Bombay's

I came through one weekend in February to purchase a ticket for Guttermouth. There were a few live bands playing that sounded like they were trying really hard to be A.F.I. Not really my thing, but I didn't really know what else to do because Redding suuuucks. So I got my ticket, had a few beers, ended up spending more in cab fare than on drinks because the bands and the people were so boring to me I left after an hour or two. I felt like I was an extra in a bad teen movie I would probably never watch.

Fast-forward 2 weeks to the night of the Guttermouth show...

I had one beer, one mixed drink and several refills of water. I wouldn't say I drink a lot, but my tolerance is high enough that I shouldn't have fallen asleep in the corner of the bar and missed the entire show. I woke up after the opening bands had finished only because I had to go vomit in the bathroom...and then the electricity went out. A smart business owner would have a generator standing by so they could stay open, but instead we were all forced to leave. Tickets were not refunded because Guttermouth said they would come back the next day and play an afternoon show.  When we came back there was a sign on the door basically saying they lied and we're keeping your money.

Based on some of the bands that play here from time to time you would think it'd be a pretty cool place to hang out, but it's not. Normally I would feel bad about puking all over someone's bathroom and back porch, but I don't. I would give them no stars if I could. The Descendents said it best: "This place sucks!"

As long as you avoid the Saturday night crowds (generally), you can get a decent drink here.

Wednesday is Dance Night (if I remember correctly), which is the best night to go if you're looking for a fun night out, getting way too close and sweaty with strangers on a dance floor.  I've never waited more than 3 minutes to get a drink, no matter how packed it is.  I enjoy their closed patio area; it's big enough for a couple groups to be outside at once, and it offers a break from the writhing masses inside.  The bouncers and bartenders have all been quite friendly to my friends and me every time.  Also, the interior is so dark, you have no idea what weird stuff you may be stepping on, which is fine until your shoe feels sticky.

Unless you're going specifically to see a band on a Saturday (or you're a skinhead), just avoid it.  The place reeks of pot and white supremacists.  We made the mistake of popping in one night, and the dirty looks my husband (who's fairly tan-skinned) and I were getting was enough to chase us out after chugging one drink.  The cover sucks (usually $5), but that's fairly standard on a weekend night in Redding.  I can think of 2 other major bars with the exact same charge on Fridays and Saturdays.  If you want to avoid it, get there before 9pm.

Alright where do i start.

Lets start at the door, 5 dollar cover?! This is Redding, CA on a wednesday night lmao seriously get real, and no stamps, kinda weird, i'm pretty sure my 5 dollars went into some "wanna be bouncer's" pocket.

After getting robbed i entered this "club". The DJ was alright, he brought back some early 2000/ 90s hits, which for me was cool, but after looking around the place it kinda struck me as weird cause half of the people in the club probably didn't even know the music they were listening to.

Lots of wanna be gangstas, wankstas, and mark ass b*tches walking around with there wanna be hot girlfriends acting hard. I am no where near the type of person to want to fight in the club, but this place makes you feel like you should put your hands on someone.

The bartenders were probably the only cool people in here. Cheap drinks, very generous with the liquor, and quick to make eye contact to service you.

Bathrooms were like any other cheap dirty club, tagging all over the walls and everything is wet so you feel like if you wash your hands you might test positive for some random STD on your next annual check up.

All in all if you want some good people watching, a few cheap drinks, and dont mind throwing 5 bucks away at the door come on down to Bombays. If your looking for alittle better atmosphere i'd check across the street.