho casual and trendy. We shared some Queso Fundido with Chorizo which was spicy and delicious. I ordered off their specialty menu and had their tropical ceviche with pineapple and mango. It had a bright clean flavor and was served with chips and corn tortillas. My wife enjoyed the Tacos de Tuetano. She loved the smoky, buttery flavor of the bone marrow and the juicy ribeye taco combination. Service is always top-notch. One of our favorite places.

    Pasta Al Ajo and Costillas Al Pastor

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    15 days ago

    I think it's pathetic that they charged 4 drinks that were not ours. They need to do better.

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    Buena Vida Tapas Lounge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Buena Vida Tapas Lounge

    Are there gluten free options?

    Several dishes that may be gluten-free. However, to know exactly which dishes are suitable for a gluten-free diet, it's best to check with the waiter or refer to the restaurant's menu, as such options may vary depending on the season or menu… Read more

    Does this place even have tapas, I don't see anything on the menu that would suggest little plates to share as traditionally done?

    Everything is shareable

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    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar - Bar and the Fabulous Miss Latti playing the tunes tucked back there

    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar

    4.9(7 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    Had no idea this place has been open for four years, and I'd never tried it…read more Went on a Thursday night, we ended up being the only ones there. I understand weekends has live music. It's rustic and clean, it's very clean. There's a very large side room for events etc. the main bar area is small with some nice chairs to sit in and the large tv was set to a fireplace. The floors are covered in various beef/farm brands, adds to the rustic western vibe. Bartender was friendly and attentive. She kept busy cleaning and dusting bottles- like I said- it's clean. Drinks for a "speakeasy" were not special. Very typical bar drinks- no special menu etc. I visit a lot of speakeasy's- this is, speakeasy-ish. Our two drinks & a club soda were nearly $40. They were made well. Unfortunately, they didn't have the ingredients to make the drink I had asked for. Overall, I'd like to see this place on a weekend night with music. The drinks were over priced for what they were- IMO. That said, I'll likely return, at least once. Still bummed KC doesn't have a nice speakeasy.

    Our favorite local spot with THE BEST ambiance. I have never had a bad experience here…read more Haley is a delight and is very knowledgeable as both a bartender and server. We love coming here just to see her. This is a great spot for a quiet date night. It can get pretty pricey, but half of what you pay for is the location and the service, which is second to none. This is a great spot to host a private party as well and does require a password to get in. A great way to ensure your party stays private!

    Photos
    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar - Buffalo Trace

    Buffalo Trace

    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar
    The Stockyard Whiskey Bar - Bar lounge

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    Bar lounge

    Tiki-Ko - Inside decor - Tiki-Ko

    Tiki-Ko

    4.5(284 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Nobody plans to spend an evening in Bakersfield. You pass through it on the way to somewhere else…read more-- Mammoth, the Sequoias, the long flat grind up the 99 to Sacramento -- and if you stop at all, it's for gas or a bathroom or because your BMW's brakes have decided, somewhere around the Grapevine, that they'd rather not. Thank you, Weatherford BMW of Berkeley, for the near-death experience and, inadvertently, for one of the best nights out I've had in years. Stranded and waiting on repairs, we checked into The Padre, the only hotel in Bakersfield that feels like someone with a subscription to Dwell had a hand in it, and set out walking through a downtown that time has treated with more kindness than reputation suggests. There's a Woolworth's luncheonette still hanging on. There are old brick facades and wide sidewalks and the particular quiet of a Central Valley evening when the heat finally breaks. And then, on 18th Street, there is Tiki-Ko, and suddenly you are no longer in Bakersfield at all. You are, instead, inside someone's magnificent obsession. Tiki-Ko is a proper tiki bar -- not a tiki-themed cocktail lounge, not a place that bought some bamboo at a craft store and called it atmosphere, but a genuine, committed, floor-to-ceiling shrine to mid-century Polynesian fantasy. The carvings are real. The lighting is correct -- which is to say, barely there. The mugs are serious. There are pufferfish lamps and carved totems and the whole glorious taxonomy of tiki ephemera, accented here and there with a skate-culture edge that keeps it from feeling like a museum. It's reverent without being precious. The drinks are the real thing. Mai Tais built with actual orgeat. Zombies that earn the name. The bartenders make them with the kind of care and enthusiasm that tells you this isn't a gig -- it's a calling. They want you to be here. They want to talk about rum. They want you to try the Painkiller. In a city that most Angelenos regard as a punch line, somebody built a world-class cocktail bar and filled it with joy, and the regulars clearly know it. You will not plan a trip to Bakersfield. But if you find yourself there -- by mechanical failure, by accident, by the peculiar mercy of a bad brake job -- walk downtown. Find the tiki bar. Order a second round. Stay longer than you intended. Bakersfield has been underestimated, and Tiki-Ko is the proof.

    Visited The Sinking Ship with friends and enjoyed ourselves very much. The drinks were good and the…read moreatmosphere was really cool. It was a fun evening in a laid back environment, the bartenders were nice and the lady clearing tables was pleasant. The only thing I, personally, didn't enjoy was the weird ambient soundscapes. A little music would have been nice, rather than the creaking ship noises and ghostly wailing.

    Photos
    Tiki-Ko - Interior booth

    Interior booth

    Tiki-Ko - Sunken Ship

    Sunken Ship

    Tiki-Ko - Interior. bar area

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    Interior. bar area

    Valle Flavors Of Mexico - Ribeye tacos

    Valle Flavors Of Mexico

    4.0(149 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$$

    Ambiance- wow, love the new interior, new building- cute decor. It is a bit too noisy…read more Service-Valerie our server was promote & took our drinks Foods taquitos de rez was ok. The taquitos were crunchy and the beef was moist and very tasty and flavorful. The salsa dip was good & spicy. My Cadillac margarita was good. The glass size was too, short/small because I like to pour my gran marnier into my drink. I look forward to another visit and fast another food item.

    If you are looking for a dark and calming atmosphere for a celebration, this is the spot. I came…read morehere for a friend's birthday and the decor really set the mood. The wine wall is a standout feature and makes for a very interesting backdrop. The Main Event: Crispy Fish Tacos: The food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the fish tacos and they were served on a blue corn tortilla with pickled onions on top. The crunch was perfect. The Salsa: It had a serious kick, but the flavor was so good that I could not stop adding more to every bite. The Sides: I have never had rice like this. It was incredibly moist and flavorful. The beans were also a hit and were cooked just right. The Table Consensus: My friends ordered the carnitas and a salmon dish. Every plate was licked clean. It is a bit on the pricier side, but the quality is definitely there. The Service: Initially, the service was great. They kept our waters full without us asking. However, as the night went on, our server became a bit less attentive. The Finale: We finished with the cheesecake. To be honest, it was just okay. It did not live up to the high bar set by the entrees, so I would probably skip dessert next time. Know Before You Go: This place is perfect for a group that values atmosphere and high quality Mexican cuisine. Just keep an eye on the clock if you need quick service toward the end of your meal. Overall, it was a great birthday experience and I would definitely return for those tacos.

    Photos
    Valle Flavors Of Mexico
    Valle Flavors Of Mexico
    Valle Flavors Of Mexico - Outside

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    Outside

    Sliced Lounge - Honeysuckle

    Sliced Lounge

    4.3(25 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$

    This has become one of my favorite places to have dinner or Just a drink. First, the lounge is…read moreSMALL. There are some booths that are deep and private, like cubbies. They fit 4-6 comfortably - you could probably fit 8. There is one bartender (Jeffrey, if I remember correctly) he's amazing. He also takes your dinner orders. Id sit in the main restaurant if you have a larger party or kids. Like I said, the lounge is small. It's a great place to sit, if you want to sit at the bar counter. Patrons are friendly, staff are great, food is delicious. Ribeye, great. Good salmon. Great shrimp appetizer. Nice salads. Well made drinks. Not the biggest fan of the fried app platter. It's all pretty one dimensional and bland. Other than that, all food I've tasted has been good. Overall, a good place for a date. Actually took myself on a solo date and we enjoyed ourselves. Nice place to meet up with friends. 4 stars for the bland fried platter and in the summer, the AC wasn't the best- the lounge can get pretty warm.

    Sliced Lounge is one of those rare spots that makes you feel cooler the second you walk in…read more The vibe is dialed all the way in. Stylish without trying too hard, intimate without feeling cramped, and just the right amount of buzz in the air. Whether you're coming for a laid-back drink or a night that accidentally turns into a whole mood, this place delivers. The cocktails are the real headline act. Thoughtfully crafted, balanced, and creative without being pretentious. You can tell the The Bartenders Jeffrey and Mandy actually cares about what they're pouring, and they're happy to steer you toward something new if you're feeling adventurous. Every drink feels intentional, not rushed or slapped together. Service is warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. No ego, no attitude, just people who want you to have a great time and keep coming back. That energy matters, and it shows. Sliced Lounge has quickly become a go-to. Perfect for date nights, catching up with friends, or just treating yourself to a damn good cocktail in a space that feels elevated but welcoming. Bakersfield needed a place like this. Glad it exists.

    Photos
    Sliced Lounge - Shamrock sour

    Shamrock sour

    Sliced Lounge
    Sliced Lounge - Sliced Lounge

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    Sliced Lounge

    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge - Chilaquiles verdes with added eggs and steak.

    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge

    3.8(271 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    If you are looking for a peaceful escape from the office grind, timing is your best friend. We…read morerolled in for a Wednesday lunch with the coworkers and found a literal oasis. With only two other parties seated, it was blissfully quiet. This is a rare treat when you actually want to hear your colleagues speak. The Main Event: Enchiladas con Mole. I opted for the $14 Lunch Special, and the value to flavor ratio was off the charts. The Enchiladas con Mole were a revelation. They were deep, complex, and packed with a spicy punch. The Sidekick: The beans were just okay, but with mole that soulful, I was not complaining. The Refresher: The Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca was the MVP. It was crisp, refreshing, and the perfect cooling counterpoint to the heat. I genuinely wish I had ordered a second one. The Vibe and Service: The decorations are absolutely darling and make the experience. While our server was perfectly nice, they were a bit of a disappearing act despite the empty room. I am definitely curious to come back for dinner though. They have a great setup for live music that looks promising. Know Before You Go: The Receipt Trap: Heads up! They added an automatic 18% gratuity to our check. I am not sure if it was because we were a party of seven, but I did not notice until after I had already added a tip.

    Brayan was our server today El Puesto on White Lane. The…read morehomie went above and beyond for us when the lunch buffet ran out of an item, he went and come out with it fresh 5 mins later. The live mariachi put the whole vibe together with the music in the background. Food was amazing, price for the Unlimited buffet was perfect for the selection and the quality of food. Will definitely be coming back soon!

    Photos
    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge - The live band. Great music!!!

    The live band. Great music!!!

    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge - Ensalada El Puesto Con Pollo

    Ensalada El Puesto Con Pollo

    El Puesto Cocina & Lounge - Café de olla with Maria cookies.

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    Café de olla with Maria cookies.

    Buena Vida Tapas Lounge - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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