Chico, CA is a brewery town. The best-known breweries and taprooms are Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Farmers Brewing Co., Mulberry Music Station Brewery and The Commons Social Empourium. For bars, Argus Bar + Patio, The Banshee, Madison Bear Garden, Oasis Bar and Grill and Strong Water are local standouts.
Breweries and taprooms
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E 20th St. Founded in Chico and now an international brand, with tours, a taproom and a full restaurant. The Big Room hosts live music.
- Farmers Brewing Co., 1950 Market Pl, Tank District at Meriam Park, (530) 399-7374. A brewery restaurant with 46 beer taps and a farm-to-glass menu.






- Mulberry Music Station Brewery, 175 E 20th St Ste 100. A brewery and wood-fired pizzeria that opened in a former trolley-era space.
- Ramble West Brewing, 849 W 8th St. A brewery and taproom on West 8th Street.
- Eckert Malting and Brewing, 2280 Ivy St Ste 130. Gluten-free rice ale and lager.
- Paradise Brew Werks, 132 Meyers St Ste 120.
- The Commons Social Empourium, 2412 Park Ave, (530) 774-2999. A dog-friendly taproom just south of Downtown where you pour your own, with over 20 beers on tap, a small wine selection and pizza.
- Lost Dutchman Taproom, 25 Lost Dutchman Dr, North Chico. Beer and food next to Strong Water.
- Lassen Cidery, 643 Entler Ave Ste 52. Traditional cider from regional Butte County orchards. A cidery, not a brewery.
Pubs and neighborhood bars
- The Allies Pub, 426 Broadway St Ste 130. A traditional English pub with British food and beers, a shaded ivy-covered patio and live music.
- Oasis Bar and Grill, 1007 W 1st St. Established in 1961 and described as Chico's oldest bar. Pool tables, burgers, Bloody Marys and old Chico photos.
- The Banshee, 134 W 2nd St. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, with pub food and draft beer.







- Madison Bear Garden, 316 W 2nd St. A well-known Chico State hangout with burgers, trike races and "Bear-e-oke" nights.




- Riley's Bar, 702 W 5th St. Another well-known Chico State hangout.
- Duffy's Tavern, 337 Main St. A classic neighborhood bar with a casual feel and a dance night.
- Bella's Sports Pub, 231 Main St. A classic neighborhood sports bar.
- Studio Inn Lounge, 2582 Esplanade, and Park Avenue Pub, 2010 Park Ave. Local late-night watering holes.
- B Street Public House, 117 Broadway St. A laid-back pub for dinner.
- Burgers & Brew, 301 Broadway St, and Parkside Tap House, 115 W 3rd St. Casual spots known for burgers and beer. Parkside also has DJ nights.
- Discovery Bar & Kitchen, 250 Cohasset Rd Ste 10. Trivia night with prizes from local companies.
- The Pour House, 855 East Ave #270. Happy hour in east Chico.
Cocktail bars and lounges
- Argus Bar + Patio, 212 W 2nd St. A more upscale cocktail bar with an outdoor patio, live music and DJ nights.
- Strong Water, 27 Lost Dutchman Dr, North Chico. A speakeasy-style lounge with a seasonal cocktail menu and custom mocktails.
- The Grill at Hotel Diamond, 220 W 4th St. Classic cocktails in a historic downtown hotel.
- Rancher's Daughter at Hotel Katerina, 1930 Baney Ln. A modern hotel bar with a rooftop bar described as Butte County's only.
- Roselle Bar & Lounge, 1920 Market Pl Ste 140, Meriam Park. Specialty cocktails and alcohol-free drinks made with All the Bitter products.
- Wine Time, 26 Lost Dutchman Dr, North Chico. A wine bar with seasonal small plates and over 50 wines.
- Crush, 201 Broadway St #200. Downtown happy hour.
- Tres Hombres Restaurant & Bar, 100 Broadway St, Downtown Chico. A lively patio with Mexican dishes and margaritas.
Zero-proof
- All the Bitter's Zero Proof Market & Lounge, 144 Meyers St #140. Zero-proof cocktails, flights, non-alcoholic beer and wine, and snacks, from the Chico bitters maker.
Live music and dancing
- Crazy Horse Saloon, 303 Main St. Honky-tonk line dancing.
- The Beach, 191 E 2nd St. DJ and club-style nights.
- Lost on Main, 319 Main St. An eclectic mix of acts, from metal and funk to reggae and rock.
- El Rey Theater, 230 W 2nd St, and Senator Theatre, 517 Main St. Downtown venues with a range of acts.
- Chico Women's Club, 592 E 3rd St. Spoken word, string bands and soul.
- The Barn at Meriam Park, 1930 Market Pl. Acoustic bluegrass bands.
- Karaoke Television, 124 W 2nd St. Private karaoke rooms.
Where to go by area
Downtown has the hotel bars, Argus, Tres Hombres and the theaters within walking distance of each other. Meriam Park's Tank District has Farmers Brewing and Roselle. Sierra Nevada and Mulberry Music Station Brewery are on and near E 20th St. The Commons is just south of Downtown on Park Ave, and Strong Water, Wine Time and Lost Dutchman are in North Chico. If you are choosing a neighborhood, a night out nearby is a good test of how an area feels after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best breweries in Chico, CA?
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Farmers Brewing Co. and Mulberry Music Station Brewery are the best known, and The Commons has self-serve taps.
What is the oldest bar in Chico?
Oasis Bar and Grill, established in 1961, is described as Chico's oldest bar.
Where can you pour your own beer in Chico?
The Commons Social Empourium at 2412 Park Ave has self-serve taps with over 20 beers.
Is there a gluten-free brewery in Chico?
Eckert Malting and Brewing makes gluten-free rice ale and lager.
Are there non-alcoholic bars in Chico?
Yes. Roselle Bar & Lounge in Meriam Park and All the Bitter's Zero Proof Market & Lounge serve zero-proof drinks.
Is there a rooftop bar in Chico?
Rancher's Daughter at Hotel Katerina has a rooftop bar described as Butte County's only.
Addresses are from Google Maps listings. Hours, menus, locations and openings change, so confirm before you go. These are public listings, not a ranking by ratings. Want a neighborhood recommendation based on where you like to spend your evenings? Call or text me at 707-672-6549. Happy to help. Compiled October 2026.
Sources:
- Toast of the Town: Chico Breweries (Choose Chico)
- Craft Breweries in Chico, California (beer.social)
- Chico After Dark: 5 Ways to Explore the City's Thriving Nightlife (Travel Chico)
- Downtown Chico neighborhood guide (Explore Butte County)
- Pour Decisions (Explore Butte County)
- The Commons Social Empourium (Explore Butte County)
- Farmers Brewing Restaurant and Taproom (Explore Butte County)
- Addresses: Google Maps listings, October 2026
- Chico, California city guide (AAA)





