The Best Bars in Fresno: Your Guide to the City’s Bustling Nightlife

There’s lots to do in Fresno and it’s not just the county’s vineyards, local craft breweries, farm-to-fork restaurants, national parks, and gardens. Fresno also has a bustling nightlife. Yes, it’s not lavish or fancy as Los Angeles, but there’s no shortage of bars in Fresno. In fact, Fresno nightlife offers an eclectic mix of trendy cocktail bars, good old dive bars, and dance clubs.

Not sure where to head tonight or this weekend? We’ve rounded up the best bars in Fresno below:

Looking for live music in Fresno?

Fulton 55

IG: https://www.instagram.com/fulton55fresno/?hl=en

How to get here

Reservations and Bookings: +1 559-412-7400 | info@fulton55.com

Fulton 55 is more of a live music venue than a bar, but they do have their own bar. With a 500-person capacity, it is the largest music venue in Fresno, supporting local artists. Located near the Mural Arts District, they cater to music of all genres – from hip-hop to metal. The bar is on the mezzanine level, with leather sofas so you can rest your legs and enjoy your drink while watching whoever’s on stage. Check out their list of upcoming shows on their website.

Strummer's Bar & Grill

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 5pm to 2am | Sunday, 12pm to 12am

You can count on Strummer’s for regular live music in Fresno. Named after The Clash’s frontman, Joe Strummer, the bar features prominent touring acts to local bands and artists from all genres but largely rock. Located at Fresno’s Tower Arts District, it’s a venue built to cater to Fresno’s diverse community offering incredible music, a range of signature cocktails, a changing selection of microbrews and drafts, gourmet bites, and great vibes. The atmosphere is very friendly, the bartenders are nice and warm, and they have open mic nights, too. Here’s their list of upcoming shows.

Goldstein's Mortuary & Delicatessen

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 4pm – 12am | Friday to Saturday 1pm – 12:30am | Sunday 1pm – 12am

If you’re looking for good beers at a good price and a good time, look no further than Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen or just Gold’s. The bar is a locally owned craft beer bar featuring an excellent rotating selection of around 45 beers, CBD drinks, seltzers, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks, too. They have a great indoor space with nautical and neo-victorian mortuary themes and a great outdoor patio perfect for patrons and performances. Entertainment like live music, karaoke, open mic nights, and themed events is guaranteed almost every night, so every day is a great day to come. Visit their Facebook or Instagram Page to keep updated on their shows.

Lucy's Lounge

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 4pm – 12am | Friday to Sunday 11am – 1:30am

Lucy’s Lounge is one of the fancier bars in Fresno that offers nightly live music performances. It’s the place to be if you’re looking for a more mellow and relaxed yet still nice and fun night out in Fresno. Work your way through a bottle of wine with friends, sip on the lounge’s craft cocktails and beers, or enjoy a few bites from their menu while jamming with some of the county’s most talented artists and musicians. The lounge features a variety of music, including Jazz, Old-School, Soul, Rock n Roll, Country-Western, and more every night. The prices are a bit higher than most, but the place is chic, so you’re paying extra for their classy yet cozy ambiance. Check out their Facebook Page for their weekly entertainment listings.

Looking for the best dive bar in Fresno?

Red Wave Inn

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 11am – 1am | Saturday 12nn – 1am | Closed on Sundays

Red Wave Inn is a no-frills neighborhood bar serving cheap cold brews and some bar food since 1987. What more can you ask for? They got tacos, nachos, burritos, tortas, asada fries, and more for grub, TV to watch sports, beers, and ciders for fun, and plugs everywhere so you can work or charge your gadgets. Customers rave about their Micheladas. So, if you drop by, make sure to give it a try. The Red Wave Inn is an honest-to-goodness kind of bar – just good vibes, good food, and good drinks.

Spokeasy Public House

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Monday to Wednesday 3pm – 12am | Thursday to Saturday 1pm – 12am | Sunday 1pm – 7pm

Spokeeasy is a laid-back place to grab a beer with a very well-curated selection of taps from local breweries on a weekly rotation. The bartenders are cool and friendly and will happily recommend a beer that suits your tastes. There are food trucks right in front of the bar, and you can order from them and dine inside with your beer. There are arcade games like a pinball machine and a few board games available inside so you can entertain yourself and your friends while sipping on their cold draft.

Looking for the best cocktail bar in Fresno?

Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Thursday 5pm – 11pm | Friday to Saturday 4pm – 1am | Sunday 4-11pm | Closed Mondays | Special events on Tuesdays

The Modernist is a craft cocktail bar whose mission is to “Be a positive contributing member of the downtown Fresno community – bringing people together through accessible, inclusive, and authentic experiences centered around craft cocktails.” You won’t find other bars in Fresno that are more passionate about their craft and mission than the Modernist, and it reflects on their service. The ambiance is nice and chill, and they have an array of original and classic cocktails to choose from that will suit your taste and fancy. You can’t go wrong with anything.

Sequoia Brewing

How to get here

Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 3:00pm – 9:00pm | Friday to Saturday 11:00am – 11:00pm | Sunday 11:00am – 9:00pm

The Sequoia Brewing Company is a staple at Tower District. This beloved bar in Fresno just never disappoints. Proudly brewing since 1989, this gastropub offers over 16+ house brews on tap, award-winning ales and lagers, live music, a cozy atmosphere with an outdoor patio and indoor seating, tasty food, and live music by local bands, too. It’s everything that a “gastropub” should be and more.

Looking for Fresno nightclubs?

Aldos Nightclub

How to get here

Hours of Operation

Aldos is that Fresno nightclub where you go after you’ve already had a good amount of drinks and want to dance the night away. With neon lights, drunk people, banging music, a full bar, and a dancefloor, Aldos won’t disappoint if you’re looking to party. The club specializes in Mexican music and live bands playing Cumbia, Banda, Reggaeton, Corridos, Hip Hop, R&B, and other genres throughout the night.

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Fresno’s bar scene has a lot of communal sense to it. It’s laidback, warm, and friendly. There are plenty of spots to watch live music or sports, just hang out, go dancing, or unwind after a long day at work or gallivanting along Fresno’s great outdoors.

Come home to Fresno City Inn when in Fresno. With spacious rooms, a seasonal outdoor pool, free parking, and a great array of amenities relax with us in style and comfort. We are located just a short drive to Tower District, so you don’t have to go too far to enjoy the Fresno nightlife.

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