The Spoke

My friend and I were reminiscing my college days. Since we didn't have a lot planned, we decided to check out the bar scenes especially as I had never made my way to this place yet.

It was already packed arriving around 9:30 pm on Saturday. We ordered some tequila sodas with pineapple juice which tasted not good. I couldn't even identify the brand they used which I'm sure was the culprit.

People kept filing in and then clearing out without leaving. After a while I noticed they were going next door to the dance floor with a live DJ. The music did not have good transitions which made it hard to thoroughly enjoy it. Nonetheless, my friend and I still had a good time.

This place serves the best free meatballs you've ever placed into your mouth. How could any Amherst local or UMass student not stop by on a Wednesday afternoon, for a taste of those infamous Colin's balls? As fresh and hot as the bartender serving them to you, they'll tickle your tummy .

Would give this place 6 stars if only that tall, dark, and handsome bouncer who threw me a FREE T-SHIRT from up on the bar could move his hips a little better.

Also, SPOKE seltzers are quite refreshing!

Note: the bouncer named Jonathan is the only staff I've encountered here who is not amazing

Soon as we arrived the bouncer was extremely disrespectful, treated me and my friends rudely, literally gave us shit for standing up and talking on the phone. We were not able to move tables even when we asked and there were plenty of tables inside and they dont take reservations.
The bouncer imposed us a bunch of non-sense restrictions, we felt like we were being targeted for being foreigners in that place and we left.
Unbelievable, never coming back

Bouncer gave me and my friend an issue going in, even though were both 24. Asked me...if i was on anything as if he were a cop or something. Horrible experience. They tried taking advantage of their authority as a bouncer. Could've been because I'm asian and my friends Spanish. I suggest a different bar in Amherst, if ur looking for a more diverse crowd and less bitchy bouncers. Its always crowded there and hard to get a drink.

I'm sorry but if you think anybody gives a fuck to wait in a line that's wrapped around the building before 10 pm.... you guys better bring Walt back ASAP because I assure you no one will be coming back here in a few weeks once they realize how FUCKING RIDICULOUS the lines are now. No fucking shot. Catch me at any other bar

Appalled by the bouncer's behavior. I was out with a group of friends one of my friends got into the bar without being questioned at all. The bouncer started asking my black friend for ID, credit card information. He then began to make rude comments and essentially denied my friend from entering. We walked away and will never be returning to this toxic place.

The bouncer asked for multiple forms of ID from our black friend before not allowing him in because he didn't talk to the bouncer enough despite letting our other friend in. I have never seen anything like this in Amherst before do NOT come here

This is a local bar. For the most part you aren't going to see the frat going Umass kid, the tennis playing Amherst kid, or the patchouli wearing Hampshire kid (unless it is me). I like that. Therefore I am somewhat reluctant to reveal this little piece of information.

DRINKS ARE STRONG AND CHEAP. They are really, really, cheap. They are really, really, strong. Beers for under 2.00! Mixed drinks in glasses the size of your head! Shots that look more like doubles! Oh yeah, and a pool table, jukebox, and great outdoor seating!

It's a dive though. Don't go here.

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. I was there last night and the owner was screaming in two women's faces. Yikes. I ordered a tequila soda and got served a completely different drink. Underage girls know they can get in if they wear a low-cut enough shirt and flirt with the owner. Would not recommend this bar when there are great bars like McMurphy's and stackers just up the street.

The Spoke has long been a favorite of mine, even as an undergrad at UMass. Much of it's appeal is that you won't see the sort of crowd that is typical of other uptown bars. Not that The Spoke doesn't get packed (it often does) - it's just a different crowd.

As for the important stuff: drinks are cheap, mixed drinks come in pint glasses and are just a few bucks! The staff has always been great, especially if you're a regular (they prepared my groups drinks as soon as we walked in the door). There is a pool table, jukebox and decent outdoor patio but there are plenty of tables inside as well as a good sized bar.

And make no mistake - this is a dive bar. It's small and dark...but that's what makes it so great! You can go and have a pile of beers with your friends and just hangout in Amhersts own dive bar/ 'Spoke Easy'.