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Best Black Wednesday Bars In Sacramento

When it comes to surviving the holidays, where you end up depends on where you start. The constant stress and pressure we subject ourselves to can certainly take a toll. "Black Wednesday" lends us the opportunity to chill out before facing the challenges of the faster-than-the-speed-of-light weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When life gives you lemons, make pie.

(credit: davisgrad.com)
(credit: davisgrad.com)

The Davis Graduate
805 Russell Blvd.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 758-4723
www.davisgrad.com

The old adage "you can't please all the people all of the time" seems to lose some meaning when you enter the welcoming atmosphere of this bar/restaurant/club/watering hole. "The Grad" (as locals call it) offers a wide variety of entertainment including theme nights, live music and sporting events. With so many activities to choose from, each time you visit The Grad can feel like the first time. Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Whether you're a beer buff tasting some of the 60 beers on tap, or a cocktail connoisseur taking advantage of the great drink specials, you're sure to find what you're looking for.

(credit: River City Saloon)
(credit: River City Saloon)

River City Saloon
916 2nd St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-6852
www.therivercitysaloon.com

Walking into River City Saloon, you can almost feel the history of the old west. The original wooden building that was first built here was replaced with brick in 1857. Since then, this location was home to a brothel and Parker French's Saloon (which stayed in business for many decades, even through prohibition and WWII). In 2007, after decades of vacancy and a fantastic remodel, this Old Sac landmark gave birth to River City Saloon. The saloon regularly participates in pub crawls and Old Sacramento tours. On Wednesday nights, it offers what is dubbed as a "PB&J," a Pabst Blue Ribbon and shot of Jameson for $6.

Related: Best Bars For Black Wednesday In Sacramento

Bombay Bar And Grill
1315 21st St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-7100
www.bombaybarandgrillsacramento.com

A group discussion about where to start the night doesn't usually include the suggestion of an upscale Indian restaurant. Considering what Bombay brings to the table, this gem in midtown could definitely change that. With an amazing happy hour (2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday) including dishes like barbecue chicken wings, fritters (called Pakora) and basil chicken, Bombay's modern take on Indian cuisine combines familiar elements with new tastes. It is a great place to experience something different and contemporary on the eve of a holiday based on traditional American fare. This spot put the "bomb" in Bombay. With $7 specialty cocktails and martinis, $1.50 draft beers and $3 wines during happy hour, you may become a regular.

barwest

BARWEST
2724 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 476-4550
www.mybarwest.com

On Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can enjoy a myriad of specials at BARWEST. For starters, well drinks are only $4 and $15 will get you 10 wings and a pitcher of either Bud Light or Coors. Also available are $2. french fries, $2.25 sweet potato fries, tater tots, buffalo fries, onion rings and fried pickles. BARWEST is conveniently located next to several other popular eateries and watering holes such as Centro and The Red Rabbit on one of the busiest streets in Sacramento for diners and party goers.

Related: Best Bars For Foodies In Sacramento

As a hospitality professional Andy Soto has worked every facet of the industry. He currently leads the team at Spectrum Restaurant Consulting. He started writing a hospitality blog in 2009 and restaurant writing for Sacramento Press in 2010. In 2011 Andy became a Sacramento Restaurant Examiner for Examiner.com. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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