- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Sunshine Saloon Sports Bar & Charcoal Grill
Categories: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Nightlife Dance Clubs Restaurants American (Traditional) Sports Bars, Dance Clubs, American (Traditional) [Edit]
1807 Santa Rita RdSte K
(at Valley Ave)
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 846-6108
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 9 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ, Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
100 reviews for Sunshine Saloon Sports Bar & Charcoal Grill
Review Highlights
"Pool tables, shuffleboard and ping pong."
(in 22 reviews)
"Supper fun place to hang out."
(in 3 reviews)
"Everytime my buddies and I go we always have a great time."
(in 7 reviews)
Loading...
100 reviews in English
-
Review from Long N.
East Bay, CA
1/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place. This is a great hole in the wall bar/dance/lounge in the tri valley. There really aren't many places in the Tri Valley Area for night life and bars. I will tell you Karma, Neo, and Gallagher's pub suck ass. Downtown Pleasanton is ok with their nightlife. The owner Bob is a cool guy and his son bar tends there is a nice guy as well. The bar tenders are all pretty nice and you can be on their good side if you are respectful to them. I will break it down into two parts where this place is a sports bar that serves food during the day and has the night life element in the evening.
I watched the niner game here recently and there is a good amount of space to watch it where they cover up the pool tables to make more room to watch the game and eat. They also have beer pong, ping pong and shuffle board on the opposite side with another bar there. The side that houses the "main event" has a full bar. The food is pretty good as it is what you expect for "bar food." The day time is great to watch sports, drink a beer and good food.
The night life is pretty cool as most people like me are over clubs and don't want to deal with the jersey shore crowd at clubs. There are a few douchebags that come in here at times, but I have not had any problems with anybody. There are always cops surrounding the area so they are ready to respond as Pleasanton PD doesn't really have much work to do in P-Town anyways. DON'T DRIVE DRUNK!! There are too many cops out ready to get people; take advantage of the taxis. Taxi ride is much cheaper than a DUI. Don't be a retard. Come here with cash because they do not accept credit card during the night life portion. They do have their own ATM there if you forget your money as they just started this service. They do not charge bank fees. Alcohol selection is pretty good as I don't know what to review there. Thursdays they have a karaoke competition and Fridays are really hit or miss on if the place is popping. Saturdays are usually the night to come out where they have a DJ and the music videos playing of the song. (Which I am a real fan of) You also have the option of playing beer pond, ping pong and shuffle board just like during the day time. There is a small dance floor where girls usually go dance and the guys who have balls to dance with them. The dance floor is extremely small so don't expect much. They have enough tables to sit small groups of people. I don't know what time their late night menu ends but there is a Jack in the Box right next door. SCORE!!!! Overall, this place is pretty chill and I like coming here to hang with my buddies. Not a bad place and of course people have different opinions of this place. I like it. Hope this helps. -
Review from Tony C.
11/26/2011
Used to go this place a few years ago when I lived nearby. Wasn't my crowd then, certainly not now. The "bouncer" (he may have been 21 himself) asked for a second form of id in order to get in. I am 31. That trick might be cute and coy on the older ladies, but on me, it is simply rude and unprofessional.
While I got in, the 2 guys behind me where told to take a hike and in the staff's words, "find a place you guys fit in better." Take a guess why at a bar filled with 20 something Caucasians?
Disgusting and illegal. Filed a police report and will be reporting them to anyone who will listen. Never going there again unless it's to applaud them closing the doors forever. -
Review from Adrienne T.
Naples, FL
11/19/2011
Love this hole in the wall! Super fun for P-town!
I'm impressed, the crowd was great, friendly, happy....good vibe.
Decent prices and variety of drinks. CASH only though---and a super weird ATM...lol, you'll see if you know what I mean! lol...Old skool....ghetto style. LOL
Fun little watering hole to enjoy with your locals! --not to mention a Karaoke lovers heaven! -
Review from Kimmie M.
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a fan of any bar that has beer pong tables. Cool spot to go, not downtown but there's plenty of parking, TVs, lots of seating, a big bar, and lots of room. Plus it's next to a jack in the box. Making it super convenient when you have the post last call drunk munchies. Score.
-
Review from Todd C.
Dublin, CA
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
So the very first time I went here with a buddy years ago, we were really not sure what to make of it all. After many more times either going solo or with friends I have to say this is a fun place for me and I choose it oftentimes over other Pleasanton or Dublin night spots.
There's a hugely diverse crowd here, from the obvious college dudes to older biker couples and everything in between - literally everything. It's a place I can go with my sleeves rolled up, tats showing, and feel right at home, or put on my best Guess and still feel welcome. The bartenders are fast and don't ignore anyone which is nice to see.
As for local talent: Well let me tell you for a place that looks like Patrick Swayze should be in there with a half pool cue in his hand ready to swing, there are some beautiful girls coming in here. I've never had a night where I didn't see tables full of pretty ladies, younger and more 'cougar' age. Lots of guys too but I tend not to notice them as much ;^) Good 50/50 mix I would say.
Met lots of friendly people here over the last five or six years. Music is very loud and the tradition seems to be to throw in some Bon Jovi and Journey for drunken sing-alongs.
Bathrooms are teenie-tiny, unfortunately.
I've never gone for the food but I may have to now that I've read some reviews. See you at the Saloon! -
Review from Meg W.
Dublin, CA
12/8/2011
First things first people it's kinda of cash only. They have a fee free atm but jsut do yourself a favor and hit up a atm before you come. Think on the brigh side not opening up a tab will help you limit your drinks ;) So I love divey places and this place is awesome. IN a strip mall it looks like a meeting hall turned haphazardly into a bar. Great place for beer pong and have kareokee which gives major pluss in my book. Also for how busy this place gets there really is never a wait at the bar it seems. I've never eaten here so I can't give ya an idea on the food but the drink prices are great and there are great prices on pitchers for those beer pong games. :)
-
Review from Eric L.
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is definitely Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is the half of this place where you will find a bunch of ping-pong tables that you can play beer pong on and have a great time. The Mr. Hyde side is the dark wannabe night club half that is over run with barely and questionably legal kids, the crowd is dicey at best, wouldn't be surprised for see a fight nightly outside.
Go for the beer pong and leave everything else behind -
Review from Ryan B.
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
What an interesting waterhole. This place is a definite 2-star on a rough night, but if you're feeling good and you just want to drink with your friends, it's makes the 3-star cut.
The "Shiner" struggles to find it's personality between a dance floor, a beer pong lounge, and a bunch of people still stuck in their high school/college days (daze).
Their alcohol selection is pretty weak to weak to say the least. All I wanted was some Bullet on the rocks, but was disappointed to learn I had to choose an alternate. The list was short and appeared to only carry Maker, Jack, Crown, and Jameson. Any crafty alcohols appeared to be completely absent.
Although their alcohol selection was "economical" to say the most, their beer list was not bad a bar in the valley.
If you're pretentious and care what you're company might think, don't come here. However, if you just want to get wrecked with some ol' buddies and make a fool of yourself while doing so, then this is definitely the spot for you.Listed in: The Valley
-
Review from Corinna V.
Alameda, CA
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
There's not many places that have dancing, drinking, ping pong, pool, food and more... BUT this is one of them!!!
I always have fun here and it's always a good crowd.
They are CASH ONLY so make sure you bring cash. -
Review from Amanda B.
Livermore, CA
10/3/2011
I LOVE this place! They have Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays and it is super good! You get to choose your own meat and put as much toppings on them as you like! It ends kinda early, but worth it!
They have fun games to do when you're there, too, but that not why I go!
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TACOS AND MARGARITTAS!~!~!~! -
Review from Constance D.
San Leandro, CA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm sorry, I will not wait in a line to get into a bar that resides in a shopping center in Pleasanton across from a Jack in the Box (I believe). But I did, only to see a self-righteous so-called bouncer checking IDs, next to a sign that said had water damaged paper signage "I have the right to refuse anyone". He asked my boyfriend his address and birthday, and questioned if it was really him on his ID, my boyfriend is 25 and his photo is from high school. Then he moved onto me and didn't ask me one question, so I inquired as to why and he said he's allowed to do "random" checks since he's the bouncer. He gave me a wrist band and I went inside. I wanted to walk right back out, it was like hollister/a&f/pleasanton high blew up in here! I could just feel myself getting dumber. You have no idea what is on tap cause there is no signage, no real seating at the bar and everyone is so rude around you and bumps into you instead of begging your pardon. Not my scene at all, I prefer manners to this bull. I will never return to this place, ever.
-
Review from Maria G.
Lathrop, CA
5/17/2011
I'll start with the positive, It was a big place with a mixed crowd. There was a lot of tables and space. The music was great and Sports TV.. There was no fee to get in.
The negative part was that they only took cash. So some off us had no money just our ATM card. Which was weird. The other part was it felt like a bunch of high school kids were there. I would not go back unless I was with a group of friends and including men. -
Review from Dianne M.
San Ramon, CA
Updated - 9/23/2011
I have to up my review from 3 to 4, for two reasons. Sunshine Saloon is a place we keep returning because of the Swiss Mushroom Burger and the Chicken or Beef Cheesesteak, best around. But now I have to add great cheap tacos on Tues and Thurs.
Stopped by Sunshine's Taco Thursday (also done on Tuesdays) and it was a definite winner. We had one of each: Spicy pork (maybe Verde), Crispy ground beef (caramelized perfectly) and Chicken (in a spicy red sauce) tacos for $1.50 each. Can't beat that deal I liked them all pork best, ground beef second which surprised me because I thought for sure it would be the chicken but what I liked is that it was different since it wasn't in a sauce. They give you a griddle warmed flour tortilla topped with the meat. I wanted to try them all and at first it didn't seem like too much, I was pretty hungry. Then you take it over to the goober bar and fill it up. That is where the problem came in. They had so many yummy toppings (sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, spicy guacamole, cheese, jalapenos, lettuce, onions) I could barely close my tacos but I wouldn't change a thing.Listed in: Best Burger, Favorite Sandwich Places, Taco "Tuesday" - Dollar Tacos
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/21/2009
FAVORITE GREASY SANDWICH PLACE
Best Chicken Philly Cheese steak and California Bacon burger EVER! i… Read more »
-
-
Review from Ruby B.
Castro Valley, CA
12/17/2010
I've only been here once, and once was all I needed. The drinks were overpriced, it looks dirty and dingy inside, and the staff is rude. The people there seemed to be young white guys who think they're gangsters, and older guys who just want to get laid.
I stepped outside to smoke a cigarette, and suddenly the doors open and 2 guys come out, throwing another guy HEAD FIRST into one of those concrete slabs they have at each parking spot to stop your tires. There was blood everywhere, and the cops arrived shortly there after. Not a place where I felt safe. -
Review from Robin L.
11/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'm Way Too Old for Beer Pong
I'm Way Too Old for Beer Pong
Am I really?....Yes...You are WAY TOO OLD for Beer Pong
That was the mantra I had to keep repeating a couple of weeks ago when friends and I stopped by the Sunshine Saloon to hang out after a fundraiser. It's not that I really think that at my age I should play beer pong, but when you're not exactly playing ping pong like Forest Gump next to a table that is playing beer pong about as well, you begin to think....I could totally do that.
Sunshine Saloon is a bar with character and when I say character, I mean there are interesting characters there;) Mostly attracting a younger crowd, this place caters to:
***folks that appreciate a good game of beer pong (they have ping pong tables as well as special beer pong tables)
***folks that pay with cash (they don't accept credit cards)
***folks that like karaoke (not sure if this is every night but the night we were there, kids were singing loud and proud)
***folks that like a strong drink (bartenders are not afraid to pour)
So all and all this place was A-OK, and now I know where to go to relive my youth! -
Review from Lisa H.
Oakland, CA
9/2/2010
4.5 stars!
My favorite Tri-Valley haunt. They really have/do it all.
Pool tables, fooz , ping pong, video games, tvs for sports, pin ball, darts, dice..
They have a GREAT burger. Awesome Thursday night tacos. Stiff drinks at way better prices than we have in the city.
They have kareoke. And on weekend nights they clear out the tables, make a dance floor and get really good hip hop djs to spin for a packed crowd of attractive fit types that only the tri valley seems to have in such abundance.
I enjoyed reading the other reviews. The other thing the tri valley produces in quantity are spoiled brats. A few reviewers looked down on this bar calling it a "dive". ? ? In comparison to what? They don't have bars like this in SF because it would cost a small fortune to operate.
Unless you know your way around Pleasanton you'll likely never make it to this gem of a bar. But I gurantee you it's worth the trip.Listed in: Favorite East Bay Bars
-
Review from Tania S.
Dublin, CA
9/3/2011
Can't beat Sunshine Saloon when it comes to Karaoke and beer pong! Friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The food is pretty good and the drinks are as well.
-
Review from Sam A.
Alamo, CA
2/3/2011
I went here for lunch recently
It appears to be more of a nightlife place that sells food.
I had a cheeseburger - it was tasty, but too big - I can't fault them for that
I would go back, but I haven't been planning it -
Review from Jonny A.
6/26/2011
Strong drinks, GREAT food (you would be surprised), and an interesting atmosphere to say the least! I will at some point try all of their specials but man, you cannot beat their $1.50 tacos!!!!! Get the ground beef one -- the flavor is how a taco should taste. I will say the place looks a little iffy (gum all over the floor), but you need to give it a chance -- you will end up loving the place quite quickly. Even the bartenders get in on the karaoke action.
-
Review from Kimber T.
Pleasanton, CA
11/13/2011
The only tv's worth watching are if you are sitting at the bar. The big screens are so outdated it isn't funny. Tried watching a college football game there last night and the crowd was so loud you couldn't even hear the tv. Food was great.... only positive!!! The service sucks!!! I will not go back here to watch anything!!!
-
Review from Amber V.
Castro Valley, CA
12/17/2010
I have been here quite a few times.
The things I like about Sunshine (other than it being my dubbed nickname since I was a wee lass) are:
It is separated into 2 parts, Dance floor, tables for sitting and talking (and the ever popular people watching..believe me, some funny characters are out there after they get that liquid courage in them haha)
the other side is 4 or 5 ping pong tables that are also used to play beerpong. they also have shuffleboard and air hockey. Both sides have full bars...However I docked it a star because the girls that walk around asking if you want drinks always charge more than just ordering it at the bar...I dont like that much, also the bathroom is kinda small for how busy it can get.
The crowd ranges from barely legal to hot cougars on the prowl. All different types of groups come here and the karaoke on thursdays are so much fun to watch!
all in all a great place to let loose on a friday or saturday night with your buddies. -
Review from Dave N.
San Francisco, CA
6/28/2011
Only wandered into this place once, but from what I saw, it was A-OK. I ordered a well drink and some hot wings, and both were good... and reasonably priced.
It was quiet when I went, but I could see how this place would be a fun place to go at night. It's large-- cavernous, in fact, with the bar splitting two large-sized, sportsbar oriented rooms with high ceilings and lots of sports and bar paraphernalia on the walls.
My bartender was friendly, attractive, helpful, and fast. This place looks like the quintessential suburban sports bar. It's very casual without being divey. -
Review from John K.
Dublin, CA
7/27/2010
By far the best bar I've been to ever. Friday and Saturday nights are always packed, though I'm more a usual on Wednesday's and Thursday's for the karaoke nights.
Wednesday nights: Usually a pretty tame crow at the beginning, but it's always a fun time out. The DJ (Chris) is pretty good, mixing in mostly decent top 40 stuff with some other stuff (usually old rock that everyone knows), though if you put in requests (i.e. just a single band), he tends to overplay them a little bit.
Thursday nights: Thursday nights here are almost as packed as they are at a club on a weekend night. This past Thursday I went up to sing a very well known song, and the dance floor got so packed I almost had to get off the "stage" just in order to get the mic up to my mouth. DJ AK is awesome at being able to know when to get more karaoke singers up (due to it being packed) and still mixing in some great songs/music videos to dance to. Definitely the place to be if you're willing to come out on a Thursday night.
On top of all of those, they've got 3 pool tables (it's usually pretty easy to get on a table pretty quick), a shuffleboard table, an air hockey table (you'd be surprised at how funny it is to watch drunk people play air hockey), and 4 ping pong tables, at least 2 of which are always set up for beer pong. $12 for a pitcher, plus they give you the cups to play with for free, and the ping pong balls.
The drinks are pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. The more you come, the more the bartenders get to know you, the stronger your drink gets. Chris and Billy are definitely the best bartenders there, though Andy and R.B. are pretty damn good themselves. By far better than any bar in the area. Plus, you can always catch the owner Bob checking I.D.'s at the door, and he's a stand up guy, always nice to have a fun conversation with him. -
Review from Cara Y.
Oakland, CA
7/27/2009
On the night of Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS, I somehow wound up meeting a friend at Sunshine Saloon for appetizers and pool. I don't remember the ambiance, charm, or food being particularly good, and I don't remember how I played.
I do remember that the Red Sox got bent over by the NYY, and lost 19 to 8. I also remember the cocky douchetool who kept screaming over and over again at the television, "RED SOX SUCK! YANKEES RULE! GONNA GET OUT MY BROOM! YANKEES GOING TO ANOTHER WORLD SERIES! BOSTON BLOWS IT AGAIN!!!"*
I think fondly of him when I remember the next two nights, when the games went into extra innings and the Sox rallied to bitchslap the Yankees back to The Bronx, eventually taking the ALCS in one of the greatest MLB comebacks EVER, and going on to win the World Series.
I'm throwing in an extra star for the Sunshine Saloon parking lot being the only place I've been able to brandish my mace and verbally threaten someone with it. I am not a taxi service for the surly, toothless, and meth-addicted. I am not giving you a ride to Castro Valley. I am not giving you a ride to Dublin. And if you forcefully try to get into my car...I'm going to blind you.
*this is the PG-rated version that omits the terms most frequently used by said heckling NYY fan. Please refer to: http://en.wikipedia.or... -
Review from Michelle S.
Brookline, MA
7/25/2009
Help! I've died and gone to hell!
At least hell as two beer pong tables. One star for each. -
Review from Brandy B.
Livermore, CA
10/8/2009
I like this place. Went last Friday for a friends birthday/reunion/bar night.
It got kinda packed after 11, but all was good. I like this place better than Blue Bar in Livermore. Partially because of the size of the bar and a-little because of the patrons. I like that BB has a dance floor, but it's SO small. This place has 1/2 of the bar designed for a dance floor which is awesome.
I would like to go back and play beer pong. The night I went the right side of the bar for pool and beer pong was kinda empty.
The door guys are nice and don't have giant Ego's which is totally appreciated. Their waitress' are very nice and not snotty little bitches which is a nice change from the usual bars I've been to in the East Bay.
I'll definitely go back!! -
Review from Kevin P.
2/19/2010 3 Check-ins Here
This review may take a while, so here's the skinny: This place is a hole (rude people, unclean, expensive liquor, and did I mention all around poor service). So with that said read on if you want to hear WHY I gave this a 1 star, if not then just remember what I said above, it's a hole.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I went here with my brother for a late night drink and found that this was the only place still serving drinks....or so we thought.
From the outside in, it looks like a cool place to hang out, we were greeted by a drunk girl shouting "Happy Chinese New Years!", so things were looking up. We got to the bar around 1:30AM (M'bro just got off work and we wanted a beer) so we hung out for about 10 minutes at the bar waiting for the bartender (who looked like a high school "bro") to come over and help us out.
After he cleaned a few bottles and poured some other peeps drinks he came over and asked for IDs. Ok... so we get our beer and go around to the not so loud music side of the bar (it's big enough to stray from the straglers of Ptown) and what do we find? A bum. And here's the kicker, not just as we sit and sip, but another guy (yes dressed like a "bro"... which is white kid, baggy shirt, baggy shorts, basketball shoes, and a hat turned sideways) comes over and tells us WE have to leave.... not even the bum who's walking from table to table drinking the scraps.
So by then it's about 1:45pm, we ask the guy if we could stay and finish our beers, the guy says:
"No, it's illegal to drink alcohol after 2am"
My brother and I exchange "WTF?" looks and ask "isn't it 'sell' liquor after 2am?" and the bro tells us that we just have to get out (I almost felt that he was discriminating because we were the only non-whites in the bar)
Needless to say at 1:47am we walked out and left a bit of our expensive beer inside, watching the bum sipping it out of our glasses.
Please don't go here. Save your money and go somewhere else, I don't care where, just not here.
Cheers Sunshine.
p.s. Did I mention Sunshine that your closer staff on Tuesdays are rude? If I could I would have punched the kid who told us to leave.Listed in: This List Is Hella Norcal, Please Avoid These Services
-
Review from J M.
Seattle, WA
8/27/2010
Been here twice since it's close but I don't think there will be a third time. A tad too bro-ish and rednecky for this kid. Lots of flat billers with tribal arm tattoo's and girls with LOTS of makeup and perfume. Beers are pricey too. And the food I had was nothing short of crappy. Granted, I've only eaten there once so maybe the "cook" was having an off night.
If there's nowhere else open and I absolutely have to have an expensive beer and bad food then maybe I'll go back. -
Review from Karina L.
Burbank, CA
1/12/2009
There are only three reasons I go to this bar when I'm in town visiting family:
1) They have an air hockey machine. Without this I may never go.
2) To laugh at the people who hang out there (the white trash men, the Eminem wannabes, the young skanks in their short skirts and Uggs - I will never understand why it's ok for your twat to be cold as long as your feet are warm - and the redneck cougar alcoholics who fail to realize they are over 40, and sometimes, over 60) because they really think it's "the cool place to be".
3) It reminds me why I don't live in Pleasanton anymore and prevents me from ever moving back.
Thank you Sunshine Saloon for continuing to bring the LULZ! -
Review from Tracy H.
Dublin, CA
7/26/2006
"Whaddya want to do?"
"I dunno, what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, let's do something."
If you are like me and have friends like this, Sunshine is the best place to hang in Pleasanton. The drinks are strong, and the people are friendly. There's craploads of stuff to keep your group entertained - pool tables, ping-pong tables, air hockey, a hand-shuffleboard game (dunno what the official name is), wireless Internet, darts, decent food, TVs, live DJs, a few arcade games and a dancefloor.
The music they play is super eclectic; in one night I heard Metallica, Gnarls Barkley, Vanilla Ice and Lil' Kim. The crowd is a mix of the old (there were a few 70 year-olds one time I went!) and young (teens with fake IDs), but everybody's super friendly and I have a great time whenever I go.
There's no cover charge, but they strictly enforce the occupancy rules so beware if you arrive late on a busy Saturday night.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
-
Review from Ray L.
San Ramon, CA
8/10/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Me and my co-workers find ourselves here on thurs nights for karaoke. The atmosphere is very cool and the staff is very nice. Takes a bit to get a drink at the bar when its packed but they have pool tables and beer pong as well. Everyone ive met there has been very very laid back so the crowd is nice and there is no roudy people.
Its local and on a good night youll find more people to dance with than some clubs in this area at a BAR. im starting to love this place more and more. Tall glass of Racer 5 and some karaoke.
we usually leave at like 1 ish because Pleasanton police love to show up when this place closes its doors. -
Review from Rick D.
Pleasanton, CA
6/13/2008
I imagine that the people that have given this place 5 stars do so because they show up so completely inebriated that they could just as easily be at The Goodwill Store and wouldn't know.
I'm a huge fan of dive bars but calling this place a dive bar would imply the fact that it has enough character to be slightly charming or a crowd that's friendly or eclectic. Um. No.
This place is filthy (people actually EAT here????), I can only imagine what meat they use for their $4.49 steak special, the bartenders do short pours (2 and 3 counts??), and when it gets late and they have the dancing, some people even go so far as to throw on their flip-flops. You know, for the ladies. The rest of your experience will go downhill from there.
This is the place that people go because they just have nowhere else that they can think of going, but you'd be better off hanging out at TGI Fridays or Denny's.
Most of the time I'm totally fine with disliking a place and letting people find their own way. However, if you never listen to anything I ever say, listen to these two things:
1) Never get involved in a land war in Asia
2) Never, ever, ever go to Sunshine Saloon. Ever. -
Review from Katy H.
10/13/2009
Another P-town dive. (Not that it's a bad thing!)
If you're from the area you'll notice that Pleasanton is trying it's darndest to rid the town of nightlife establishments. (Mostly the ones downtown.. which now there are only 1 or 2 left.) This spot has become the "hip" hideout for 21+ers because it's one of just a handful of places open after 9pm.
There's shuffleboard, air hockey, pool, even a dance floor with a cheesy DJ from time to time. I've noticed that the crowd is usually younger and if you're over the "I'm finally 21 phase" you might want to skip out on this spot. It's another awkward high school reunion place where you stumble upon people you haven't seen since graduation.Listed in: Hometown Faves - Pleasanton,…
-
Review from Joe B.
San Mateo, CA
8/10/2010
Stopped in this weekend for some beers and to catch the Giants game...
The business is in a small strip mall...
The bartender was nice.... She came by and checked on us several times...
We got a couple pitchers of beer... Glasses were cold...
They have food and drink specials..... It was 12 bucks for prime rib, but we didn't try it...
We might go back here again... -
Review from marna k.
Torrance, CA
6/3/2007
All the rays of the sun can't make this place brighter than it already is. This bar is the SHIT!
The bartenders are heavy handed and really good looking. They know how to make a drink taste good and get you all warm and fuzzy inside.
This place has all the entertainment too. WIth 4 pool tables, 2 ping-pong tables, 1 air hockey table, and a shuffle board stroll, you're good to go! They also have karaoke on Thursday nights and if that isn't enough to get you going - they got a dance floor where suprisingly, everyone actually goes to dance.
It's by far, the most awesome place I've been to here in Pleasanton, so far. And teh fact that it's just across the street from the pad, makes it even cooler!
Let's DANCE! -
Review from Jaclynn S.
Pleasanton, CA
3/13/2007
Drinks are a little over priced. I ordered 3 Jaeger bombs and the bartender said "Ohh just give me $20", Like that was hookin me up. That's $6.66 for a shot of Jaeger and a inch of red bull. At my last bar I worked at we charged $5 for a Jaeger bomb.
Don't get me wrong the bartenders are nice and the atmosphere is great. I haven't seen a bar with ping pong..... ever!! Having food available is always nice, but why don't they let you run a tab after 9? Seriously, people would spend way more if you let them use their credit card!?!?!? I never understood that.
OK OK OK.... We went there last night and a pitcher of BUD LIGHT cost a WOPPING $14....... DEAR GOD!!! 4 people and our tab was $106. That is including dinner but holly crap! FOr a local bar they are way overpriced!
Can't say I will never go back... I live around the corner! -
Review from Bob E.
San Pablo, CA
8/4/2010
This is a pretty cool bar. I was here with a couple of buddies a few weeks back. It's got a dance floor, two bars, and games to play like beer pong and others.
This is a pretty poppin' bar for the locals in the area. Almost club like. It's pretty funny how they play the music video on the projection overhead with the music that the bar is playing.
The drinks are good and the prices are reasonable. The girl/guy ratio is crazy and you get a good variety of all types of women. From cougars to milfs to a young 21 brizzles.
This place is a cool spot to check out whether your a sports fan or a bar-hopper looking for a good time. Check it out when and if you get the chance.
4 out of 5 stars is my take on it. -
Review from Lea B.
Livermore, CA
1/23/2010
Been here twice. First time was a number of years ago and I believe I actually ordered food or something. This past time was for Brandy B.'s smashin' 30th birthday bash.
The place was a little empty when we arrived around 9 p.m., but was jumpin' by the time we left at 1 a.m. I was afraid from the reviews that it was going to be all 21-year-olds and cougars, but it wasn't really. Of course, we were in a large group of 30-ish-olds so maybe that threw off the balance from my perspective.
Ended up drinking too much, but that's how I roll. Made it with a minute to spare for the $4 mai tais before 9 p.m. (on Saturdays) to get the night started right. Later had a melon ball and then a lemon drop. All the drinks were fruity/tasty but still had enough booze. I also had a couple Blue Moons w/ orange slice. Yum yum.
DJ was playing mostly dance-y stuff, which was fun, but once I get a couple drinks in me, I pretty much always want to hear Bon Jovi. So I requested it, and Bon Jovi later rocked the place. In fact, that seemed to switch the music into more of a rockin' '80s theme. I don't really remember ... I was kind of wasted. But it was fun.
Will I come back here all the time? No. Did I have a good time? Yes. -
Review from Chia C.
Oakland, CA
8/11/2008
If you're a fetus, who JUST turned 20, and got your first fake id and had never seen a bar before this MIGHT be the place for you.
If you are a little low on self esteem, and just need to be stared at and be told you're pretty regardless of the sweats and uggs you put on, then, again, this MIGHT be the place for you.
If you know yourself and have any type of standard what-so-ever, then this it NOT the place for you, and you'd be better off staying home to watch infomercials into the wee hours of the night.
The drinks are weak. The people suck. The bar smells like bar rot and a men's urinal. I've been to "THE SHINE", as a tragic regular called it this past weekend, a handful of times and 1) am always amazed at what a trainwreck of a bar it is and 2) regret not staying home to learn about Bullet Blenders and Proactiv.Listed in: Pleasant in Pleasanton
-
Review from Bill C.
San Ramon, CA
8/9/2006
The Sunshine Saloon is a solid bar. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are plenty of things to do such as play pool, dart or hang on the dance floor. The place is a little bit drab, but hey, it's a bar to hang out with some friends.
I have to agree with Tracy, the drinks are poured properly... nice and strong.
