De Borba's Saloon

I love this place. I can't put my finger on why, but it feels right. Everyone is welcome. The bartenders are friendly. The music is great. It's very welcoming to everyone and I love it.

Do not go here if you come in and the bartender is a fake tanned long haired guy. He's rude, yells at patrons (told a women to suck his dick in front of everyone) and makes awful drinks. Pretty sad actually because the bar has a lot of history here in Novato and could be really cool. Definitely needs that show 'Bar Rescue' to come in to help out. When we got here at 9pm on a Saturday there were around 15 people in here. Then the bartender started getting rude to several different patrons which resulted in everyone, except 2 of his friends, to leave, including us. Wish the owners would wise up. They'd make a lot more money if they did.

Over the years, I have come to love this place.
Every time I go in, it's like I've never been there, new faces, same bartender, a few old timers who used to frequent another watering hole, are at DeBorba's these days.

Your quintessential dive bar smack dab in downtown Novato...replete with jute box, old leather seat bar stools, ancient pictures on the walls, huge olden days wooden bar, nicotine stained walls and pool table. If you drink enough, you'd forget you were in Novato and could quite possibly be in Ohio or Indiana somewhere. If this is your thing, it's a great one. Had a couple beers with a cousin who was in town from back east and it worked out great.

I love this place oldschool small town dive bar. The bloody Mary's are wonderful and Captain Ron is the best.

Bloody Mary's are amazing!
(Especially if Barbara makes them)

Cozy, jukebox, friendly guests.
My kinda place.

Check it out if you're in the area.

If you need a little dose of friendly in a cruel, scheming world, helped along with some appropriate beverage, go to De Borba's.

One must understand this place to appreciate it. It's one of the oldest continuously operating bars in north county. It's not a scene, never too crowded, the floors are a little uneven, and the only thing that's fancy is the jukebox.

The wonderful thing about it is that the folks in there are friendly, real, regular, slightly imperfect, good folks. Nobody's sizing you up, nobody's asking what you do for a living, and people are happy to see you when you walk in. It is the VERY BEST place to go when you are having a rough day and just want to be around people who aren't going to try to fix you, judge you, or view you as a potential opportunity.

There's a funny little pass-through to Mary's next door, if you suddenly need a crepe with Nutella to help things along.

Exactly what's it's supposed to me.

A great local dive with friendly barkeeps and kind locals.

I love local dive bars and this is my favorite!! Friendly people, good drinks and one of my regular hangouts!

I stop in here yearly when I'm in town for the races. Each and every time the bartenders have been pleasant and professional. Good group of regulars and a very hearty poor. Thanks Barbara.