Decided to take a last minute road trip to Paso Robles with the BFF and her corgi in tow. We made it into town right around sun down and needed a spot to unwind with a few glasses of wine. We stumbled upon The Pony Club Bar as we walked around the cute downtown square. We were worried at first they would not let us in with our little friend, but they had no hesitations and welcomed us!
We were able to enjoy the local wine flights (with our choice of wines) and a local port flight (again with out choice of dessert/port wines). The atmosphere was perfect: hanging out on the patio with glasses of wine and warmed by heat lamps. The only minor issue was the fact that we wanted to order a cheese plate and a second round of flights and it took a while to flag down a waiter. Other than that, I totally plan on coming back again when I'm in town!
At first glance, Hotel Cheval's boutique-looking sweet atmosphere made this adjacent bar look cozy. Â After reading the reviews, I was looking forward to the multiple outdoor fireplace sitting areas!
But when we walked in to the bar's wide open door at 4:30pm, we were met with a server's semi-icy "we're not open til 5". Â Then when we wandered out the door to see the fireplace areas that I had read about in the other reviews, two other women asked us to wait on the outside patio for the bar to open and literally escorted two of my friends to said patio. Â
Mind you, all we were doing was looking at one of the outside fireplace sitting areas, which were accessible through the wide open gates that led to the bar area, so it's not like we were even remotely trespassing or causing a stir of any kind.
Hm. Â Ok, sooo the space is warm-feeling but the humans that work here are not.
Service didn't warm up when they finally opened and we were seated either. Â Rather than endure another moment of iciness, we passed on the small menu offerings here and walked down the street to Thomas Hill Organics.
After the icy reception here, I'd think twice about staying in the hotel too - however charming it appears.
Hate to say this but every time I retry the Pony Club I am continually disappointed. Â The service sucks to put it mildly. Â I went with my friend to get a glass of champagne, it took too long to get our order, the food menu is so limited and they piled on tons of Pita Chips to make it look like something. Â Getting another glass of liquid other than water was nearly impossible which doesn't make any sense since they obviously don't make anything on water. Â It's unbelievable that they are still in business. Â Why can't someone get in there and manage this place properly. Â You can't just build a beautiful location and expect it to be successful without training your staff!
Review Source:went to Pony Club to revisit after a great experience on the eve of a cancer dianosis. Completed radiation and thought we would celebrate. Â Could not get any service for 20 minutes at the bar. Â Local man next to us even told bartender that these 'girls are parched' Â didn't seem to matter. Â When we got his attention he was rude and never bothered to serve me 'any petite sirah' that they might have. Â We left and went to the new place in town Il Cortile' which was happy to take our order for a bottle of wine and delicioius oso bucco. We will never be tempted to stop here again. Â Bartender was too young to understand service and too busy hugging female friends. Â Even the 'local' guy was surprised.
Review Source:Each time this year, I venture up to Paso Robles to fill my trunk with new wine club offers and spend a day wondering around this inspired wine town. Â I love Paso for all its restaurants, shops and a wine bar every three steps. My favorite spot to drink in the Paso sunshine and replenish my constitution is the Pony Club at the Hotel Cheval. One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.
Hotel Cheval offers a welcoming haven for travelers visiting California's Central Coast, located just off the charming and historic Paso Robles town square. The entire property is designed for people to enjoy themselves by one of the intimate outdoor stone wood-burning fireplaces, with a quiet respite in the library, or with friends in the Pony Club. The Parisian inspired zinc topped horseshoe-shaped Wine Bar continuing the equestrian theme of the hotel is breathtaking. Â The Pony Club is a perfect spot to wind down after a day of wine tasting or chat with friends.
The outdoor patio was an inspired place for me to rest, grab a small bottle of Domaine Chandon and fill up on canapés.  Served on small Melba toast rations these were loaded with flair of flavor. Eight bites in all included Brie, Smoked Salmon, Duck Foie Gras and Capelin Caviar. I was in ecstasy. Gary came to steal my decadent morsel revelry and I reminded him, smartness ought to be a glorious treat like caviar; never spread it about like marmalade.
Chef de Cuisine, Chef Danielle has created a unique and wonderful small bite menu including Chilled Roast Beef Bites served with Dijon mustard, fresh shaved horseradish and sour cream. Â And one of my favorites; the Cannellini Bean Hummus with caramelized onions served with lightly salted pita chips.
Gary started with the dark chocolate and port tasting with three bites of cocoa with three creamy ports. My friends arrived and we ordered the Cuisse de Canard Confit that was perfectly prepared and served with sautéed potatoes and the Les Delices de La Mer (Delicacies from the Sea). This dish was so good with smoked salmon, Alaskan king crab and capelin caviar served with a hard-boiled egg, crème fraiche and mini blinis, we ordered another.
We finished with a Pony Club Plate, a delectable mixture of reggianito Argentinian cheese, fourme d'ambert French blue cheese, a busseto Italian dry salami slices and fig jam all served with an assortment of artisan crackers. Â Overall it was a fantastic meal in a picturesque setting.
The Pony Club offers a Popcorn and Movie night each Sunday that included free organic popcorn, half price beers and a movie.  The film sections are unique and authentic as this wonderful bistro, you can see schedule movies on their website at <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hotelcheval.com&s=c6541eba80c46d532ab9c985d6c276bfb8544868bb9bf77d9b26f2a2e14098d4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.hotelcheval.c…</a>.
You will find the Pony Club on the corner of a small boutique hotel in downtown Paso Robles. Â Definitely a place to stop by and have a few drinks in between your wine tasting. Â The Pony Club also boasts a decent wine list. Â They also occasional have live music that you can enjoy on the outdoor patio.
Review Source:Cute charming bar inside Hotel Cheval. The decor is very quaint and they have an outside patio. They have small bites of food (not a full restaurant). We had bruschetta with crackers.They also have a great selection of local wines that can change weekly. Besides very generous pours for wines, they also have a three two ounce tasting for $15. Next time if I ever need to stay in Paso, I want to stay at his hotel and enjoy the wine bar.
Review Source:Comfortable small place. Â Some good local wines on the list, but they are a bit pricey (so what else is new). Â Dark and cozy and I like the atmosphere. Â Sometimes the wait staff/bar tender appear to be very young and inexperienced and are definitely not versed in the art of conversation!
Food: Â Honestly, it is Trader Joe's stuff!!!! Â We ordered about $40 worth of apps. and when it came I almost fell off my chair. Â Same stuff my wife buys at Trader Joe's when she wants to cheap out. Â Â Come on guys we're not complete idiots!
The Pony Club Bar is a wine and beer bar, part of Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles, California. It serves delicious small bite plates, an ever changing selection, and thus qualifies as a restaurant in my book. You could certainly make a delicious meal at the bar or at one of the tables inside or outside.
There was a great selection of local wines here, and regular events are scheduled to highlight new and interesting wines. The small bite food selections are interesting, fun and tasty. The setting is gorgeous, with lots of stone and wood. The inside bar and tables have a brushed metal finish that is very classy.
When we visited, there was live music on the patio (a singing guitarist) and the staff was quick and friendly in their service. A great place before dinner, or for a dinner of small plates.
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