Arlie's Club

Great place if you want to kick it with the friendly locals of Lake Isabella. They'll keep pouring them strong all night. Don't expect not to breathe in second hand smoke in there or at any of Kern Valley's drinking establishments, for that matter. First place I've seen that serves cans of Beer, too. Arlie's is one awesome, booze-soaked time capsule. If you're there on the weekend, be prepared to do some Karaoke.

Nightlife in the Kern River Valley is worse than dismal. There are at least 8 saloons, including Sportman's Inn, Slugger's, Shady Lane, Arlie's Club, The Hut, and Kern River Saloon. At The Hideaway, female patrons thought to be young and attractive must turn in their driver's license to the bartender, and may only get it back when they leave. At The Lode, weekend bartenders enforce a very unique state law that says patrons must buy a drink in order to remain on the premises.

Believe it or not, ALL these smelly dumps still flip their middle fingers at California's anti-smoking laws in public establishments. In the Kern River Valley, wheezy smokers are as common in bars, lodges and veterans' halls as flies on road kill. Expect depressing, ancient joints that smell like a gas station urinal in East L.A. and look like they're straight out of a John Steinbeck novel.

STRONG drinks with a great atmosphere. Lookout for runaway Hoverounds and second hand smoke.