The Pines Bar

Drinks were just ok but other patrons were loud and foul at 4pm. Can’t imagine atmosphere later.

This bar is my retreat. Whether I want to watch ice hockey, or just sit and think, The Pines has felt like home for several years now. I never have to think about what I’m wearing or if I have makeup on. It is DEFINITELY a come as you are kinda place. No fancy bells or whistles, just good drinks, several beers on tap– from local breweries to the light ‘American classics’ (which I do not prefer.) Plus, every time I go there, I’m treated with respect and kindness. The bartenders know their local customers and it truly is home away from home. So whether your a tourist or local, quiet solo drinker, or party enthusiast (Thurs is Contiki night– try it on for size,) this place is a mountain gem. (The only reason I didn’t give them a 5 is sometimes when I want a quiet sports watching experience, they have live music– I know, the worst. (Read the sarcasm of you missed it.) But really, it’s not always the atmosphere I WANT which I’m realizing isn’t their fault.)

This place stays open only because it is the only bar in town. Long and justified rant follows; read on to find out.
We came to Bass Lake for a wedding and showed up here to pre– and post-​party. The first night a few of us took Jameson shots to start. Immediately the three of us commented that it tasted extremely watered down. Each of us work in the bar business, meaning we drink and serve it regularly ourselves so we know how it ought to taste. As far as that conclusion: If a business is willing to cut corners and screw over their customers in such obvious, cheap, illegal, and unnecessary ways — what else might they be capable of doing to further their means at the cost of their own patrons? Didn’t want to find out any further. Additionally, the security seemed over-​eager to be on top of everyone, yet when an-​under-​20 looking guy came over to grind on me and wouldn’t take no for an answer, they ignored it. Luckily, my boyfriend and I have good senses of humor and eventually repelled him politely ourselves.
The next night, as it’s the only spot in town, the wedding party returned here. For the above mentioned reasons I truly disliked the idea of continuing to support this establishment. However, our party was going so it seemed unavoidable. The second night there was a $ 5 cover for somebody’s neighbor’s garage band. Why? Ok, we paid it and wouldn’t have mattered if not for the rest.
Only one round in and a bridesmaid came to retrieve the hotel key from the bride (all still in their wedding finery) and asked to refuse cover because she would only stay a moment. The guy agreed but promptly 1 minute later (as she was leaving) both security guards came to escort her out. She reacted a bit loudly and I only saw most of the after part, so I can’t say for sure who was correct here, her or the staff. However, after that, I think we were all surprised. As a completely sober person there, I can say as a group we were not at all rowdy or disrespectful to others or staff, which I cannot say for the rest of the young patrons on both nights. Not only that, but our group filled the bar with business.
So. Even though as a group everyone realized they did not want to support this business, we went to buy one last round of shots. As I waited to order I saw someone had left a cc receipt showing a 75 cent tip on a $ 24 tab. Ouch. I’m sorry that that happened (you ALWAYS tip), however it didn’t come from me or the people I ordered drinks with. Yet the bartenders (some non-​descript white guy with short hair and a darkish haired girl with glasses — yeah, we see your bad service and raise you a Unilocal review) both ignored me and the rest of our party repeatedly after that, while they wiped up pretend puddles and counted out cash unnecessarily. Fine. I was already irritated at giving them business to begin with, so we laughed and left.
Just saying: this bar has absolutely no regard for its customers or the business they bring to them. In the service/​hospitality industry and as a bartender myself, I know how easy it is to be even a little friendly and accommodating. Read: hospitable, not hostile.
With problems like this, it absolutely stems from management too. I would therefore like to see a better owner & staff in this bar which has a great location.
It continues to be the only bar in town, though, so if you’re forced to support this spot, get a bottled beer. Not sure how they could mess with, or get that wrong. But I hope you don’t.
Lastly, too bad the bride and groom had this negativity to deal with on their happiest of days. Consider how they treated them on their wedding day when you decide to grab a casual drink here to find out the hard way how they’ll treat you. Buyer beware.

One star because I can’t give zero. Been coming to Bass Lake for almost 20 years. Used to be a great place. Second summer in a row where they close early and the bartender is a complete ass. We had a big group coming and they closed at 9. This town has gone down hill in a big way and losing out on a lot of income. Party at our cabin instead. Hope with the change in ownership they bring back the town that we love. First thing the new owners need to do is fire the bartender with glasses — don’t know his name because he is so incredibly rude. Will try again next summer I guess.

I’ve been coming here for years. First with my band (we used to play here a few times a month) and now on my motorcycle trips to Bass Lake. The Pines is my kind of bar. Regular folks, good selection of beer, Pool tables, stage, and a patio with a great view. Can’t complain about that.

If you ever walk in this bar and see a skinny doofus bartender with glasses and a sunken in face don’t order from him! We walked in a group of 11, paid out $ 2 a per person cover and went to the bar. My husband orders is 11 shots for my birthday! The bar tender gives us 9. My husband said oh we need 2 more. The bar tender says no I gave them all to you, you took them! My husband then tried to explain that was not the case. The
Bartender then replies take your shots and leave! It was insane. Luckily the manager, and security guards obviously knew he was wrong. They let us stay! But seriously
Don’t order from this guy!!! He’s a their and a liar.

Great bar if you are looking to have a good time into the late hours at Bass Lake. Live music on Saturday night and DJ on Friday and Sundays. Great for the young crowd and the 30 plus crowd. There is a great pizza place next door and food truck for the after hours.

Cool location, more than average amount of beers on tap (for small town small bar) live music on saturdays ($ 5 after 9:00), and a cool outdoor deck. Now the bad, the bartenders are just so rude. They always seem to have such bad attitudes, are slow, and tend to overlook people trying to get a drink.

The bartender here was extremely rude. She took my order, then helped everyone around me even though they came afterwards. I waited at the bar for 15 minutes as she took care of everyone else and THEN told ME I had attitude. IT’S CALLED THE «SERVICE» INDUSTRY PEOPLE. I go to Bass Lake every summer and this sad, miserable place will no longer get my cash.

After Party at The Pines Bar!
Yep, it was pretty much default after the wedding festivities Saturday nite ended around 10pm. We all swapped out our dresses and slacks for jeans and tees to head over to this on-​site bar at the edge of the resort.
FYI: The Pines is HARDCORE about ID checks, who would have thought. We be carded evvvvverywhere we went and the doorman even used the blacklight on my ID. yo, been a long time since i tried to sneak into 21 and up places, but rock on, door man. Next to him sat a cop (of sorts). Are there a lot of bar brawls in the boondocks? Actually, that makes sense… the lack of internet and cell reception will put any 21^st centurian on edge after a while and few beers.
Anyhoo, this place does the job for being the only night life on the resort. Bartenders are attentive, drinks are average-​priced (mixed wells came out to $ 5.25), there was a tv above the bar to watch the UFC match (providing the bare min to call this a «sports bar»), and there is a back area for live music and dancing… which of course i participated in: D The place is definitely happening on Sat nite and appears to be a good mix of resort guests and locals.
I hadn’t gone the nite before but I guess Fridays are on the slower side but have karaōke… some of the wedding party owned the joint then.

Sweet Jesus, a trip to the Pines Bar is a trip to the most explosively oversexed resort town frat bar in Northern California. That is quite literally probably what it is. When you walk in the front door, your senses are assaulted by an army of tanned & taut youth, mostly confined to the 18 – 24 age bracket, clutching Bud Lites & mindlessly grinding against one another’s genitals while a band of middle-​aged long haired dudes cover the classic rock hits of yesteryear up on stage.
I said WOO way too much, drank Bud Lites two at a time, & had a nice tall shot of Jaegermeister. The only thing I didn’t do was grope generic blonde girls.
Ahh, the great outdoors!