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Mon-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
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I LOVE THIS PLACE! I don't really know how to say it but that.
The place is a wonderful little British hub. I love all of the signage and the "main floor of a house" feel its got. It was pretty crowded when we went, but we found a couple seats and a barrel table to sit at.
The prices are spectacular and the beer is good. We ordered the Shepard's Pie which was so so good. The staffers were wonderful as well. I'd love to come here again, if not make this "our new place" for the future.
I deduct one star only because it is not my favorite bar in Sacramento and because they don't serve cocktails (though as Johnna B says, "it is what it is."
And, I think I will start to frequent this Swiss Chalet style pub more often so that it may rise to be my favorite (and so I can get my own stein). My friends would have my head if they knew I wasn't giving the full five stars as THIS IS their spot.
They're like two of 40 people that have their own steins hanging from the ceiling ... and I'm pretty sure some old bloat is going to have to kick the bucket before I even have a chance in hell of getting my own. Yes, I was a bit jealous drinking from my regular old pint glass, with no fun tin lid to flip open.
The bartender was really nice, even before my Bonn Lair rockstar friends arrived. He was serving a couple of dudes sitting at the bar who were eh, a bit loud and obnoxious, but it didn't really bother me.
More than anything else (yes, they have an amazing selection of beer) I like this place for its trivia night. Mainly because I got an answer right. Yes, just one. This never happens. The answer was Water Displacement. Anyone know what the question was? I do. :)
Bon Lair was at one time one of my favorite haunts. But over the years it has become less about locals and more about the Sac State crowd piling in and making the place unlivable. If you get in at the right time it can be good, they have a good selection of beers and a very knowledgeable bartender. But they get cramped easily.
Still a good place if you're looking for pub atmosphere but it's hit or miss.
Cute place, kinda small for a group to go to, but great for a date or a few friends to grab some good beers. They have one of my favs: McChouffe.
This is a popular place as you can tell. Sundays (trivia night) was packed to the brim to the point that it was difficult to move about the place. We had a drink and then came back an hour later after getting something to eat and the place was almost empty. I asked if they were still open but was told that all the people left after trivia was over. The other times I came here there was plenty of room. There are two dartboards and the darts are free to play. I love how the darts sometimes stick at awesomely weird angles. Can't get that with electronic dartboards and plastic darts. Lots of selection. Many good beers on draft as well.
Bonn Lair is a very quaint Irish Pub located in the heart of East Sacramento. There is sufficient parking in the rear, and they have the best selection of import beers in town by far. The staff is great and even when its busy it takes almost no time to acquire a beverage. If you are looking for somewhere to hang out and socialize midweek, while tuned in to some SETANTA Sports Network over a cold English Ale then this is a great place to be. I certainly prefer this place to the other "Irish Pubs" in town (Deveres, Streets of London), however they do close early (1245?).
Bonn Lair is so cozy and charming with its vintage-y dark wood pub furniture and British knick-knacks on the walls. I love coming here with my boyfriend or a friend and hiding out in a corner to talk. It's never too loud to talk, and the atmosphere is very laid-back, with the feeling of a great locals bar. It reminds me a lot of the pubs I went to in England and Ireland when I visited there.
I've only been here once, but I will definitely be going back again soon. I went with a group of friends late on a random Monday night and the place was basically empty. The bartender was really friendly and helpful as we tried to decide on what beers to have. We made our way to the back room and played darts until closing time. More fun than I've probably ever had at Streets of London...probably because I could actually find a table at Bonnlair and didn't have to work through crowds of people.
Minus one star for being pretty small, which could be an issue on busier weekend nights.
I didn't know they had trivia on Sundays, but thanks to other Yelpers, I'm now really excited to go play!
I've had several cohorts tell me this is their favorite bar in town. While it's not my favorite, I will say it's quality. If you're looking for a good UK pub, then forget about Streets of London and hike the distance down here. They've got a better beer selection (with an excellent collection of steins to chose from), a tamer crowd and a pair of dart boards that you can actually play on without maiming an angry frat boy. Not as big, but that's usually not a problem.
Sunday nights provide a quality trivia night, if that's your bag of tea. If you're also a fan of rugby and futbol, then you won't be disappointed.
It's a fine place to grab a pint and discuss all things British.
For some reason I've avoided reviewing the Bonn Lair. Let's just say, the Bonn Lair and I have quite a bit of history. Some of it's good, some bad, but most of it is what it is.
When I turned 21, this was my favorite place. It's always been close to where I live, and as many of the other reviewers reported, the people are easy to talk to and nice (for the most part.) There are a few jack asses lingering about but it is fairly easy to tell them where to go once you figure out who they are. Just be careful, or you might soon be living a life you're totally unaware of, which is always creepy. You might want to develop a code name. I can help you with this.
I've gotten to know most of the bartenders as time has passed, and my favorites are Mike and Graham. Mike is one of the most down to earth people I know, and offers a unique perspective on just about everything. Graham is just Graham. Don't be alarmed if he yells at you, "Ladies and Gentlemen, get the hell out! Finish up your drinks then, we're closed!" This is just his way of telling you to get the hell out, the bar is closed. They're both one of a kind and have always been good to me, personally.
What's really special about the Bonn Lair is that it offers a superbly comfortable drinking environment, which is no doubt why it has such a huge following. When I was in college, this was my escape from the jerks I had to go to school with and take instruction from. People get drunk, but since there's no hard alcohol, they don't get out of control like they might at the Raven or at Cheaters (I've never seen anyone stand on the bar and take their clothes off, in other words.) The Bonn Lair is a pretty low-key place most of the time. I hashed out many a term paper topic here with people whom neither knew nor cared that they were helping me finish my term paper.
Now for what you came here for: Beer! They have one of the best beer selections in the county on tap, 365 days a year. They offer several standard wines.
My favorite time to come in is in the Spring, when the sun is out, after a long day at work. But get into the habit of that and soon every day at work is a hard day at work, if you catch my drift. If you need a quiet place to write something some afternoon, there are few better places than the Bonn Lair between 2 and 4 on any weekday. But sports dominate these hours on the weekend usually so make sure you know what day it is before you visit.
Although "it is what it is" might be the single worst thing to say in a review, that is exactly how I have to conclude this, my 100th review! It is what it is, and for the most part, it's a great place to relax and have a good time. But be careful who you talk to. There are some real haters up in here. It's always best to trust your gut. If someone's being too nice, retreat. Unless his name is Phil M. He REALLY is that nice.
Trying to muster up whats left of my brain cells , did my best last night in this place to kill that damm keg of Stella , they must be on those new Jumbo kegs, Shepperd's pie is back in stock and tasting outstanding.
This place i must state has got to have the coolest group of drinkin people that ya just do not run into in other bars , never seen anyone having a bad time ,
thanks Bonn lair for yet another brain toasting night out............
it doesn't smell like fried food and dirty carpet,this is a plus for any midtown pub.good food for a… Read more »
Happened upon this place after realizing that there's some sort of law that says Thai restaurants can't be open during the afternoon.
This place rocks! Many very good beers on tap, and the food was awesome too. Their fish and chips is not shy... you will not get a fish plank, you will get what amounts to a battered log of cod, perfectly flaky and delicious.
I got bangers and mash, which were also good.
Next time I need a beer and pub grub, I'll be back. It will be soon...
My #1 choice for a cozy pub with great beer. If you have never had Maredsous or Chimay then you must give them a try. The menu is typical pub fare - the Shepherd's Pie is my choice for something that isn't too heavy. Can be crowded inside and the bar is itsy-bitsy, so not a good place for a large group or a quick beer.
Their only fault is that they don't have Moose Drool, because it's American. Darn elitists. Head over to Luigi's Slice for the *best* American beer. Oh yeah - no pitchers - so if you plan a night of beerage it costs a bit more than Streets.
This is a nice bar and it's the closest bar to my house and has friendly staff and a good beer selection. But for real, it would cost me like $40 to get drunk here. I know that's not the point of warm, quaint little neighborhood spots, but Jeez, my nightcap need not require a trip to an atm.
Also, the clientele. Ugh. I don't know what the deal is with people bringing their mom/ aunt/ older female relatives here, and having said relatives get all lovey-dovey and close-talkey with me, but cut it out!!
Ditto on the perpetually-wasted Irish doctor dude who's always telling me what to do with my life. I have a dad, thankyouverymuch!
No establishment in town has benefitted as much from Streets of London's full liquor license. Bonn Lair, annually recognized as one of the best neighborhood bars by the Sacramento News & Review, is a packed English pub tucked among a strip on restaurants in East Sacramento. It's a fun bar to come to if you can find a seat, which is now pretty hard, as it seems to have picked up many pubgoers who don't like what Streets of London has become.
Interior seating consists of a raised seating area to the left of the bar, limited bar stool space, a few booths, an open space for roughly 10 people and two elevated tables in the dart section. There is limited outdoor seating immediately left of the entrance. The bartenders are pleasant, although it can often be hard to gain their attention around the cramped bar space.
The beer list is solid, with a good amount on draught. Most cost around $4. You have to charge at least $10 if you want to use a credit card. If you want just one drink, they'll give you a beer token for next time. It's a nice little quirk you can admire about a local establishment. Unfortunately, they do not serve pitchers.
I can't comment on the food. Ordering a pizza next door at La Trattoria Bohemia and bringing it over seems pretty popular.
Yes, this is still "my" bar. The place where I come to hang with my friends, have a few pints, relax after a hard day at work, my regular pub. Where I always feel welcome. Where I know I can run into some good, quality, people.
Why am I knocking off a star?
The effing pub crawls! I HATE the pub crawls. HATE.
The pub crawls turn my nice, quiet, friendly pub into a completely different animal. All of a sudden, I can't get to the bar to get an effing beer. I can't go to the mother loving bathroom!
I HATE pub crawls.
Go somewhere else you loud annoying pub crawlers, you!
Love this place.
Guinness, Newcastle, witty staff, witty clientele.
Added bonus - my puppy is…
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Don't go here you'll hate it. I say that to weed out the douches.
I love this place so. There are times when I will crave going here so much that I'll grab my knitting and go just to sit in a corner and drink.
They allow you to order food from the surrounding restaurants and eat it here! The darts are real, as are all the regulars. There just isn't a better bar in Sacramento. And the bartenders!! Glowing reviews from me!
I went to the trivia night a few weeks ago and had a blast. The beer selection is unrivaled, and I even tried my first cask beer here. The music is always good and the games on TV....well there are always games on the TV's.
Please...If you frequent the Blue Que, or Ink...stay the hell out of here! You will not like it, and I will not like you.
Really charming little pub. Lots of brit and irish tchatchkis everywhere, but it's the patrons that make the atmosphere here. Nice people, lots of interesting beers.
I had never had an Old Speckled Hen before. It was served warm. Now I can't get enough of warm Old Speckled Hen. I plan to visit quite a few times in the future.
Best British Pub in town! Very warm and homey, staff is excellent, and there are great beers on tap and in the bottle.
MY FAVORITE BEER:
Bottle of Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout.
Try it, it is one of the best Stouts I have ever tasted. I hope you enjoy.
The beers on tap are excellent here as well!
One of the few places I actually LOVE in Sac.
I never get tired of it and better yet it never gets tired of me
I can spend a whole day (ok a whole overcast day) sitting on the tiny patio out front drinking
All of the bartenders are great and so are the owners.
I have a lot of great memories thanks to the Bonn Lair, and many of them are not fit for publication
I love the fact that its beer and wine only (Streets should have stuck with that formula)
I love the fact that you generally know some if not all of the people in there
I love the fact that you can still win the trivia when you're drunk (it's not as hard as Streets)
I love the fact that occasionally there are hot British guys there
I love the fact that its tucked away in East Sac but still easily accessible from downtown (walking distance that is)
Boon Lair is a damn good, I repeat...DAMN good pub in Sacramento. Big neighborhood/local feel to it, but that's not a problem. Will be full on any given night.
Darts in the back are a good way to get the aggressions of the day out, only to finish up with an ice cold brew in one of the many comfy lounge spots in the pub while watching some football.
I'm a big fan of the seats actually. They have a side area with some tables, a couchy thing right next to the bar, some booths, and my personal favorite - the hugh-hefner-lazboy-next-to-the-fireplace- feel recliners. Awesome.
Sunday is trivia night, and it's pretty fun. The runners-up get some bar credit, and I think the winners get a round for the team. I wouldn't know, as my team tied for last - we were too busy drinking.
The bread and butter of Bonn Lair is the beer, of course. The beer on draft is AWESOME. My personal favorite is the Firestone Double Barrell. The Paulaner Hef is awesome too.
Last but not least, the staff here are friendly and accommodating.
I like this place quite a bit. I think it is much more authentic pub-like than Streets of London, and I love the atmosphere. Great beer selection and it is so low-key and relaxed.
That said... I have been told that they don't keep their tubes (from the kegs) completely clean, which sort of grossed me out... I don't know if it's true or not. But, a few extra germs for a really pleasant experience with good beer?
Hell yes, I'm down.
Oi, that's what I call a pasty!
I was leaving Fry's electronics pissed off at the poor customer service, when my friend Suzy called me up to meet her and her boyfriend at this pub. The pub was located in the Fab Forties and went by the name, BonnLair. First off, I was amazed that I had never been in this pub as I recognized two old friends and the bartender as soon as I walked through the door. Secondly, I was really impressed at the great euro-styled decor. Lots of private booths and it was refreshing being at a bar that actually had pint glasses with labels instead of the same 'ol clear pint glasses. I remember when I was about 21 or so, my friends and I used to play the 'ol "steal-the pint-glass" game. The rules were simple, you must drink the beer of any glass you steal and you cannot steal the same glass twice even if it's a cool lable like Guiness or Newcastle.
They had a small selection of pub food all of which ran along English lines and since I have never sampled a pasty before and I've been hearing all sorts of rumors of these little delights becoming very popular as a late night treat, I decided to try one of the Cornish variety. For the uninitiated a pasty is sort of like a big hot pocket or a pirogi style bundle of tastiness. Mine in particular was filled with steak and potato's. It was on this delicious little pasty that I lovingly poured tasty brown gravy that was provided and topped with a sprinkling of peas. As a warning, this fatty delight was lacking in spices, however it's still Pretty f-ing yummers and honestly it's 100% comfort/late night drinking food.
The Breakdown!
1 Cornish Meat Pasty
1 Newcastle Brown Ale
Total Price = 13.00 (tip included)
It's unassuming from the outside and you'd have to either be a local or hear about it from a friend or have just eaten at the restaurant next door and stumbled into this place to know about it. Otherwise you'd walk or drive by thinking it's a local pub where random old regulars hang out next to a jukebox. But on the contrary, my school had a fundraiser there last night and when i went it i was surprised at how cozy the place was. It would be a nice place to just sit with some friends and have a nice drink and convo.
The beer was relatively cheap ($4 a pint of NewCastle). The only thing was that they had the heat way up and so sweating was going on and that's not good. I mean, it's cold outside but not THAT cold to have the heat blasting at 90 degrees. It's a small place and you always are squeezing by people to get anywhere but if you have a seat you're set.
Didn't really interact with the staff other than ordering my drink but i wasn't impressed. Maybe i just took it the wrong way but tell me what you think. This is my conversation with the bartender:
Me: "What do you guys have on tap?"
Bartender: "A lot"
Me: ?
And then he left me to look for myself.
I know it's weird but was that unfriendly or did i just read it wrong?
Besides that i'd still go back and next time some friends are in town that's probably the place i'd take them to get a drink. Reasons being that it's 2 blocks away and i don't know anywhere else in Sac AND that it's cozy.
As far as neighborhood bars go, it does not get much better than this.
Great atmosphere, hit or miss on the bartenders... I would work on getting some with more interesting personalities and more conversationalist... would add to the neighborhood pub charm
nice outside smoking area where people chat.
Mostly locals who are friendly and open from my experience.
How can you go wrong? Great staff (the best in SAC), awesome music (Pogues, Ramones, Dropkick, Clash, etc.), clean, safe, and fun!
They have a great assortment of beers even though I usually stick with cider.
I know I am one of the 1,000 people on here who is writing a review, but really, I could come here every night and never get tired of this place.
It is a great place to have a pint and chat with good friends while listening to some great music.
I could go on and on, but you just have to try it for yourself.
Looks like a hole in the wall joint from out front, but it's the closest to a neighborhood British pub that you'll find in Sac. Most of the people look like regulars, because you get the feeling everyone knows each other - at least a little bit.
Food & drinks are equally good, with a fine selection on tap and standard pub favorites to eat. And for the ladies, they have a fruit-flavored beer selection. Trust me, the females like it - ask for lambic.
A bit of a squeeze for our group of 12 (Four to six would be a lot easier), but we're always up for… Read more »
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! one of the coziest pubs ive ever been too! The regulars are very nice and welcoming, so many beers ON TAP to choose from and to top it all off, cork board darts!!!! who knew heaven was on J street? i hear they serve food early on but we showed up pretty late and were welcomed to byof....
im totally sure the food will be as good as the service, people, and delicious Guinness are...
Unarguably one of the best in town. Now that I'm getting to be an old fart, I like this place more and more. I want my quality, imported beers and I want the taps that they come out of to not be rancid (I'll refrain from pointing fingers for now). I want to be able to both carry on a conversation with friends without having to scream into one another ears AND then be able to shriek with laughter as the night progresses. I want to be able to go there straight from painting, yoga or work, or for one last drink after a fancy-pants night.
Bonn Lair fits the bill on all of these. And, I LOVE that I can bring a pasty or pizza in from the places nearby.
Normally a claustrophobic pub with a disgruntled Scot behind the bar would sound like a turn off but Bonn Lair makes it work in so many ways! Keep in mind the bartender's quips were aimed at drunken college students that raised the decibel level to that of a Learjet upon their arrival. Never have I been so pleased to be that slovenly looking thirty something sipping her Guinness on a stool. No shiny shirts or high heels needed here, Bonn Lair's definitely come as you are unless you're a 21 year old Sac State student majoring in Recreations and Leisure who just discovered Irish car bombs (in which case, get off my stool and head down to De Vere's).
Love this place! It's cute, there's always parking, and its full of locals. The BEST place to get a Guinness in Sac! Their little back room is perfect for a group of friends.
The dense crowd wouldn't have bothered me so much if it didn't keep pushing me into the danger zone of the dartboard. Drunks + metal darts + my soft body = Not Good. Maybe if I bribed the guy throwing the darts, he could clear the crowd a bit so I could get a drink...
Given the heavy crowd, the 2 bartenders were doing a great job of serving up drinks and making change quickly. The Scottish decorations meshed well with the dark wood, creating a comfortable feel.
Nothing outstanding, but a solid bar for a pint.
Trivia: In Scottish, "lair" refers to a burial-plot in a graveyard. Maybe the restaurant name indicates that you'll go to that plot a happy person if you first have a night in the pub... :)
Trivia 2: No, you're not hallucinating. My original write-up was mistakenly about a different business I was at that night. What can I say; I was having a great time.
cute little pub, and a real corkboard for darts. big selection of beers, and it's cozy - one of the few places I wouldn't mind walking into by myself. the vibe is quaint - could become a constant for beer-thirty.
So Ive resisted reviewing the Bonn Lair based on what I thought was an already well established universal happiness with the place amongst the 40+ reviewers to cover this smashing bar. My experience at the bar last week has forced me to chime in with yet another glowing review.
I saddled up to the bar with a coworker one afternoon after sneaking out of work a bit early and dove into to the always wonderful Alagash White. The coworker and I somehow drifted onto the subject of particle physics of which I knew little and he knew quite a bit from his days back in college. I was asking lots of questions in an effort to get my head around the concept and was assisted by the bartender in my quest who was something of an armchair expert herself.
That my friends is an example of the community one can find at a great neighborhood pub. You walk in sit down and launch into entertaining (time waisting) conversation only to be joined in by someone you don't know that adds to the fun. The Bonn Lair will remain my go to spot when the cubicle walls begin to close in and I need to escape this job.
Where to go for Sunday lunch around Arden/East Sac? How about Bonn Lair? Yea, a yummy pasty with a pint.
They don't serve fried food on Sundays because they share the use of the kitchen next door with Trattatoria Bohemia. No big. The pasty, buttered peas, and roll makes a tasty lunch with a pint from the tap. Picking the food is easy. Picking the beer harder with so many choices.
Its a nice little place. All the nook and cranny seating makes for an intimate space.
I always keep a few tokens in my wallet for a treat at the bonnlair.
I finally made it over here the other night, after months and months of driving by. It is easy biking distance from my apartment, so I foresee a summer of coming here regularly.
This definitely feels like a pub in England, which is great. It reminded me of a place I went to in York. It is cozy and comfortable.
Their food is great, and I love that they have Strongbow cider on tap. My handsome companion and I shared the fish and chips and "The Bulldog" (sausage on a bun with grilled onions). I have tried fish and chips all over this town and these were definitely the best. The sandwich was great too, and a bargain at $5.
Major bonus points for being able to watch the footy. Too bad we had to see Liverpool score an own goal. *sniff*
What an awesome bar --- great vibe and amazing bears on tap. It's a "come as you are" place that is welcoming and fun. I've never gone here and not had a great time.
I guess this place is alright considering it's in Sacramento. The person(s) reading these words might not realize that I'm from SF where the Irish/English pub was actually invented in the fall of 1983. This place isn't a bad copy cat, but doesn't quite have that authentic SF feel to it. I think it really lacked the pretentiousness that every bar that I've been to in SF has in abundance.
I was also shocked to find that the beer here is not all organic, free-trade beer that is mandatory for alcohol licenses to be granted in the 415 area code. I guess people in Sacramento don't really care about the rest of the world --- thankfully, people like me (who are from SF) are supporting those that plant and grow the hops that form the base of every beer.
Excellent bangers & mash! The beer selection is good, and authentic pubstyle. It's a cozy little place, and especially fun as long as you know someone there or bring a group of friends. (I.e., sort of feels like a locals' bar.)
Second Tuesday of the month is our Sacramento Designer Pint Night though - check it out!
This is a terrific place to unwind after trying workday and relax. Almost anyone and everyone is willing to talk to you and share a laugh...and the laughter is abundant here. You can enjoy a cold pint of European beer and forget all your cares while you go with the flow of some bizarre tangent of conversation that may evoke big laughs in some and sighs of disgust in others. This is not a place for the squeamish or starchy. The humor can sometimes be twisted and the people eclectic. Bring a smile and an open mind.
Ive tried nearly all brews and most are fantastic. I like the Alagash the best. The wine is on the pricier end and aren't the best picks. No hard alcohol is served here. But some like it that way.
Writing this review makes me think I need to go pay them a visit :)
Sacramento, CA
Category: Bars
Sacramento, CA
Category: Lounges
Sacramento, CA
Category: Pubs
Sacramento, CA
Category: Restaurants
Sacramento, CA
Category: Gay Bars
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