BARS JONES RADIATOR In 1921, during the early years of the automobile, a small garage on East Sprague called Jones Radiator serviced Spokane’s earliest wheels. In 2010, the garage reopened to reveal a Radiator of a different definition and a new mission: to service Spokane’s cravers of craft beer. Jones Radiator is a nice, warm bar where professional-looking folks take their after-the-office beers. Try the spicy chicken wings while you’re at it — they’re delicious. 120 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane • 747-6005 • facebook.com/JonesRadiator KELLY’S IRISH PUB With its dark green walls festooned with Irish memorabilia, ample supply of Guinness and a menu with traditional Irish favorites like shepherd’s pie, Kelly’s is Coeur d’Alene’s place to “Erin go Bragh.” It’s not unusual to hear the Coeur d’Alene Firefighters Bag Pipe band playing here, but other international traditions like beer pong and karaoke are also embraced here. 726 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho • 208-667-1717 • kellyscda.com KNITTING FACTORY Downtown’s biggest rock venue, the Knitting Factory has won a loyal regional following. Amid the constant flux of the Spokane all-ages scene, the Knitting Factory has consistently worked to welcome young music lovers. Here, you’ll see everything from local music showcases to big national acts. Last year, both Macklemore and The Postal Service took the stage. 919 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane • 244-3279 • sp.knittingfactory.com
Mark Green and Jessica Zabel dancing at The Roadhouse. STEPHEN SCHLANGE PHOTO
Country Club
Country-Western bars join the nightlife scene
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s far as country bars go, there hasn’t been much to hoot or holler about in the Inland Northwest. Dave Pulis noticed the void in Coeur d’Alene and opened THE COUNTRY CLUB (216 E. Coeur d’Alene Ave.) in April. Live country music fills the tall, cowhide-adorned walls every weekend and you can get distinctly country drinks, like their Country Club Special served in a red solo cup or a cold 34-ounce “Big’un” beer. Country music is hitting a popularity peak. “I think it’s probably the most popular genre of music in our region,” Pulis says. A couple of country spots have popped up in Spokane within the past year. Ride “Yo Momma,” the rowdy mechanical bull, or line dance to a live county band at THE ROADHOUSE (20 N. Raymond Rd., spokaneroadhouse.com) in Spokane Valley. Not sure how to get down, country style? They host swing and line dance lessons and even the urban cowboys will appreciate the large patio and outdoor volleyball court. BIG CITY SALOON (321 W. Sprague Ave.) combines country with rock and Top 40 hits to cater to the downtown crowd. Don’t miss their dancing bartenders doing the “Cotton-Eyed Joe” on the stage above the mechanical bull. — JO MILLER
LAKE VIEW LOUNGE Sweeping views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, soft lighting and soulful jazz guitar by Robert Vaughn (Fri and Sat), make the Lake View Lounge one of the most romantic destinations to sip 18-year-old double-malt scotch and classic martinis. 115 S. Second St., Coeur d’Alene Resort, 7th floor, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho • 208-765-4000 • cdaresort.com THE LANTERN TAVERN When it opened in 2009, the Lantern Tavern — at 200 square feet — was one of Spokane’s smallest bars. There were 12 stools at the bar, an overflow of customers on warm summer nights and a regular happy hour crowd that didn’t mind squeezing into the standing-roomonly establishment. Since then, co-owners Melinda and Mike Dolmage and James Pearson spent months renovating the cafe, tearing out booths and creating open space while attempting to maintain the sense of intimacy that their regulars enjoyed. Now regulars and newcomers alike can enjoy a full menu alongside their craft brews. 1004 S. Perry St., Spokane • 315-9531 • thelanterntavern.com LEFTBANK WINE BAR Feeling a little inexperienced or intimidated by snooty oenophiles swishing and spitting at upscale wine bars or
wineries? LeftBank makes it easy to educate your palate, with over 60 wines by the glass, and $5 happy hour glasses and $10 flights, which is a miniature wine tasting in itself. The atmosphere is polished yet cozy. Its warm, earthy interior and toasty fireplace offer a contrast to the cool glass of the chandeliers and sleek furniture. A heavy rotation of local art bedecks the walls, and Friday and Saturday nights bring live music . 108 N. Washington St., Spokane • 315-8623 • leftbankwinebar.com LEGENDS OF FIRE This is the only true cigar bar in the region and Northern Quest has taken advantage of that fact with this throwback lounge. Low lights, low chairs, a swank bar with deep reserves of whiskey, scotch, and cognac. And, oh, that smell. Cigarettes aren’t allowed, but the warm, earthy aroma of fine cigars is everywhere. Northern Quest Resort and Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 242-7000 • northernquest.com LIBERTY CIDER WORKS This state is pretty good at apples and booze, so it’s about time for cider to start catching on in Spokane. Liberty Ciderworks started up in downtown Spokane this July. This craft cidery is committed to making English- and American-style ciders. Try their creations at their tasting room or look for their bottles in area stores in the fall. 164 S. Washington St., Spokane • • libertycider. com LION’S LAIR Chances are you’ve driven by this bustling joint. Perfect for socializing and located on the corner of Browne and Riverside, The Lions Lair offers live music, DJ’s, affordable drinks, and prime outdoor seating. 205 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane • 456-5678 • facebook.com/lionslairspokane LIQUID This is a classy cocktail bar, with two big glass ribbons projecting slowly cascading digital waterfalls and a beautiful, three-dimensional topo map projecting upward to the ceiling located in the middle of the Northern Quest Casino. Sit down for a drink and play one of the video slot machines built into the bar. Northern Quest Resort and Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights • 242-7000 • northernquest.com LITZ’S BAR & GRILL If you’re bored at Litz’s, there’s something wrong with you. A favorite hangout of Gonzaga students, Litz’s boasts an outdoor sand volleyball court, pool tables, arcade games, shuffleboard, beer pong, karaoke, trivia and other fun activities. There’s always some sort of drink special and the pub food is made from scratch. Try the sweet potato fries with gorgonzola. 204 E. Ermina Ave., Spokane • 327-7092 • litzs.com LUNA The wine list is expansive and the atmosphere is elegant. But the main reason you stop in for a drink at Luna is Patrick — one of the most gifted bartenders around. Sit at the bar, tell him what you like and
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