Drinking Games
Add some fun to your happy hour at these playful watering holes
Story and photos by Zachary Rosen
From playing games to listening to music, the bar environment offers an ideal social setting for spending time with old friends or making some new ones. While it is easy to find cornhole and a game of ring toss at a brewery, sometimes it’s nice to have more options.
With that in mind, we scoured the Central Coast for establishments that bring a little something extra to the usual bar experience.
The Mighty Axe
Go to The Collection in Oxnard and prepare for a swirl of retail stores, restaurants, and spots to entertain you the whole day. If you feel shopping fatigue, there is a good fix: The Mighty Axe. Simply grab a drink and an axe, then start throwing (in one of the designated lanes, naturally).
The Mighty Axe has an alpine forest flair, with the scent of freshly chopped wood hanging in the air. An axe-wielding grizzly hangs above a cozy sitting corner with a simulated fireplace and cowhide chairs. A row of pinball machines sits across from the series of axe-throwing lanes with interactive tables. The Mighty Axe is open to all ages, but as you can imagine, it’s popular with the happy hour crowd looking to let out some of the work-related angst.
There’s a bar serving all things barley — including $5 draught beers from 4 to 6 pm on weekdays — as well as several non-alcoholic options. The bar opens up to a large outdoor lounge that wraps around the building, with tabletop games and living walls adding to the ambiance, making it a great place to relax before or after a throwing session.
Once you get your fill of throwing, then roll over to Bowlero, which is right next door.
The Mighty Axe is located at 650 Collection Blvd Ste. 2030, Oxnard, with another location in Thousand Oaks: 215 N. Moorpark Rd. Unit I, Thousand Oaks. For more: themightyaxe.com
Bowlero
Bowlero is a chain of bowling alleys with locations across the state — the more local ones along Highway 101 being in Oxnard and Goleta. Each location is marked with a distinctive neon blue sign and the interior’s signature red glow. A bowling ball with antlers and a neon-lit ram bowling are part of the familiar décor at any of these sites.
With plenty of lanes, groups can bowl the day (or night) away, grabbing drinks and food along the way. Not into bowling? Each location also has a full arcade with air hockey, prize counters, claw machines, and more to spend some time smashing buttons and bringing in tickets.
The bar has about 30 taps and a large array of cocktails on offer. A full kitchen serves up traditional American fare like boneless wings, smash burgers, and pizzas, plus other fried goodies. With plenty of food, drink, and games, it’s easy to spend a few hours or a whole day at Bowlero picking up spares and putting down drinks with friends.
Find Bowlero in The Collection at 601 Collection Blvd. Ste. 1175, Oxnard, or in Goleta at 5925 Calle Real. For more: bowlero.com
Unbearable
The Cruisery sits on the popular corner of Haley and State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Head behind it, though, for the attached back bar dubbed Unbearable. Enter this forest-themed bar and you’re greeted by a looming bear looking out across the room. As you’d expect from any good cabin environment, the area is adorned with canoes, chainsaws, and skis hanging on the walls and ceiling.
Sure, there’s games like ring toss, shuffleboard, and ping pong, but one of the more fun features is the three vintage Skee Ball lanes that sit in the back corner. Refurbished in New Jersey, the Skee Ball machines are the centerpiece of Unbearable’s offerings. Play a round with a friend or set up a little healthy competition with the table next to you. A photo booth in front lets you capture the moment — even if for just three frames.
Unbearable’s expansive Happy Hour runs from Sunday to Friday from 3 to 7 pm. Besides the discounted beer and wine, there’s a swell of cocktails too. Try the Dancing Bears, which blends vermouth with a frolic of hibiscus vodka and just a tip-tap of lemon and simple syrup, topped off with a finale of sparkling wine. With tapas like Arancini — a crispy risotto with rosemary and mozzarella fried into a ball that sits atop a bright lime aioli — or the Banh Mi Plantain, a pile of carnitas with pickled carrots served on a crispy plantain cracker, it’s easy to grab a quick snack or dive into a bigger meal.
Bonus: Unbearable is dog-friendly!
Find Unbearable at 12 W. Haley St., Santa Barbara. For more: thecruisery.com
BA Start
Stroll along the bustling downtown streets of San Luis Obispo and you will find a bar with a more playful side: BA Start Competitive Arcade & Taproom. Named after the infamous Konami cheat code, the sign hanging outside displays the code in its entirety. While owner Rob works in the tech industry, BA Start is his “side hustle” and embodies his love for arcades and all forms of play. Card tables fill one area, with a Social Poker League slinging around decks for fun. Pool tables, air hockey and a dozen or so pinball machines give plenty of other options.
Of course, the main highlight is the arcade. The featured games span generations; from Galaga and The Simpsons to Transformers and Dance Dance Revolution, there’s something for all ages, and everyone is allowed during the day. BA Start turns 21-and-over after 8 pm, although you can grab a beer and small bite from the bar at any point of the day.
Glowing arcade buttons line the footrest underneath the bar, giving your feet something to play with, while the bar’s woodwork reflects an arcade cabinet complete with backlit marquees of iconic video games. And if the arcade hasn’t sufficiently scratched your competitive itch, there’s a nacho-eating contest you can join!
Find BA Start Competitive Arcade & Taproom at 647 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo. For more: bastartarcadebar.com
Jan’s Vinyl Bar
Hidden behind the San Luis Obispo Amtrak station is a tiny, moody venue with plenty of good tunes and even better vibes — Jan’s Vinyl Bar. From behind a slotted curtain in the doorway, you can hear the gentle babble of voices emanating from the room. While the small space can have the feel of a crowded club, the ambiance is decidedly different, with small groups of friends tucked among the shelves of vinyl and vibrant décor.
Behind the bar is a full Technics turntable setup with a selection of rotating DJs spinning vinyl. But Jan’s isn’t where you’d go to dance the night away — it only sits 24 guests. The music softly sets the mood, letting conversation take center stage. The bar itself serves up 90 wines, craft beers, and local ciders, alongside finger foods with a European edge that spans tinned fish, salty snacks, cheese plates, and stuffed grape leaves.
Jan’s Vinyl Bar is the perfect setting for an intimate evening for some one-on-one time, or just an elegant afternoon with fresh tunes. And now, with the launch of their mobile high-fidelity lounge experience, Jan’s Soundsystem, one can find their distinctive style visiting wine bars and other establishments along the Central Coast.
Find Jan’s Vinyl Bar at 1817 Osos St, San Luis Obispo. For more: jansplaceslo.com
A-Town Chop Shop
On the main drag of Atascadero, A-Town Chop Shop brings together axe throwing, vintage pickups, a hint of quirk, and plenty of fun. Old Chevy trucks have been chopped up and spread around as décor. Axes, knives, and throwing shovels are tucked in the back of a custom Chevy truck bed cabinet. There’s even a vintage clothing boutique rack off to one side. As if getting to chuck an axe wasn’t enough, each throwing lane is equipped with video projectors that lets parties select from more than 10 games. You can throw knives at just a target or choose to aim at a zombie.
In the corner there is a lounge area, where a gigantic metal bull stares down, smoke blowing from its nose, with a disco ball and a rainbow Slinky chandelier hanging nearby. At the lounge, groups can shoot hoops at an arcade basketball set-up, play Mario Kart, or even go in for a round of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.
If you’re looking for a little extra fun before or after a round of tossing sharp things, oversized versions of childhood games are spread throughout the space. From Connect Four and Jenga to huge Rubik’s Cubes, these larger-than-life versions will bring out the kid in everyone — and the Chop Shop is open to ages 10 and older, so kids can certainly come along.
Find A-Town Chop Shop at 6250 El Camino Real Ste. B, Atascadero. For more: atownchopshop.com
The Den
Drive up to Paso Robles and take a step back into the ‘70s. The Den sits tucked off the side of the larger Cal Coast Beer Co. complex and is designed after co-owner Rich’s grandparents’ living room. Vintage guitars hang on the walls, while classic rock jams play in the background. A mosaic of photos identifies the iconic rockers you’re likely to hear. There are small ‘70s vignettes setup throughout the bar paying homage to the era. Be sure to check out the Atari in the corner, sparked up for a round of Space Invaders.
The colors may be faded with the decades, but the warmth radiating off this charming space makes it as cozy as a grandma’s den. Each of the objects here were either from Rich’s grandparents or donated from brewery club members wanting to add a special piece to the collection. Small placards around the room give the history of different items, with charming anecdotes reflecting on Rich’s family.
Serving up vino, wine slushies, and ‘70s themed cocktails that use a 40-proof wine-vodka base, the bar also includes a functional 8-track player. Wake yourself up with a Fleetwood Black espresso martini, or mellow into the room with a Buzzed Aldrin screwdriver. This spot is an unforgettable time capsule with wine on tap and plenty of good beer just next door. Be sure to check their schedule for live music and karaoke nights!
Find The Den at 1346 Railroad St, Paso Robles. For more: calcoastbeer.com/theden