Northern California has a reputation for being calmer than Southern and, to a certain extent, Sacramento meets the NorCal stereotype. It’s a great city for fine dining and beautiful cocktail lounges.

But there are also plenty of pubs, bars and clubs where Sacramentans let their hair down! The best areas to go out are Downtown and Midtown Sacramento, and the best place to start exploring is J Street.

The city has a diverse population – and you can see that reflected in the diverse bar scene. Sacramento gets in touch with its Mexican side in bars like Zocalo on Capitol Avenue and Centro on the corner of 28th and J Street. It’s even got a Cabana Ultra Lounge – no pool, though.

California’s Pacific connection has also made it to NorCal, and you don’t have to look far for a sushi bar in Sacramento. Two Asian-influenced clubs stand out: the classy Park bar and the splashy nightclub Zokku.

Add Irish pubs and British alehouses – the De Vere’s, the Fox and Goose, Streets of London – to Mexican and Asian bars, and you’ll get an impression of Sacramentan culture!

Many of the restaurants in the city are now urban kitchens that serve organic and seasonal food instead of traditional American cooking. It goes without saying that locals have got used to drinking gorgeous wines from NorCal and Napa Valley, and wine lovers will have a field day if they’re happy to drink local.

Cocktail-making in Sacramento has gone the same way: fruit juices from the farmer’s market and home-made limoncello are a couple of examples of this trend. Bartenders are also taking a moment to gem up on historic Californian cocktails, especially gin-based drinks from the state’s naval past.

But don’t give up on the American way just yet. There are Cheers-type bars like Marilyn’s, ale-houses like the Pyramid Brewery, pool bars Blue Cue and Monkey Bar, live music venues like the Capitol Garage, and a blues bar that dates back to Prohibition – the Torch Bar. Traditional city, loyal drinkers: every Sacramentan’s got their favorite hang-out. Get down to J Street and start asking around!