Nevada City Nugget · Saloons, Lounges, Taps & Tastings
Most of Nevada City's bars sit within a short walk of Broad Street, so park the car once and leave it. Hours are as each place posts them; call ahead, because foothill hours shift with the season.
Last checked October 28, 2026
Where the night runs long, some of it past 1 AM.
Mon-Fri noon-midnight · Sat noon-2 AM · Sun 10 AM-2 AM
Pub grub in a 19th-century building, full bar, live bands and the game on. The publisher vouches for the wings and the tater tots. Source: Google listing.
Mon-Thu 7 AM-1 AM · Fri-Sat 7 AM-1:30 AM · Sun 10 AM-1 AM · (530) 265-6310
The publisher calls it the best dive bar in town: small, no-frills, with a patio and a reputation for strong, cheap drinks. Same owners as Fred's Chinese next door, and you can eat Fred's right at the bar. Source: Google listing, the publisher, and the Nevada County LocalWiki.
Mon & Wed 4 PM-2 AM · Tue 4:30 PM-2 AM · Thu-Sun 3 PM-2 AM · (530) 817-9919
Late-night cocktail bar in the old Cooper's space, with outdoor seating and live music; shows and DJ nights usually start at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Source: Google listing.
Coming soon; hours not yet posted
New bar in the old McGee's space that bills itself as "your Nevada City basecamp": a beer after a bike ride or a day at the river, with live music, karaoke and trivia nights planned. Source: Google listing and the publisher.
Stirred, not shaken, under old ceilings.
Wed 4-10 PM · Thu 4-11 PM · Fri-Sat 4 PM-midnight · Sun from 4 PM · Mon-Tue closed · (530) 264-7048
Saloon-style cocktail lounge in the old Cirino's building: a golden ceiling, a piano, an 1890s back bar, house-made syrups and bitters, and live music most weekends. No reservations; outside food is welcome. Source: goldeneralounge.com.
Mon-Thu noon-10 PM · Fri noon-11 PM · Sat 9 AM-11 PM · Sun 9 AM-10 PM
The hotel's historic, dark-paneled tavern, which calls itself "a Legendary Haunt": draft and bottled beer, wine, classic and craft cocktails, small bites. Source: thenationalexchangehotel.com.
Mon, Thu-Sat 4-9 PM · Sun 11:30 AM-8 PM · Tue-Wed closed
Family-owned, self-described "neighborhood watering hole": cocktails, local craft drinks, shareable plates, a patio. Source: theriverdowntown.com.
From 5 PM nightly; Wednesdays vary, so call · (530) 265-9093
Old-timey chophouse with a proper bar: cocktails, happy hour bites, live music, and fondue if you stay for dinner. Source: friartucks.com.
Daily 9 AM-9 PM · (530) 298-6778
Casual bar and grill at the foot of Broad with a patio overlooking Deer Creek: cocktails, burgers and sandwiches, and breakfast from 9 AM. The old Lefty's spot. Source: dcbargrill.com.
Beer made here, or poured by the people who care.
Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu 8 AM-9 PM · Fri-Sat 8 AM-10 PM · Tue closed (winter hours)
House-brewed IPAs, lagers and seasonal ales with wood-fired sourdough pizza. Family-friendly. Source: threeforksnc.com.
Daily 11 AM-9 PM (kitchen to 8:30)
German-style beer hall and beer garden pouring its own Kölsch, IPA and lagers. Families and dogs welcome. Source: brewbiltbrewhaus.com.
Mon 3-8 PM · Tue-Sat 11:30 AM-9 PM · Sun 11:30 AM-8 PM
Taps and burgers out on Argall Way, a short drive from downtown. Source: jernigansgrill.com.
Mon-Thu 11 AM-8:30 PM · Fri 11-9 · Sat 11-8:30 · Sun 11-8 · Happy hour 2-4 PM
Casual, family-style comfort food and fresh pizza, sports on the screens, and an afternoon happy hour. Source: northridgenevadacity.com.
Sierra Foothills wine, poured in town. Afternoons only.
Mon-Wed 2-6 PM · Thu 2-7 PM · Fri-Sat noon-7 PM · Sun noon-6 PM
Downtown winery with a walk-in tasting bar; closed Sat., Nov. 14 for a private event. Source: ncwinery.com.
Fri 2-7:30 PM · Sat-Sun 1-7 PM · Mon-Thu closed
Small-production Rhône-style wines "with Hungarian roots," poured by the tasting, glass or bottle. (Szabo is next door to The Hat Store, which the publisher owns; there is no business tie.) Source: szabovineyards.com.
Worth the drive. Pick a driver.
Thu-Mon: bar from 1 PM, dining room 5-9 PM · Tue-Wed closed · (530) 265-9902
Classic roadhouse bar beside the steakhouse: cocktails, whiskey, the game on TV, full menu at the bar after 5. A local favorite. Source: thewillo.com.
Mysteriously inviting. You will need a friend on the inside.
Fridays 5 PM-midnight · members only
A private social club, and a spectacular one, says the publisher: pinball, games, karaoke, and walls hung with retired signs from local businesses. It is a nonprofit members' club, not a bar you can walk into: an existing member sponsors you, the board votes, and dues run $25 a month, cancel anytime. Now and then it throws a public show in the parking lot. Source: The Union, Aug. 28, 2025.
Drink like a local. Downtown is hilly and the sidewalks are old brick, so wear sensible shoes. Bring ID. Don't drink and drive these mountain roads.
Bar owners: missing, closed, or wrong hours? Write news@nevadacitynugget.com. Nobody pays to be listed here.
★ ★ ★