My go-to spot for happy hour!
Happy hour starts at 3:33 for a reason! Â $3 house wine and beer specials. Â
I love the ambience. Â Modern, chic, and sophisticated.
Waiters and servers are always friendly and attentive.
My favorite happy hour selections include:
Tuna tartare
Tapas trio
House red wine or Tiffany martini
Wow AVE, you continue to out do yourselves. Your staff is awesome. Your new menu is outstanding. Always great to receive your Monday Winedown Wednesday news letter. The food specials, especially this week's Asparagas week's Chicken Asparagas Pasta, and Asparagas Risotto was the finest I have ever had. I have been to many top notched restaurantes and your little Kitchen puts them to shame..
Service is always with a smile and they make it a pleasant experience each and every time. The Owner Kevin makes you feel at home with his warm personality and smile.
Good on you AVE for giving Stockton a great venu with good food and night club that's always a GREAT time.. I along with our party of 8 are regulars and will return for more of the Best in Stockton... Way to go AVE on the mile....
Lance
One of my 25+ year bff's wanted to take me to brunch yesterday and she'd heard the Ave was offering it. Â
I really liked the scramble and potatoes, but unfortunately, I specifically asked to leave the ham off and had to pick it out. Â The little quiche was tasty but it was peppered with pork. Â There was some type of muffin/cookie thing in the first course, it was better than okay but I really couldn't tell you which it was; muffin or cookie. Â For our last bite, we chose the corn flake crusted french toast. Â The flavor and crispiness was good but the toast was about room temp and got a bit soggy under the applesauce it was topped with. Â
I'd have to say I'm really not a brunch fan, I always prefer ordering off a menu; reminds me too much of a buffet. Â The waiter did keep the mimosa's coming but we were done with more than half our meal when the coffee arrived. Â
I guess I just don't like eating in a bar when it feels like "eating in a bar:". Â I'm sure many folks would have been perfectly happy with their brunch but the place was cold, loud and not in any way cozy or intimate. Â Much better for cocktails after dinner.
Ive been to the ave a few times, and never once was i really impressed. Â The music was always too loud, and then the dance floor was in the middle of a large room there was, minimal seating. Â There was definitely a good atmosphere as far as people went. Â Nicely dressed, well mannered but when asked by friends if i want to come here my answer is 99% of the time no. Â The service wasnt outstanding and neither was the music two important factors for a night out.
Review Source:Ave on the Mile is a very nice spot to have a nice dinner with a glass of wine, a night out on the town with your friends and family or a wonderful brunch on Sunday morning. Â Kevin has done an excellent job of keeping the AVE to a high level of quality and a consistently good experience. Â One suggestion, keep the masses down and amount of people allowed in to less than more, can sometimes get too crowded.
Review Source:This review only encompasses drinks and a couple of appetizers. Â A coworker and I recently visited AVE on the Mile for an after work libation. Â We ordered 2 specialty drinks, about $10 each, but we only had one each. Â Additionally, we ordered a crostini assortment and Ya Ya's meatballs.
Drinks: Delish! Â But if you are having more than one, bring the cash!
Food: Crostini - fig, blue cheese and smoked salmon, generous servings, nicely flavored and fresh. Â Ya Ya's meatballs - moist, great lamb flavor and good tzatski sauce
Atmosphere: Pleasant, nicely decked for the holidays. Â A guitarist was setting up to play when we left. Â Kevin, the owner is friendly. Â Our waitress was a little flighty, kept leaving our table in what seemed like the middle of a conversation, seemed a little distracted.
Other patrons: Â A nice group of Pacific employees celebrating the holiday and then there was the other couple. Â Kept making special, ridiculous requests, nothing was good enough for them. Â I hope they aren't the usual crowd! Â This was an early Wednesday evening, so maybe not. Â
All and in all a pleasant stop for after work. Â They have a new brunch, lunch and dinner menu. Â It is worth a try.
I've came to the AVE on four separate occasions. Twice for Brunch and twice during dinner on some random weekdays.
The first time I've ever came to the AVE was on a week night. I came with my husband. There were two other patrons there, so we just seated ourselves, thinking that a waiter will bring us a menu in a few minutes. We sat there for thirty minutes and no one came to greet us so we left.
We decided to give the AVE a second chance and went for brunch instead. Upon entering for brunch one Sunday morning, I was greeted by the owner, Kevin, with a handshake. Let me say, I was wearing sweatpants and the reason being is that the night I had dressed up, I received no service. If wearing sweatpants gets me greeting from the owner, I guess I'll be wearing sweatpants to the AVE from now on.
Brunch was $18.95 per person that includes a strata (my favorite), a scone, and a small side of fruit. I really wish the strata was bigger than the size of a quarter though. There was bottomless mimosa, which my husband had, and I had coffee, which was included in the meal. I had the vegetarian benedict while my husband had the regular benedict. Afterward, I had the french toast compote while my husband had mashed potato and gravy... and I am not sure how mashed potato and gravy is dessert but then again, I came dressed in sweatpants.
Overall, the ambiance was great. Food was good. They even had a live singer there. What he was singing, I have no idea. I don't recommend sitting outside in the patio during this cold winter. This would be a good place to come with friends and stay for a while and talk over mimosas.
I travel a ton and eat out pretty much every meal of my life. I often use Yelp to find new places to eat, but even after amazing fine dining experiences I have never been so motivated to create an account and write a review as I am today.
In short: Went there for brunch for Mom's bday. The food was ok. The service and experience was inexcusably terrible. Save your money. Go somewhere else.
Long version: We were a party of six. Brunch was a $19 3 course pre-fixe menu. The starter course consisted of a mini quiche, a scone, and a fruit salad. Second course was a choice of 3 different types of eggs benedict or an egg scramble. Third course was choice of biscuits and gravy or french toast.
Here are the problems we encountered:
-There was a sticker floating in my brother's water
-Piece of gold foil floating in my water
-Two of our water glasses smelled unclean, like wet dog
-The fruit salad was not fresh. The watermelon was slimy. Some pieces of fruit tasted canned.
-We had a reservation for an hour and a half after opening and they ran out of mini quiches
-My second course was forgotten about, server had to ask the chef to make it after the rest of our food came out. I could hear her talking to the chef. When it did come out a few minutes later, the eggs were hardly even poached. I just worked my way around the raw eggs.
-20 minute wait between courses. Very awkward to eat eggs benedict and then 20 minutes later get a plate of biscuits and gravy.
There were other small things I could complain about but I digress. The upsides were that they kept our bottomless mimosas full and the owner did come by and apologize for some of the obvious mistakes. He explained they were experiencing an exceptionally busy day. It was very clear that every employee was stressed. At the end of the day, I could have forgiven some of the above items but it was just too much to believe that a slower day would have been any better. This was a big disappointment because I would love to see classier dining take off in Stockton like it has everywhere else.
I've been here a few times with sorority sisters for their Sunday brunch and with Stocktonians and UOP students for their nightlife. The owner is adorable! Kevin hopes that the AVE will be a place where classy people congregate. I like that! That said, the prices are bit higher than the usual fare.
Brunch:
+ Dress in sundresses and cute shoes! (No room for PJ's and slippers here)
+ Gets the eggs Benedict and biscuit and gravy! My usual order.
+ Sit outside!
+ Or sit inside on the couches.
- Food can be slow
+ I had a coupon for I think it was $50 off of $200 or something obscene like that, that had been used already (not by me) and Kevin gave us a different discount to appease our disappointment. He didn't have to do that, but he did because he's a sweetheart!
Nights at the AVE:
+ Think classy (button up shirts, no basketball shorts, no sneakers)
+ Think older crowd
+ Ridiculously, I've never had to wait for the restroom!
- Lines. Lines are ridiculous. One time my friends and I were so late (1am? Is that late?) that we didn't get in until 10 minutes before closing.
- Sometimes they have rave music. Meh.
+ Dancing! I like that this is more of a dance with your friends kind of an environment as opposed to get down and dirty and grimy with strangers environment.
They like to support us Pacific students! I know IPSF on the pharmacy school side asked for their support during a multicultural dinner and the AVE provided a delicious olive oil pasta salad. It was phenomenal! You have to try it!
I love the AVE :-D
My husband wanted to have my birthday party here and when asked the cost, we were told it would "cost a pretty penny". What?! I'm sorry AVE, but what you might consider a "pretty penny" is probably WAY MORE than affordable for me. We ended up having my party at Valley Brew which was great! I reluctantly went to the AVE a few weeks ago after my husband's birthday dinner. It was def my last time at the AVE.
Review Source:This has got to be the best place in Stockton to hangout starting Wednesday through the weekend.
Wine down Wednesday means free wine tasting accompanied by some cool jazz to unwind after your workday. The lighting is a bit dim here, but it's great for hanging out with friends. I hear it turns into a nightclub after about 10pm though, and the kitchen closes around 9:30pm. There's usually a decent crowd here after 7pm (except for maybe Mondays and Tuesdays). They try to put on different events from Wed-Sun, bringing in various artists and DJs.
They have specials Wednesday - Saturday, which can range from pasta to seafood dishes. The small plates and not so small plates are all deliciously prepared. Some of the customer favorites are the mango shrimp on spoons and charcuterie platter. I've personally tried the butternut squash risotto cakes, which were perfectly battered and crisp. The pasta bolognese was very comforting, which I enjoyed. I also hear that the brunch on the weekends is fantastic.
The owner, Kevin, will remember you -- even if you've only been there once. He recognized me the second time I ate here, and as usual, he was extremely personable. The owner helps out in the restaurant just like another waiter and loves to meet all of his customers. The amount of passion that the owner has for AVE on the Mile is what all restaurateurs should strive for. This is a great little place that you could go to for dinner, lounging, nightclubbing, or brunch depending on the time. It tries to be a lot of different locations at once, and it actually manages to pull it off!
Time to celebrate my birthday, where to go where to go. Friday Night experience.
My girlfriend suggested this place and even though she warned me it was a little small she did mention the environment was up to par with my taste.
Showed up to the door with my posey...It was all VIP from there. Our hostess asked if there was a special occasion and once confirmed suggested we get the special imported Vodka bottle with four types of juices to go with it. It was absolutely perfect!
We were treated like princesses. After the night was over, we all just reflected back and felt thankful for AVE on the Mile for their pleasant services.
Four reasons why I will be back:
The D.J. played a little of everything.
The crowd was cool.
The Décor fabulous
Didn't leave us broke (well my girlfriends broke)
Cheers!
Made reservations a week in advance for Mothers Brunch. Â Drove all the way from the East Bay only to arrive and told by the Manager Michelle that they do not have our reservations. WTF?! Â Really? The owner Kevin got involved and apologized for the inconvenience and offered to seat us at the couch. Â Uh, no thanks. Â We're here for brunch, not happy hour. Â Kevin offered me a comp voucher for my troubles, took my name and number and told me he would call me. Â Weeks passed, no call. Â Now I can see how my reservation was missed. Â
Womp, womp....oh well.
LOVE their Sunday brunch. If you're looking for a fancy but yet casual place to grab Sunday brunch in Stockton, then this is the place. For under $20, the brunch includes 3 courses and BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS.
The courses included...
1) egg bake thing (sort of like a quiche without the crust), fruit, muffin
2) eggs benedict (choice of traditional, crab cake, vegetarian) with potatoes
3) choice of french toast with fruit compote or biscuits with gravy
The brunch was super filling! By the second course I was already feeling full. All the food was delicious. There honestly wasn't anything I was unhappy with about the meal. They also had a live pianist playing when we were there so it gave a great ambiance to the restaurant.
Besides brunch, I've been here a couple of times for drinks and desserts. The drinks are on the pricier side but always good. The bread pudding is also really good. Definitely a must. Served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Not too sweet but very yummy!
I feel this is more of a lounge than a bar. I'm not too sure what the actual definition of each is but a lounge seems a little more "upscale."
They won't allow you in unless you have a collar shirt. Not that big of a deal. I'm an adult, I have plenty available for a weekend night :)
The place itself is dimly lit, but not club booty hopping dark. You can still see fine and it sets a nice vibe. Sofas and stools occupy the areas next to the walls so there is plenty of standing around or dancing space in between. I do not think it's an actual dance floor but don't be afraid to shake it there! The crowd itself seems in their mid 20s to early 30s. The "adult crowd" as my friends put it. The music, for me, is a tad too loud where I do have to speak above my normal volume. It's not hard to carry a conversation, but you know.
I've heard the drinks are a little pricy here, but I don't really order anything out of the ordinary. Vodka Redbull, scotch, or just shots of vodka. You know, the general stuff. Prices don't range that far from any typical bar. heck, here a Vodka Rebull cost $6 and some place in Modesto cost $9.
Also, definitely my compliments to Brandy, one of the bartenders there. I know the place wasn't super packed, but there were people filled up at the bar. With most bar tenders, i would have to get up to the bar, wait, get eye contact, then wait, then they'll ask me what I'd like. Brandy noticed me when I was BEHIND someone who was also ordering a drink. I think that's just good service.
I've become quite fond of the Ave - not just because the best bartender in town (BRANDY) works here, but because it is not as unsettling or GHETTO as the other bars in Stockton. Keepin' it classy!!
We typically come out to enjoy the Friday or Saturday nightlife. From the handful of times we've been here the crowd has been great, music fun and the drinks are strong! Brandy serves a fantastic martini! It can get a little crowded inside, so grab a booth section early and hope no one shows up for bottle service.
We'll continue to visit and hope that it continues to be a safe, fun place to kick back and have a few drinks.
Don't you hate it when places advertise themselves as something they're not? Well, you won't find that here!!!
The Ave markets itself as "Stockton's Premier Cosmopolitan Lounge," and this place truly encapsulates the best of Stockton's night life. The creme de la creme! I'm not sure what natives did before this place.
+ They pour their drinks strong, unlike most bars!
+ Upscale classy decor with warm and welcoming atmosphere
+ Stellar and attentive service
+ The bouncers do a great job screening and keeping out ghetto people and thus, keeps the crowd happy and safe!
+ Plenty of seating, areas to lounge, and patio with fireplace
Overall, this place is the only bar I frequent in Stockton and will proudly bring visitors here too!
My dive bar loving ass loves this place. Â A lot. Â :)
This is an extremely nice lounge catering to those who want something more than just the usual hangouts in Stockton. Â
Dim lighting, but not too dim which creates a sexy vibe. Â Sofas on one side of the place with comfy seats and tables and your customary bar stools (I think they were chairs, but I can't remember).
I ordered a Talisker ($11) because of the name. Â I'm not much into whiskey, but this isn't a Bud Light, Stella, Newcastle, or Sierra Nevada place. Â You choose liquor here. Â The vibe says so and not doing what I tell you will make you look cheap.
The above was what my cousin in Florida calls "for grown folks." Â What she means is that this is a drink for savoring, not chugging or downing as a shot. Â It is a drink to be enjoyed responsibly.
The calamari ($9) was a bit salty, but I like it this way. Â Good pairing with the Talisker (I'm weird, but I'm a good dude).
The HDTV is here for those who want to watch Monday Night football. Â I did miss the Monday-Friday HH special from 3:33 to 6:33, but no big deal. Â I will do everything in my power to lure you away from those other places on Mondays! Â :)
Quick tip: Â Fellas, if you're looking for that great 1st date place, you've found it! Â Even if this isn't YOUR kind of place, SHE will like it....and that's what 1st dates are about. Â HER.
Probably one of the nicer bars/lounges you can find in Stockton. Â They tried to decorate it as if it was a upscale bar somewhere in the Bay Area. Â I give them props for trying. Â Their trail of fire around the bar was really cool, though.
I came here, all the way from SF, to attend a couple of my friend's birthday party. Â It really was a cozy spot, since it was during the Holidays, so we were all sitting closely drinking. Â
The service here can be improved. Â They were so slow and clueless with all our orders, and even shot glasses. Â How are you going to give 6 shot glasses when you see a room of 20 people?? Â The process of ordering drinks took about 30 minutes -__-...think I would've lost my buzz at any other bar if I was in that state of mind already.
i think if this place opened before I left town, I would've came here more with my friends. Â Tired of all the ghetto bars in town and this place can definitely make you feel THAT much more VIP. Â Cheap bottle service ($150/Grey Goose), so it would've been much better celebrating any birthdays here than the other bars around town.
My girlfriend and I were told about this place and heard they had some good deals on Thursdays so we went to check it out.
They had a DJ there (not sure if this is every Thursday or what) that was playing some pretty good music. The problem is, the music was a tad bit too loud to have a conversation without having to yell. So chances are you will leave with no voice by the end of the night.
The drinks: $3 for wells and draft beer. The bartenders are friendly and make an attempt of serving people quickly. You don't have to play the whole game of starring them down.
The crowd: Pretty dang mixed. When we originally got there, it was a bit of an older crowd (I think they had dinner and were just hanging out) but at around 11 the younger crowd began to come in.
Overall if you want to come to an upscale lounge/bar with cheap drinks (on Thursdays) then this is your spot. DJ needs to turn his music down a little and the place would be perfect.
This is an excellent restaurant/bar! We've been eating/drinking here for just up to a year at this point. The service is friendly. We know most everyone that works here.
If you're in a hurry, or expect immediate service/recognition, this place isn't for you. The key is patience and relaxation. They're a relatively new enterprise. The key is to introduce yourself to Kevin (one of the owners) and/or Jason (the manager). They'll take care of you and get to know you quickly.
The Sunday Brunch is one of the most affordable and most delicious! They have a great selection of food and bottomless mimosas! It's a fantastic way to start your week!
The atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed. The ambiance and room decor are outstanding and the place feels like a San Francisco-style night spot rather than a Stockton locale. There are many places to sit both casual night club sofa/lounge style, bar stools, restaurant tables, fireside-outside seating, and friendly tables. As I understand it, Jason designed most of the interior. It's quite a friendly location!
During the week, the place is yours unless there's a special event planned. Friday and Saturday can be hectic and quite wild depending on the crowd and the time you visit. Early in the evening, when they start their service, is best for dinner. Later in the evening is best if you want to "see" or "be seen" and drink till the last call.
If you want a drink, the pours are quite friendly. The bar sports a very excellent selection of spirits (top, call, and well). If you don't find what you want, you can ask Jason, the bar/restaurant manager, and he'll most likely have it ready on your next visit. On my first visit, they didn't have the fixings for a straight B & B cocktail. Within a week, they had them ready for me upon arrival.
In response to the many posts complaining about "slow service," I'd like to remind everyone that the old bar/restaurant rule rings true: if you want good service, you should "pay forward." Hand your server a nice tip while you're being seated (10 to 20 percent depending on what you think you'll be drinking for the night) and ask to be "taken care of" and I'm sure you'll never wait for anything. Finish off the night with a great tip and they'll ask for your name and call out to you the minute you arrive on your next visit.
The food is fantastic! We love to go on "Wine down Wednesdays" where the menu starts up for the week and the chef always makes something fun. We love their fish tacos, their steaks, their delicious starters, and many of the Spanish-flair tapas! The ingredients are fresh and the smells out of the kitchen are fantastic! We've returned for many a favorite dish and find it to be as great as the last time we visited.
All-in-all, you should drop by and see/taste for yourself!
This is one classy place and I hope it stays that way. Â This is the kind of joint Stockton needed. It's my home away from my L.A. home. It really does remind me that if a nice place comes around people are actually willing to dress up. Â Food and especially drinks are top notch.
Be sure to download the "shopkick" app on your Droid or Iphone to get special offers and instant discounts there.
Came here on a Friday night with a couple of friends and it was crackin'! The line was about 15 people out the door and we had to wait quite a while to get in (maybe about ~20-30 minutes?) This bar is nicely furnished and decorated with plenty of places to sit. It was hard getting a drink the night I went but the bartenders were always super courteous and nice even though they were SWAMPED. I got a free upgrade just because she felt bad for making me wait to order my drink.
Would DEFINITELY come here again! Reasonable drinks in a classy location! Probably one of the nicest bars in Stockton :)
I had the unique pleasure (??) of going to the AVE on both a Friday and Saturday night..(yes, back to back nights...long story). My experiences could not be more different. Friday night had a great professional after work type crowd. The manager/owner? was making the rounds..so glad we were there-- so eager to make us feel welcomed. Bartenders were attentive and had an overall enjoyable experience.
Saturday night was a whooole other story...halted at door. yes me and my party of 4...asked to pay $5...um there are 12 people inside. I'm not paying you. Drinks became unusually more expensive than THE NIGHT BEFORE.yes. the exact same beer from the night prior was more expensive...shady!..bartenders took their sweet time and the crowd was...well a little rough. Needless to say the AVE has left a bad taste in my mouth..not sure I'll be headed back anytime soon.
maaaaybe for after work drinks....we'll see...
Sunday, I had the most wonderful opportunity to enjoy a brunch at Ave.
Just to put things into perspective, I already love Ave. Classy, nighttime environment. Safe and fun place to drink, relax, and celebrate various occasions.
To have high expectations already, and then be blown away still by its completely different, yet similar/familiar, daytime setting is amazing.
Upon walking in, I fell in love with the smooth tunes of the saxophonist. Seated outside, with a splendid view of sidewalk passer-byers, I felt like a girl in France. For about $20 (including tax and tip), you get a fantastic brunch including eggs, omelet, fruit, bacon, muffins, etc. Oh yeah, and BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS. Yeah, I know, the atmosphere and the tiny table overflowing with food is worth the $20 already, but make your money EVEN MORE worth it by endless consumption of mimosas (and coffee too).
Overall, great experience and great atmosphere. AVE wins in nightlife & Sunday brunch!
GO GO GO!
My husband is a picky picky man. Â There's very few places that he would rate as a 5. Â However, AVE on the Mile fully deserved all 5 stars from Yelp.
My husband is in Stockton for 1.5 weeks for some sales training classes. Â Unlike other men, who would just grab a quick dinner if they were there alone, hubby is particular on where he spends his $$.
Through Yelp, he found AVE on the Mile. Â When he called on Monday night, the kitchen was closing, but they stayed open, just for him. Â He took a cab there to avoid any DUI's, and off he went. Â
When he got there, he said he was treated with VIP service. Â Even though it was close to closing time, he never felt rushed. Â The food was great, service was great, and the venue itself was spectacular, and even more spectacular considering it was in Stockton. Â He said he felt like he was back at Santana Row in San Jose. Â
I wish I would have known in advance he was going, because he could have saved some $$ using a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> coupon. Â Maybe next week. :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT HERE!!!
it is as good as it gets. they do know how to stir away from the newly 21 yr olds that like to drink like there's no tomorrow. (oh the days) this is an upscale bar not a club... head to 856 or chitivas or taste!
Kevin, is amazing! my very first time here was on cinco de mayo, it was a very low key night and little bit of an older crowd.. but hey it was a Wednesday night. He came over and introduce himself to my boyfriend and I. He asked about our night and what other plans we had going on. I loved that. He introduced himself and had a conversation with almost everyone in the room. AND i came back a few weeks later and he still remembered me.. so sweet  =)
anyhow, great decor, great dessert and exceptional service from the bartenders, to servers and even the owner himself!
minus one start because they were going to charge me $10 to get inside on a Friday night... I'm there to spend money not pay an entry fee! And i only had my credit card so he let me in for free!
Kevin and his crew still got it goin' on here at the AVE!
Went here on both Friday and Saturday nights this week and had a great time with great company.
My new discovery here and probably one of my favorite desserts ever...BANANAS FOSTERS! I'm not a huge fan of bananas, but these are made with carmelized brown sugar and rum and then placed in a beautiful plateof vanilla ice cream. Â
Also, a big shot out to the best waitress there, Kitty (sp?)!!! She's bubbly and knows how to take good care of her customers. Â
AND...every Sunday, they now serve BRUNCH, complete with bottomless mimosas! Â All for $14.95. Â I've still yet to try it, but it will definitely be soon!!!!
Love it!!! It's got that city lifestyle/SF lounge vibe to it, which I absolutely adore. Now that I'm in my late twenties, (Eek!) I can totally appreciate a spot like this for the hip, professional, mature crowd. To have this in Stockton is not only a treat, but a breakthrough! It's chic, clean, comfy and classy!
And ladies....check out their Sex and the City drink menu. Try the Charlotte. It's got a cool Tiffany's blue color (the drink is aka Tiffany's) and it tastes DELISH!!!! Ladies, it's a MUST TRY!
If you're a small plates person and would like to dine here, try their rigatoni and crostini...both recommended by Kevin, the owner. Both tasty dishes. The banana fosters are a tasty dessert too.
I really enjoyed my two trips to AVE. Â The first one when it was jam packed and the second when it was much less crowded. Â I liked both for their very different characteristics.
When I worked in the South Bay near Santana Row I used to like to go to Straits. Â It's sort of the class and style. Â I like having a classy place to go have a drink now that I work from home quite often. Â The martini pours were very generous and the bar's "inventory" was top notch.
I guess for Stockton, this lounge is cool. Â It's kinda small and not much room to sit. Â The few sofas they had were all reserved so we had to pounce on a table as soon as someone left. Â The waitress was very hesitant to let us sit there since we already had drinks in hand and just came from dinner. Â When I asked her if we could take her table, she said "Um...let me check with my manager" who quickly said "Of course!". Â She had this "Dammit" look on her face. Â I guess since there's only a few tables, she saw this as lost revenue. Â
The median age group is like late 40s.  There were plenty of men in their 60s there with their  bingo friends.  Guess Seniors need a place to party too.  Demographics is mainly white.  There was 1 black guy and I was the token Asian guy.
Another thing mentioning is that the two waitresses charged us different prices for the same drink! Â What's that about?
This is really what Stockton needed... a LOUNGE. I am waaaaay past the "clubbing" nightlife here and I needed something more my maturity level. This place has got it. The atmosphere makes you forget you're even in Stockton. Upscale and not at all pretentious.
A friend and I went here on a Saturday night and had a drink. There was a good amount of people there so we couldn't get the attention of the bartenders right away but when we did, they were real friendly.
Comfortable chairs and waitresses actually coming up to you if you would like to order another drink. It totally beats trying to squeeze yourself in between people at the bar. The drinks are affordable and they have their own specialty drinks such as one made for Stockton which had asparagus in it. Whaat??
I would have given this place it's much deserved 5 stars but we came on a night when they had a DJ. The DJ blasted techno music and it reminded my friend of when she used to go to raves. I don't think she wanted to relive that.
AVE on the mile's ambiance feels like a young professionals/professionals crowd. In the words of one of the characters on HIMYM, you kind of feel like you have to "suit up" here. Â I don't think there's a dress code though (its a bar, not a club). We seated ourselves and Kevin (the owner...who we didnt know was the owner at the time) greeted us warmly and we really got the vibe that he wanted us there. :) The friends really enjoyed their drinks and comfy atmosphere. Be sure to bring a jacket if your not drinking because it gets really cold in there! Circulating the air so people dont feel as drunk I guess. Hehe.
They have Happy Hour!
Fridays 5pm-7pm
Wed 3:33-5:33pm
*significance in the "3" has to do with their address.
Our waiter was really attentive and friendly (it was her first night :) ) Upon exit, we met Kevin and he's awesome! Totally got the neighborhood friendly vibes from him. They dont have bouncers, they are called "vibe managers"? (Correct me if I am wrong). Great place to hang out (though the music can be a little loud).
I dont drink (thus one less star) but this will be an awesome place to check out if you want that "swanky" vibe :) Will return if friends want a place to drink/hang.
Thank God for bringing Ave on the Mile to Stockton. Â This is exactly what this little city needs!
The first thing you'll notice is definitely the interior decorating. Â Cozy, warm, upscale, amazing furniture, perfect art and wall paneling, flattering lighting -- this is THE perfect place to either take a date, or a small group of friends for a nice night of drinks. Â It's also the one place in town that doesn't embarrass me when I have friends from out of town coming over who have never been to Stockton, and want to have a few glasses of wine or cocktails.
I've been to the Ave on different occasions.
The first night they opened, I visited to take a peek and see if it suited my flavor (which, of course, it did). Â I'm not the type of person who likes to get wasted off her ass and make a fool out of herself (like every other bar or club seems to encourage in this town). Â Instead, I like to dress up. Â Show off my outfit. Â Show off my friends. Â Show off my conversation skills. Â Basically -- I like to show off and be surrounded by beautiful people who also share the same tastes & interests in dining + ambiance + drinking. Â And this is the type of establishment that definitely supports this lifestyle!
You feel classy when you enter. Â You'll never feel overdressed because everyone around you enjoys suiting up just as much as you do. Â I can be myself (a picky little perfectionist who only wants the best of the best) and not feel like I'm overdoing it! Â FINALLY! Â Can I say this about anywhere else in Stockton? Â The answer is no.
The music is the perfect mix for drinking & socializing -- enough to get you in the "party" mood, but not so crazy that there are people bumping & grinding all over the place.
Not just that, but you really do feel TAKEN CARE OF at Ave on the Mile!
The owner (Kevin, who I've had the pleasure of speaking with every time I've been to the Ave) often takes the time to greet and welcome each of his guests as if the place were his home. Â He really listens to everyone who visits, so if you have any sort of constructive criticism to offer about the food & drink selection etc, he is more than happy to offer a listening ear. Â He is very obviously a people person, and it really feels like you are just stopping by to visit a friend when you come.
Anyway, the second time I paid Ave on the Mile a visit was when I had a cute date coming in from out of town. Â He had never been to Stockton, and his opinion was, of course, influenced by the many awful things that some people like to say about this city. Â Where did I decide to bring him? Â Well, duh. Â To Ave on the Mile. Â Somewhere where we could actually sit and talk if we felt like it, but also cut loose with a drink if we needed to. Â Have a nicely proportioned meal or dessert with our drinks, sit by the fireplace outside, lounge on the perfect furniture if we wanted to get appropriately cozy, hang near the bar if we felt like it, even grab a cigarette on the patio if the situation called for it -- the Ave just has everything!
He couldn't keep his mouth shut about how much he liked this place, and how impressed he was. Â The best part was that the owner, once again, made it an enjoyable experience. Â He came by, said hello to my guests, made them feel incredibly VIP and welcome -- basically, helped me set the mood to make a fantastic impression. Â Which is exactly what I needed!
Ladies and gentlemen, take your dates & friends here.
There aren't any skeezie chicks scantily clad and dancing, toppling over in their high-heels and making idiots out of themselves. Â And when there are? Â The bouncers AND the owner BOTH step in to handle the situation IMMEDIATELY (I witnessed this first-hand, as you know how ridiculous Stocktonians can get sometimes). Â No drama, just good company, good drinks, and good food.
The third time I came to the Ave was just to have a nice dinner after a long day with a few friends. Â We ordered appetizers, soups, desserts, wine, etc.
The bartender, Jason, was cordial as usual and thanked us for our repeat visit (dear Jason, if you're reading this, you have great hair and my friend has the hots for you).
Our waitress, Sarah (did I spell her name right?) was so sweet! Â She happily answered every question I had about the menu and desserts, and when she didn't know the answer to something, she didn't PRETEND to know. Â She excused herself to find someone more knowledgeable so that she could provide me with the information that I needed -- thank you! That's all that I ask! Â Not to mention she was so sweet and just personable in general, coming around often (but not too often) to check on us and make sure that we had everything we needed.
I love Ave on the Mile. Â The staff, the ambiance, the music, the food, the drinks -- this is THE hottest spot in town, and I am never going anywhere else! Thank you for bringing this to Stockton!
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