The Smart Axe Modesto

We hadn't visited this Cool Pub in awhile . We decided it was about time . We came in around 2pm on…read morea Thursday. Not busy . Steph the bartender was very attentive and took our drink order right away . Hubby ordered a 805 on tap I ordered a Crisp Apple Cider . We Love setting in this establishment- it feels like you are in a pub in the UK ! We ordered the Welsh Rarebit - Wonderful layered flavors . It's one of our favorites. Hubby ordered the Shepherds Pie, one of his favs . I was trying to be good - so I ordered a Salad . It was chicken salad it was pretty good :) lots of Bacon and Chicken ! Always a great time !

We had not been here in many years and decided to come here to watch a World Cup game. Good…read moreservice but food was average, i remember it being much better. The game was in English so at half time we went home to "properly" listen to the game in Español. Cool ambiance and plenty of TVS to watch your favorite sport but again food was standard bar, seemed like frozen then fried but great assortment of tap beer and spirits. Food 3 Service 3.5 Ambiance 4

Fried Pickle appetizer (so delicious!)

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Wyder's Berry Cider

The Fox Pub

3.0(373 reviews)

4.1 mi

Every now and then, I will pay a visit to a local no-frills dive bar. This takes me to the Central…read moreValley city of Modesto where my lady and I had the opportunity to check out "The Fox Pub". Located in the heart of downtown Modesto (and conveniently located across the street from the Gallo Center) at the corner of 11th & I St's, this place is a British-inspired pub complete with 16 (rotating) beers on tap complete with a wide variety of comfort classics. This includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Must of the food is your standard American fare but they do have a small variety of British food (fish 'n' chips, cottage pie, etc,). During our visit which was the evening of Saturday 8/22/2026 at around 6:30pm, we parked directly in front of the pub. Best of all, street parking was free which makes these smaller cities convenient when venturing out to new and exciting businesses. Once inside, the vibe was lively as I was quite impressed with the overall layout. Best of all, this pub has two floors; very ideal when it is packed during weekend nights. The main floor has the general bar area complete with barstools and tables while the 2nd floor has cozy booths. I ordered an "805" while my lady went with a "Corona". Both beers were chilled to perfection while our bartender took care of us as soon as we stepped up to the bar. I will say that it was loud as the jukebox was playing an assortment of 80's music; my kind of vibe. However, we decided to sit upstairs as we enjoyed people-watching everyone having a good time from above. Keep in mind that they don't open until 5pm but do stay open until close to 2am on Friday/Saturday nights; or at least until last call is announced. All in all, "The Fox Pub" ain't fancy by no means; but that only adds to the charm of this dive bar in the heart of Modesto. My rating, an above average four stars.

Cave-like and casual…read more The Fox Pub is conveniently located Downtown next to the Gallo Center. I came by with a few friends on a Saturday evening and was surprised that it was not as busy as I have seen it before. When I have walked by before, I noticed it was extremely busy, with a line to get in and many people hanging out on the patio. This night, it was nearly empty when we arrived. We were able to walk right up to the bar and quickly receive our drinks with no wait at all. Everyone in my group ordered a green tea shot. I was a little disappointed that we received the drinks in a tiny plastic cup. I understand that they're shots and meant to be drunk quickly, but I'd much prefer to be served an actual glass. The drink itself was good. I appreciate the quick service. I also appreciate how they had a large self-serve water station accessible next to the bar. The interior of the Fox Pub is quite cave-like. It is super dark and pretty quiet. It is definitely a chill atmosphere though. I liked that there were a number of options of where you could hang out there. You could hang out on the outside patio, by the bar, and upstairs. Upstairs there were many booths where you could have a chat and chill night. There is a balcony that overlooks the bar which makes for great people watching. I definitely want to explore this spot more in-depth on a busier night!

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Enjoying a cold beer at their upstairs booth

The Partisan

3.9(63 reviews)

36.1 mi

What's not to like about this place. Energetic music. Hard working bartenders. A total vibe.read more

I always have a nice time every time I go! live drag shows are the best. drinks are great and…read moreeveryone gets along and have a grand old time

Main bar on a Friday night

Cocktail specials

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The Taproom Pub and Grub

3.5(251 reviews)

1.2 mi

Having been here once before and really enjoying their Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, I decided to…read moreventure back and try their Hangover Burger. Oh boy was I in for a delicious treat!! I don't know about you but I like my burgers juicy with lots of flavors! I savored every bite of this burger. The regular fries were tasty with good seasoning. I also had a mango lemonade to drink. I left very happy.

Stopped in about 1:30pm midweek for lunch. I had never been here, but found it online when…read moresearching for craft beer locations in the NE Modesto area. Inside room is ok, a bit cold feeling with concrete counters, floors, etc. There were several groups at the bar, 3-4 guys on one end, 2 guys at the other, so I sat in the middle. The first red flag was the female bartender, who was dressed in sweats and a ball cap, like she had just rolled out of bed. Very unprofessional, even for a beer/pub. She seemed disinterested in serving me and was more concerned about talking with the 4 guys. Then another guy & girl joined that group. They all knew one another, obviously regulars. The beer list was decent and well-balanced. 4 IPAs, a couple of Pils/Lager and Stout/Porters, Hazy IPAs, Cider/Selzer, and 4 grocery store beers: Coors Light, Modelo, Bud Light, and ? IPAs were from Henhouse, Drakes, Dust Bowl, and ? Large food menu for such a small place. From the bar, you can easily watch the cook on the flattop. After reading the list of sandwiches, I figured the turkey/ham/etc. was the Sysco-type, inexpensive kind, so I opted for a cheeseburger. Burger & fries arrived on a metal sheet pan. The burger looked good, and the fries looked a bit undercooked (not golden brown). Bun was toasted on the flattop and had a bit of mayo, no mustard, ketchup, etc. Fries came with a small 1oz thimble of ranch. As I suspected, the fries were undercooked. I cut the burger in half, and the center was undercooked. Then I noticed the burger patty was actually two thin patties pressed together. WTF? First bite was a warning- the meat had no seasoning and tasted like cardboard. Thankfully, I got a second beer and washed down the burger. Only ate half of the burger. I'm guessing they sell a lot of booze, because there is no way people are going for the food. I wouldn't be surprised if this place is closed by the end of 2026.

The Hangover Burger with regular fries

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17th Street Public House

4.4(102 reviews)

36.2 mi

We visited this gem on our first visit to Merced. We were in the mood for some great beer and pizza…read moreand our amazing bar keep helped us with great recommendations! We ordered beer and walked down the street to order our pizza and bring it back. It was great to hang out and take our time while waiting for our son's next water polo game. They do a great job of keeping this place super clean. The vibe is very casual/college town - which fits since this the college is nearby! I would recommend this great place to anyone looking to stop in for a good drink and friendly barkeeper!

My favorite place to go for a cold beer. They have beer from all over on draft and in cans. If…read moreyou're a beer connoisseur and in the area stop by. Vibes are chill and they even have Pliny on draft. Oh yeah they have wine too and seltzers--and miller for you light drinkers

Artwork and seating along the wall during the day

Pliny the Elder

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108 Sports Lounge

3.7(71 reviews)

4.2 mi

First time in and I'll say this right away--this place lets you settle in…read more It's a country bar at its core, but not in a way that boxes you in. Pool tables, darts, TVs on, people hanging out... it feels like a spot that's been doing its thing for a while. About 50 people in the room when I was there, and it sat in that perfect middle--alive, but not chaotic. What stood out to me was the flow of the night. KJs Angie and Scotty ("The 2 Hotties") run a smooth rotation. No weird gaps, no rushing people, no favoritism vibes--just steady, fair, and easy to work with. That matters more than people think. It keeps the whole room relaxed, and you can feel it. Amy behind the bar was on it all night. Friendly, quick, and consistent even when things picked up. Drinks came out right, no attitude, just good energy. That kind of presence anchors a place. From a singer's standpoint, this is a good room: * Sound is workable * Crowd is open * You've got space to actually perform, not fight for attention It's not a "look at me" kind of bar--it's a "be yourself and let it land" kind of place. I came in new, no expectations, and left feeling like I could come back and build something here. That's always a good sign. I'll be back.

A great place to go on comedy night. Roman from 105.5, The River is the producer and provides a…read moregreat line up. I have attended many shows there and have not been disappointed.

Lounge

Bar

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Sierra House Pub & Eatery

4.9(19 reviews)

51.2 mi

We enjoyed a nice lunch on the patio. Server was very friendly. My husband liked his Beyond burger,…read moremy chicken bacon ranch wrap was good too. Served with fresh hot French fries. Highly recommend this place for a fresh, quick meal

Are you kidding me! This place is fire! Best Burger I've had in awhile. Absolutely cannot say…read moreenough about this place 5++++++

Bar

Beyond vegan burger

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Ruben and Potato Salad

Ann’s Fish & Chip’s

4.7(141 reviews)

6.8 mi

Best fish and chips around Great service. friendly…read moreworkers. Clean new good trailer.

The wife and I were in the neighborhood and she brought up Ann's Fish & Chips. I was definitely…read moredown. We ordered the #1, two fish and chips. We did substitute the chips for onion rings. I am not mad not mad at that decision. The fish were what seemed like two whole filets with a beer batter that would knock your Sox off. Tender fish with a crispy batter. The batter on the onion rings was thick and crispy. SO GOOD!! The service was good super nice. You walk up to the counter and order. And I'm really not a fan of this for the fact, I tip small here. Thats just me. I want to give bigger but you didn't do anything yet. Give me some good customer service and I will give you a ble$$ing. Ambiance was ok. Nothing fancy but your coming here I think, for the hang, beer and food. Definitely check out this place. The food and beer were on point!! SO GOOD!!

Inside

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First Street Alehouse

4.0(2.4k reviews)

45.4 mi

I recently visited First Street Ale House and was thoroughly impressed! The atmosphere is casual…read moreand inviting, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed night out. Their selection of craft beers is extensive--there's something for everyone, from fruity IPAs to rich stouts. I ordered their burger, and it did not disappoint! Juicy and flavorful, paired with crispy fries. The service was attentive and friendly, which added to the overall experience. One minor downside was the noise level during peak hours, but it's to be expected in a lively pub. Overall, First Street Ale House is a must-visit for anyone in the area. Great drinks, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere--what more could you ask for?

It saddens me to have to leave a bad review, since I frequent this place quite often... but the…read morequality of their to-go orders has gotten so bad. In-house we haven't had much issue, but I don't know what's going on with door dash/delivery orders. Almost every time, there's an issue. My littles absolutely love the mini corn dogs, and even though the listing says "with fries" they've suddenly stopped delivering with fries for the past few months ( and don't allow customer notes.) It's also a 50/50 chance the mini corn dogs will be dark and hard... I have a sensitive stomach with dietary restrictions, so I find great comfort that I can get the seared ahi tuna tacos while my husband enjoys a hamburger... but the last few orders have been so wrong. Once I was missing avocado, next I was missing the sauce, and this time my tuna was completely raw, not seared with hard jasmine rice and very tiny avocado slices. I always put input in to DoorDash, but I don't think it's getting to the restaurant... and it's reached a point where I feel like I have to leave this review and maybe find a new go to for quick family dinners. I enjoy visiting, the staff is always so kind and the kids like the back patio. Perfect vibe for a laid back dinner.. but why are the to-go orders so terrible suddenly? Absolutely heartbreaking.

Inside

Bavarian Pretzel

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Seared Ahi Tacos with Jasmine rice

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Coral L.

0

3

0

9 months ago

"Exceptional" doesn't begin to describe Brittany. From the moment she engages with clients and candidates, she sets a standard of excellence that elevates Smart Axe as a whole. Her professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to service consistently exceed expectations. Brittany operates with rare initiative and accountability--anticipating needs before they arise and solving problems with calm confidence and precision. Brittany is not only reliable, but genuinely invested in outcomes, relationships, and the Smart Axe mission. Clients trust her implicitly, candidates feel supported and respected, and colleagues rely on her as a cornerstone of the team. What truly sets Brittany apart is her ability to combine efficiency with empathy. She executes at a high level while maintaining warmth, authenticity, and grace under pressure. Her work ethic is unmatched, hwr communication is clear and proactive, and her impact is measurable and lasting. Smart Axe is stronger, more credible, and more successful because of Brittany. She is the definition of a top-tier professional and an invaluable asset to this organization. If every employee operated at this level, Smart Axe would be unstoppable. read more

Genesis G.

0

1

0

10 months ago

We loved Smart Axe! The overall vibe is friendly, fun, and made us want to come back! Mady was soo helpful and made sure we had a good time. She was the absolute best! read more

Chris L.

0

5

0

4 years ago

Had fun with the family! Definitely recommend! Great drinks, atmosphere on point! Can't wait for my next visit!

Daria L.

0

1

0

1 year ago

The employees were super nice, kept joking around with our group and they even paid for my soda

The Smart Axe Modesto - pubs - Updated September 2026

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