Riley’s Tavern

Riley’s got a face-​lift! Yes, it’s still a dive bar, but now with a little flair.
New owners have made this downtown establishment much better than previous experiences. Walls are freshly painted and there’s plenty of seating and tables in the side room.
The bar remains on the small side with the bartenders a bit overworked. But they’re still friendly and offer up some great service, when you can get it.
Two pool tables and shuffle board add to the fun, but are crowded and impossible to use on busy nights.
Only two bathroom stalls for the ladies, but they were fairly clean and well stocked.
Parking downtown can be tricky. The new structure offers DT-​goers some safe parking, but after 2 hours you do have to pay.
Hopefully, more downtown establishments will start cleaning up their act too!

This place gets better and better every year! If im going out on the town you can bet im going to Rileys!

This is one of the darkest, dirtiest hole in the wall bars I have ever seen in America. Been in better taverns in third world countries. The one and only female bartender servicing the whole establishment was rude and arrogant. They had no beer on tap the night I was there. If your a classy person don’t go to Riley’s. If you don’t care and just want to pick up sleazy women go ahead.

Cozy dive. Pool & Foosball. The bartenders are fast and attentive. Good prices.

One rad dive bar. Probably one of the only cool things in Bakersfield. Haha. Interesting mix of people and by that I mean I was judging everyone as I sipped my Vodka Tonics. The bartenders are friendly and quick. Shaina in particular is the best. She was making the best shots for me and my friends and was funny as hell. And probably the most important tidbit of info is that they have a Galaga game by the pool tables. I actually doubled by high score drunk off my ass. Good times. (Beyonce hair flip)

If you are looking for a great place to have fun and listen to music Riley’s is your place! The drinks are cheap but well crafted and the bartenders are the best. Seek out Shaina because she makes the best Cactus Cooler shots and is so sweet. Did I mention she’s hot and has amazing taste in music? The songs she plays set the mood for an amazing night of fun! Shaina is the best!

During my rendezvous in Bakersfield, I decided to see where the happening nightlife would be. I was directed to Downtown Bakersfield which is a section filled with restaurants and cool little bars. This one place in particular caught my eye.
Riley’s Tavern is a hole in the wall divey joint that I just happened to come across during one cold evening. I came on a Thursday night and I walked right into karaōke night! Nice! There is no cover charge and drinks are cheaply priced. I’m strictly a beer drinker so I know that will run for cheap! For a Boddington’s Pub Ale and a Sex on the Beach (which they made with such sweet perfection by the way) it ran me for about $ 10. Not bad considering anywhere else I would have paid twice that! They do have a dj spinning Top 40 hits, hip hop, etc. They also do have a big area on the side that should have a fully stocked bar. Instead they have a few tables with seats along with two billiards tables. This is a happening place to be in the late evening if you are nearby the area.
The bartenders were very friendly and service was prompt. If I am ever in the area again, I would definitely drop by again for some swill! Vibrant ambience all around and a great place to be. Just be careful to not drink too much and then drive afterwards. Bakersfield PD drive around very rampantly!

My friends and I go on Thursdays. Howie and Colin are hot as hell. The drinks are perfect. We always have a good time. We won’t go anywhere else for girls night out.
Susan
Bakersfield, CA

An incredible bar. The bartenders are absolutely lovely. Shaina, Lou, Colin, Robert, and Ryan, are fantastic, sexy as hell, and equipped with witty humor. You’ll find this bar to be a pure treat. Did I mention Shaina is hot as fuck !

If you like fun and astronauts this isn’t the place for you because they have no astronauts. They do however have hot bartenders like Shaina. Mmmm. MMMMM. MmMmmmmmMmMMMMMMMMmmmm.
Also they have karate nights to assist you in mastering skills in the art of Kung Fu, how can you beat that?! They also give you the opportunity to pre-​order alcohol since they have none. In addition, every 150 shots you take, they donate $ 1 to the animal shelter. This bar is a must– experience!!!

Colin, the bartender, was amazed balls. Great drinks and awesome personality. I cannot recommend a better place to relax and enjoy great service

This is a great local bar. Awesome bartenders (Shaina is sweet) and even the bouncers are cool. I’ve yet to smell a single popcorn fart in this establishment. Did I mention Shaina is awesome?

With the new owners came great changes. The urine smell, gone! The crowd, much better. They’ve got some great bartenders and great prices. It’s an establishment worth checking out now.

ok priced beer looking for a bar with ac and good mix of music this place is ok by me but then again it was a slow night so im unsure of the crowd

Absolute garbage. If you feel like hanging around a bunch of gang bangers and thugs. This is the place for you. Just in the last year there have been more fights, shootings, stabbings, and police activity than I have seen in Los Angeles or San Francisco combined. The DJs need to learn how to do their job and play music accordingly. Been there maybe 3 times and will never step foot into that place again until they make major changes. If it wasn’t for them, there would not be a brigade of cops camping out in the front. Pitiful.

Gangster hangout. They don’t pat down anyone when they come in. And being around that many gangsters that haven’t been checked makes me feel uncomfortable.

This is a great place to go when you want to listen to good music and have some great tasting drinks at crazy low prices. You can go in and shoot pool or watch games. They have karaōke on Tuesdays and that’s always fun. The bartenders are really friendly and make awesome drinks. There are two dance floors and two bars which is great since you don’t have to wait long for a drink. The dress code is casual so it’s a great place to go when you don’t feel like getting all dolled up. They’re open everyday and even have happy hour specials during the week. It’s always a good time at this place.

Nice little place for a few drinks after work and the clientele ranges from young to… well, me. Always music, laughs, fun and friends with friendly bartenders. Not bad at all!

Great bar to just grab a beer or drink and chill with the bartenders. Weekends can get busy. It’s got a crazy strict front door guy, but just make sure you have your fake or real Id ready. Free food sometimes during the week. Overall, great place!!!

So don’t go to Riley’s looking for nice décor and great service. Go to Riley’s for strong drinks and to get f-​ed up and do crazy ‘ish. There is a bar in the back where there is usually fewer people than the rest of the place. Here there is often 2 female and one male bartender who pour strong and charge cheap. I reccommend that you get some of the limited bar real estate that way you can meet every one that comes to get a drink. Have a good attitude and be open and willing to have a good time with every type of person and you will have a good time here.

Although I spent many a weekend nights at this Riley’s a few years back — it won by default. The drinks are OK, the music is old, and service is not that great, but worst of all it still smells like vomit right when you walk in. Try not to go unless you have to.