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Acapulco Inn
Category: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Sports Bars [Edit]
5283 E 2nd StLong Beach, CA 90803
(562) 439-3517
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 2 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
55 reviews for Acapulco Inn
Review Highlights
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"Two great pool tables with real players." In 12 reviews -
"Besides that, this is one of the greatest dive bars." In 18 reviews -
"...of games to play, places to sit and great people watching." In 2 reviews
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Flint M.
Long Beach, CA
4/8/2012
This is where I hang out most of the time. I don't really come weekends because it gets too crowded and loud, and while I'm barely older than the college kids, crowded bars weren't my thing in college, either. That being said, this is otherwise one of the most relaxed and fun places to be on 2nd street.
Honestly, I would come here anyway because of the pool tables, but the fact that the staff and the majority of the clientele are so friendly makes me happy to be and stay there. Tuesdays even feature a pool tournament, which may or may not be official but is certainly embraced, so I never miss a Tuesday.
The bouncers are the most friendly that I've ever met and the bartenders have never once been rude to me or anyone that I've seen. Truly, you'll be coming back partially just to see these great people again.
Notes: also includes a golfing video game, a shuffleboard and a set of those basketball cabinet games. -
Review from DaveVivian K.
Long Beach, CA
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
The old ass bartender chicks wear low cut tops to show the gravitating goods, and
tight bell bottom jeans - but whatever...it was disturbing to witness while i was enjoying my water at the bar.
This place is a Bro-Douche Bag-Frat Boy domain..... -
Review from Alfredo M.
Portland, OR
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Used to be a classic, dark, dive bar with a ton of character. Has been transformed/made more profitable by targeting the partyin' college crowd, especially in the evening.
It's still a solid place to grab a cold one, watch a game, and hang out - especially in the daytime - but at night it gets to be a bit of a meat market...not that there's anything wrong with it if that's what you're looking for.
I find myself missing the old, dirty charm of the original AI though. -
Review from Katie S.
Long Beach, CA
4/7/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I'll admit I'm a bit of a regular here, but honestly, I'm not sure why everyone isn't.
-the beers are cold
-the TVs are big
-the bartenders are on their game, and "hot sexy pieces of @$$" according to the male bff. Nice to have someone with a personality serving you rather than the usual "what do you want".
-the bouncers are really nice, hard working guys. So refreshing next to other bouncers that scream at you and push you out of the way for no reason. Which sadly, has become too common.
-overall I just can't complain about the staff period. From the mangers to the shot girls, they're all personable
-oh and they serve sandwiches and pickled eggs. Along with pretzels, popcorn, and chips. Legit bar food.
Possible cons:
-yea, it's a young crowd at night, but seriously, 90% of second street is under the age of 30 from the hours of 10pm-2am anyway. Maybe this bothers older people, but for me it's a good thing ;)
-yea, they don't serve hard alcohol. Say it with me: beer. It's delicious. Drink it.
-some people complain that it feels like a college party, but I love the laid back vibe. Most people are in casual clothes. The lack of near crotch-shot dresses, six inch heels, and over axed men in affliction t shirts is refreshing in my book. -
Review from E Z.
Carson, CA
4/23/2012 17 Check-ins Here
love this place......
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Review from Stephen T.
Long Beach, CA
Got'a keep that 5 stars! I love this place...
Went here last night (Wednesday night) and it was kind of slow, but still, the bar tender was nice as always, the door men were cool... We shot pool, relaxed and had some beers.
What more do you want!Listed in: Best Friday / Saturday Night…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/26/2011
Two very nice pool tables newly re-felted, a side by side basketball shooting game, shuffle board,… Read more »
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Review from Chantell L.
Long Beach, CA
This bar does not put on airs. Its a bit rugged and rough around the edges. AI has essentially been in a remodel mode for over a year and I don't think they're in a big rush to finish.
Luckily they have all of the basic essentials in place that can make any good bar great.
-They have a fabulous juke box.
-I have yet to meet a bartender here that I didn't like.
-They have a plethora of games available for all of your drunken competetive needs: 2 pool tables, shuffle board, basketball, video golf, weird-punch-bag-thingy.
-They have recently installed a photo booth so you can have a visual recording of your night (lest you forget it).
-The bouncers aren't douches.
- An abundance of televisions for all of your sport viewing needs.
-The patrons; I come here often with my boyfriend and we have yet to make a visit here without meeting someone new.
- Outdoor seating/smoking area.
The only real beef I have with this place is they are in desperate need of new pool ques. There are only 2 decent ones currently in circulation, the rest are just kind of pathetic.
This is a beer only bar. Which essentially isn't a big deal, but it could be for some.
Also, the time and day of the week that you visit will greatly effect the type of crowd that tends to gather. But I guess thats the norm for most places.
I've noticed that alot of older ex-military guys tend to populate the place in the day time. Towards happy-hour the crowd tends to diversify. By about 11 o'clock its basically 20 somethings and can get crowded. Sundays tend to be a mixed bag.Listed in: Drinking - Where to get it…
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Review from Monica O.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are looking for an exciting fun bar don't come here. Every time I've came here its dead unless the rest of the other bars are too full then people will come here. I don't think they sell mixed drinks here but they do have beer. This bar gives me a dive bar type of feel.
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Review from Stevenenen N.
Orange County, CA
4/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
There is some appeal to this bar. There is outside seating and it has a very open feel to it like at an auto mechanic shop because of the open wall. http://www.yelp.com/bi... Great for 2nd Street people watching.
There are two bar size pool tables that take 4 quarters a game. They do have a change machine. 4 pool sticks only and one of the tips missing, so really only 3 pool sticks. A long shuffle board that is very cramp on the end where the two basket hoop games are. This was the only spot I felt claustrophobic because the rest of the bar is pretty well spread out. And the elbow room felt much more roomy since it was pretty dead the last time I came. There were only a handful of peeps here while there was a packed house at Legends.
Reading the reviews here, they renovated this place. It use to be more divey and I can see that. It is now at a state of in between dive bar and douche-bag bar. It isn't a bad place to hang at and beats hanging out at Legends where all you have is douche-bags and the boob tube.
The bartenders seem friendly and nice. They are on the slow and forgetful side at times though. Good thing one of my favorite beers on tap is served here, Stone IPA. This beer hits me harder and quicker than any other beer, so longer waits are bearable.Comment from Hawaiian Bob G. of Acapulco Inn 5/2/2011
Aloha Steven and thank you for your patronage at the AI. We… More » -
Review from Lan N.
11/24/2011
Beer only. A great place to hang out and play some pool & shuffleboard. Mellow and still somewhat divelike. Renovated for a spacious type of feel and they also serve a limited menu. I came here on a sunday funday and it was worth it.
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Review from Chuck A.
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
.., Acapulco Inn is always a must for us whenever we'd go boozing around 2nd Street.
Its open face patio in the front allows the whole bar to breathe providing an environment all its own. Legend's is the only other bar that's as open in front as Acapulco is.
Beer only, but always fun. We would usually shoot pool here or play shuffleboard. 2 basketball shoot em' up games are in the corner as well. I always feel @ home here when we'd visit. We had taken our out of town guests here as part of a LBC pub crawl yesterday during the day. With the sunlight beaming in just right, it felt like we were in Rosarito haha.
Decent prices, chill crowd, & good times. Check it out! -
Review from Veezy P.
1/19/2011
*Shuffle Board seems like it's 1/4 of a mile long but it's definitely fun to play specially after you've had a few drinks
*2 Pool tables
*Basketball hoops
*Boxing punching bag (great for all the dudes testoterone)
*juke box
*Beer only
*pretzels at bar
This bar has been Remodeled...so if you ever feel like actually being active and playing mini bar olympics this is the spot! Dont' forget your sweat bands ;) -
Review from Kristin B.
Whittier, CA
8/12/2011
They renovated this place not too long ago and now it is nice and open and very enjoyable.
Lots of games to play, places to sit and great people watching. The only downfall is the fact that it is beer and wine only and they do not carry a very wide variety of interesting beers.
Nevertheless a good night out on 2nd always includes a stop at A.I. -
Review from Ree S.
Inarajan, GU
5/8/2011
It was a crowded saturday night, but i seemed to have still come in before the rush because there was no line. I spent about 15 minutes here and left. In the 15 minutes, a line had formed outside the bar.
The vibe is similar to going to a kegger at a frat/sorority house. Young college students pounding down beers and stumbling around. The floors were very sticky. It looked like a semi-dive bar, but the young patrons were dressed to impress. -
Review from Alan Y.
10/3/2010
I haven't been to this joint in years. But we used to come here to pre-party a little bit, play some shuffleboard, and shoot the shit with friends.
Yeah, it reminds me alot of a high school house party, or drinking in someone's converted garage.
It's not somewhere you'd hang out all night, but there's still fun to be had. -
Review from Andria M.
Long Beach, CA
7/22/2009
Wow!!! What a pleasant surprise!!!! A.I. has really changed! Don't get me wrong, it's STILL A DIVE BAR- But A.I. has had a face lift!! I have been coming to this bar longer than I care to share, but have not been here since the remodel, and I have to say that I am impressed!! The picture shows what OLD A.I. looked like, NEW A.I. is open and (dare I say?) airy. The place has been completely gutted, and while it is the same place, with the same pool tables/basketball game/shuffle board and the same bar tenders that have been there fooooooooorever it has a whole new feel.
Noticeably missing:
1. The smell of vomit/stale yeasty beer
2. Darkness
3. Sticky floors
4. Douchey frat boys (it was Tuesday, maybe they only come out closer to the weekend)
5. the CASH ONLY sign (as they now take credit woohoo!)
Jessica, Jonathan, Kelly and I had a super time!! We played pool, drank beer, and made new friends (there was an open table so we didn't even have to wait!) They now have several (maybe around 10) beers on tap which is another nice change. I much, MUCH prefer A.I. Shannon's. So if your in Belmont Shore, want to play pool, have a beer, and relax definitely go check A.I. out. -
Review from hung n.
Bellevue, WA
2/3/2008
Put on your mask and tank for you're going deep deep into this dive bar!
It has all the minimum requirements of a dive bar - quarter pool tables, shuffle board, juke box w/ the mandatory GNR, Journey, etc., doorless restrooms, sticky counter, and of course the mandatory bouncer.
Besides that, this is one of the greatest dive bars! Maybe I'm partial from being a regular for years. I sneak in there every now and then for nostalgia.
Almost forgot to mention.... cheap beer!Listed in: Lets Go Diving...
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Review from C F.
Long Beach, CA
6/29/2010
Love. It.
1) Go during the day unless you like the Legend's scene ... which tends to send it's overflow to A.I. at night.
2) Bring cash ... the daytime bardtender doesn't bother with cards.
3) Tell Don that Monk sent you.
I'd be there every day if "being there every day" wasn't considered alcoholism.Comment from Hawaiian Bob G. of Acapulco Inn 7/7/2010
CF, thank you for your review, we will have another… More » -
Review from Patrick N.
San Francisco, CA
8/3/2008
College.
Dive.
Bar.
Great beers, big tv's, cheap pool are all requirements. That and that bartender that is either the old guy, or looks like he just graduated from Long Beach State.
Of course, it's got the urinal that looks like it was installed in 1961, and the place was closed for a while because of liquor license (read: serving underage drinkers) violations, but what do you expect? -
Review from Heather T.
Long Beach, CA
9/21/2008
A place for douchebags and/or fratboys and the sad girls who will do the faux lesbian dancing/kissing bit so that they'll love them for a few hours after closing time.
The bartenders are very nice, hence a bonus star.
Skip this place and go to the V Room on 4th and Alamitos - there's only one pool table there, but there's a full bar and a more authentic dive atmosphere. -
Review from Caitie R.
Manhattan, NY
9/8/2009
This place is ghetto and for that reason I love it. Try concrete floors, your grandma's old couch, and shuffleboard? But they have some high tech gaming options that I can't say no to after a couple and a decent variety of beers on tap.
However this place is on second street--a very painful place to be considering you risk spending your night with Legend's lackeys. -
Review from Alyssa P.
6/5/2011
I like this place because it has all the basics you need for a good time, beer and games! Really, its basic. It looks like the entire place is made of plywood and since its been under construction, it pretty much is. Glad they decided to tear down that wall that separated the 'game room', it makes for more open area since it can get super crowded on the weekends. They ONLY serve beer which makes it even better. The crowd is pretty young, and can get pretty rowdy depending on the night but overall its a good place to stop in during a night on the town!
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Review from Darren T.
5/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's an all right bar. It's filled with CSULB students who are down to get shitfaced. It has a frat house type of feel where guys are just pounded down drinks trying to impress the ladies. Hard to find a spot to chill once it gets crowded though as the place always seems to get packed. They have a small selection of beer on tap though.
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Review from Monika M.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2009
This place has a lot of space, and cleanliness is not high on the priority list, but how can you not love a bar that has multiple pool tables, shuffle board, tons of video games, AND pop-a-shot. And there weren't all that many women in here. Plus for me and my girls.
I seriously could play pop a shot all night long. Keep the pitchers comin, kids. -
Review from Roger S.
Long Beach, CA
11/27/2010
I remember when 2nd Street was for locals and only Legends was for the douche bags. With all the bars on 2nd remodeling I guess they all want a piece of the douche bag dollars. Last night was my first visit to A.I since the remodel was complete and it makes me nostalgic. The place has lost all of its character. Yes it was a dive but it was our dive and I always relished watching first timers trying to figure out how such a place was allowed on 2nd street. It use to have character now it is just a cold soul-less box trying to be something it never can be. But at least they have cute chick bartenders now!
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Review from D A P.
Long Beach, CA
1/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Wow has this place changed. Don't get me wrong- it's still "divey." But now it's like drinking in your friend's garage and not like drinking in your grandpa's basement.
Cheap beers (in glasses now!) and nice bartenders. I like it when the garage doors are up in the summer. Cleaner than it used to be. You can play pool, shuffleboard, or watch a game on one of the TVs. But no food here.
Good place to meet your friends for a few beers. I wouldn't want to drink here all night.Comment from Hawaiian Bob G. of Acapulco Inn 7/14/2010
Aloha! "Divey" is what it used to be. We are currently in… More » -
Review from Christine B.
Walnut, CA
2/9/2010
Saturday night on 2nd Street. Long lines at all the other bars. Acapulco Inn has the shorter line? Let's go try it.
This is a dive bar, as everyone else keeps saying. A nothing fancy no-fuss place that serves pitchers of beers accompanied by plastic cups and plays music from a juke box. Although the place has been renovated, (I've driven by a hundred times and notice that they re-did the front and opened it up) it's still ghetto which adds to its charm. They even use a rickety old folding table in one of the rooms for people to rest their beverages on! Don't get me wrong, I liked this place but it's not number one on my list. It's a good place to start off the night with some beers.Comment from Hawaiian Bob G. of Acapulco Inn 7/14/2010
Aloha! Hopefully we won't have long lines, since we are in… More » -
Review from Meghan S.
Yorba Linda, CA
Updated - 9/9/2008
Ok, I'm changing my review on this place. The "short, asian dude" that bought the place... well turns out he's Hawaiian and I have horrible perception while intoxicated (don't we all). And he's got some good points of view on change... so props to him for removing my beer goggles and opening my eyes a little wider.
Good luck to the A.I. in this needed time of change!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/4/2008
This place used to have a 5-star rating from me... for a few reasons: a) I am a 5-year employee… Read more »
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Review from Kristen K.
Los Angeles, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was only here for an hour or so just wasting some time but it was a great place to get a drink!! People were friendly and so were the bartenders. This place has a very relaxed atmosphere...nice place to chill.
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Review from Richard S.
Long Beach, CA
Updated - 6/5/2011
The manager contacted me and apologized graciously. Personally, this says a lot about the business and it's greatly appreciated. I do not think an entire business should be penalized based on poor judgement on one employee. I had been to this location prior and always had a good time, hence the reason for my updated review. Thank you Bob for contacting me.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2011
Came in here to grab a beer, and was completely mistreated. The bartender Michelle C. Flipped me off… Read more »
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Review from Edward A.
Long Beach, CA
4/13/2009
Maybe it is because I grew up going to clubs and hybrid bars that I would not come back unless I was hammered and/ or with a group of hammered friends. They do no serve beer in glasses. They do not serve beer in SOLO cups...it's the level of plastic cup below SOLO cups!
Call me old, but I'd rather go to a pub, get a pint in a glass, and not deal with newbie drinkers (someone born in 1988 ordered a beer next to me).
With that said, the bartenders are nice and my friend goes here in her PJ's because no one cares about what she's wearing. It's pure entertainment towards the end of the night.
I'll be back when the 3 garage door patio is completed...for research purposes of course. -
Review from Jen S.
Anaheim Hills, CA
1/8/2011
I have been going to Acapulco Inn for years started in my 20's back in the old days and decided this year to add them to the pub crawl and I am glad we did. It was perfect with the new remodel this place was perfect for our group of 50. With pitcher deals and peanuts on the tables, basketball, pool and a juke box our drunk group loved it. It was pouring out so didn't get to enjoy the patio but so glad to see the remodel shaping up. I have fond memories of this place and so happy to add this to our list of bars for our bi-annual pub crawl!
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Review from Elizabeth W.
Long Beach, CA
6/11/2007 ROTD 7/29/2007
"They tried to make me go to AI and I said No No No!"
If you've read any of my reviews, you know I like 2nd street for the food, shopping, and that's about it. But when I must go out for a night on the big 2, I guess I'd go to AI.
It's a beer bar, nothing more, nothing less. Pool tables, basketball hoop (one of the highlights) and stools with a variety of locals ready to stare down your shirt while you order a drink. They won't say much, but their eyes will. The biggest downfall- 1 bathroom for the ladies. That's right! A beer bar with ONE bathroom. I've walked to Shorehouse, peed, and came back to see the same girls still in line. No good.
I prefer AI to some of the other 2nd street bars because it's a good place to sing Journey at the top of your lungs and guzzle beer without sorority sisters looking at you like you're crazy. (Yeah yeah, it's happened) No dress code, no cover charge, and no need to turn down the volume on your personal jukebox.. -
Review from Stephanie N.
Clearwater, FL
5/17/2007
This place has got the total dive bar feel despite the fact that its located on 2nd street. No need to be pretentious, just a good place to hang out w/ friends, chat or shoot pool. From the outside, you could almost pass this place by and not know exactly what kind of place it is. All you see is the door, a tiny porthole for a window, and a small placard for a sign.
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Review from Shirley S.
Austin, TX
12/13/2010
This place reminded me of my good ol' days at UCSB, only that it stank up a storm, and the floor was sticky as sh*t. Defintiely a college crowd atmosphere, but seriously, the stench was overwhelming! I was only there to meet up with a friend....so, yeah not planning on going there again!
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Review from Harry H.
Long Beach, CA
5/16/2007
This is a great bar to head to when you're on 2nd street. Two great pool tables with real players. Cheap Coors light by the pitcher and frosty mugs for only a few bucks. Great bartenders and very cool crowd of locals and college kids tired of the whole Shannon's scene. No cover and no dress code. Just a very relaxed and very fun atmosphere with friends to drink a few beers and play some pool or even play other bar games. Great place to relax and enjoy the evening with friends!
Listed in: Beer and Pool? Done.
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Review from Jess B.
Long Beach, CA
5/14/2008
Fun to do after a little bar hopping. Cash only...atm inside...basketball game, pool, etc. Some surprisingly snooty people last weekend...it's a dive but it can be entertaining.
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Review from Jennifer C.
Garden Grove, CA
12/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cheap beers and cheap thrills. Felt like I was back in college when we went there. Overall a typical dive bar and fun hang out.
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Review from Chase W.
Corona del Mar, CA
8/20/2008
Its big and spacious, a few pool tables, and a pop-a-shot basketball game. The place is a dump, but a cozy dump. Order a few pitchers and let the good times flow. On a bad note: something is wrong with the draft beer there, I drink Coors all the time, but whenever I drink at that place I get the worst hangovers. They need to clean the beer lines or something. Also, lookout for over-aggressive bouncers who will take your cups/beers and throw em out if no one is tending to them.
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Review from alex t.
5/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Went here after Cindo de Yelpo! My friend was in town and we wanted to extend the festivities. Lines were long everywhere! We got exhausted of waiting and ended up here. :D
We arrived when and apparently 176 bodies were in the place. We had to wait outside till only 165 persons were inside. So we waited til about 167....then the bouncer let us in. Walked in and first reaction was, "WOAH total dive bar, am I back in Costa Mesa?"
There's pool tables, basketball hoop, foosball and some other arcade games I didn't bother looking at. Went straight to the bar because I wanted to get WASTED! Turns out they only have beer and wine...and those don't get me wasted. Pretty disappointed in the variety of beverages...I didn't have time to yelp out the selection. Got the first hand experience instead. Got a pitcher of New Castle for $16 bucks. Not bad. Split it with my friends in clear plastic cups. That's new for me. Went over to play basketball hoop (what's it called??) and some guy tried to hustle my friends! Wanted to play a few games to win a pitcher. He was kicking my friend's butt so my friend just gave up the mini-tourney and gave him a 4 spot. But seriously...who hustles for beer?
The tunes were so faint I could barely hear it! Think there was a jukebox somewhere...or maybe it was just someone's cellphone. :/ But whatever the case, if you wanted to dance, you couldn't because there's no music.
Anyways, might not come back here. I want hard alcohol...and i was precipitously disappointed. Oh yeah and if you smoke, you have to go out of the bar...then stand back in line to get in. Anyways...this place blows. Don't go here and buy cheaper beer at the liquor store next door. It's open late! :)Comment from Hawaiian Bob G. of Acapulco Inn 7/7/2010
I'm one of the new managers that have recently made changes… More »
