The best part about going to a bar isn’t necessarily always the food or the drinks; sometimes it’s the actual ambiance or quirks of a place that make it special and something to remember. Whether it’s a bar settled in the middle of a ghost town or one that’s totally green and environmentally friendly, here are the most unique and best theme bars that Nebraska has to offer!
The Zoo Bar has been Lincoln’s home of live music for the last 45 years and has hosted dozens of big name blues artists, such as Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Otis Rush. The bar opened in 1973 and it’s been THE place in Lincoln for live music and entertainment, specifically blues, country, and rockabilly.
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Located in the heart of Omaha’s historic Old Market district visitors will find Pre-Prohibition era drinks and experimental yet contemporary cocktails. What makes the Berry and Rye unique is that they use a reverse osmosis water system to ensure that they are working with the purest water possible. They also use the freshest of ingredients for their cocktails, which makes them taste as if they are made from scratch each time. The Berry and Rye is where people can come with an open mind and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with good conversation. It’s where friendships are created and relationships are everlasting.
The Homy Inn was founded in the late 1950s and quickly became THE place for hot rod aficionados and beer lovers alike. It’s ambiance is nostalgia at its finest, with rare baseball cards throughout, Beatles memorabilia and vintage newspapers lining the walls. It feels like home for many who walk through the door, and it’s their ‘Champagne on Tap’ that quickly brought the Homy Inn to the forefront of the bar scene. It’s served by the pitcher or flute. The bar is open seven days a week, and it’s the type of place where you can sit back and relax while enjoy a cozy atmosphere.
The Village Bar is the favorite neighborhood dive bar among locals and visitors alike in Ralston, mainly because of it’s friendly small town vibe in the middle of a big city. Here you’ll find the nicest, kindest, most caring people and tons of activities each night, from Jeopardy to disco balls and dance lights (for when the mood strikes), and other entertainment. Be sure to visit on Sundays for their Sunday Bloody Mary Bar, featuring some of the best homemade Bloody Marys!
Krug Park got its name from the original Frederick Krug himself, who started the once famous amusement park as a beer garden, serving up some of the finest beer in the country to his customers. Krug Park has been named in Draft Magazine’s “100 Best Beer Bars in America” four years in a row, and it’s easy to see why. With over 50 classic brews on tap, they also have some of the best cocktails and Bloody Marys’ in the area. It’s the name that makes it unique, but it’s the drinks and the customer service that keep people coming back.
If you’re looking for something in terms of bar food cuisine, The Backaracks Bar and Grill in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the place to go! On the menu: the half pound Breakfast Burger topped with an egg cooked your way and your choice of cheese, or the All American Beef Frank, a whopping quarter pound all beef hot dog with your choice of chili, cheese and onions or smothered in kraut! Another unique favorite? The half-pound Jiffy Burger, layered with cheddar cheese and creamy peanut butter for a bold flavor!
Drive through the town of Sacramento, Nebraska and you may start to wonder if you’re all alone out on that two lane, dusty highway. There’s nothing around for miles, except one red brick building and four silver grain bins. That red brick building is the Speakeasy Restaurant, and it’s located just outside Holdrege in the deserted, literal ghost town of Sacramento, Nebraska. Inside, you’ll find the best steak and house-cured pork you’ve ever tasted and classic speakeasy décor.
This family owned and operated establishment has been in business since 1998, and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Not only do they have great food, such as the breaded onion rings or sweet potato waffle fries, but the Denton Daily Double is also known as the best place to be for playing keno, a combination of the lottery and bingo combined. Get your boards ready to play and prepare to win big!
Calling all Motown fans! On the last Saturday of each month, The Old Pub in Lincoln hosts their monthly Motown Vinyl nights, with “live weirdos” playing “super fresh” 45s that will “burn your eyes like marsh mellows.” Feel yourself slip back in time as you groove to the sweet sounds of Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes and more. And while you groove, be sure to enjoy a delicious Bloody Mary.
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