I've lived in Sanford for 17 years, and while I've only made a handful of trips to Rockin' Rhonda's, each visit has left a lasting impression. Most of my time here has been spent meeting up with riding buddies heading to or from a charity motorcycle run, or supporting local bands. Our most recent visit was this past Saturday to catch our friends' band, Night Wind, play. Unfortunately, the turnout was smaller than expected, likely due to the 11th Annual Mardi Gras celebration happening downtown. We started at the festival, then made our way to Rhonda's to enjoy the band before heading back downtown to wrap up the night.
Rockin' Rhonda's is a classic dive bar and a popular pit stop for bikers--this might deter some newcomers, but if you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping by for a drink and a bite. The drink prices are some of the best in town. Well drinks are only $4, and if you order two of the same drink, it's just $6. You really can't beat that price, especially downtown. I usually ask for a double in a 16oz glass, so I don't have to juggle drinks all night. They also offer $12 domestic beer buckets, which are a great deal, and on Saturdays, they discount top-shelf liquors by $2 when you order a double.
Food-wise, they have a decent selection of bar-food and it's affordable. A cheese pizza is $10, and only $2 more for a pepperoni version. If you're in the mood for something different, you can grab two corndogs for $6, mozzarella sticks for $5, a cheeseburger or hot dog for $4, or even taquitos for $4. For a casual bite, it's a great deal. If you plan to hang out for a while, there are several high-top tables available for dining.
The staff here are friendly, and the place is generally clean and well-kept--inside and outside. If you're looking for something to do, there's no shortage of entertainment. They have several arcade games, two pool tables, multiple dartboards, and JENGA to keep you busy. If you're a bit tight on cash, there's an ATM right inside the main gaming area.
When you step outside from the back of the bar, you'll find a cozy seating area next to a clean pond and fountain. Beyond that, there's a large, covered outdoor bar/patio area with more high-top tables facing the stage where our friends played. There's even another outdoor bar and service area to the left of the stage. The outdoor space can accommodate over 60 people (mostly standing) if the crowd is right, making it a great place to hang out on a busy night.
We had a fantastic time at Rhonda's, and I'm grateful they provided the space for our friends to perform. The drinks were fantastic, and I appreciate that they pour the old-school way (free-pour), which is a nice touch.
Three things to keep in mind: (1) Smoking is allowed inside, so if you're planning to dine-in, you may want to enjoy your meal outside under the covered patio; (2) the parking area and the space between the patio and stage are mostly dirt and sand, so it could be dusty/slippery/or muddy depending on the weather during your visit; and (3) The venue does not providing in-house lighting and sound for the stage, so if your planning on landing a gig here you will need to bring all of this equipment and manage your sound/lighting needs during the show.
Overall, Rockin' Rhonda's is a laid-back, local gem that's definitely worth checking out if you're in the Sanford area. read more