I feel sorry for Stockton. It probably could be a decent city without all the murders but that makes the city a less than desired location.
This place is conveniently located across the street from the Hilton. Â It makes for the safest walk after a night of drinking. Â They have many different TV's for all you sports fans out there. Â They have a digital jukebox once the sports games are over that have a variety of music to choose from.
There is a narrow smoking patio with a small TV so you don't have to miss any plays if you go out for one.
I cant speak to the food but there is a vending machine if the kitchen is closed. Â There also is a large selection of beer on tap and more in a bottle should you desire. They have a large assortment of liquor to choose from also!
If I was forced to visit Stockton again, I would definitely come back here!
-1 star for the uncomfortable bar stools.
I want to try this place on a weekday. The location is in a line of little shops. This place never got overly packed, however, there were a lot of people there. The staff was really nice to start so that's always a good thing! As for drinks, a little on the pricey side, but It's not going to break the bank. Plus the atmosphere is worth it. It's probably a bar where regulars go and everyone knows each others names? Â I think the smoking area outside will be nice for hot summer nights.
Review Source:This is first bar I ever went to when I turned 21 and I love it! No other bar in Stockton can compare to it. The inside is nice, but a little small, and I like that they have an outside area for the smokers. If you ever go there, ask for their house drink, called 420, you won't regret it.
Review Source:Not a bad local bar and grill. Don't go in during the day when Anita is working though. She's rude and dumber than dirt. Try to carry on an intelligent conversation with her and watch how fast she gets lost and confused and the attitude that comes out of her. A real idiot. The place does have a fairly nice feel about it other than that during the day but be careful at night though. The place tends to turn a little ghetto then.
Review Source:Yes it's a bar. It was a bit pricey a good friend took me and my hunny out. Thank goodness. The atmosphere was good, saw some old friends. I had one drink which lasted me the entire night. Yes their pretty strong, well I'm a super light drinker but hey overall bartender was nice, just wish there was louder music  and dancing. That would be a club of course. Well 3 stars it is!!!!
Review Source:I came here last weekend probably because of boredom with some friends. The place was kind of packed but there was still enough seats at the bar to seat us all. The bartender was really nice and attentive. The drinks are pretty good.
Overall, good place to hangout and kick it with friends.
Took my girlfriend here for her first time at a bar. She loved it. Along with our many other friends. The bouncer is cool. The bartender took good care of us. The crowd is pretty chill as well. Would totally recommend this bar to anyone who's looking for a good place to hang out, have some drinks, and meet some interesting fun, down to earth people.
Review Source:If possible I would give Basil's 3.5 stars. As people have said before me - it's a bar. So don't expect to go there for dancing. There are some really nice bartenders there (and I've had a few that would make me a heavier drink when necessary) - the bouncers can be pretty cool at times as well. A few of my friends and I used to go there so often that the bartenders and bouncers would remember us. If you like sweet drinks ask for a Royal Flush, that's where I first tried one - and I've been introducing bartenders at other bars to it since then. I've always liked the drinks over there, and the bartenders will give you peanuts/bar snacks if you ask nicely (especially on a not-so-busy night). The drinks are about average price I would say, it honestly depends on what you get (do you want more expensive/top-shelf things or would you rather have a good old fashioned cheap drink?) - I myself am somewhat of a liquor snob so I end up buying more expensive drinks. So to each his or her own. ^_^
If you attend Pacific you will see a few people over there - especially if they live in Venetian Bridges. It's pretty convenient to just walk there from your apartment.
It's a pretty small bar, and when I used to frequent it, Basil's could get pretty crowded so there was no where to sit and enjoy your drink. Now a days though it's not as bad and you can find a seat. The bathrooms are hit or miss over there (there have been two times that I've gone into the women's bathroom and there has been puke on the floor - not fun. However, considering how often I've been there during my 23 years on this planet it's not like it's a frequent occurrence).
Anyway, sorry for the length. Also as a Pacific alum might I add the disclaimer that too many people are scared of Stockton for no real reason (especially people who are not from here). I'm originally from Chicago and trust me I've seen a lot worse. When I was a freshman at Pacific everyone would ask me why I came to Stockton and tell me about how "scary" and "horrible" it is. However, besides some parts on the other side of town (no where near Basil's) I haven't really seen anything too bad. Yes everyone who's gone to Pacific has at one point in their lives heard a few gunshots, but eh nothing to write home about (then again if my parents knew that they would probably have freaked out, XD).
So there's no need to fear the area around Basil's - it's by the Hilton and Venetian Bridges (Venetian Bridges is just apartments for those who haven't been around here before, and these apartments seem to have a fair amount of Pacific and Delta students) - and I've never felt uncomfortable or threatened in that area. Just adding my two cents. ^_^
Probably the best dive bar out in stockton. I used to come here a lot when I lived in the venetian bridges apartments. I used to be a little intimidated with the crowd because I thought I'd get shanked, but it's a pretty legit place. I've had plenty a good time here with friends singing along with the jukebox (we sang bartender to our bartender..it was awesome and then we sang don't stop believin by journey right after)
The drinks are pretty good. Don't get a long island though, get the 420 or the taste the rainbow.
I do miss the young female bartender though, she was real cool and remembered me and my friends. The other bartenders are cool too, but i had a lot of fun with the old bartender :)
But ya, to all the negative reviews, I think this place accomplishes being a local dive bar really well. it's not trying to be an ultra lounge or anything, just a dive bar.
Decorations were simple but some of the bartenders were nice. The good thing about this bar is that they can open a tab for their customers. They can order as many drinks as they want and put it under their tab. Then when they are about to leave they can pay for all of their drinks at once rather than paying for each drink individually.
They have a jukebox where customers can choose any song that they want it to be played. But the bad part is that when someone in the bar doesn't like the song they would go and choose a different one. They have an outdoor patio where customers can smoke and drink.
They have some pretty good drinks and pretty strong too. Prices for their drinks are decent.
Overall, it's a decent bar to grab a couple of drinks after a long day of work.
Decent priced for strong drinks. It's not the place to scantily dress to impress or the place to want to get drunk. As Maybelline said, it's good for a reunion or social hangout. There is a small patio in the back, barely enough seatings in the house or outside. It can be often crowded on a Saturday night. Surprisingly, not very busy on Friday nights.
When I was there, they shut it down half an hour early because one guy was too drunk and spilled his drink on another guy, which nearly caused a fight. Another time, I ordered an AMF and the bartender didn't mix it quite well. It tasted like a whole lotta vodka (about 75%) and maybe 25% Blue Curacao.
This place is alright if you wanna go have a preview of your high school reunion. Â I was in town, and wanted to get my martini fix. Â Basil's it is. Â
I order a sweet martini w/ vodka from the bartender. Â I sense hesitation in his movements, and slight worry in his eyes. Â Bartenders asks, "How would you like that"? Â I tell him w/ vodka (instead of gin), and sweet (not dry, perfect, etc). Â He then asks me what type of vermouth, "Sweet or dry"? Â Then I started to get confused. Â Did I order it wrong? Â Why are we not understanding each other right now? So I do the breakdown: "I would like a martini w/ vodka and not gin. Â I would like you to use sweet vermouth. Â I would also like an olive with that". Â He gives me a look of annoyance, and I give him one of disbelief. Â C'mon now...if I gotta tell you how to breakdown a martini order you gotta step up your game homie.
I've never had a problem w/ any bartenders at Basil's. Â I guess in the future I'll stick to ordering drinks they're used to serving: beer, henn & coke, and tonics.
Cool place. They people are cool here. This bar is a pretty safe place to be. People never start stuff here. They have a nice little set up with the jukebox playing most of the time and sports are always playing on the tvs. The drinks are pricey though so minus a star. Pay with cash though, they charge me extra every time I used my card and they don't tell me..
Review Source:A wonderful bar! Â The regulars hang out during the day...lots of TVs for variety watching different sports channels...fun to play KENO...very friendly service. Â But one thing that many don't mention here, is their food is great! Â Wonderful french dips, burgers, personal pizzas, salads...
Review Source:This is the first place I went to when I turned 21. A guy bought me a beer for my birthday and I was hooked. A little pricey when it comes to drinks, but that's ok. I like the fact that I can just roll in there with gym shorts and a hoodie and have a beer without worrying about feeling like a scrub. Awesome bartenders also. I'm not  a smoker, but I do feel like a drag once in a while so the patio is awesome for that. I would recommend this place, plus if you are a traveler just stay at the hotel next door and stumble and fumble your way home. Thank you basil's, the bar that first attributed to my alcoholism.
Review Source:I'll forever be grateful to Basil's because this is where I first learned how to enjoy a real drink. Â See, there comes a time in every young alcoholic's life when he or she learns to appreciate the taste (and effects) of good liquor. Â For me, it was almost 2 years ago when an Alumni offered one of his Crown Royal on the rocks to me, I couldn't be rude so I graciously accepted. Â A little scared at first, I took a sip and slowly savored the smooth, rich whiskey. Â I was surprised by the pleasant, clean vanilla taste. Â Ahhh, and thus was born a Top Shelf snob :)
Basil's is located right off of March Lane here in Stockton. Â Though the bar itself is rather small and gets kind of crowded on the weekends, it's such a relaxed atmosphere to kick back in. Â There is a small patio area for you to head out to if it gets too rowdy inside, but it is often packed with smokers. Â Sometimes it gets crazy here, and everyone is screaming to each other. Â But every once in awhile, it's not too packed and you almost feel like you're hanging out at home. Â There are a good number of beers on tap, and the favorites include Guinness and Pyramid. Â Parking is somewhat limited to the street, but the nearby hotel has an open lot. Â Â
So, you'll always be able to rely on Basil's for a chill spot to hang. Â For me anyway, it's where I fell in love with my Crown (on the rocks with a splash of diet Coke and a lime, please). Â And after last night, it's also where I'll remember being when I got some of the best damn advice a friend could give. Â
Man, Basil's just keeps racking up the sentiments with me, huh? Everyone together now, "Awww..." Â Haha so lame, :)
GREAT place for sandwiches! Â Also a great place to get together with a couple of friends for drinks on the weekend. Â It's a nice and simple atmosphere. Â The bartenders are nice and the drink prices are reasonable. Â It's got a feels-like-home and friendly vibe. Â I love their Philly Cheesesteaks. Â Toasted and yummy...
Review Source:Once the weekend rolls around it gets pretty crowded with the local college kids. Â Some parking in the adjacent lots available; two entrances and an ATM machine. Â Cozy atmosphere, popular with the older crowd the other days of the week. Â Definitely has a very Cheers feel to it, and the basil leaf accents on the ceiling fans are cute. Â Their fries are surprisingly not-terrible, since they're in the jagged style of generic store-brand french fries; they make all the fries short so that they cook evenly instead of being crisp at the ends and mushier in the middle. Â I'm a sucker for the beef dip and a Blue Moon! Â Decent booze selection, polite service, side patio for the smokers.
Review Source:I can't believe this place still exists, but eh - I'll Yelp it.
It's the Cheers of Stockton. Â You're bound to run into a few peeps from high school if you're there on a weekend. Â Heck, I'm sure you'll run into a few of them even during the week. Â Small, cramped - the UOPers take over and give you dirty looks like they own the town (SIT DOWN SON, I WAS BORN AT ST. JOE'S FTHRMKR) and I'd never order anything other than beer or a vodka tonic there in fear of what butchering they may do to any other concoction. Â BTW, I don't drink beer.
But it is what it is. Â It's a good alternative than going to some South Stockton dive. Â SNAP!
Oh Basil's...so dear to my heart! I spent most of my Freshman and Sophomore years of UOP here. Thank god Kim wasn't there when I actually turned 21! Â Friendly service, strong drinks, and now that I am just a visitor I stay across the street at the Radisson and can stumble home to bed! :)
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