moze sz@ newsr ev iew.c o m
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by MozeS z A R AT e
entertainment
Going to a movie at the drive-in is still a Sac summer staple.
lose the roof Relax at one at one of Sacramento’s open-air bars
I
f you’re looking to relax with sunshine and the evening breeze, there are a handful of local bars primed for both. Don’t be an indoor cat. Imbibe outside.
by PATRICk H yun WIlSon
Movies
under the
Midtown’s Cantina Alley Photo courtesy of syufy enterPrises
stars
West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In puts nostalgia into focus
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he light fades as the smell of popcorn wafts through the air and headlights shut off one by one. Rows of cars that are parked on asphalt point toward a 100-foot wide screen. As the sun sets further below the horizon, a powerful projector shines a film beneath a darkening sky. Since 1973, the West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In has been a staple—and despite a decline among drive-ins around the country over the years, it’s not going anywhere. In recent months, Syufy Enterprises, the outdoor theater’s owner, has invested money and resources, including repaving the asphalt parking lot and renovating the bathrooms and concessions
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counter, said Tony Maniscalco, Syufy’s vice president of marketing. In the past, West Wind faced imminent closure, Maniscalco said. A nostalgia for simpler, streaming-free options has changed that. “Now we feel like we have the opportunity to invest in [the drive in] and to improve the location as we have done with some of our other locations,” he said. Paving is complete for at least three screens, with the rest temporarily postponed due to rain, while the renovations are just in time for the summer season. Drive-in theaters have been part of American culture since their peak in the 1950s, when there
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were more than 4,000. There are only about 330 left in America, but Syufy hasn’t given up on the tradition just yet. The Sacramento location is “well-performing,” according to Maniscalco, giving Syufy the confidence to invest in upgrades and weekly offerings such as “Family Fun Nights” and “Free Movie Tuesdays”. This summer will also debut a new series of Saturday events for children, including bounce houses, face painting and open markets. The kid-friendly focus, as well as the renovations, are part of an effort to modernize the tradition for the future. “Families are in lawn chairs when it’s hot outside or bundled up in the back of a pickup truck. It’s a slice of Americana,” Maniscalco said. “It’s kind of old school and high technology all rolled into one.” 9616 Oates Drive; westwinddi.com/ locations/sacramento.
At the corner of 23rd Street and Jazz Alley is Sacramento’s wormhole to Mexico. At least that was the intention of Art Aguilar and Max Archuleta, who opened an authentic open-air cantina on the grid in 2017. Cantina Alley serves street tacos, pozole, sopes, tres leches cake, Mexican craft beer and a collection of mezcals in an ever-expanding menu. Vibrant street art and hand-carved wooden tables make the place feel like home south of the border. 2320 Jazz Alley; Hours: Tue-Thu 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Fri 3 p.m.-2 a.m., Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; (833) 2320-639; cantinaalley.com.
Swabbies on the River One of the best places in Sacramento to regularly catch daytime live music is Swabbies on the River, a riverside restaurant off Garden Highway that has Cabo San Lucas and Honolulu in mind. From the shade of giant trees, order from more than 19 beers on tap, or munch on burgers, fries and bar food staples. Definitely take a look at the live music calendar: Swabbies has a local reputation for hosting rocking tributes for bands such as Heart, Van Halen and Creedence Clearwater Revival. 5871 Garden Highway; Hours: Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; (916) 920-8088; swabbies.com.
Der Biergarten No television, no music, no dance floor, but more importantly no roof. Der Biergarten is an outdoor dive that twists
on the German beer garden. At K and 24th streets, two large cargo containers are used for the bar and restrooms, and benches shipped from Germany make the space communal. The 32-beer list is extensive with German and Belgian ales. On the food menu: sausages, pretzels and German pizza. In lieu of nightclub amenities, play ping-pong, foosball or cornhole. 2332 K Street; Hours: Tue-Thu 3 p.m.-8 p.m., Fri 3 p.m.-11 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Closed when it rains; (916) 346-4572; beergardensacramento.com.
Drake’s: The Barn Drake’s Brewing Co. opened a new venue in West Sacramento’s Bridge District last October. It’s an 8,000square foot beer garden, bar and live music venue characterized by a giant art deco archway and an emphasis on bringing the neighborhood together. Admission is free to the Barn’s three stages, pizza restaurant, 25-plus beer selection and lawn. It’s mostly outdoors, so huddle by the fire pits at night. 985 Riverfront St. in West Sacramento; Hours: Wed-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Sat noonmidnight, Sun noon-9 p.m.; (510) 423-0971; drinkdrakes.com/places/the-barn.
Revival at the Sawyer Sacramento’s only rooftop bar overlooks the DOCO and Golden 1 Center from the third floor of the Kimpton Sawyer luxury hotel. It’s got a pool deck, cabanas, a full restaurant that serves $7 dishes and caviar, and while it’s mostly a lounge, Revival transforms into a nightclub on evenings and post-game celebrations. Hours: Mon-Thu 4 p.m.midnight, Fri-Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; (916) 545-7111; revivalsacramento.com.