After arriving in Bakersfield, we were looking for places closeby to get some dinner. As we were…read morepulling up to the hotel, I thought I saw a sign that said brewery, so looked it up and - yep - there's a brewery right across the street. We walked over and had an enjoyable experience. I would first note, they only had 5 of the brewery's own beers on tap. I didn't mind, as I enjoyed a blood orange witbier. I had the sliders with veggie sticks and they were delicious. I was excited to see something besides just chips offered for sides. The seating space is ample and the night we were there, there was music. I was actually pleasantly surprised the music wasn't super loud and echo-y and we could still enjoy conversation. I would recommend stopping by for a beer and some food!

I came here last night with a group of 18 people while we were visiting Bakersfield, for the drag…read moreraces. When we made the reservation, no one told us that the restaurant operates as a self-service setup. We assumed, like most places that accept large reservations, that there would be some level of table service. Instead, the table was basically just a place for us to sit and eat. If we wanted drinks, we had to go up to the bar ourselves to order them. When it came time to eat, we had to leave the table again and go up to the front counter to place our food orders. No one came to the table to take orders, check on us, or even bring water. We ended up having to get water ourselves as well. What was most frustrating was at the end when I went to pay the bill and was told that an automatic 20% gratuity had been added because we were a large party. I completely understand adding gratuity when a staff is actively serving a large group taking orders, bringing drinks, refilling water, checking on the table, etc. But in this case there was essentially no service provided. Everything from ordering drinks, ordering food, and getting water was self-service. If the restaurant is going to run this way, that's fine but it should be clearly communicated when a large group makes a reservation, and automatic gratuity for "service" that didn't happen doesn't feel appropriate. We come to Bakersfield twice a year and after this experience, I don't think we will ever be back.

We appreciated the way Joshua, the waiter, took such good care of us. He was busy but he didn't…read moreforget about us Our pizza came out really fast. Since I didn't like my original beer, Joshua brought me another one more to my liking! Thank you, Joshua!

Happy hour from 4-6. Centro has drink and food specials that are not only delicious but…read morebudget-friendly. I had the croquettes and spicy potato pearls. Croquettes were crispy on the outside with a soft, pillowy center. The spicy potato pearls were a delight to eat. When you bite into it, a burst of flavor comes out. I paired these delicate bites with a Moscow mule. The bartender makes a great one here. Service, atmosphere, and food quality is a great addition to the downtown scene Indeed.

I'm a big fan of sours and as such I went to Dionysus for a long time but they seems to be drifting…read moreaway from the sours and haven't really had anything new recently. I noticed this place right next door so I thought I'd give it a quick try. The staff were very friendly and greeted me upon entry. They even had a dog walking around wanting pets, they are pet friendly so I gave her a little love. They have a great selection of sours and other beers in the coolers. They aren't the cheapest but they are bringing them in from other great local places so expect $8-9 a can if you want to the hit coolers. They have a great selection on tap as well so sit down and enjoy some great company and great drinks.

Such a cool place to hang out , even if your stopping by for a quick beer ! Every one is very…read morefriendly !! Next time I'm in town I will definitely come back

Girlfriend Saturday brunch at the Botanist. Emily our…read moreserver was so friendly & accommodating. She helped make this a brilliant lunch for us. If you go for brunch on Saturday definitely get there early as they fill up fast and don't take reservations. As the place fills up the noise does escalate. But it's a happy fun atmosphere. We all had the breakfast smash burgers which were juicy and delicious! We ordered a side of the Green Dukkah Fries, Yum Yum! I had the Lime & Lechee cocktail, my friends had sparkling wine & red wine. Everything was scrumptious! As always a fun place to go for fine cocktails & good grub!

Speakeasy vibe. An absolute must check out when spending time in Bako. Food is excellent,…read moreconsistent and reasonable pricing. Service attentive and waiters/waitresses pleasant and happy to serve. This is a go to spot for anyone traveling through Kern County.

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.

Tiki bar located in Downtown Bakersfield that kind of acts as two locations or spaces. There's the…read moremain bar at the corner and if you go outside and walk a bit down the sidewalk, there's 'The Sinking Ship' with a more heavy nautical and speakeasy vibe (where you enter and walk down some stairs and find a lush decor). I only had a drink upstairs at the original bar and I ordered my default go to when I visit new tiki bars and am unfamiliar with their menus and that was the painkiller. The service or person behind the bar was chill and super friendly. I came in on the earlier side of a Friday evening, so although people were trickling in, the place wasn't packed. Since I was only able to stay for a drink, I just wanted to walk down and check out 'The Sinking Ship' and was thoroughly impressed by the decor (well pretty much for both spaces). Definitely a place I'd love to grab drinks with friends or spend more time at.

The best Mole in Town!!!!! I told the server I had 30min for lunch when I called and asked if he…read morecan have the food ready for when my colleague and I arrived, he said "of course" and whe. We arrived the place was fresh and hot. This is by far one of the best mole sauce I have ever tasted, its authentic has that original chocolate spicy taste and and left me wanting more. I am looking forward to future dining.

The food is scratch made to order and is very tasty, the staff is friendly and welcoming…read more The only downside is a very long wait time for orders, I've been in a few times and it's always 15-20 min wait for a simple order for myself. Would definitely like this place to succeed as the food is yummy, but service times needs to improve.

Cute little hotel restaurant/sports bar that is located on the first floor of the Padre Hotel. The…read moreBrimstone Bar features a food menu of typical gastropub bites including pretzel bites, burgers, hot wings, calamari, etc. The server was huslin and bustlin since they were like one of two servers working the entire bar and I will always have respect for that. What I appreciated most was the ability to do laptops up at their community tables without any pushback. Very much appreciated! The woodsy decor was a nice touch and there's a few tvs to catch a game or two.

What a great place came here with some friends and my wife and had a great time on a Saturday…read moreafternoon. The food and the atmosphere was just perfect. The service is so friendly and nice. The food is fantastic. The tomato Barada salad the brimstone burger was great nice texture of crispiness from the fried jalapeños and the beef patties. Nice flavor and grill on it. I also had a brimstone old-fashioned cocktail and it was made perfect. I highly recommend this place for the downtown area. Great spot to have a nice bite to eat and join with some friends and family.

Excellent burgers and the fries are bomb, the wait staff very busy and still friendly and ready to…read moregive recommendations! Atmosphere is very nice

I was in Bakersfield, which is a rare occurrence, and I stopped by to eat at this place. I love a…read moregood barbecue, but I had low expectations for this one. I guess because it's a sports bar restaurant, and it's in Bakersfield. I got the shock of my life. It turned out, this was the best barbecue food I ever had. Not only that, but it's very affordable. I would say a bargain. I didn't have to spend 100+ dollars for 2 persons, like a lot of so called high quality barbecue restaurants. The briskets and ribs were amazing. Delicious, flavorful, and melts in your mouth. Sides were also delicious. The service was good too. You just go up and get your order. It took a little time, but the staff is helpful and friendly. I'll be back here again, the next time I'm in Bakersfield. Maybe I'll visit the Buck Owen's museum. Bakersfield is truly the Texas of California, although I've only been to El Paso, Texas.

My husband loves cigars. He's recently discovered the newly redone 17th Street Cigar Lounge. I've…read morebeen there a few times with him, and I've enjoyed it every time. The service is great. You can chat with everyone. It's like a local Cheers.

I've been to the cigar bar several times in the past and it was an ok place to have a cigar and a…read moredrink. This review is after I visited since new ownership. WOW, they really cleaned up the place. No more dilapidated furniture. New sound system, more drink selection, and a better variety of cigars. They updated the ventilation system and it's not overly smoky in there. Last time we were there they were still working on some of the renovations, but I can't wait to see it when everything is completed. We have gone a few times recently and had a great time. If you like a chill environment to have a cigar and some drinks, you gotta come and check out the cigar bar now. And remember, it's not just a place just for guys bring your ladies and have a good time.

Went thereafter Saturday for my friend bday party. The var was classy nice benches and barstools…read more The KJ was great the crowd cheered every one on and danced. The prices are good as well.

The female bartender was not only rude, but just trash. She yelled at us in front of all of the bar…read morebecause we didn't pull out our ID's quick enough for her. This was a regular place I'd visit. No mas. Not ever again. I won't spend a penny here again .