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- Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for The Matinee Bar
Review Highlights
"...little bar located on the very up and coming Miracle Mile."
(in 3 reviews)
"There is a huge movie screen in which gaming nerds such as..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Bartenders Amanda and the tall guy were wonderful."
(in 8 reviews)
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Danny F.
Stockton, CA
1/27/2012
This my favorite local haunt. cheap beer and good peoples. the owner Pete is fun to be around and really knows how to make his regulars feel welcomed. The door guys Ben and Keith are also always greeting me on my way in. If you aren't into the phony pretentious atmosphere of the ave or the overpriced bev-mo beer at the abbey then you should definitely come give this miracle mile drinking establishment a shot. I've been drinking there for years and I've yet to have anything but a good time at that place.
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Review from Lorth K.
Stockton, CA
11/7/2011
I've been to this bar a few times. Apparently, they charge cover for a certain night? I didn't know that. It's a pretty typical bar. The crowd is usually the 20 somethings considering the University is right down the street. Drinks are hit and miss with this. It really depends on who's making it I guess? It doesn't get ridiculous packed so there is always ample room to walk around. Plus there is a GAME ROOM! If they didn't have Xmen vs Street fighter there, it would only get 3 stars!
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Review from Maria G.
Lathrop, CA
7/10/2011
Went last night on a Saturday with my husband and another couple. Loved the relaxed environment and the fact that people know each other. The atmosphere was kick back. Pool tables, big screens, Jukebox, and older crowd. The restaurant next door was good as well. The drinks were cheap also.
The only thing that was a con was the fact that their was not a variety of mixed drinks.
I would go back for a nice relaxed night. -
Review from tia s.
Stockton, CA
11/12/2011
Good hangout depending on the crowd. Music was horrible. Bartenders Amanda and the tall guy were wonderful. Expected more.
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Review from Leighton T.
Stockton, CA
8/27/2011
What a horrendous bar!! A Friday night, usually a fun time at any bar, with the possiblity of being slightly vrowded and waiting a tad longer for drinks. Yesterday night though, The bartender blatantly refused to serve my girlfriend, not even a specialty drink, hardly!!!(green apple martini!!) then had half a pitcher of slightly flat beer for me and my friend. Absolute farce for a Friday night, more Bar help would be a start, but also for the one there to actually be considerate and customer-friendly. Won't be back and been there a lot before!!
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Review from anne c.
Stockton, CA
8/19/2011
This bar is not for people who want good drinks. The sizes vary everytime I drink here, they hardly have any mixers (such as simple syrup), and the bartenders act like you're bothering them if you want anything other than shots or beer. Not a problem, I'll just never come back.
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Review from Joe P.
Stockton, CA
6/19/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Another solid Stockton bar! They pour drinks like their arms are covered in lead, so by your 2nd drink you're feeling rather festive. If I lived closer to Miracle Mile, this would be my default watering hole hands down (Stockton Joe's is my Cheers).
I've been to a birthday party at this place and it was cool to see the backroom turned into a dance floor while '16 Candles' was shown on the movie screen in the background (it was an 80's theme).
A great spot with stiff drinks at a fair price, a mixed but fun crowd, and a jukebox that will play whatever you ask of it. What more can you ask for?
Pro-Tip: If you get there early in the evening, order a pizza from Cibo di Vino at the bar. Great preparation to soak up booze for the remainder of your evening. -
Review from Lauren S.
Stockton, CA
3/19/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This is the best that Stockton will get for a bar.
It was a huge surprise to pay only $4 for Guinness on tap which was no special price...that IS the price. Holy shit! San Francisco is expensive.
Random music...not a big fan.
It's pretty close to my family's home....so my trips home just got a little more interesting.Listed in: Straight Out of the 209.
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Review from Alma R.
Updated - 12/23/2009
Okay, so I guess my prior review was pretty harsh, but this time, I promise its a bit better.
Came here on a Tuesday night to see some old friends who were in town and was surprised at how cute it looked inside. Didn't remember it being like this the last time I was there. Nicely lit and extra clean. Anyway, it being a weekday and all, getting a drink was super easy and the bartender was extremely nice! Also, a $4 glass of Blue Moon wasn't so bad either.
The music selection was random, but what I thought was really awesome, was the video game playing in one of their theater rooms. I think they were playing Call of Duty or something, but it was pretty tight. I think I would consider coming back here again.Listed in: Stockton Nightlife!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/29/2009
Really small/narrow space. It was hard to walk outside (which is where I spent most of my time… Read more »
Comment from Peter L. of The Matinee Bar 10/13/2009
The last friday of every month is the only night that we… More » -
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Review from Kelly R.
Stockton, CA
2/27/2011
We love coming here. No matter what night we come we always see someone we know. I'm a fan of the tall cans. Plus the food is pretty good. The owner seems like a nice guy. Big plus - they now have an arcade. Tall cans, a jukebox, and time crisis?! YES PLEASE!
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Review from Nicolle M.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2008 1 photo
Love the cocktails with movie titled names (the Willy Wonka is sooooo good)!
LOVE that they have sugar-free red bulls for low-cal vodka red bulls! Thanks, Matinee!
Don't love the not so awesome music they were playing on a loop the whole night. Really, guys, you couldn't have added more than 5 songs to your Friday night playlist? -
Review from Ryan R.
Emeryville, CA
5/12/2011
I love this bar! The people and staff are really friendly, great prices, a killer sound system, and there's a game room. Everytime I'm in Stockton, I come here. Now if they could only get a shuffleboard table, the place would be perfect. Go here!
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Review from Jean K.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2010
When Matinee first opened up, I didn't warm up to it right away. The drinks were really pricey, there wasn't a lot of seating available, and the bar was just a bit too narrow. However, the more I went throughout the years, the more I actually started liking it. I never had any problems with the bartenders and since they added more seating, I don't have to awkwardly stand against a wall while sipping a beer (although, I'm a bit disappointed they got rid of the movie theatre chairs, which takes away from the bar's initial theme).
Even though I got bad service from a female bartender there a few weeks ago, I still like the place. For Stockton, it's a pretty decent bar. It's a nice, clean atmosphere with some friendly (and funny) drunk college students that hang out there. And plus, the women's restroom is actually spacious and clean (however, they really need to get around fixing the locks on some of the stalls). -
Review from Vincent D.
Stockton, CA
10/19/2010
I strongly agree with "Back A" about the doorman/bouncer. That guy is a jerk. He's the reason I don't go back anymore. Every time I would go, I would get hassled about my dress attire. I'm not coming in looking like a thug. It was summer and I would have shorts on. Just plain white T-shirts or sports team jersey's.I would be told" you need paints to enter" or a "turn your Giants shirt inside out" "You need a button shirt". I complained to the owner about that dude. But I knew nothing would happen.
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Review from Sylvester N.
Oakland, CA
11/18/2010
I came here for my friend's 21st, and remember having a pretty enjoyable time. The bartenders were extremely friendly and are a couple of funny dudes. They made the birthday boy some birthday drink and took it with him! Overall a solid bar and good place to hang. Great service.
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Review from Carlos M.
Stockton, CA
6/23/2010 1 photo
Matinee is a great little bar located on the very up and coming Miracle Mile....what I like about this place is that it's a great mix of people.... You have your hipsters (predominantly), thugs, UOP crowd, Urban/Trendy and some older folks from time to time.... All of these folks seem to all hit it off and have a DRAMA free night... There are all kinds of things to keep the natives from getting restless as well.. There is a huge movie screen in which gaming nerds such as myself can opt to play XBOX 360... There is also pool and beer pong....The bartenders are quite friendly and don't skimp on the pouring of liquid courage.... I have never seen a fight take place here, which is quite common for a Stockton bar... Kudos to the bouncers or as I like to call them "Adult Daycare Providers" for keeping this place fun, safe, and orderly...
Be sure to get a pizza from next door and get your play selection on the jukebox picked early... It can easily became a crowded busy night at Matinee.....
* I have included a picture of a "hipster" under the business photos in case any of you weren't sure who/what I was describing.... -
Review from Jessi B.
Stockton, CA
9/14/2007
Just opened! On the miracle mile, next to Java Aroma and the Stockton Royal (which apparently used to be a porn theater? the things my friends know.) is a new restaurant (cibo divino or something) and an adjoining martini bar. the movie theme isn't cheesy, with posters of classics, and drinks named for famous titles (i recommend the Color Purple and the Pirates of the Caribbean, if you like sissy sugary drinks. which i do.) there's also a room with a huge screen and tables to sit and enjoy a film while you sip. im excited to go to the restaurant, and to go back to try the wine tasting (flights of 3 for $6, 6 for $12)
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Review from Maunish S.
Stockton, CA
5/17/2009
This place is cool. It was the old Stockton Royal Theater turned bar. It is movie themed so many of their drinks have a movie name to it. I am simple, crown and diet, so I didn't get the full fledged experience of this place by ordering a specialty drink. I am moving back to Stockton this summer and I am happy that I found somewhere cool to hang out in a pretty crappy town. What made this bar even better for me was the fact that a lot of my friends I haven't seen in years were there so the catching up over drinks was a good time. I do recommend this place, but have a designated driver only because you are close to downtown where it is cop central.
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Review from Rai-mon B.
Emeryville, CA
5/31/2010 3 photos
It's this simple...if your in Stockton, Ca and you need to get a drank not a drink, this is your joint. No fuss, great service and the dope Juke box. Make sure you give Corbin, Sara, Pete or tiffany some money to play music.
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Review from Bex ..
Stockton, CA
Updated - 12/2/2009
Since this place changed owners, it is a lot less awesome. Drink menu is smaller, atmosphere is not as classy and it's off the list.
Listed in: Miracle Mile
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/22/2008
The bar has great atmosphere! I used to come to the theatre as a teenager when it was still a movie… Read more »
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Review from Tomas C.
Stockton, CA
A very friendly spot, Amazing Pizza, finger foods, as well as FULL BAR! This place took the novel idea of good food and drinks and put them together. Pete the owner is so attentive and is there almost every night, while the staff is friendly and accommodating, I have been a regular at this bar for over 2 years. Everyone knows each other, and almost has a "Cheers" feel to it. Beer pong in the back room, as well as reasonable drink prices. No real happy hour, but it has drink specials every night. The bar and dining area are both tastefully decorated, with granite tops and hardwood. You might as well be in San Fransisco to be in a "home-style" bar like this, a must stop by for food and drink. The dining area is child friendly till 10 or so, then it is strictly 21 or older. Be aware, there is a strict dress code, since this is Stockton. NO WHITE T-SHIRTS Allowed. This is not a dress to impress, but a don't be a thug in the bar.
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Review from Chuck G.
Whittier, CA
7/10/2008
My new watering hole when I head back home to Stocktown for a visit. The bartenders always pour me a nice heavy Makers and water, and to top it off the last time I was there they had a Pink Floyd show on the movie screen! I'm Sold! Oh yeah my sisters, and the other females I was with love teh girl drinks. Of course Stockton has to finally have a cool bar after I leave.
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Review from angel g.
Stockton, CA
Updated - 9/23/2010
okay...after 2 years and new ownership...the husband and i decided to go back. its thursday evening so there wasnt a crowd. the bartender (which happened to be the owner) was awesome. he was attentive and cool.
-1 star because they were out of a couple appetizer items (they restock on fridays)
he told us the crowd livens up and gets bigger after 10 and they have live music and jukebox on the weekends, i will definitely check them out again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/1/2008
horrible service!!! my husband and i went in on a saturday evening and they were not crowded.… Read more »
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Review from Mike F.
Stockton, CA
7/20/2010
One of the best atmospheres in town! Not too slow or too crowded. Good food- they serve it pretty late too. Pinball machines always rock! Nice outside area on the Mile. Best part- The bartenders, especially Corbin and Sarah, are suuper friendly and know how to make a drink. Let me put it this way- If bars were people, God would have a picture of Matinee on his fridge.
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Review from Kai'ckul M.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2009
$55 bar tab. left $35 tip. met the owner pete, he's a funny dude.
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Review from eleanor b.
Stockton, CA
3/15/2010
it's a nice place to hang out with friends, had fun playing air hockey!
