Got their living social deal and had a nice lunch date with the gf. Â They had a Great beer selection and I got to try a new IPA I hadn't had before. Â We sat down and then realized you have to go to the bar to order, which was different but actually much more convenient IMO. Â My lava burger was really good, but the fries were awesome! Â Pretty fair priced and the bartender and other staff were really friendly and helpful. Â Cool atmosphere, too. Â I'll definitely go back.
Only reason they don't get 5 stars was my burger was a little overlooked, but still great
What a pleasant surprise. Â We have lived around the corner for years. Â Finally walked in. Â Was was treated like one of their own. Â Guests and staff were very friendly and welcoming. Â Bartender waited on us. Â Amazing burgers! Â Grateful they support so many local sports teams! Â We will be back.
Review Source:I don't know how I've been living in west Santa Rosa for the past five years and didn't discover this place til just a couple months ago. Jesus, I go to the Walgreens across the street once a month and didn't know West Side was even there! They could probably do a better job with on-street signage, but then again, if they did, the place wouldn't be as hole-in-the-wall and relatively douchebag-free as it is. The first time I came here was after a SRJC hockey game, as fellow Snoopy's-goers are wont to do, and it was an awesome night. There aren't many non-brewpub places where I've actually tried a beer that was new to me, but this is one--they have Ninkasi Total Domination on tap, and I actually haven't ordered a Lagunitas IPA at West Side since I tried the Ninkasi. And that's saying something, because being a good Sonoma County resident, I love me some Lagunitas.
The bartenders are all great--really friendly, knowledgeable about all the beers on tap, yet not pretentious at all. They are also capable of making conversation with a lady [myself, obviously :] without making me feel uncomfortable and/or openly hitting on me, which is nice when I step up to the bar to pick up beers for myself and my fiance. They also know how to pull a Guinness, which is a major plus.
I have yet to try their food [once attempted to eat a fry, but it was literally just out of the fryer and tried to burn the roof of my mouth off] but everyone says their burgers are amazing as well, so someday I will definitely try one.
I've only been there after SRJC hockey games, so I can only speak to the crowd and atmosphere of hockey types, but every time I've been to West Side, we try to get there early to claim parking spots and a pool table, and it's an amazing time. I'd imagine it's also really fun to just go there to watch a Sharks game or a Giants game on the TVs behind the bar, make some conversation with the nice bartenders and have a relaxed night out.
Also, the jukebox rules. As long as there's someone with good taste feeding the machine, the place is great for a few pitchers and a dance party :] love it.
In honor of Super Sunday, I'm happy to call out my favorite game-watching venue in Santa Rosa...West Side Grill! This bar/restaurant has everything you need to enjoy any football game - good food, ambiance, beer, pool tables, TVs, and beer...oh wait, already mentioned that last one ;)
West Side isn't the biggest place, it isn't located in the popular downtown district, and it doesn't serve hard liquor, but it certainly makes up for it in its service, menu and friendly neighborhood feel. It happens to be just a short walk from my home, so for me, it definitely has that convenience factor. But for those who have to make a longer trip, it's worth your while if you're looking for a fun place without all the drama of the downtown scene.
Just walking through the door, you get that true sports bar feel, with team swag splattered across the walls, 14 high-definition TVs surrounding the bar, and good ol' pub food, including a delicious chicken caesar salad, fish and chips, custom hamburgers, fish taco specials, and irresistible fries. You can wash down those delectable bites with your choice of one of their 26 beers on tap that include many local micro brew favorites. If you're not into beer, wine connoisseurs can enjoy a red or white varietal from their local wine selection.
When half-time hits, you can jump into a game of pool on one of their two pool tables, or peruse the tunes on the live juke box. The bartenders are incredibly attentive, friendly and fun, adding to the overall atmosphere of the bar. When big games come around, they usually have specials that bring in the crowds, and their happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm. Some menu items are on the pricier side, so taking advantage of these discounted specials can help you save a few bucks.
If you like lots of sports on all over, this place has it. Too many TVs have the Giants for my taste (A's fan here), but I have made requests multiple times and the staff has always accommodated--even putting things on like British Premiere League so I could watch Newcastle United. A couple somewhat-crowded quarter-driven pool tables and a juke box round out the atmosphere.
Beer selection here is pretty darn good. They have the spectrum from American Industrial Crap Lager  to some local good micro/craft brew selections, especially IPAs. If you are a stout or porter fan you won't find much here, though Guinness is available on draft. They should probably add some Moonlight Death & Taxes (please?) or Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. Also, dump Newcastle (yeah, I like the football team, not the beer) and go with Lost Coast Downtown Brown. Much better and it's local--or at least more local than England. I know they can access Lost Coast as last time I was in there I had the Lost Coast Double Trouble IPA. They do typically give a small discount after softball games if wearing a uniform.
The food is hit and miss, though generally passable at minimum. Lava burger.. really good, especially if cooked to order. Same with the ribeye burger. I was surprised how tender the ribeye was in sandwich form. I highly recommend springing for the extra mushrooms, grilled onions, and cheese on this one. The sandwich/burger/salad fixing bar is fantastic and allows for a lot of creativity. No, I didn't put beets on my Lava burger, but I could have if I wanted to. I may have put garbanzo beans on it to simulate hummus. Fish and chips, not impressed. Super oily fish and frozen albeit not bad fries. I can't remember the name of it but I had a chicken sandwich that was so-so.
I like the place, I'll come back many more times, but I'm not talking about my experience later to my friends and family.
I have to say right off that I read the reviews and they made me think -
Who are the tool bags rating this place?
The yelp review is out of hand for some people. Clearly this is a brew pub with good pub food. It has a good variety - I was impressed by the service - seriously, the cook comes out talks to you, he split a hamburger (very tasty and good fries) for me and a friend - I've been to a lot of nice places that don't do that for you. They have a salad/condiment bar - it has everything you could want and the pickles taste like homemade.
More than that - it's a cool place - the bartender, Gary, - I couldn't believe how much this guy knew about ALL the sports, the beers, different events going on. He is smart, intellectual, pours a good beer, is engaging and laid back. I'm not sure what you want from a bartender but that's EXACTLY what i'm looking for.
I don't like being treated like a 'newbie' or a visitor - or better yet, ignored, and I wasn't. The locals were cool too. Nothing to lose here - I don't think you're going to find your wife here - which is good, that's why people go - no pressure, no B.S., and no Hammered people. Perfect spot - glad I found it.
Oh yeah - and many TV's.
I came here looking for the 420 Lagunitas special brew Waldo. Â I found my beer here and I was excited to give this place a try. Â My burger was cooked to death, my chili cheese fries were frozen and out of a can. Â I don't mind canned and frozen food but none of it was cooked properly. Â The beer was great and the food was not. Â I would comeback just to have a beer and watch a game.
Review Source:Normally this is a nice place to hang out and watch UFC. The food is decent bar food and the beer isn't that expensive. However on this last trip, they let way too many people in!!! There wasn't enough chairs for people to sit down so they had to stand. This would be fine if they didn't block our view of the tv's...but it reality they did...I would add another star if they changed their policy on this. I am sure I will be going back, and I hope when I do, they have lowered their prices on getting in and that they limit the number of people for their regular customers.
Review Source:I've been going to Shannon's for three years, now, on Sundays during football season and I can't see myself going anywhere else!
The crew is friendly and more than efficient and they have plenty of TV's as well as a couple pool tables and a jukebox. Â
The beers (though I seldom have one) are always cold and the place just has a cool overall feeling about it. Â I've never seen a fight there or even anything truly close to one.
But don't think for a second that this place is all atmosphere and lacking in the food department, because it most certainly is not. Â They have a couple of good grilled chicken-breast sandwiches(I prefer the teriyaki one), hot dogs, corn dogs, a gardenburger, chili cheese fries (a huge mound of them), garlic fries (I have never tried them but I've never heard anything negative about them and they are VERY popular), hot wings, chili (I've had two bowls in one day, before, and considered going for three) and more.
Part of the "more" includes their burgers. Â Their West Side Western Burger is excellent! Â It has lots of BBQ sauce, onion rings, cheese and bacon on it. Â They also make a very good cheeseburger and their Lava Burger is very popular, too, but I've yet to try it. Â My favorite burger there is their Bacon Bleu Burger. Â Bacon and bleu cheese. Â Scrumptious!
I won't lie by saying that I've tried every burger in the county but I will say that I've tried Mike's (in Cotati), IN-AND-OUT, Â Super Burger (4th Street, Santa Rosa), Burger City, Brody's, Foster Freeze, Buns N' Burgers and burgers in numerous other places and I like the burgers at WEST SIDE better than the burgers anywhere else I've tried. Â
Great bar, great food. Â Ya can't beat it.
My ranting says four stars but that is only because they don't have 1/2 ratings. Â If they did, I'd give them a 4 1/2 rating.
A fun spot to come and chill out, good burgers, lot's of beer on tap, jukebox, pool tables, pleanty of seating and good service. Familes come here during the day and dlet their kid play pool and at night it's more of an older crowd. Lava Love Burger; just how it sounds.. mmm, love. Big ol juicy patty, swiss cheese, bacon and add all the fixins you want, blue cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, pickles.. all on the side, add onion rigns $1, and there are a lot. $10. This is a good place to go for your fix of a big and greasy and cold beer. Pitchers range from $10-15, so it's pretty reasonable.
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