Bars in the Coeur d'Alene Area

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our focus here was on bars that have opened since our last guide two years ago, as well as on great older bars we didn’t cover last time (like Italian Kitchen, Fizzie Mulligan’s and Scoreboard). Then we tackled as many other dives, lounges and distilleries as our wallets and livers could afford. Naturally, we probably missed your favorite place. And we totally short-changed a couple of neighborhoods. But we will live to drink — and report back — another day. Until then, hoist a glass to those who keep us all in the suds. Cheers — Joel Smith, Section Editor

315 MARTINIS AND TAPAS
315 E. Wallace Ave., CdA | 208-667-9660
An extension of Greenbriar Inn, this 100-year-old Coeur d’Alene mansion does double-duty as a catering facility and restaurant. Linger over appetizers and cocktails in the sitting room, or spread out around the bar in the main dining room. Try the Wildbeary huckleberry martini. (CS) STYLE: Bed & breakfast/restaurant. HAPPY HOUR: Tue-Sat 3:15-6 pm and 9-10 pm

BARDENAY
1710 W. Riverstone Dr., CdA | 208-765-1540
With an extensive wine and drink selection and their own distilled rum, vodka and gin, Bardenay offers casual dining while taking their alcohol seriously. (NJ) STYLE: Bistro HAPPY HOUR: Daily, 4-6 pm

THE BEACON PUB
317 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-665-7407
With a lit-up, island-style bar and high-end menu, the Beacon, in the epicenter of downtown Coeur d’Alene, feels more like a big-city bar. (NJ) STYLE: Upscale Pub

BEVERLY’S LOUNGE/COEUR d’ALENE RESORT
115 S. Second St., CdA | 208-765-4000
See Hotel Bars STYLE: Hotel bar

BONSAI BISTRO
101 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-765-4321
Experience authentic Asian cuisine as well as a wide selection of wine and sake, all surrounded by elegant Japanese décor, including a calming waterfall. (NJ) STYLE: Classy Asian restaurant

CAPONE’S PUB & GRILL
315 N. Ross Point Rd., Post Falls | 208-457-8020
With 40 microbrews on tap and a kicked-back atmosphere, Capone’s is North Idaho’s version of Cheers. (Also check out their Coeur d’Alene location.) (NJ) STYLE: Neighborhood pub HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri 7-9 pm

CHILLERS
1920 E. Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-667-1896
Defying the nanny state, Chillers offers the almost-forgotten experience of walking into a wall of cigarette smoke as you enter. Patrons cluster around a curved bar to see if their name is on the cardboard “86ed for Life” list. Order a few Felonies (Jameson’s, Bailey’s, Kahlua, butterscotch schnapps, half-and-half, and a float of Jägermeister) and maybe you’ll earn a spot on the honor roll. (KT). STYLE: Dive HAPPY HOUR: Daily 4-6 pm

COEUR d’ALENE BREWING COMPANY
209 E. Lakeside Ave., CdA | 208-664-2739
This North Idaho microbrewery offers 12 of its own beers, a selection of wine and a family-friendly restaurant. (NJ) STYLE: Brew pub HAPPY HOUR: Daily 3-6 pm

CORNER BAR
1628 N. 4th St., CdA | 208-667-9084
Corner Bar is the perfect dive — spacious, with enough intentional and unintentional kitsch to keep drinkers from boredom. Cheap-ass disco lights, Jolly Roger “CASH ONLY” sign above the register, obligatory karaoke shit-show, a hoppin’ crowd of friendly rowdies young and old, and — most importantly, two-dollar PBRs — make this a terrific gem of a dive. (CD) STYLE: Dive lounge

CRICKET’S
424 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-765-1990
This spacious restaurant isn’t a sports bar, but with a large liquor variety, microbrews on tap and 15 TVs, it’s a good place to catch the game. (NJ) STYLE: Hangout HAPPY HOUR: Daily 4-7 pm

CRUISERS
6105 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls | 208-773-4706
Cruisers is more than just a biker bar, with a full selection and plenty of chow to keep your motor runnin’ all night long. (CS) STYLE: Biker bar

CURLEY’S BAR & BISTRO
26433 W. Hwy. 53, Hauser | 208-773-5816
The large frontier bar is a museum of the Old West with antiques adorning the walls. (JL) STYLE: Western/family HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri 4-6 pm

D’MOUSE TRAP
628 W. Appleway Ave., CdA | 208-667-9442
This smoky pool hall is drowning in cigarettes and too many hustled games of billiards. But the mugs are cold and, on a recent visit, they had Arrogant Bastard on tap — with just enough alcoholic content and bite to start your night out. (JB) STYLE: Dive HAPPY HOUR: Daily 4-6 pm

FORT GROUND GRILL
705 River Ave., CdA | 208-664-6186
The Americana decor, chestnut bar and brick walls make this place comfortable; the Rubik’s cubes make it interesting. Challenge the bartenders to a mind teaser. Then try the Fish Bowl  — a sweet cocktail poured in a fish bowl, made with run, pineapple juice, blue curaçao, Sprite and Swedish Fish. (JB) STYLE: Pub HAPPY HOUR: Daily 2-6 pm

HOT ROD CAFÉ
1610 E. Schneidmiller Ave., Post Falls | 208-777-1712
On a Friday night, the kids get their ice cream from the back of a ’49 Chevy while you snag a $5 martini with your cheeseburger. (JL) STYLE: Family HAPPY HOUR: Daily 4-6 pm

ICON
317 E. Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-665-7407
Two venues in the same building — the restaurant, Brix, and a hip-hop club, Underground — have morphed into ICON, a kind of sports bar (but without the kitsch) that’s a dance club on weekends. The vibe is nice upstairs — exposed brick, stout wooden posts, potted trees. There’s also a new VIP area, with its own full bar, in the balcony. (KT). STYLE: Sports/dance. HAPPY HOUR: Sun-Thu 4-6 pm

IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL
407 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-667-7314
A local favorite since 1972, the Iron Horse is a comfortable family restaurant where you can catch three meals a day and live music on the weekends. (NJ) STYLE: Restaurant/Club

MIK N’ MAC’S
406 N. Fourth St., CdA | 208-667-4858
Behind an unassuming exterior, you will find Coeur d’Alene’s oldest nightclub — a swanky, futuristic spaceship decorated with stippled black paint and red accent lights. Neon rainbows scatter across the dance floor. An awesomely anachronistic mountain-scene mural, the ever-present DJ Funk and the prospect of generously affordable drinks ($1 wells on Wednesdays) promise to engage your warp drive. (CD) STYLE: Nightclub

THE MILL
2360 N. Old Mill Loop, CdA | 208-667-6455
The chainsaws on the bar and vintage handsaws strung across the walls makes this strip mall bar a perfect fit for Idaho. It’s not an all-night stop, but definitely good for an after-work rendezvous or precursor to a night on the town. (JB) STYLE: Bar and grill HAPPY HOUR: Daily 2-5 pm

MOON TIME
1602 E. Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-667-2331
Moon Time serves wine, beer and hearty food in a pub atmosphere. Get $1 pints on Thursday from 9 pm until the keg blows. (NJ) STYLE: Pub

MOOSE MARKET LOUNGE
401 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-664-7901
Comfortable and friendly, the Moose Market is an unpretentious wine bar that also serves 40 different microbrews, imports and domestic beers by the glass. (NJ) STYLE: Northwest lodge

MULLIGAN’S GRILLE & BAR
506 W. Appleway, CdA | 208-765-3200 x310
Similar in style to the Coeur d’Alene Resort, with plush and hushed blue and beige decor, yet more casual in tone and price (check out the $5 lunch menu). Caters to travelers, comfort-hounds and golfers (a “mulligan” is a golf “do-over”). Try the Absolut Cosmopolitan from the $5 martini menu. (CS) STYLE: Hotel lounge. HAPPY HOUR: Daily 5-8 pm

NIGHTHAWK LOUNGE
27068 U.S. 95, Worley | (800) 523-2464
The Nighthawk Lounge is a full-service bar inside the Coeur d’Alene Casino that often features live music — and tableside gambling. (KT) STYLE: Casino

NOSWORTHY’S HALL OF FAME
4045 N. Government Way, CdA | 208-664-6161
Known for its gourmet burgers, omelets and walls plastered with sports photos, Nosworthy’s has been serving 32-ounce schooners and extra-large portions since 1973. (NJ) STYLE: Sports Bar

THE OFFICE TAVERN
816 N. Fourth St., CdA | 208-664-9957
The airplane memorabilia and classic-rock jukebox make this low-key local bar easy to fade into. Stop in when you need the beverage without the scene. Try Crotch Sniffing Bastard — a hoppy beer with a slight malt taste and a creamy head. (JB) STYLE: Dive HAPPY HOUR: Daily 4-7 pm

ONE SHOT CHARLIE’S
200 E. Harrison Ave., Harrison | 208-689-9968
If you can take the drive, it’s beautiful. By boat is best. It’s a taxidermist’s dream with stuffed critters galore. This marina on Lake Coeur d’Alene is hopping in summer. Give the bar dog a scratch behind the ears. Drink straight whiskey. (JB) STYLE: Dive

O’SHAY’S IRISH PUB AND EATERY
313 E. Coeur d’Alene Dr., Coeur d’Alene | 208-667-4666
Coeur d’Alene’s only authentic Irish pub has a warm and friendly atmosphere — and it even serves traditional Irish food. (NJ) STYLE: Irish pub HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri 4 pm-7 pm

OVAL OFFICE
620 N. Spokane St., Post Falls | 208-777-2102
Little brother to the White House Grill down the street, the Oval Office features tasty, politically themed cocktails. (JS) STYLE: Fancy eclectic HAPPY HOUR: Daily 3-6 pm and 9-11 pm

PADDY’S SPORTS BAR
601 W. Appleway Ave., CdA | 208-765-0701
Remodeled and under new ownership, the local pub and restaurant offers a more clean and friendly environment for games and karaoke. (JL) STYLE: Sports bar

PARKSIDE BISTRO
414 Mullan Rd., CdA | 208-765-8220
This oddly shaped little hole-in-the-wall is in a fight for survival if the city takes it over. It’s a summertime icon with a Caribbean feel, tables and chairs spilling out on the edge of the City Park and Beach. Smart beer choices, burgers, pizza and (allegedly) the best reggae jukebox around. Decorate a dollar and pin it to the ceiling. While you still can. (KT). STYLE: Funky

POWDER RIVER SALOON
1903 Sherman Ave., CdA | 208-667-9834
The friendly bartender at the old saloon wants to make sure you know that Powder River is “just a kickback place with a groovy jukebox.” (JL) STYLE: Dive

SYRINGA JAPANESE CAFÉ
1401 N. Fourth St., CdA | 208-664-2718
This is more of a sushi bar than a drinking establishment. Local abstract art, dim lights and closely placed tables give this busy little restaurant a big-city feel. Stay for the playful arrangement of sake cocktails. Try Hana Sake Plum — a lightly sweet sake with full berry flavor. (JB) STYLE: Sushi bar

TORCH LOUNGE
216 Coeur d’Alene Ave., CdA | 208-667-3132
Say what you want about the girls, “Idaho’s Premier Gentlemen Club” is actually the most hip and happening place in Coeur d’Alene — for everybody. (JL) STYLE: Bikini club HAPPY HOUR: Daily 2-7 pm

WHISPERS IN A QUIET LOUNGE
Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St., CdA | 208-765-4000
As the name suggests, Whispers is perfect for sitting and contemplating the view while nursing a good glass of Scotch. (JL) STYLE: Lounge

WILLIE’S
300 E. CdA | 208-664-6236
“Hey, you got food here?” I asked hungrily and stupidly, expecting only delicious explanation. “Nope,” replied the bartender. Sipping $3 Bud Light at one of many empty tables — with George Strait slow-jams on the PA — made me feel like a sad bastard chaperone at a sad, hungry dance hall. (CD) STYLE: Dive

THE WINE CELLAR
313 E. Sherman, CdA | 208-664-9463
Such a comfy cellar, with a candle-lit, intimate, long-talk-with-your-date vibe. It’s a restaurant, too, and the aroma of Mediterranean entrees is tempting. Sample the extensive wine-by-the-glass list. There’s quiet jazz or blues most nights. (KT) STYLE: Date bar

CONTRIBUTORS: Ann M. Colford, Ben Kromer, Blair Tellers, Carey Jackson, Carrie Scozzaro, Chris Dreyer, Clayton Rau, Doug Nadvornick, Elizabeth Strauch, Jacob H. Fries, Jeff Echert, Joel Smith, Jordy Byrd, Julia Lipscomb, Kevin Taylor, Leah Sottile, Luke Baumgarten, Natalie Johnson, Nicholas Deshais, Tammy L. Marshall, Tiffany Harms