Places to unwind

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Posted: October 6, 2009 at 5:16 p.m.

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Need to kick back and relax with a hot coffee or cool drink? There's no better place than Northwest Arkansas.

The area offers dozens of venues for wetting one's whistle or whetting the appetite. From cozy bars to crowded dance clubs, the area's entertainment venues cater to just about anyone's tastes.

Most of Washington County's night spots are in downtown Fayetteville. Dickson Street, the city's main entertainment drag, caters to both college and professional crowds, offering bars, nightclubs and coffee houses. There is live music at many venues on the weekends, with styles ranging from blues to country to rock.

Although smoking is banned in all restaurants, many bars still allow it.

Benton County is considered "dry" but has more than 100 private clubs where alcohol is served. Patrons can sway to the sultry sounds of jazz over a steak dinner or enjoy long-distance conversations at an Internet-equipped cafe.

Below are some of the most popular nightclubs and venues in the two counties.

21st Amendment, 406 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This happening, new locally-owned bar features a chill atmosphere, a smoking porch, free WiFi and outdoor seating.

Arsaga's Espresso Cafe, 1852 N. Crossover St., 2418 N. Gregg Ave. and the Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. These nonalcoholic venues feature monthly art exhibits and poetry readings and offer live acoustic music on the weekends with an emphasis on folk music and songwriters. The Crossover Street location also has a monthly singer-songwriter circle.

Art's Place, 2530 N. College Ave., Fayetteville. A pool hall in northern Fayetteville.

The Bayou, 115 N. Dixieland Road, Rogers. A large club in Rogers that emphasizes blues and hosts regular live music, jam sessions and karaoke nights.

The Boom Boom Room, 313 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This two-level bar features live music ranging from bluegrass to rock 'n' roll Thursday through Saturday. Both levels also offer pool tables, air hockey, dart boards and pinball machines as well as daily drink specials.

Boomers Time Out Grill, 3607 Metro Parkway, Bentonville. This sports bar and grill features a different theme each night, including poker and pool Sunday nights, karaoke Tuesdays and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bordinos, 310 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. Serving upscale Italian cuisine, this eatery boasts a large wine list and features live jazz on Thursday nights and a cocktail bar that opens at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Brewski's Draft Emporium, 408 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. Features a full bar stocked with more than 200 different beers, 71 on tap.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 32 W. Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville, 6938 W. Sunset, Springdale, and 2707 Moberly Lane, Bentonville. This sports bar, famous for its spicy wings, offers 28 beers on tap, electronic trivia and Texas hold 'em, and multiple televisions.

Buster Belly's, 420 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A nightclub featuring a full bar, weekday drink specials and a patio area in the back.

Club Frisco, 105 W. Poplar St., Rogers. A private, local pub in downtown Rogers that features a full bar.

Common Grounds, 412 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A large coffee shop that features a wide menu of different drinks and foods and live, eclectic music on Sundays.

The Crown Pub, 303 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. An English-style pub that features a selection of imported beers and vintage arcade games, darts and a jukebox.

Dejá Vu, 3404 S.E. Macy Road, Bentonville. This bar features karaoke, Texas hold 'em poker, pool tables and live DJs.

Dickson Theater, 227 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A dance club that also features live music and special events. The venue hosts a live drag show each Sunday.

Drifters, 3615 W. Sixth St., Fayetteville. A dance club and bar that also features live music with rock, rockabilly, country and top 40 influences.

Eddie Haskell's Patio & Grill, 3300 Market St., Rogers. Located in the Shops at Pinnacle Hills, Eddie Haskell's has a full bar, a large patio and live music on Saturday.

Electric Cowboy, 2127 W. Sixth St., Fayetteville. A dance and country nightclub.

Electric Cowgirl, 3570 W. Sixth St., Fayetteville. A dance nightclub featuring a variety of music from hip hop to country.

Fez Hookah Lounge, 207 N. Thompson Ave., Fayetteville. This new establishment near Dickson Street sells flavored tobacco and teas and features ornate water pipes for smoking in the dimly lit lounge. No alcohol is served.

George's Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville. One of Arkansas' oldest clubs, George's hosts live music, including national touring acts, throughout the week. No smoking is allowed in the venue, but patrons may smoke on the patio.

GoodFolk Productions, 229 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. A nonsmoking venue featuring folk, bluegrass and singer-songwriters in a Victorian home off the Fayetteville Square.

The Green Room, 326 N. West Ave., Fayetteville. A spacious pool hall just off Dickson Street that features a beer bar and seating area.

Grub's Bar and Grille, 220 N. West Ave., Fayetteville. Choose from 18 different hamburgers or other American cuisine options at this bar and grill near Dickson Street. The venue has nightly drink specials, occasional live music and an outdoor patio area.

Hog Haus Brewing Co., 430 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This brew pub offers up a selection of unique, local beers and classic American food.

Iron Horse Coffee Co., 220 S. First St., Rogers. A traditional coffee house with Internet access that occasionally features live entertainment. Sandwiches and soups are served along with espresso.

Jammin' Java, 21 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. This gourmet coffee house on the Fayetteville Square has a patio and serves coffee, smoothies, beer and wine. The venue also has live music on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights and Saturday mornings during the Fayetteville Farmers' Market, as well as free Wi-Fi.

JJ's Grill N Chill, 4500 W. Walnut St., Rogers. This down home bar has happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and "Happy Minutes" from 3-3:20 p.m., 4:20-4:40 p.m. and 5:40-6 p.m. daily. All-American food including wings, strips and burgers are served, and local live music can be heard from 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Jose's Streetside, 324 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A Mexican restaurant better known for its margaritas and large patio. This local spot, which has been around for 25 years, attracts a professional crowd as well as a few college stragglers. There is live entertainment Monday through Friday.

Jose's Southwest Grille, 5240 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale. A Mexican restaurant that features a large outdoor patio and stage. The venue offers some sort of live entertainment Monday through Saturday, including Tuesday's Bike Night with a full band and Thursday's Karaoke Night.

The Lightbulb Club, 19 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. This downtown club features an expansive jukebox with local music, guests DJs and a large beer selection.

Maxine's Tap Room, 107 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. Since opening in 1950, this traditional Fayetteville spot has seen several generations of college students pass through its doors.

Mickey Finn's Irish Pub, 644 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This small pub located near the University of Arkansas campus is open seven days a week and has a pool table, touch-screen games and an Internet jukebox. There are nightly drink specials, and beverages are half-price on Sundays.

On the Mark, 2588 N. Gregg Ave., Fayetteville. This smoker-friendly sports bar offers daily blue-plate specials of country cooking, daily drink specials and a full bar. The Wi-Fi-compatible venue has pool tables, 51 televisions, shuffleboard, video games and a private room with a fireplace.

On the Rocks Bar and Grill, 339 N. West Ave., Fayetteville. This establishment, which is situated in Fayetteville's old Mercantile Building, has become one of the more popular places for college and graduate school students to hang out thanks to its roof-top patio and bar. The venue offers free live music on the roof on Friday and Saturday nights and serves food from 5-9:30 p.m. every day except Sunday.

The Perk on Wedington, 3980 W. Wedington Drive, Suite 19, Fayetteville. This gourmet coffee shop hosts acoustic jams on Monday, an open mic night on Friday and live bands on Saturday nights.

Powerhouse Seafood & Grill, 112 N. University Ave., Fayetteville. A popular seafood restaurant that has semi-casual dining and serves all beverages, including the famous Kilowatt. It also is known for its Party on the Patio live entertainment until 11 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday from April to September.

River Grille, 1003 McClain Road, Bentonville. A steakhouse that has live piano entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. This private club serves free appetizers on Friday nights along with seafood.

Smoke and Barrel Tavern, 324 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A hot spot known for its live music, fine whiskey and rotating beer lineup. Located just behind Jose's on Dickson Street, this bar has a devoted following among Fayetteville hipsters.

Speakeasy, 509 W. Spring St., Suite 250, Fayetteville. Located adjacent to the Nadine Baum Studios, this upscale club features a full-service bar and lounge upstairs and a dance floor and bar downstairs. It is open Thursday through Saturday.

Stir, 442 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This full-service, upscale bar on Dickson Street has drink specials Monday through Thursday. The club also features DJs on occasion.

Tables & Ale, 102 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. This bar is a favorite place to shoot a few games of pool and has an outdoor patio.

Tangerine, 21 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville. A gay/lesbian venue that features karaoke night, drink specials, a live drag show and a dance party each week. The club features a lounge upstairs and a dance floor downstairs.

Theo's American Kitchen, 318 N. Campbell Ave., Fayetteville. An upscale restaurant that features contemporary American food as well as a full-service bar and lounge that is open until 2 a.m. Valet parking is also available.

Tony C's Italian Gardens, 14528 E. Arkansas 12, Rogers. This Italian restaurant serves up karaoke at 8 p.m. Friday and Sunday as well as live music acts at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The venue also features a full-service bar, pool tables and video games.

U.S. Pizza Co., 202 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. With a happy hour every day, a full service bar and a rental party room, this pizza parlor features live outdoor music ranging from jazz to folk on its patio starting at 6 p.m. Wednesdays

West Mountain Brewing Co., 21 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville. One of the few nightspots on the Fayetteville Square, this microbrewery also serves food from Tiny Tim's Pizza and offers drink and beer specials every day.

White Rabbit, 311 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. A hookah lounge that features an Ozark poetry slam every second Tuesday of the month. Live music is often played at the poetry slams.

Willy D's Dueling Piano Bar, 216 W. Dickson St. A popular nightspot among locals, college students and visitors, the venue, features live piano acts Tuesday through Saturday. Nightly drink specials. Party packages are available.

You Know?? Uno!! 326 N. West Ave., Suite 12, Fayetteville. The only full-time karaoke bar in Northwest Arkansas, the venue offers customers the opportunity to sing their favorite songs 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. every night except Sunday. The bar also features daily drink specials.

Z330, 330 West Ave., Fayetteville. This venue features a dance-friendly floor with live musical acts, most of which are acoustic, throughout the week. The full-service bar includes a house specialty concoction called Z-Tea.

Zooloo's, 416 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. This small, narrow bar with a Mardi Gras theme is wedged between other Dickson Street nightspots. It has an intimate setting with nightly drink specials. The venue also features live acoustic music on starting at 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

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