My friends and I come here to play pool sometimes. I believe the place is a lesbian bar, but there was a good mix of guys and girls inside. The people are pretty nice and they sometimes have specials on the drinks.
Pro-Tip: If Kevin is working, you can ask him to make his special drink, a mix of Malibu Rum, Midori, Banana Liquor(?), and some other stuff and the drink tastes AMAZING. Just ask for it and remember to tip nicely :)!
I am rating this bar on a whole as an experience. I moved into the area three years ago and this quickly became my favorite bar. It's relaxed, always has fun music, and the service is awesome. Terry is my favorite bartender by far. Not only is he a great conversationalist, but he makes amazing drinks! This is also one of the only bars on Broadway that does NOT charge a cover for pride!! A+ in my book boys. :)
Review Source:Just what I wanted for my b-day. Friendly crowd - mixed ages - mostly women on a Friday night. Cash only - nice bartenders and it was fun being bad at pool and meeting cool people. You can bring in food. Not a lot of seating - no tables just bar stools at bar and around the front windows. Great local joint. Wish we had a Sweetwater by the beach cities in LA...
Review Source:This place has great, strong, cheap drinks. Sometimes a cool crowd, sometimes not so much. Not a lot of space, but it's used well with two pool tables, jukebox usually playing good stuff, and a couple of bathrooms on the sides. The wait for drink varies, but usually served with a smile. Couple of tvs playing random stuff, and I like the swinging old west style door. Good place to have a drink or meet up with friends.
Review Source:One of my favorite local hang outs.
In the 8 years I've been hanging out in Long Beach, this bar has transformed from sketchy/scary to fun and hip. The very first time I walked in, my skin crawled and there were only a few very drunk old men at the bar. I didn't come back for a few years, honestly not until after Club Broadway changed to a Str8 bar. Anyway, now Sweetwater is the happening place - generally lots of girls to hang with and right priced drinks.
It's not uncommon to find us in there on a Friday night, shooting pool, playing tunes on the juke box and having a good time.
Kevin has made an effort to bring in better beer choices, which makes us very happy - THANK YOU, Kevin. He's also very diligent about keeping this a safe place to hang out - he cards and he makes sure the riff-raff off the street are escorted out. He's also very attentive.
A few things I'd like to see them work on:
1) AC - during the summer its so hot in there - sometimes the fans don't work, but even if they do, once they shut the doors at 10pm, the place cooks on a busy night. OWNER - hook us up with some nice AC - we want to be there, we just don't want to SWEAT all night.
2) Fix the pool table - the one near the juke box leans toward the bar so badly that we laugh hysterically how our shots fade to one side. We enjoy shooting pool - the tables are often busy on Fri/Sat nights - give us something decent to play on. And FYI the drink coasters under the feet aren't working.
Everyone - this is a CASH ONLY bar. There is an ATM, though.
I had a lot of fun here last night with my girlfriends. Â The Sweetwater is a sweet, hip saloon located in the eclectic arts district of Long Beach. Â No matter your sexual orientation, you will feel right at home here (I'm straight - FYI). Â The drinks are reasonably priced and the bartenders are attentive and on point. Â I loved the rickshaw wooden double doors at the entrance. Â The jukebox was fun and had great selections. Â We jammed out to Green Day, The Doors, Zach Brown Band & many more. Â The memories and the laughs from my Saturday night at the Sweetwater more than compensate for my foggy brain and the pounding boulder in my forehead this morning.
P.S. CASH ONLY!!! Â The ATM has a $2.50 surcharge.
Every time I walk into this place, I always wonder why I let my friends dragged me in. I don't mind the crowd (mostly lesbian ladies) or the bartenders. I just don't like the layout, the music and the weak drinks. I believe this past Sunday (St. Patrick's Day) was my last visit to this place.
Review Source:I LOVE SWEETWATER SALOON!
I've been there 3 times in the past two weeks, one reason being it was my birthday and another being that this place is awesome!
First off, the bartenders are all sweet guys, and remember what you order which makes it convenient when ordering over a crowd of people on a busy night.
I've made new friends every time I've come to this place. The crowd is super friendly and the drinks are very reasonably priced, which makes people happier ;)
My straight roommates even said they wouldn't have a problem hanging out at this place all the time. Totally unpretentious , comfortable and relaxed.
Come for cute boys and cute times! See you Wednesday!
We came here on a whim last Friday night and what a pleasant surprise! The vibe was fun, low key and very diverse. There were people of all ages intermingling freely. Couples, groups of locals, newly out gay boys; it was a crazy fun mish mash of homo!
The drinks were cheap and service was pleasant and prompt. The jukebox played Queen to Britney while we were there! If I were ever to own a bar, I would try to model it after Sweetwater Saloon.
If you want a down to earth good time, come here. Leave your pretense at the door!
One of my old haunts in Long Beach!
It's literally your quintessential gay dive...I have been here so many times and always had a good time. I've received some really strong drinks, as well as free drinks from the bartender...in fact, I got chastised once for turning down a freebie! Alas, I had to eventually drive home that night.
A solid place for a drink and the like, but perhaps not the best spot if you want to dance & mingle. This is sort of the place that you bring the party to, rather than go looking for it.
Stumbled in here last Wednesday evening and there was a total party going on. Apparently every Wednesday from 4pm 'till closing, Sweetwater offers $2.25 well drinks, $2.25 domestic bottles of beer, and free pool. All night!!! Â How did I not know this? Â Had an absolute blast. Thanks Stephen for getting the party started.
Review Source:I've been to Sweetwater a couple of times and found the bartenders charming and friendly! (Especially Kevin and Stephen!) I work in customer service and know a bartender can make or break the place, so it's nice to walk in to Sweetwater and be greeted and plus get an amazing cocktail! Muah to the boys of Sweetwater!
Review Source:CASH users BEWARE!
My BFF and i came here last weekend and were completely ripped off by the tall, gay, male bartender working on Saturday night. We had been here 2 weeks prior and had a chill, fun time and were excited to be back for another fun, chill time. Instead we walked into the most unbelievable thing ever.
We order a round of drinks, paid cash, got our drinks, and everything was fine. 30 minutes later, my BFF went back for another $4 beer. She paid with a $20. We were waiting for her change for 10 minutes and the guy never came back. He was on the speakerphone trying to get everyone in the bar sing happy birthday for his friend, which automatically  made me nervous since he seemed too districated with his guest and wasnt bringing back our change. After waiting, and after he wasnt coming around, we asked the Girl bartender about our change. She went to get the guy and he immediately rushes over and tell us he didnt know what we were walking about because he gave us the change. We said "no, this isnt true" so he proceeds to tell us we probably werent looking. WTF. How did you give us change when we werent looking if we were standing there waiting the ENTIRE TIME!? what a douchebag.
He then proceeds to try to convince us that we walked away and thats when he left the money on the table. AGAIN, we never walked away you douche! This guy was an ass, and when we told him this was sketchy ass sh*t because he just gave himself a $16 tip, he tries to play the victim by claiming that he's in fact not getting a tip from us because WE "lost" out money. Again, WTF. is this real?!
In conclusion, he tells us he's too busy and has other clients to attend (and Steal money from) so he WALKED AWAY FROM US. Left us standing there, without our money and completely insulted by this bartender.
It was on Saturday 8/18 between 12:30-1:30am. We noticed that there was a camera pointing toward the bar so we're going to call the owner and possible the cops. I can only imagine how many times this douchebag has done this to other people.
Its basically all sad, because our 1st experience there was good, and our 2nd experience turns into a nightmare and this bar just lost two customers forever. The Customer IS NOT RIGHT HERE.
Sadly, i will not plan on revisiting. I love Gay people. Love them, but in my experiences they have always been somewhat clean... i mean, the gay men i love smell nice and dress nice. Maybe i am stereo typing, but that is just how it is to me.
walked up to Sweet Water and the crowd was equal lesbians to Gay men... The Gay men were definitely not the pretty type i am used to. What i did not like though was the push through the door and the smell. I think , seriously someone shit their pants last night, and everyone was just standing around like it was no big deal. IT was awful, we walked in and the smell literally made us sick... we turned around and left... i have no plans to go back.
I had no idea this place was here (I know I'm a bad gay)! Â This place was all decked out for Pride, but it wasn't too crowded which was nice. Â I gave my ID to the super nice bouncer dude and in I went. Â It's a dive bar inside, but there's ample room to stand and stools at the bar.
What can I say...the drinks are cheap and plentiful. Â Before I knew it, I had a leather daddy in one arm and a butch lesbian in the other. Â A good time indeed!
Friendly peeps and a juke box you can control from your phone! Â Oh yeah.
Great music. Pool tables. Decent drinks. Great vibe.
I realize that this is mainly a gay bar, but what I dig is the mix of gay, straight, and lesbian. There is something about this bar that embodies the beauty of what which is Long Beach: open-minded, easy-going, friendly, and inclusive.
This place is a little gem.
The Sweetwater is my favorite gay dive in Long Beach. Generally, it's an unpretentious spot to grab a drink and be gay with other gays. And it's less tragic than Broadway Cocktails.
You will hear bad stories about this bar; but you really have to remember that it's just a bar and some things just happen at bars.
Also: ping pong happens here - and it's glorious.
As an avid bar hopper, this is one of the best gay bars on Broadway. What makes it so great is the relaxed atmosphere, great bartenders, and the stiff and cheap drinks. They have an amazing beer bust during the day that is $1 miller and bud lite drafts. You can't beat that!
My best friend and I love coming in, being able to pick our music on the jukebox and chat with the bartenders.
Sweetwater has two pool tables and a dart machine to keep the entertainment up. What I think the best thing about Sweetwater is the fact that it is not screaming "gay" in your face. There is such a great mix of people that are in there and most of them are extremely nice and love to talk. I highly recommend this bar if you are looking to relax, have a strong and cheap drink and enjoy others company.
Ah the gay ghetto :) My hood.
This is a great bar to play a game of pool and have a quick drink. The drinks are cheap and the bartenders are always friendly. Nice mixed gay
crowd. (not just dudes)
The ambiance is usually ok when i go. I dont know if i have ever seen this place "poppin". Its not as "cooler than thou" as silver fox or falcon. Not as obnoxious as hmbg mary, and not as depressing as Broadway bar. I always meet friendly people here too.
The bathrooms are pretty gross so i had to dock a star, also sometimes the place stinks bad so i had to dock a star for that. Im not sure if the stench is related to the gross restrooms, but its def stinky often.
overall in still A-ok with going here, and will still pop in for a drink.
After a very depressing taco tuesday at Merceds, we wandered on over to the sweet water...
This boozery is an extremely gay gay bar. If you don't like gay or bi people, don't come here. Save yourself and everyone else a whole lot of drama.
Now, if you like hanging out with your fellow human beings no matter what they might be into, you gotta check this place out.
This was my first time hanging out in a gay bar. The bartender was super cool and funny. He had on overall shorts with a teddy bear shirt and was extremely flirty funny, yes he was flirting with me constantly. He kept us boozing in a special way. There were several very attractive gals kissing gals all over the place. Nice. Reason enough to come back....
We were having a great time til we noticed what time it was - 1:30am yousers ! ! !
I'm sure we will be back but I'm definitely going with a female again so I don't get swarmed by dudes..
Let your fun flag fly! Great dive bars are on my list of most bestest things ever, and I'm pro love-whoever-you-want, so having recently moved to Long Beach I'm glad my good friend introduced me to this spot. I've been back at least three times so far, and when I'm looking for a chill, laid back evening with some drinks and a game of pool, this is definitely a great place to be.
Small yet roomy floor with two pool tables that only cost three quarters a game. I'm always looking to hit two spheres together with a stick, so I'm stoked. Put the quarters on the table to claim the next game; it's usually a fairly quick turnaround. And on Wednesdays pool is free - not sure why but not gonna question a good thing! They also have darts but I haven't ventured to that wall yet. I stay away from the jukebox because it just sucks money out of me, but it's cool it's there, I guess.
It's fall so their decor is complete with scarecrows, orange lights and haystacks. Awesome. They put effort into their atmosphere, and I appreciate that. I've met one of the bartenders so far, Kevin, who is very friendly.
As for drinks, be sure to bring cash because that's all they take, though there is an ATM that charges $2.25... ick. I haven't actually bought too many drinks here yet because my friend is too good to me and keeps treating, but their whiskey sours are strong, and because I'm an amateur beer enthusiast, I'm happy they have Pyramid Hefeweizen on tap. I think the rest were in the Coors Light and Budweiser variety.
The first time I came here with my boyfriend, I felt a little uneasy, like straight couples might be frowned upon, but that was just my mind making things up. And when we were the only straight couple there, I got a little glimpse of what it must feel like for gay couples to face the mainstream public. But after subsequent visits I realize it's just a very friendly bar in general, to people of all sexuality preferences, which is great. In fact, I encourage more straight people to come to this bar just for the sheer fact of getting comfortable with gay affection if you're not already. Public affection in general is looked down upon and my partner and I are outrageously affectionate, so we fit in in that respect. In fact, whoever is reading this, I encourage you to be extra affectionate to the ones you love today. Who cares who is watching?
In general, everyone I've met here so far barring one creepy dude has been way chill, and it's just a great place to hang out.
Visited a friend in Long Beach and we were planning on bar hopping to several bars in the area but only made it through 2 and the Sweet Water Saloon was our 2nd and last stop.
This place gets 5 stars mostly for the cleanliness and the strong and cheap drinks. Clean bathrooms are rare to find in places labeled as a "dive bar" but this one pulled it off. And my friend was buying round after round of whiskey sours and those mofo's kicked my ass. So much so that we didn't realize what time it was and had to be kicked out at closing.
Two pool tables, and it was really cheap to play, a dart board, and a jukebox. We had fun and got completely sauced for less than $30!
Otherwise known as the Swampwater:
It's saloon door entrance gives the impression that you are about to enter a bar in Tombstone! Once inside, your hopes of finding illegal poker, six shooters, and cowboys are substituted with the likes of keno, pocket knives, and neighborhood drunks' yearning for booze.
The clientele is very random. This rare dive bar is a refuge where senior drinkers, seedy drifters, and trendy youth can all exist harmoniously for a common cause, to get drunk! No matter what category you fall into, you are bound to have an intoxicating time.
The juke box offers an immense selection of music for your listening pleasure. The clientele's diversity is evident with each song selected. One minute you'll find yourself grooving to Smokey Robinson, the next you'll be Lady Ga Ga Ga-ing! Pool tables and darts are available to help pass the time. Â I found this to be a great place to watch sporting events. There are two flat screen televisions mounted on the wall behind the bar. The bartender will happily change the channel to whatever you want to watch.
The bartenders are friendly, accommodating, and humorous. I like this bar for what it is, a neighborhood dive bar without attitude, egos, and vain.
12 Drinks for $30 (6 shots and 6 assorted beers/cocktails). This was how we started at my friends 31st Birthday, and this is why I love the Sweetwater. It's cheap, it's a dive bar, and the bartenders are fantastic.
Yes, this is a gay bar, but they will cater to us straight people as well, and welcome you with open arms. Don't be afraid to give it a shot, you won't be disappointed. The staff and clientele have always been fantastic and friendly. It's always worth a good time, or a quiet place to sulk if that's what you're looking for. Being just a short distance from my house makes this the perfect spot, and me a happy man.
After The Yelp Event last night my friend John and I stopped here first on our travels down Broadway Bar-Hopping. Also, [both] of us are no strangers to this bar so we always feel right at home so to speak.
I had the pleasure of meeting Kevin who has made the vocational  bartender rounds like most of us bartenders here in LB.
I wanted to work here so bad after being "Laid Off" in February after 4 loyal and reliable years from another un-mentionable establishment but, the position had been filled. That being said if that was Kevin then smart management is at work here.
I like the fact that even if this place gets crowded [the crowd] is diverse and very friendly.
Kevin makes Grey Goose Cosmo Rocks just like I do and that means delish.
Also, when I stop in during the day on rare occassions I do so when my old partner in crime Frankie is working.
Check it out sometime.
Who knew the best happy hour in Long Beach was at this unassuming little dive on Broadway?  I can't turn down any spot that offers a bartender in jorts     And $3 beers. Plus, this place opens at 6am...any bar that opens that early is good by me.
Disclaimer: this was a totally deeerunk review.
********
Ahem. This is the morning after, shamefully hungover edit to my drunk review last night. All that buildup in my head for what review 300 would be, and then that comes out. It's kind of like the big todo of getting laid on prom night, you have it all though out in your mind, then when it all happens it's over in 10 seconds and the whole thing was a waste of time. ...yeah. Kinda like that.
I will say, I greatly enjoyed my time at Sweet Water Saloon yesterday. The staff was awesome and the crowd was pretty fun too, and way more eclectic than I'd expected. I was expecting four old gay dudes sitting on the same stools they'd been sitting on for 20 years. ...of course, those guys were there, but there was much more. Young guys, a few lesbians, our motley crew was the only breeder group in the bar, but everyone there was quite happily breeder-friendly.
Also, as evidenced above, if a place can get me drunk enough to write a fabulous review like that for less than $30, it's A-OK by me.
Where else do you go on Sunday to get $2 well drink specials? Â
Nowhere, jackass. Â You go here.
Scotty (who apparently doesn't work on Sunday's that often) was super nice and welcoming. Â He also made stiff cocktails. Â That doesn't suck OR hurt my feelings.
Sunday late afternoon is very chill and a great place to drop by and have a few cocktails. Â I say go before 4pm so that you don't have to suffer interacting with Miss Personality. Â There's a chick with bleached white hair that is none too happy (or maybe she was having a crappy day).
Overall, we were stoked to find another relaxing dive bar in our new neighborhood. Â A+, for sure.
Don't half step. Â This joint is cash only, Larry.
Oops... was this a gay bar? Â That explains alot. Â I was wondering why that woman tried to kiss me. Â So funny! Â I guess that's what I get for going to my two gay friends on Gay pride weekend. Â I was just showing some support to my peeps. Â (They just got married by the way.. YAY!!!) Â Anyway, even though I'm not gay, I liked this dingy grimy little bar. Â
The drinks were stiff and CHEAP!!! Â There is pool and a great juke box selection. Â I liked it.
I give it 4 stars for the hot geek bartender, Kevin, but then again I love the verbal abuse with my cocktails, who doesn't? Couldn't care less about playing darts or pool, but some of the guys who come in for these very amenities are sometimes cute. Can't beat the music, as long as you get your $5 in the internet jukebox before the guy who likes nothing but country or showtunes. Here's a tip - give the bartender one after you get a drink and he will thank you back. It's common courtesy people. (and makes common sense!)
"$2.00 you call it" on Hump Day is the best way to make it through those Wednesday blues.
Despite not being roofied (cant roofie the willing i guess) I had a pretty good time here the other night. Good pool, good tunes, hot chicks. Nice to place to wet the old whistle.
Bonus Points:
- for having cowboy doors
- for having a decently clean restroom
- for having lots and lots of mirrors (gotta keep my hair looking right)
- for being walking distance to other crappy bars
It's a gay bar.. I like gay bars... Â We had to wait a while for our cocktails... The bartender was busy threatening to drink everyone under the table. And the funny part is that he really was.. While we were at the end of the bar waiting to be blessed with his presence he was taking shots with the patrons.. He even asked a man to whip out his dick and show him.. CLASSIC.. I'm going to use that line next time that I am in a bar....... Just so you know the patron didn't' whip out his dick.....Thank God.... So we finally get our drinks.. Â They were strong and cheap.. The bartender was funny in a crass sort of way.. But that sits well with me...
The music sucked... Lots of drunk gay men... We had one COCKtail and bounced.
the end
Shooting pool here is Fabulous! (cheap gay bar reference, but I'm serious). I hate shooting pool where you're always bumping into people and spilling drinks with your stick. This place is the opposite as it has mega room to play with 2 tables far from each other and the bar.
Big, long bar with lots of stools and free popcorn. Big screen TV's and freindly bartenders who arent afraid to make a stiff drink. A great internet juke box and dart board to round out the mix.
The crowd is mostly gay, the friendly blue collar type and locals you can make friends with. I have to talk friends into going here because of the trashy saloon look of the exterior, but they always have a good time.
Best times to shoot pool here? Sat/Sun afternoons when I need a cold beer or a cocktail !
My friends totally got roofied here.
2 straight girls, in a gay bar....Getting roofied.
I cant wait to go back!
-Helpful Hint....This is walking distance from most 4th street bars...If I recall correctly, their last call is later than the other places.....So go ahead and get one last cocktail before either
A) Going Home Alone
B) Not Going Home Alone
C) Partaking in the Dark Underbelly of a Long Beach after party.
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