The Bolt

Skip the shifts the bartender Steven works.

This place is a hidden treasure.
Excellent drinks and great bar customer service.
I had no idea this place even existed.
The atmosphere is super laid back and there’s a cool smoking area out back. I ordered a Midori Sour that was super amazing. Finally a place that gives you more than one cherry!
5 stars.
Will return soon for sure.

Fun, leather, boots, Mama’s Cigar boy here!
I can freely smoke cigars in the back.
Lots of friends.
Love this place!

Very great atmosphere while attending this bar. Superb beverages, and who doesn’t like a man in leather walking around all sexy.

I was presently surprised by this bar and staff, they have darts, great choice of beer on tap, and all the other stuff you’d expect. What I found most intriguing was the friendliness of the patrons, in a good way. The «back yard» was an amazing space, a great place to enjoy the sun in the day and have good conversation. I met several very cool people who weren’t pretentious and were well versed. I will be back! I am a fan

The Bolt is a great neighborhood gay leather bar. Think Cheers, but gay. They’ve got the regular at the corner of the drinking beer, the know-​it-​all annoying everyone, the hardworking (but sometimes rude) staff, and a genuine love for one another. Seriously! For many of us, it’s home!
It’s a leather/​bear/​Levi/​cowboy gay bar. It’s painted the obligatory dark grey on the inside with framed posters of half naked guys. Softcore gay porn plays on the TV screens most of the time. And, yes, there is a sling hanging on the stage (it doesn’t get much real use). One of the restrooms has an old trough urinal with a mirror (don’t get too worried, there is a more private bathroom next to it). This all adds to the dirty, kinky atmosphere of the place.
The bar also has daily drink specials, a pool table (with a weekly free play night), and electronic darts. Check the Bolt website to find out when they offer free food or entertainment. Also, note, THERE IS NEVER A COVER AT THE BOLT!
Come out on a Sunday afternoon for beer bust (pay once and get all the beer you want for the rest of the day). Enjoy the afternoon in the back yard. If it’s cold, there will probably be a nice fire in the pit. If the weather is good, enjoy the complimentary hamburgers and hot dogs. Most importantly, enjoy the great company!

One of our really good friends lives just around the corner so we love coming here to grab a drink or two. This place is fun, laid-​back. They have free buckets of peanuts at the bar and you can throw the peanut shells on the floor after you’re done opening them. That’s my favorite part. They also have a fire pit out in the back and pool table to play on with your friends. This is a true old-​school bear/​leather Gay bar. Coming and see what you have been missing out on.

Having been a patron of the Bolt for the past couple of years, I am a bit taken back by one of the more recent posts.
My experience at the Bolt has been awesome (usually go once or twice a week). There is a sense of family and a positive atmosphere whether you are into the leather, cowboy, blue collar, etc scene. The bar draws a very diverse crowd with an inclusive attitude. Everyone is made to feel welcome.
I’ve met Kenny on numerous occasions and have not ever heard a racist comment from him (he’s also been dating a Latino for a few years) so this is definitely too far fetched to believe (the inclusion of Nazi symbolism is both tacky and shows a level of spite in the poster that I find disturbing and disgusting).
To wrap this up, it is one of the best bars I’ve been to (I’m a Seattle native and have travelled a bit so I feel confident in this assessment).
Also, Scotty is an awesome bartender and all around good guy.

I had went here with friends that wanted to go. The leather scene really isn’t my scene but I thought «Hey let’s try it out.» Upon entering it was rather odd to see all that but I understand that’s what happens there. Friendly doorman, if I came back that’s why. Did a quick walk through before ordering a drink. There was a guy on display all bonded up and someone was biting him. So the BDSM scene is here and it is a more mature crowd than most bars and clubs. I felt a little awkward, but I decided to make the best of it. Nice bar selection. The infamous Scott was our bartender for this night, he was only wearing a leather apron. Literally. Totally nude, you could see his flat flabby ass. Not attractive. We met the owner, Kenny Yerkes, he seemed nice but he was drunk and rather handsy, but who isn’t at a gay bar. Now is should’ve known right off the bat something was up from the handshake, it was very limp and loose for a business man. Almost like shaking a shy girl’s hand. He got us our first round of drinks then darted off. I thought that was polite.
When it came time for the second drink, I had notice that they serve beer in small pitchers which they call a bottomless beer and for the flat fee of $ 12 that seemed like a steal. But we weren’t going to stay that long so I got just one.
Now this is when the review is about to take a turn for the worst.
This bartender Scott will FLAT OUT ignore you if you don’t fit the scene or don’t know his name. He is very short with you as well. Which could benefit you because you can basically get free drinks. So after that exchange we decided to see the patio. Nothing too special kind of looks like a thrown together park or someone’s backyard. The fire pit masks the heavy cigarette smoke smell. They have a sign that say «No drinks beyond this point» but it’s not enforced not is there anyone to monitor. So if you want get a drink and then leave with the cup, go out the back. So we chill outside for a bit, this place has many characters. Great for people watching.
So we decide to leave and go somewhere else. So as we are walking to the door, the owner is drunkenly rambling over the microphone, but certain words start to catch my ear. I am of mixed race and black happens to be one of them. Now this is behavior I would expect from an employee or a patron, but not the owner. He used the phrases «monkey» and «monkey lover» in reference to one of my friends. Now I know sometimes there’s inside jokes so I ask the BLACK doorman if I heard what I think I heard and he confirmed and that it bothers him as well. And if I had an issue with it I should tell him. Last thing I really wanted to do at that time. And then even with consulting others, I learned that is normal behavior for the owner.
So before you think this is made up or just to bash, read the other reviews from people that ARE NOT white. Of course they had a good time, it’s Aryan Nation in there. But it’s 2014, racial slurs shouldn’t be used at all anymore. So if you’re white, you love this place. Anything else, brace yourself.

Let’s go have a drink… Where should we go??? A beverage: a drink to take it away… a drink… Melanie Moreno and I hit the corner of Boxwood off of El Camino, stopped at the Bolt sat at the bar and ready to order a drink. As Miguel; a bartender who entertained us, took our order and fulfilled it. However, he took additional time with us, most likely to socialize, what a bartender should do!!! That’s a tip and Public Relations!!! While Scott (another bartender) yells out «are you working!!! Can you help him: (another customer) who approached the bar!“at the same time he released our drinks!!! Are you able to get away from them!!! (Myself and a friend.) Well you and your regular went a little too far! As we were talking to Miguel, we were listening to his broken English, which was very cute! What the fuck!!! in addition a patroon who most likely is a regular yell’s out «this isn’t Tijuana!» Really you used me as an ethnic joke!!! Do you realize what it took, not to tell you about yourself!!! I have never experienced such a racial joke!!! Message me!!! That was rude and you need to have your mouth washed out and or reprimanded!!! Note: I will sock you in your mouth message me at
!!!
Bam!!! Talk to me!!! You and your regular were extremely rude!!!

Similar to the Brave Bull in Modesto, this is another one of those places that look rough on the outside but is cool on the inside. Kinda roadhouse-​ish on the inside but the people are friendly and bartenders are cute. I went when it was Bear Night and honey let me tell you something about those bears… even if you have three heads they’ll still think you’re hot so it’s a bit of an ego booster.
It was at this bar that I de-​virginized my liver again after many years and it kinda made me a little off but I managed thanks to my friends who took good care of me. They have a cozy bar area and a very large back patio complete with a deck with seating, fire pit, grass and bushes for those into some extra-​curricular activities if you know what I mean.
I would like to go back especially if I need an ego boost!

Came here a few years ago and decided to check it out again, now that I’ve moved back to town. In one word: pathetic.
I’m sorry, but if you boast to be «the» Levi/​Leather bar in town there should not be a damn DRAG SHOW every time I go there. (What is this obsession with gays and drag shows anyways?!). I think it is just sad, cliché, and dated to have drag queens for every event. Big deal, they dress up and lip sync. I have plenty of talents (as I’m sure your patrons do too).
Décor: The inside is dark and boring, so everyone goes outside, which has a nice patio. What’s the problem? SMOKING. (I’m sorry, but is it just me that wants to live without home oxygen after I’m 50? As an RN, I’m disappointed at the people who continue to smoke, let alone the young ones.). Smoking is nearly «cool,» nor «manly.»
Suggestions: Put a couple of windows in the bar and redo the décor and MAYBE you’ll get some clients. Outside, restrict the smoking to one section so that rest of us can enjoy the outdoors too.
Aim higher Sacramento. It does not have to bee his bad…

This lackluster is disappointing. The bear scene at Badlands on Sunday afternoons is pretty much the spot although Bolt used to have a decent beer bust… Gotta get in where you fit in, so it’s really not worth the drive out so far.
They have a great big back yard though — and people are always having it off in the bushes so it is a nice option when considering hanging by the river I suppose…

The Bolt for most of today’s GLBT community and even the more open minded straight gay friendly community will be a blast from the past. It’s a trip back to those days when working men from the docks and trucks and warehouses and motorcycles would get together to be amongst other manly masculine gay men. The antithesis to the flaming queen!
Today it’s what I would categorize as your Leather, Bear, Biker, (perhaps Chaser/​Chub friendly) bar. This is a man’s bar in the non glamorous part of town. Just the way many old school leather bars of its day were. No big signage, flashing neon, flickering lightbulbs, plasma ad boards with stripper bodies. It’s the neighborhood bar where you find blue collar, leather, biker, bear men and their admirers, and an occasional dyke (and yes some women identify this way so it’s not an insult or derogatory term) or two on the right occasion.
Indoor is dark with dark mood lighting, vintage 70’s gay leather art, a pool table in the back, outdoor has a newly expanded huge deck and roof, handicap accesible, fire pit, room for a volleyball net, picnic tables, occasional bbq event and plenty more flat grass.
Great place to hang out, relax, meet new friends and have a good time.

The Bolt is fun even if you’re not into the leather scene. It’s a unique experience for all. If you’re a younger twinkish looking guy like me you’ll probably feel like a piece of meat being thrown to a pack of starving hounds, but if you play your cards right you’ll get a lot of drinks bought for you. The only thing that makes me a little nervous about this place is the bathtub trough urinal. It makes me feel dirty inside. but I guess that’s what the bar is going for. I know some people like the fact that it’s not downtown, but I wish it was downtown because I would go a lot more often. But then again if it was downtown it probably wouldn’t have that spacious back yard area to play horse shoes in and the lovely and scrumptious Popeye’s Chicken to fill up on before the bar.

This bar is off the beaten path and definitely far away from the twink scene/​dance bars downtown Sacramento. Make the drive out to Del Paso and find this place, as this is Sacramento’s only leather/​levi bar (and it’s a pretty good one).
This is a full bar and they serve peanuts — just throw the shells on the ground. There’s also some happy, sexy bartenders and it gets pretty busy on the weekends. Thursdays and Sundays are pretty decent as well.
There is an enormous, partially covered back «yard», let’s call it, with a big fire pit. Somebody has usually built a fire so you can stand around and shoot the bull with the local patrons.
Very cruisy (which is good) and fun times to be had by all! Check it out

I’ve been patronizing The Bolt for the last 3 years on and off but nowadays, there are only three main reasons I’ll go there when in the area:
* It’s tucked away off the beat and path far from the crowds and traffic of downtown
* No fish
* It’s the only place where a BIG guy might find a chubby chaser
The bar itself is nice. Great layout, nice back patio area, good music, but tacky soft porn on the TVs. The bartenders are capable enough and friendly, although it’s evident they lavish extraordinary amounts of attention on their «regulars». Speaking of which are VERY cliquish and not altogether welcoming sometimes. Don’t get me wrong here, I’ve chatted with some real sweet guys in this place, but lately I’ve noticed that for the most part people are not super nice.
The reviewer below had a point when saying that he felt bashed by the masculine types just because he is on the fem side. On a recent visit, a took a friend of mine visiting from out of town, who is shall we say also flamboyant and exudes lots of class and charm. Well, he was treated very shabbily and I was quite embarrased to have brought him in by the time we left for the night. Sad!

I actually live right around the corner and had no idea what this place was.
There’s no sign, no posters, nothing, accept that little red open sign.
So on my way home everyday I use Boxwood as a quicker way to get to Del Paso, and I always noticed that that place is packed out, any time day or night.
One day I stopped in and the door guy asks me for my id (like my bald head doesn’t just scream «of age!») Now there are two doors and I’m in between them talking to this fellow, he checks my id then asks me if I know what kind of place this is…
I’m like, «No that’s why I’m here because this is obviously the place to be…»
He says «This is a gay bar…»
Now as he says this, he steps to the side and I can actually see inside the club, my eyes were immediately drawn to the huge flat screens playing soft porn. Men of all different sorts were chillin and doing their bar thing.
So the door guy sees my reaction, guesses I’m straight and opens the first door again like I wouldn’t come in after hearing that.
So naturally I go in, and not only do I order a Miller Highlife, I shoot a game of pool. Because you don’t try to pigeon hole me into being a certain way. Just because I’m a 27 year old straight black male doesn’t mean that I can’t, or won’t for that matter, set foot into a gay bar…

The Bolt is in an old neighborhood called Dixieanne, which is ironic, considering the rough-​hewn, blue-​collar, working-​class nature of the neighborhood. It’s not DPH, despite the inaccurate clamoring of some other reviewers, it’s Old North Sac, and it’s generally safe, even at dark of night.
Bears, leather, workingmen, and those who admire them. Wannabe blue collar, twinks who are slumming, looking for a rough trade fantasy without the risk.
Drinks can be Mercantile-​strong, but the bartenders do actually know how to craft a good cocktail, too, so don’t be afraid to tell them you want one.
Atmosphere is fun, although the White Party videos are kinda lame. Would be better if they’d play more sports.
Be daring — hit up the Bolt for a good time!

I am often torn – both as a queer and as a human being – between the extremes of alternativity and conformity, something that this place seems to encompass. It’s an old-​school gay bar, but separated from the rest of the gay scene.
This is bear and daddy central… so if you’re a snooty queen or can’t handle being hit on by old guys, steer clear. If you like Merc style drinks (strong and cheap) and friendly bartenders, this is your place. Juke box often gets taken over by country, and there are some very interesting seating options… Benches up against the wall, some bleachers over by the pool table and the giant sex swing (which you’re NOT allowed to get on)… but out-​back is the best part: it’s basically the biggest backyard ever, with a FIRE PIT and a cozy porch. I admit that I’ve had a groping session out in that darkened corner, and I’m pretty sure everyone could tell what was going on… lol
But as much as I love this place, I haven’t been back since a little incident: this is a bar frequented by mostly «masc» gay dudes, and I am, shall we say, a *little* flamboyant. Can I help it if I have a weakness for bears? I kind of got myself into some trouble and almost got beat up… yeah, nearly gay bashed in the GAY bar. But as my friend explained to me, even gay culture has predators, and let’s be honest, this bar is more than a little sketch (it’s in DEL PASO, people), but that’s part of the appeal… so be careful boys, and come here with friends and be smart, and you can have a lot of fun here. :)