Sacramento's Best Theme Bars

A good bar can be a money-maker.  But sometimes, it can be hard for a bar to distinguish itself from the bevy of bars trying to lure in customers.  That's why many bars try to standout by going with a theme.  Sports bars and pubs are a few types of theme bars, but are fairly common.  Not so common: a speakeasy and mermaids.  Here are a few of the best theme bars in Sacramento:

Shady Lady Saloon

1409 R Street
Downtown Sacramento
(916) 231-9121
www.shadyladybar.com

Walk into the Shady Lady and youíll feel like you walked into a 1920's speakeasy.  The bar is decorated with dark woods, flocked wallpaper and a tin ceiling.  The drinks are old-style classics made with housemade tonics, bitters and syrups.  You can get an Old Fashioned, a vodka gimlet or a Boilermaker.  The Shady Lady also serves classic comfort foods with a current twist like their Shrimp Poí Boy, Fried Green Tomatoes and Meat Loaf.

Dive Bar

1022 K Street
Sacramento, Calif. 95814
www.divebarsacramento.com

A visit to the Dive Bar will not only quench your thirst, itís a visual feast.  Patrons can watch Merpeople ñ men and women ñ frolic in a 40-foot-long, 7,500 gallon saltwater aquarium above the bartenderís heads.  The iPod jukebox has a variety of vintage jazz and rat pack songs on the playlist.  Patrons sitting in one of the leather booths donít have to get up to meet (pick-up) other patrons.  They can ëcallí them using their inter-booth telephones.

Dave and Busters

At The Fountains
1174 Roseville Parkway
Roseville, Calif. 95678
www.daveandbusters.com

If you've never been to Dave and Busters, think Chuck E. Cheese for adults.   You can drink up while playing all sorts of games from arcade games, to billiards and shuffleboard.  You can win gaming tickets and then redeem them at the Winner's Circle for prizes like cool toys and high-tech gadgets.

Sacramento Bulls Bar & Restaurant

14th Street
Sacramento
(916) 235-8674
www.sacramentobulls.com

Bulls Bar is a twist on a western-themed bar.  The bar's theme is centered around its bucking mechanical bull.  Every Monday there is a ëBest on Bullí contest with prizes and once-a-month there is a Bikini Bull Riding Contest.  The bar area also has beer pong and ping pong games.  The menu is focused on BBQ.