Willowbrook Ale House

There's so much rude and mean women here especially the bar tender here seems not to care about me…read moreshe just mocks my t shirt and stuff if I can't find a bar or a place to fit in then I'm moving f this bar

The service and vibe/atmosphere for sure I also enjoyed the…read moreavailability of their pool tables, along with their whiskey selection without a doubt :)

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The Hide-Away

2.7(99 reviews)

2.2 mi

Not a review for the place just for patrons to be respectful…read more Just fyi to those who are making a song request......Please do NOT ask more than once. This place is request friendly but If the dj has the song/video, then maybe he will play it maybe not. Do no agitate the dj and say he his rude. He has a set he needs to play based on bpms. One patron kept insisting on a song and wouldn't stop. He wasn't drunk. Just a spoiled kid. He even had his friend ask twice. So please be mindful to not make the dj mad.

What an awful experience. I like giving 5 star reviews because recognizing good people is…read moreunderrated these days, but this one doesn't deserve one. I'm not a local. Shouldn't matter. Definitely not a welcoming place ONLY because of the staff. People there were very cool to me and my friend, but as a female, the female staff were the absolute rudest possible. What an awful attitude and experience. Wow. I even had the real "pleasure" to talk to a couple girls that were there but off that night (employed there, sadly). Their pretentious attitudes wouldn't make it anywhere with any class... but apparently they get away with discrimination just fine. Outright discrimination and bullying. I won't describe here why, but ladies... if people there talk to you... they won't like you, because you take from their tips?! Apparently. The female bartenders I met are horrendous bullies. They seem like they never got out of high school. I literally cried there. Yea, not cool as a grown woman. Shame on them. So my kind message to them... if you want better for your lives and are THAT miserable to treat a human being or any life that way, DO better. Just do better for yourselves, and for the sake of others.

Always vodka soda

The djs needed

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Twin Oaks Roadhouse

4.1(226 reviews)

2.0 mi

Our event (50 people) went off without a hitch and everyone had a great time! The back patio area…read morewas comfortable for entertaining and was nicely laid out. Thanks to Amanda, Melissa and team for their planning and guidance, they made it so easy! The food (a selection of appetizers) and service were top notch, and we would not hesitate to rebook again...

This is place is a hidden treasure. The outside seating area is so peaceful and open. My friend and…read morei came across this place as we were driving by and saw all of these old-style vintage cars. We picked a perfect night out because they had live music going, and the vibes were fun. We planned to get a few drinks but stayed for some food and music! The fish and chips we got, were the best fish and chips i have ever had. The tartar sauce that came with it had some sort of spice that i couldn't figure out but it made it taste so good! We also ordered the buffalo wings which were crispy, and tasty and delicious! I would definitely be back to try some more things off the menu but also because the environment was a lot of fun. *The bartenders were super sweet btw!

Bar seating

Three taquitos sold as three tacos

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Tequila Pineapple & Vodka Cranberry

The Aquarium

4.0(29 reviews)

1.5 mi

Was very surprised at how neat and clean the space is. Better bar food than expected too…read more Attentive and courteous service put The Aquarium over the top. Dropped in on a Thursday evening, not too busy and pretty sweet pool tables.

Locally known as the "Fish Tank", the Aquarium is a Petaluma staple. The location is strange but…read morewalk inside and you are welcomed by lots of regulars and sports memorabilia. Large bar and table seating, multiple TVs, and cheap drinks...what more can you ask for? Oh, food? Hands down best bar food in town. My favorites are the Cobb salad, wings, or patty melt. They also have daily specials that change monthly.

Chilli size with mac salad. It was awesome!!!

Irish beef stew! Wow so amazing, the only way it could have been better is if it was raining. :)

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Steak sandwich

Gale's Central Club

4.2(40 reviews)

2.2 mi

We attended the NASCAR race in Sonoma over the weekend which was really fun…read more We decided to go up to Petaluma and went to Gale's Central Club and enjoyed really good food and outstanding drinks at a reasonable price. The bartenders not sure if they were the owners were incredibly nice and welcoming. Just like out of an episode from Cheers "Where everybody knows your name" at least it felt like that for a first time visitor! Great place!

We had friends visiting from out of state and we always find a dive bar to enjoy…read more I have been to downtown Petaluma, and in the general area a million times and I've never even seen Gale's. Julie the most fabulous, engaging and hilarious bartender, kept us entertained. There's a couple pool tables and modern juke box, the expected regulars and eclectic decor. PBR on tap, which the menfolk really liked. Always Tito's and soda for my friend and I. We spent way more time in there than we planned it was a great all around experience. Cheers to Julie!

The interior bar area.

Schlitz!

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Vitamin R!

Spancky's

3.7(56 reviews)

5.0 mi

Spancky's! Keeping the Music live for as long as I can remember! Thank you I'll see you soon!read more

solid dive bar. surprisingly fun drinks for a dive bar. part of the cotati crawl. a staple in…read morecotati. had a fire shirley temple here. the bartenders were attentive and able to provide a glass of water for the flowers that were brought for a friends engagement. also super nice they let us bring in outside food.

Janet with the B day girl

My buddy , Lee

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My buds. Love you Aaron and Eric

Mario & John's

4.6(122 reviews)

2.3 mi

Fantastic bar...excellent mixologists making phenomenal drinks, including my fav, a white Negroniread more

Fantastic bar with a top tier whiskey collection.. Calvin gave us some great selections.. A great…read morelocal spot and we'll be back for sure!!

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The Big Easy

4.1(65 reviews)

2.2 mi

Mostly come for the Wednesday night Big Band show and I love it!…read more Often enough empty seats to find a table with a great view of the stage. Performance is always enjoyable and they have great cocktails to pair with the evenings mood. Food comes from next door and has yet to disappoint. Particularly like the pretzel and potatoes. This go I had a burger with some not too greasy fries. Bathrooms are clean, service is friendly. I love patronizing places that support local music and I'll continue to be a semi regular!

Came by on a Saturday night, and there was a $10 cover. Live music taking place in the venue, the…read moreopening band at 8pm, then the headliner, Grapefruit Moon, starting a little over an hour after the listed showtime. The music was good, the bands seemed to be having a good time putting on a performance for the crowd. The sound was terrible though, the sound guy needs help or ought to pay attention to his job (even the musicians on stage were like hey roger please fix the sound... lol). Also, cheap brand of speakers, and lighting was bad too. I do like the layout of the place though, bar in the back, stage in the front, booth seating along the walls on both sides, tables in the middle, a bit of space near the stage to be used as a dance floor. A lovely atmosphere altogether. Drinks were pretty good too, the voodoo mojo and emotional vampire had a decent amount of alcohol and flavor.

Live music/stage

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View of stage from bar

Washoe House

3.5(355 reviews)

5.4 mi

Great drinks-friendly bar-haven't eaten there yet!-Someone mentioned its not safe for single women…read moreat night??? Don't know that but I travel with friends!

Four of us went to Washoe House for lunch, to celebrate my birthday. We waited a very long time for…read moreour cocktails after ordering them , surprising because it wasn't busy. Food was the same way... My friends all enjoyed their meals. I, however, was extremely disappointed in my lamb burger. It was "smashed" flat, dry and had no flavor because all of the fat was pressed out of it. I've had it before and it was a delicious and juicy thick Patty cooked medium. Unfortunately, the server proceeded to argue wit me, saying it's always been flat and cooked well. Needless to say I would not have ordered it again yesterday if that was true! Service was terrible until the shift change, then it was amazing! The cocktails were great! I'll have to think long and hard before going back.

Eggs Benedict.

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Eggs, sausage and French toast.

The Grove

4.7(89 reviews)

2.5 mi

Everything was perfect! This place is a gem!…read more The burger was one of the best fancy burgers I've had in a long time. It looked like they ground their meat in house, but I forgot to ask so don't quote me on that. It was cooked a PERFECT medium rare topped with bacon, Cambazola, fig jam and frisse, served on a soft yet sturdy brioche style bun. The shoestring fries were like crack, super addictive, I couldn't stop! The wife had the steak frites, and it might be our new favorite restaurant for that dish. Steak was cooked ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY!! Fries were out of control good. No notes! Nice craft cocktail menu, short but well curated wines by the glass list, and the bartender had a heavy hand with those pours. Had a few oysters on the half shell as an appetizer, and we split the fried green tomatoes too. Those were topped with fresh shaved corn and a cilantro cream.l.with a few cherry tomatoes for color. So good. The atmosphere is old school speak easy vibe. Classy but casual. It's a small restaurant and the bar is front and center but they have a few tables outside for when the weather is nice. Our server was Sam, and she was the greatest. Hat's off to you for your service, Sam!

Amazing friendly service, tasty food and cocktails, and gorgeous classy decor. We look forward to…read moregoing back. We had corn, burrata, and a couple of cocktails. The whole time we sat at the bar and chatted. It was a delightful night.

Most tables were reserved when we walked in at 4pm on Thursday

My friend raved about the steak skewers from their Happy Hour menu

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Most table we reserved when we walked In at 4pm on Thursday

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Jim C.

8 years ago

Loved the Willow brook. I went there in the wild 80's and 90's. The owner then was a very wild lady who loved to drink, fight and get loud. She loved to beat me at arm wrestling, pick me up and carry me around the bar! She had several of her pretty girl friends do the same, just about every time I went in the joint. It was a fun place and I usually got wasted. Moved back East regrettably and I miss the old joint. Wonder if I ever do go back one of the ladies will be there to hoist me on their shoulder and carry me around the joint, or wipe me at arm wrestling again?!? read more

Kathy J.

9 years ago

HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stinky bathrooms, dirty glasses, uncooked food.

Natalye R.

Elite 26

394

1223

288

15 years ago

If there was a karaoke bar in the movie Deliverance...

Willowbrook Ale House - karaoke - Updated October 2026

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We went to see a fantastic band playing last Friday. We've been to hear other bands at Penngrove…read morepub before and really enjoyed our experience. I don't know what was going on with the bartender, but she must have had a really bad day. She was rude and obnoxious, drinking while working, being boisterous and loudly telling a guy, "Don't F*CK WITH ME!" She refused to serve any other man at the bar. My husband stood there for over 20 minutes to get our drink while she walked past him, even when he moved to other spots. We had just gotten there for the show, and she was busy, but it was apparent she was not happy with men. She served women and called them sweetie, repeatedly. I don't make these assumptions lightly, it was blatantly obvious! We only ordered one round of drinks in 4 hours, because it proved too difficult and unpleasant. Despite the poor service and her rude behavior, we had a great time watching one of our favorite local bands.

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It was a beautiful evening on the Petaluma River. We got a nice table on the far side of the…read morerestaurant. It was isolated and quiet which I liked. I started with the Westmalle (Belgian) Tripel beer. It was the best part of my meal. I ordered the Sasquash burger which is a burger with bacon and a squash ring. Our server recommended it. It was okay (3 stars). I'm not sure that a thick piece of squash on a burger really works. One of my dining partners ordered the fish and chips (3 stars). She said it was okay. Her favorite fish and chips is at Finnegan's in Novato. My daughter ordered the caesar wrap. I tried it. It was the best meal on the table (4.5 stars). Our server was very good (5 stars). I wish this place was better. I might come back again. I like the selection of beers. I would be willing to give it another try.

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Had a great experience here when I visited. I sat outside with my wife and, while we enjoyed the…read morefood, the service is what will keep us coming back. The team there were personable, attentive and genuinely cared about giving their guests a great experience. We enjoyed the Caesar salad and calamari for apps, the teres major steak and fried chicken for dinner and then the lemon cheesecakes and peanut butter chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Our child is still just a baby but this restaurant is kid friendly but is still a good venue for couples looking for a date night. The only complaint I would have would be the people smoking outside of The Big Easy next door.

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