The Partisan is one of a few choices to be made when deciding where to go for an evening out. On most nights, when the bar itself is not packed beyond capacity, the service is very prompt and the atmosphere is like one of those dive bars where everyone already knows each other and its the same 5-8 people drinking together every night. There is seating in the front, a dance floor in the middle and another lounge type area in the back with a small coin-op pool table and beer pong tables. On nights where it IS crowded, wait times increase dramatically. Having one bartender probably doesn't help. The place gets crowded fast, as the alleyway for walking through is flanked by the bar itself and tables, so sometimes you'll have to wait for a few minutes just to get through to the bathroom. Pricing is what you'd expect from a bar, but as always be ready with extra cash in case that martini you ordered ends up being 12 bucks. The pitchers of beer, however, are where its at. 4 friends splitting a couple of pitchers is not going to cost you an arm or a leg here. Plus, they have daily drink specials (but, to be honest, I never take advantage of) that seems to be priced pretty well for the drinks they serve. That being said, it still is one of the premier spots to be in Merced apparently. Many a time have I been there when a friend turns 21. Also, it seems like a lot of UC kids come as well, as I find it hard to go there without running into a familiar face. All in all, this place is decent for a night out if you don't mind the "dive bar" experience. read more

For someone that has been here a lot it's hard to leave nostalgia of disapointing and great moments past at the door. Places change just like people so I'll give you my opinion of The Partisan as it is today. Friday & Sat. is "a-ight" with dancing in the front and a little less noise in the back. Crowd shows up after 11 and it gets all club-like. Okay if that's what you are looking for (and most are on weekend, i guess), but I think it's a much nicer bar during the week. Tuesday night is trivia night and this is usually the only time I make it to The Partisan. Fun peeps & nice decor, but the contemplative critical un-cool scene has dwindled and given rise to the ghetto cowboys countin' they money... read more

NO MORE WEDNESDAY KARAOKE. The karaoke DJ quit about a month ago..its now late June, and she still has not been replaced. If you are interested in things other than karaoke, this place is still pretty fun. However, I'm a karaoke lover, and Wednesday nights were the primary time I came out. Partisans please find another karaoke DJ... karaoke was the only legitimate excuse for me to get S#!t faced. read more

Best place in Merced to get a drink and not feel awkward with people grinding on you. If you need a place to chill, this is the place. Saturdays are the best with local live music; find out about new music! Drinks are priced right. They have daily specials and happy hours. Recently, they have pint night; try a new beer and get a free glass! read more

I love the partisan. well on weekdays that is. the nights they have a dj there is a different crowd. the girls in skimpy cloths that get drunk and dance all night. and the guys there hitting on them. no thanks. weekends are the only time they charge to get in. I do agree they charge too much sometimes. I will not pay to get into a bar in Merced. The only exception would be a saturday night at partisan when there are bands playing. sometimes its a little pricey, but the bands are touring they need to make money to continue. $15 is tooooo much tho for a band i've never heard of. i believe in supporting local bands, those nights should be $5 tops. touring bands $10, cause its never anyone big. there is always an interesting mix of people no matter what day you go. my boyfriend and i like to go out and have a couple drinks, just relax and talk. so we stick to monday tuesday or wednesday. When theres isn't alot of people, and sometimes when there is, we always make new friends. I wouldn't consider us regulars but we come pretty often. The bartenders have always been great to us. My boyfriend likes to ask a million questions about different beers... and they have a very good selection of unique brews. They don't seem annoyed with him yet! haha game night seems awesome! we havn't played but it looks fun. mondays are open mic night and sometimes its good, sometimes its a bunch of wannabe rappers. $1 pabst during happy hour and all day monday. how can you pass that up? some of the mixed drinks are a little pricey but no worse than any other bar. in regards to someones review stating real women don't drink beer... your wrong. REAL WOMEN DO DRINK BEER ALL NIGHT! =] Kareoke night is also enjoyable. you wont catch me singing but its fun to watch friends. there are some pretty talented singers sometimes. anyway i'm rambling.... just go and see for yourself =] read more

Not too bad of a place. It can use some work. Prices are not too bad, specials are solid. I just hate places where I cannot hear anyone talk while trying to enjoy a drink. Constant noise is what turns me off from wanting to go to the Partisan. read more

Been here quite a bit. Just being a bar and venue joint this place is great. After being in LA for a while, beers are much more affordable. Last few times some of the salty snacks we asked for were a little stale. Otherwise the pool and beer pong tables make up for it. When there's no live music, sometimes the DJ turns it up a little loud and it's hard to talk with friends, but i do like their live music venues when i have the chance =). read more

I've gone for the past few months primarily on Wednesdays for karaoke. The bartender Kandace is fabulous. My drink isn't typical and she makes it perfect everytime. The price is standard. Consistently great customer service and she's very fast and attentive. The atmosphere is loud and very energetic. The karaoke host is friendly. The dress is casual and the patrons are younger college aged kids primarily, sprinkled with a mid thirties crowd through forties. I frequent this bar for the great customer service, the entertainment and the casual atmosphere... and because it is next door to my job practically. I recommend the Partisan for a casual nightly get together. read more

Karaoke nights at the Partisan are soooo much fun! Candace makes amazing drinks and is always super friendly! Events are always fun as well. Music is great, people are great, drinks are amazing and overall going to the Partisan is fun fun Fun! read more

Always my fav the bartender cassie i think almost makes the place one of the other girls always gets ur drink wrong and then argues with u about it everytime with everyone and she acts like taking your order pains her physically somehow otherwise it is the go to spot on main great activities on weekdays great prices and i love open mic nights and all the li e bands read more

I've been to this place a couple of times. The last time I was here I noticed something that disgusted me. It was a bussy Friday night and I was ordering drinks, when I noticed the way they were washing their glassware; they were dipping them in a bath of water in the sink and placing them back on the counter, ready to serve drinks with them again... I dont care how bussy they are, they should take care in being clean. read more

Watered down drinks, dirty glasses and my friend found a small roach in his drink. Stay away from this place as the owner obviously doesn't care about the health and safety of the patrons. Nasty place. Wouldn't recommend. read more

Love ths place always hv a good time. The customer service is good and prompt. I love the feel of the bar and dance floor. I always look forward to the bands playing as well. read more

This place fails to pass muster. The varnish on the bar is nearly worn off, revealing a crusted and sticky petrified surface that is unsuitable for serving drinks on. The bar is too low. Forcing patrons to sit on chairs that are crotch eye level. Women never come to this bar, so expect an onslaught of sausage. The drinks are overpriced, exactly multiplied by two, whatever the going rate is they double it. A good example is the PBR, which is $2. They mark it up twice, what others are charging for it, the traditional dollar, so that they can offer it for a dollar during happy hour. Oh, thanks for being nice and offering us an on-sale drink, oh wait a minute they are a dollar everywhere in the U.S.? At any time? Yes!!! Avoid this bar. The music is horrible too. It's just a launchpad for the owner who claims to be a musician. read more

Pretty much the only bar worth going to in Merced. The owners are great, the bouncers aren't jackasses on a power trip, Kandice is the best bartender ever, and the music is always different and fun. It is such a dive, but that adds to the charm. The nights can vary, from karaoke to booty shaking to local bands.. which is all the more reason to check it out. The crowd is not your typical locals (who am i to talk, born and raised here) and it is very friendly. Any bar with open arms, a grey goose red bull, and some indie dance music is fantasmic. go there, or dont, i hate when its super crowded! read more

I like this small hole in the wall. It doesn't seem so obvious from the street that there is even a bar inside. Its a fun place to go and spend time with friends. Love eating the popcorn. read more

I moved to Merced about 3 months ago. Since then I've made it a habit to hit the Partisan whenever possible. My friends heavily recommended the partisan as a chill place to hang out and I gotta agree. The beer selections not bad and the service is great. I also like how they make sure to keep something happening everyday, especially with the live bands. read more

Great locally owned bar to have some drinks! Nice place for bands and live entertainment. No food

The Partisan's a great bar. Super comfy, with Indie bands on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Karaoke on Wednesdays, and Open Mike on Mondays. Man, this is one swell bar. read more

i guess i have to give it a five... really, it's a great bar, though. no douche bags, many, many beers. be sure to let your bartender know you actually want a drink if he gives you a shot. oh, and there's beer-pong. yay! read more

This place was actually not bad I wasn't sure what to expect but it was definitely a great place to sit back and enjoy a drink. I have lived in Merced my whole life and I never managed to get a chance to go into the Partisan. Ran into a few old friends that I hadn't seen in forever which was nice catching up. I do recommend this place, it's the type of place you know what to expect, and they have allot of things going on for different crowds during the week. read more

I love going to see the live music and events they have but also a great place to just go grab a drink and chill. Trivia night on Tuesday is way fun! I always have a good time here :) read more

Merced is hardly New Orleans, even on Saturdays. Like NOLA, people gather where the fun is. Merced's fun for the locals. That's what counts. Anyone been to the "historic" Iron Door up in Groveland, that's a much better comparison. There are lots of old hipsters in town, most aren't concerned about image or they would not live in Merced, they would be yuppies instead. Welcome to the Hotel California. I don't go there for the music, I go there for the friendship and the generally excellent bartenders, excelling in bonhomie if not knowledge of mix-ology. Take it or leave it if you are an alien. There are no better bars in town. I remember when it was Rudy's, and before that when it was the Trail's End. Rudy had good music. The crowd was older, then. Tonight the Crystal Syphon returns in all their fossilized glory and I wish that I could be there to celebrate the release of their psychedelic music after 46 years out of the lime light. Brave Old World. I R A Partisan! Mouse Bermingham. read more