Maltese Bar

Had a great time here. Happy hr. was till 7:30 and the Bartender made one of the best Mojitos next to mine. Just as awesome as the ones I had in South Beach. Mmmm. We had 2 pizzas the Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin. Both hit the spot. I love the new look there and it’s not far from home.

Going to the Maltese is always fun for me, but when I went, I photographed the once a month Burlesque shows they have the first Saturday of each month.
I love the size because it’s not overwhelming, and the décor is super cool with red, black with fire hydrant art on the walls and of course Maltese crosses. Hubby’s a fire fighter so I love the atmosphere, feels familiar and comfy.
There is a big board that lists their activities of every night of the week and there’s always something fun going on. Although I’m not able to go as much as I want in my free time, I highly recommend it if you like dark, cozy whimsical places with lots of character to chill and get your drink on.
The staff and regulars are friendly to everyone from all walks of life and the drinks are good. Have yet to try the food but I’ve heard good things… next time! :)

My friend’s band played a show here which is what inspired me to come — otherwise it’s not really my type of bar. A little hard to navigate when a band is playing — not much space. Anyhow, all was going well and good for most to the night. Naturally, I had opened a tab on which I had 2 beers — one for myself and one for a friend. When I left, stone cold sober, I asked for my card.
bartender: what was the last name?
me: Smith
bartender: (hands me receipt with a smile)
me: (Signs receipt)
bartender: (hands me blue Chase debit card)
me: (signs off, ads decent tip) Thank you!
the next day I was buying some items at the store and pulled out my card only to notice it’s not mine. It’s Brett J. Smythe’s. That is some SUPER carelessness that could end up really screwing someone over! Luckily I am nice person and did not charge anything on the stranger’s card. I immediately called the bar assuming my card had been given to Brett J. Smythe. I could not believe the attitude of the girl on the phone! She though it was hilarious! She was literally laughing like it was some slap stick faux pas. «I’m glad I wasn’t here last night,» she said. So disrespectful and unprofessional. Here I was, the customer, worried about my missing debit card which has over 20 grand on it and she is just giggling like it’s the funniest incident she’s ever seen go down at The Maltese.
Luckily, my card was still. I don’t know what became of Brett J Smythe but I do know that I signed off for his tab. When I tried to express my concern to the girl that I had essentially «stolen» his credit card when I tipped and signed off, she said «Let’s just pretend he wanted to give a tip» I COULD NOT BELIEVE HER ATTITUDE! Seriously concerning.
I picked up my card and the same girl didn’t even have me sign for it. Wish I knew her name.
The whole incident was just too serious of a business faux pas to be acceptable and then the attitude on top of that was the last nail in the coffin for me. Horrible horrible horrible. Unless you want your card possibly given to a random stranger only to find out the staff thinks it’s funny, do NOT go here.
Edit to add: if you read the response from the owner, keep in mind that the band was no longer playing when I got my card back. Also, even had I noticed the card was not mine, I could have easily signed off and walked away with it if I had been more malicious. How can I trust they wouldn’t hand my card to some jerk who’d all away with it?! True, I did not read my name on the card when they handed it back to me — I never do. But I’ve never had he wrong card given to be so I’ve had no reason to. the point is they gave me the wrong card and I got away with it. That’s their mistake not mine. Smith and Smythe may be pronounced the same, so how bout you ask for a first name?!? Smith is the most common surname in the US. Again, That’s the business’s mistake NOT the patrons. You’d think they’d just apologize.

The Maltese is an awesome bar. It’s far enough from downtown to not attract annoying college kids yet close enough to not be out of the way. Drinks are amazing. People are really friendly and I love all the events that are always happening! One of the best in Chico!

I love warm welcoming and fun atmosphere of this awesome neighborhood bar! The bartenders are fabulous, the drink specials are great, and the variety of entertaining performances are outstanding! Everyone is welcome here and you can truly be yourself!

The Maltese is easily one of my favorite places in Chico. Not only is it a great hangout, but it’s one of the only true queer-​friendly bars in Chico. There’s something happening almost every night of the week and the variety of clientele keep it interesting!

The drinks are horrible!!! The service wasn’t any better. They really need to look into a new bartender. My husband and I rarely get to go out but when we did, we ended up wasting our little time and money we had at this place. On top of that, when I told the bartender that the drinks were bad, in the most polite way possible, she rolled her eyes at me and ignored me for 10 mins. Was so upset, the group I was with and myself left. It’s too bad because the place is done up nicely and I really wanted to like this place. Yet, they won’t be receiving business from me anymore.

this places sucks. drinks taste like crap. It would not surprise me if this place made it to the tv show bar rescue. even though they have karaōke and comedy night which is why we went both times the bar tenders were rude and like I. said before drinks. we’re horrible. Make sure u pay attention to drink specials because they will also charge you more then prices listed.

The Maltese has become one of my favorite Chico bars! Creative karaōke nights, trivia, and lately the Maltese has been hosting some really great shows. The updated drink menu has also been fun to explore; high end ingredients at reasonable prices. Oh! And they make the best Moscow Mule in town!

This is the most interesting place in Chico. Whenever I am in a new town, I check out available «corner,/neighborhood bars.
.Maltese is late night Chico
Always something going on… not pretentious (too many places in Chico are)
The best drink I have had in years… I Drive 120miles one way…
Moscow mule#vodka#ginger
Foghorn #gin#secretsauce
Elliot, mastermixologist
makes secret sauce in house.
Since my first at Maltese, last thanksgiving season I have ordered at every bar I have been at…
No one else has a clue!!!
.

My favorite bar. I have had birthday parties, company after parties at this place and never had a bad time. I highly recommend Karaōke on Tuesday and Thursday for a great time for men and women alike. It is filled with laid back people who just want to have fun. Great environment and the bartenders have always been good to me and my friends. Lets put it this way. Rileys is filled with the «Bros» and those types of idiots and prone to fights breaking out, the Bear is starting to fall under the same umbrella. LaSalles is a place to go if you want to risk your life, having stabbings, fights or gun shots every 3 to 4 months or so. Maltese is also perfect because the edge of town is away from the cops who are downtown watching all the jack asses nearly riot. This is a great bar for a great time to interact with your friends, drink and make some good memories. If you are there on Karaōke days, check out this guy Dan Arnold and Paul Priest I think is their names, they both have monster voices and bring some much needed rock and metal to the children.

So legit. Seriously, I love this bar. It reminds me of the Sewer back home. Awesome people, great atmosphere, dark and seedy just how I like it. They always have a shot of Jameson and whatever Sierra Nevada seasonal I want.
They have lots of entertainment at night, so I hear. We always go in during happy hour, 3 – 7. They have a drunk spelling bee. A DRUNK SPELLING BEE, people. Coolest concept ever. All the staff is super friendly, down ass people. We like Giggles, she’s upbeat and always greets us. She offered to help us move! Seriously, coolest bartender ever.

Great place to do a little drinking, a little dancing, and a little socializing. Tons of drink specials. Friendly bartenders and pretty quick to boot.
It was my first time in Chico so obviously my first time at the Maltese. Everyone I met was very friendly and easy going. The patio isn’t large but has lots of seating. Plus they have shuffleboard.
Will definitely be going back.

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name… If its your 1^st time or 101^st time walking into The Maltese, the staff and patrons make you feel welcome.
Cheap drinks, cool atmosphere. Can’t be beat.

Nothing like a bar with shuffleboard!
I have visited the Maltese a couple times and both have been chill. The drinks were fairly strong and was a cool spot to people watch.
Not a place I would frequent honestly, but I would go back.

Cheap drinks, fast bartenders… but the crowd is so-​so. I prefer to drink downtown. This bar seems more like a «local» place. Good to go to though if you want to have a conversation with a friend without being ripped off!

I highly recommend the Maltese, this is a bar that really lives up to it’s press clippings. The drinks are reasonably priced, the service is good. It has a nice vibe, I like the back deck in the good weather, this is one of Chico’s best bars.

I used to love this place when I lived in Chico 4 years ago… I just was in town visiting friends and was brought to the Maltese for the first time in as many years. This place sucks! It looks just the same but I have never been treated more rudly in my life. The bartender was a bitch from the get go. As closing time came around a few of the regulars were allowed to stay and drink for a bit, which is fine, but when i simply asked them to call me a cab i was screatched at and told «it’s my problem!»
I miss the old days and I guess you can’t go home again, but do yourself a foavor and stick to Duffy’s if you want to drink and socialize and not be treated like a dick.

I guess this place is under new ownership and it shows! This place has been my neighborhood bar on and off for a couple years and now it has finally become my full time bar. The bartenders are attentive and attractive to boot. They just started bringing back live music and I heard they even had Jello Wrestling now. I can’t wait to see what else they have planned. Oh and the fish tacos are off the chain!
Pros: Sick patio, great drink specials, shuffleboard, Bocce ball, Ping Pong!
Cons: Off the beaten path, but worth the journey.

I remember the Maltese! I remember smoking a couple of, erm, «cigarettes» before we left the apartment. Ah, Chico. You naughty girl and your norcal «smokes»!
I remember having a few drinks at several other bars before stumbling into the Maltese.
I remember holding the wall up and briefly twinkling my fingers at Kris and Rich who were watching me, laughing at me, from the other side of the room.
And I remember that here was dark colors, but bright and shiny people. It felt like a warm atmosphere, and there was a live band.
Finally, I barely remember a very happy/​friendly back patio and discussions about Russia. I just remember Russia… but I don’t remember WHAT about Russia.
Great place!