Ernie’s Tin Bar

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place before as it’s super close to my hometown, I’ve been here countless times and it’s just a gem of a place. Seriously, I thought this one of my first reviews on Unilocal but, clearly I’m wrong and stand corrected.
I stopped by Ernie’s yesterday (post NASCAR) like I normally do and guess what? It was in as good of shape as ever. Formerly a car mechanic shop, this tiny little beer bar is nothing short of amazing and a total time warp. It’s located in a pretty random and remote area, and it’s a fantastic stop for anyone looking to get a break from the normal Sonoma County experience. Obviously this area is known for wine tasting but, if you’re a beer lover it’s an obvious stop.
You’ll notice a lot of the other reviews mentioning the fact that phone calls are not allowed at Ernie’s and that’s for good reason. The idea behind «no cellphones» is so you can enjoy your time here and take a break from being attached all the time. The bar is in such a random spot you’d expect nothing less. I’m a supporter.
Little known fact. Ernie’s has a free shuttle that will pick you up from anywhere and take you to the bar. Seriously. For those of you who live in San Francisco, I highly recommend getting a group together, calling Ernie’s and have them pick you up for an amazing day of detachment and fun. I still have yet to do this but, it’s very high on my list after yesterday.
Thank you Ernie. You’re the man.

Very disappointing service.
Despite the very nice, well done setting, I had a very disappointing experience. You decide:
For a long time my wife and I have wanted to stop in, and we made a special trip and made Ernie’s out destination. After loitering in the outdoor area (picking the beer to order), my wife and I walk inside, and just as we entered she ask for me to order for her while she found a spot. Since there was an opening at the bar, I just joined her.
Amanda was kind enough to ask what I wanted to order. I ordered a Pilsner, which she approved of (?, ok thank for the vote of confidence, glad I didn’t order something she did not approve of). I then ordered a water.
She turned to my wife and asked for her order, to which I piped in, «The beer is for her.» Amanda took serious offense to this. Looking at my wife, she said, «What, you don’t speak?» Wow, I was shocked. I quickly stated with a smirk, «She asked me to order for her, and I’m just following orders.»
Well, we sat there with an uncomfortable vibe, but we made the best of our drinks. We left and figured that was the end of it. Note, I tipped 15% or more as to show my good face.
This morning we looked at the receipt. Two bad things: she wrote down party of one, and at «table name» had entered, «HE SPEAKS».
I guess my comment about her, and my personal experience, is Amanda could use some coaching in the customer service realm. Oh, I’m sure she is a seasoned bar tender, and gets along great with all the bikers, just not pretty mature blonds who want to let their husbands order for them. I will not be visiting this bar, certainly not while she is there.
Good luck Amanda. You ruined what could have been an excellent experience.

LOVE this bar, everything about it. Cheap drinks, friendly people and the no cellphone rule is the way of the future. Stop here and get a beer, you won’t regret it.

No need to repeat what everybody else has said but I’m definitely a fanboy.

Best place we have been on our travels… Jamie was so great showed us around… great customer service !!!

I love this place! Great to sit outside with a cold beer on a sunny day. Just make sure you have a designated driver, it’s not close to town!

What a great place. Stop by for a drink, they have everything you could want! Beer is cold and there’s a lot of it.

Place is awesome they have a wide selection of beers on tap. Has a very old feel to it and they also have a free taxi service on fri, sat and sunday.

Nothing but good things to say about it! Peanuts, good beer, and good people, period.

The first time I rolled past this scrappy metal shack on my Triumph, I spotted the $ 1.75 beer notice & immediately ripped a U-​turn.
Upon entry, I was greeted with a bustling crossroads of whimsical local characters & a well-​stocked 20-​tap selection! (Some other areas of the joint are rather well-​stocked too: eg the dirt floor garage outback and several of the lady bartenders!)
Ernie’s Tin Bar almost always hosts an engaging crowd. Plus, they’ll pour you a half beer if you’d like to sip just a tad. And they maintain the strict ethical stance: «We’ll NEVER serve Wine here!!!» — despite the fact that their license would allow.
About the only real complaint here is the lack of plumbing, which leaves porta potties as the inevitable avenue of natural relief. Despite this, the crowd is a good mix, and the ladies don’t seem to mind too much!

Home, family, beer and chips. Can’t get much better than this. Wait, it does, they have a free shuttle!
Cheers to a favorite

I want to give this place one star to keep douchbags away but I cannot tell a lie.
I love this place.
Great spirit. Great staff. Great beers. Unlimited peanuts. On my way home. More character than all bars in Petaluma, Sonoma, and Novato combined.
If you are a d-​bag. Please, leave your cell in the car, don’t hit on the bartender, don’t drink too much, don’t go to brag about your sailboat and expect a hookup. This is a place to get some beers and laughs and learn stuff from talking with the person next to you.

My wife saw this little gem of a place on our way to Napa. Any place with a sign for $ 1.75 beer is definitely a reason to at least stop on in and check it out. We decided to stop in on our way out of Napa and I’m so glad we did. From the outside, it doesn ‘t look like much but that’s the beauty of it. There is a sign that says no cellphone use– if you get caught, you buy a round for everyone inside. I can deal without using my phone for a couple of beers.
The bartenders were really nice. They have a lot of great beers– good to know our favorites were on tap. Lagunitas, Stone, Trumer.
Just a little tip, you can use your phone for internet purposes (like leaving an awesome Unilocal review) but you CANNOT talk or take a phone call!

Ide give it less stars if possible. Piece of trash on the side of the road. Don’t bother stopping they’re rude and disrespectful. The wait staff and servers will exclude you from their highly exclusive tin can piece of trash on the side of the road. This place is a joke same with the owners. Country sh*t/ watering hole. Please don’t waste your time here

«Use your cellphone, buy a round.» If that weren’t the policy of this fun little bar, I’d have probably spent our time there posting tons of awesome pictures to Unilocal.There is so much great stuff to look at! Including the people all around you, so I guess the no-​cellphone policy is doing it’s job.
My husband and I drive past this place all the time when we travel from our home in the East Bay to his parent’s home in Petaluma. There is seating inside at the bar, as well as out front on a non-​smoking patio. Portable restrooms are in the parking lot. And Lakeville Garage is attached to the back!
The mood was set with some 60s music playing while bartenders sang along. It wasn’t so loud to discourage conversation and we found ourselves talking to some people who had come by after a day at the track. It’s drag racing weekend!
Very likely the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of a bar offering: shuttle service. You can call for the Ernie’s Tin Bar shuttle to pick you up (within 15 miles) and even take you home at the end of the night. What a terrific way to encourage people not to drink and drive (especially important on the one-​lane Lakeville Highway where you can find this bar).
I enjoyed my glass of Allagash beer; husband had an amber ale. $ 5 each. We’ll definitely be back — it’s just too bad we don’t live within 15 miles of this place!

This is such a nice place to stop for a cold beer. Comfortable old body shop turned roadside tavern. Great selection of rotating (mostly local) beers on draft, friendly bartenders, easy-​going regulars, good country music playing, nice outdoor seating area, free peanuts, no cellphone use allowed.
My dislike of outhouses borders on phobia, but the fact that they don’t have a regular toilet here doesn’t diminish Ernie’s appeal — the outhouse situation might even serve to keep away very fussy patrons.

What a great dive bar
The funniest part is its actually really nice on the inside — plus cheap beer!
Warning — the bathrooms are outhouses — but who cares when you need to stop!

Got to go to this place… Nothing but a small, very cool local spot…
Jus make sure you are not a yuppie and please leave that cellphone in your car…
Oh, great brews

Cozy, friendly and great beers
How did I miss this spot after passing it for years???

We were in town for a wedding this past weekend; the bride’s family lives not too far away and are regulars at this bar, so after the reception took their recommendation and stopped in here before heading on to the after party.
Good selection of local brews (ie west coast). Friendly service and patrons.
The bathrooms are portapotties. so use at your own risk. There is seating outside, right along the highway with beautiful views across of the hills and farmlands.