Davidson’s Distillery

Loud music, bikers, gambling and cheap beer! A great place to disappear for a night.

One of my all time fave dive bars anywhere (travel a LOT). I always have a good time especially when Stacee is bartending

dig it, unassuming good time up in here in my best eric cartman voice
came in dressed like super douche post work ala banana republic oxford, khakis and clarks waitin for someone to break a bottle over my head. instead I get bummed a smoke, high fived and shared a story about somebodys no good baby mama
lost money at vdo poker quicker than you could shake a stick. but got to play w/​the friendliest bulldog you’ve ever seen and served drinks by a gal who could be the alternative lululemon model as she wore these tight white pants that could have a choir boy fap for days.
she was no princeton or dartmouth grad let alone tmcc or ged valedictorian, but naughty on the eyes. I asked for a jameson neat she said what’s that honey, jamesons neat please I say, come again darlin she says, I oblige jameson shot is great! she says OK! bless her heart
poison played in the background, espn college baseball on the tv and just all around shananigans were heard all throughout.
I like this place

Always have an interesting adventure whenever I go to this bar. When you buy a shot, you get a free beer and there is a pole for customers to dance on if they’re feeling it, and also a claw game with sex toys mixed in.
Really have to say something nice about the bartenders here too. They probably have to put up with a whole lot of nonsense from customers what with the bus station being across the street and the location being downtown Reno, but I have never once seen them get mad at the customers, and that really says something.
Last time I was there, my friend was being a bit of a jerk to the bartender, probably not on purpose, probably just because he’d been drinking for several hours before we got there. The bartender was a total professional when dealing with my drunk friend, and later when it was my turn to buy a round, the bartender was super cool to me. No attitude, no comments about my friends, just totally cool.
This place is great.

Greatest dive bar I’ve been in. Good bartender– Lisa. Great music, live bands. 2 drink minimum.

Whoa. How did I end up in here? Well, who cares cause I’m glad I checked this place out!
It’s the perfect definition of a biker bar… parking spaces out front just for the bikers that might be coming in to pound a drink and listen to some awesome live music. I love this place because it welcomes anyone from any shape or form.
Drinks are cheap. The bartender is behind the counter pounding drinks with you. The music is loud, old school, and just funky.
It’s right across the street from Louis’ Basque. If you need a place to hang out after eating your dinner, this is the place to be.

Nice place, cheap drinks, awesome bartenders, great ambience. Karaōke and live bands damn near all the time, slots/​poker on the bar. Did I mention free popcorn, eight dollar domestic pitchers and two dollar PBR tall boys? Yes I did!

Not my kind of joint, but it certainly is my brothers. Let’s be honest — this is a biker bar on Fourth Street in downtown Reno. It ain’t gonna be pretty. But this place serves a purpose, and cold beer! The place isn’t clean, nor is it particularly safe for some of the white collar crowd. But the staff is grumpy in a friendly way, the patrons are there to have a good time, regardless of what you drive, how you smell or what kind of pants your wearing (or not in some cases), and the beer is reasonable. I’d like to come back when a band is playing just to witness…

This bar was rude and crude! Trashy drunk locals and a bar tender with a crappy attitude. A very non welcoming vibe from both the patrons and the help. Finished my overpriced drink as fast as I could and got out of there. Sad I gave them any business at all, but I know better now.

What do you find at the intersection of Sons of Anarchy and Breaking Bad — That my friend is simple, Davidson’s Distillery. I never realized what a sheltered existence I lead until I pulled up with my ‘gang’ in a Casino Limousine and immediately felt like I was mere seconds away from getting shot, stabbed or addicted to meth.
Let’s be straight, this is a no-​bullshit biker bar, located in a desert. Not one for aging yuppies who wear $ 900 Armani assless riding chaps, and get off their custom made Harley’s only to jump into a BMW, NO, like legit bikers. Real bikers who wear beards, leather cuts with «_​_​_​_​_​_​_​M. C» written on the back, and Old Ladys tough enough to give Gemma Teller-​Morrow a rite beating.
So excuse me for my ignorance and fear at first, premium cable TV has warped my brain and given me false prejudice of what goes on at places like this — or has it?
Some highlights from the visit included:
* Getting hit on by lady so messed up on drugs (not sure which ‘one’, maybe all of them) that when I dropped my changed she tried to bite my man parts on her way back up from collecting it. Eek!
* A vending machine for REAL MEN, which had such items as: Bike chains, tools, spare parts, spark plugs and motor oil — yes full bottles of motor oil.
* Various «in memory of» posters on the wall of fellow patrons who had gone to their rest far too early (May they rest in peace)
* A specialty «cocktail» made with every kind of alcohol behind the bar and then Nerdz Candy (by Wonka) added by the fist load for colour and taste
* A tattoo show and tell session that revealed more skin from a few individuals than I’d see in your average Gentlemen’s club
I won’t go into too many specifics because what happens in Reno should, for the most part, stay in Reno, but the experience was eye-​opening and also taught me a few things about this culture. That was that SOA has some things right, these folks are great people, sure they look scary and act tough, but after sharing a few frosty brews and a few laughs, they’re likely the BEST people to party with. No one judges you, everyone is cool — so long as you’re cool (and you better be friggen cool). Also, Davidson’s is the Mecca of Biker dive bars. It’s a straight shooter, no BS, and what you see is what you get — I like that.
I’ll be back. Maybe next time dressed a little less preppy and a little more biker.

Roll deep with a bunch of dudes, don’t be a germaphobe, and prepare for pretty much ANYTHING to happen. I’m not really popping on here to give any new information, but just to verify that all the incredibly crazy stuff you’ll read in other reviews did indeed happen.
It’s dive bar lover’s paradise. Tetanus shot not included.

If I had a nickel for every time I got my toes sucked on by a random stranger in a bar I would have exactly one nickel. And where did this magical event take place? None other than Davidson’s Distillery in the heart of the Biggest Little City in the World, Reno, Nevada.
Might I suggest rolling up there with 20 of your closets friends and commence making everyone in the place your new best friend.
With nothing but the cream of the crop service from every single employee and if the main drive belt on your ’72 shovel head goes out well the bike parts vending machine has you covered.
Killer Panama Kick inducing jukebox and the pepper infused light beer flows like wine.

Here are a few things that have actually happened to me during my last two trips here and other general fun facts about Davidson’s Distillery.
— The jukebox played «Panama» by Van Halen and the entire bar erupted in high-​kicks.
— I shared a mind eraser shot with the bartender. One cup two straws.
— Met a man by the name of Grandpa Sparky. Well dressed and undoubtedly Henry Winkler «The Fonz» in the witness protection program.
— Don’t forget to order their «cheese and meat plate.» Two slices of white bread with some random bologna and other sliced cheese and cold cuts.
— The bartender’s shirt frequently and «accidentally» falls off.
— Need a can of motor oil, some spark plugs and a pack of cigs? No fear, the vending machine has you covered.
— The bartender will gladly take out her teeth and snap a quick pic with you.
— A customer will demand to suck on your toes.
— You will be told no less than ten times that it is legal to carry a concealed weapon in Reno.
— The birthday drink is served in an over-​sized punch bowl and has nerds in it.
This may be the godfather of all dive bars. The floors are dirty, the drinks are cheap, the history is written on the walls, the locals are eclectic and friendly, and above all else, everyone is welcome. Bring an open-​minded attitude and you’re sure to walk yourself into a more than memorable time with stories to tell for years.

If Johnny Cash really did shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die, it was here. And I mean that in the most affectionate way. It doesn’t happen often, but every now and then a dive bar gets so beautifully dirty and divey it implodes in on itself like a dying star and is reborn as a bright shining luminous beacon of light. Welcome to Davidsons. Every crease, scar, and wrinkle on the face of a patron here tells a story. Every stain, gash in the wall, and yellowed picture hanging does too. If you can’t appreciate that, you’re just being a dick now aren’t you?
Ground rules:
1) Must love bikes, old bikers, biker chicks, unusual facial deformities. Van Halen. LOUD.
2) Buy a jäger shot for the bartender and the old guy (or girl) with the missing eye.
3) Cold Coors light pitcher in one hand. Stale cigarette in the other. Laughter. LOUD.
4) Learn to love whoever/​whatever has made the floor sticky… it’s earned your respect.
5) Tattoos are a plus. Anywhere. Of anything.
6) Don’t ever get into a fight here… ever.

Are you near downtown Reno, or want to listen to a good band while having a drink in a chill bar? If your answer is yes or perhaps, Davidson’s Distillery is your place. The people are very laid back, the drinks are cheap, bar tenders are ready to serve, and the music is amazing that is if you enjoy live bands (80’s, rock, etc). Now if you feel like dancing and want to be the center of the stage there is a pole for anyone to spin away. Have fun! — Cash Only

So what does 5 star on Unilocal mean? I see people giving this place 5 stars and I’m like WTF? When I think 5 star restaurant, I’m thinking like gourmet, organic, innovative, authentic, etc whether Bowl or Charlie Palmer. Sure Bowl’s dining area looks tiny and uncomfortable, but it’s not divey. Davidson’s is a dive bar, let’s get this straight. Can a dive bar ever be 5 stars? Well, if it’s packed with hot women and the bartenders make Ramos gin fizz and old fashioned with Elmer T Lee then okay, however dated and old the décor, I’d give it 5 stars. But let’s get real folks, Davidson’s 5 star?
A lot of people are scared of Davidson’s bc of the bikes out front and the name as in «harley davidson» but it’s not as bad as you think. A gang of bikers will not grab you and slide you across the bar and smash your head into the juke box for ordering a martini and putting Justin Bieber on the jukebox. But I have run into interesting characters here, not bikers, but the folk who live in the weekly motels who may or may not include homeless, heroine hookers, ex-​felons, etc. Don’t be prejudice but keep your guard up and use common sense. They have good rock and punk bands in here a lot. Bartenders are super friendly and quick. Every once in a while, you get a hottie walk through. Everyone once in a while the sh t hits the fan and women take their clothes off and some dude rides his bike into the bar.

We have driven past Davidson’s half a dozen times and kept going cause parking sucked. but seeing as we were on the bike, figured WTF and parked damn near in the front door. Loved it, loud, big, full of drunks of all shapes and form. had the gal making her man some $$$ by taking her top and pants off and dancing for the group. bartender was down to earth, and other than the dude that was so tweaked out of his gord and would not leave us alone, it was an overall great experience, so good that we went back to check out the night scene. once again, over all great experience, cept the band could not get off the Bee Gee’s kick. same song over and over and over. So if you like a dark, loud, get trashed place. hit it up.

$ 9 CPR. These are not dive-​bar prices.
However! The crowd looks a lot rougher than it is, the bartender gave me a free birthday drink, and the live music was pretty kickass. Also, lols at the sex toys in the grabber game.

No way did our group of friends belong here.
We showed up drunk wearing fake leather biker vests like we owned this biker bar. We were, in a way, making fun of the whole biker scene and should have been beaten to a pulp for doing so. Safety in numbers applied here I guess.
Yet, the bikers were nice and I think understood our humor.
There was a stripper pole in the middle of the bar. They also had a vending machine that supplied patrons with bike parts, oil, and cigarettes.
We had met a Scottish and an Irish fellow that for some reason decided to beat the crap out of each other in the parking lot.
After an hour or so of drinking Whiskey and beer, we decided to head off in fear of outstaying our welcome. These dudes looked serious.
Good times, but good luck hanging here. Unless your cool, unlike us.

Ever heard of an «eclectic biker bar?» Well, neither did I… until I hit up this seedy motorcycle hang last weekend in Reno. There have been times where I’ve joked about being in fear of my life at a particular dive bar… but I really think I could have been eliminated without a trace at this place last Saturday night. Considering the fact that 22 punks from San Diego invaded a locals-​only type watering hole, mocking the «real» bikers with our
–bought pleather biker vests… I’m surprised I’m even around to jot down this review. In all honestly, I probably deserved to be buried in the desert between two blond strippers and a drug lord named Rico.
Though everything about this place is fantastically divey, I can’t get over the vending machine in the corner. You know you’re in a desert biker bar when there are no signs of Corn Nuts or Pop Tarts in the vending machine… the only thing you’ll find within the glass container is cigarettes and motorcycle parts. I’m not shitting you. Everything from Marlboros to motor oil to Harley chains are available for purchase. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the picture I posted as the main profile shot.
They have bands on the weekends as well… but I didn’t stick around long enough to check them out. When about 30 hard-​looking dudes on Hogs rolled up to reclaim their bar for the night, I hitched up my skinny Diesel jeans, tied my retro high top Nikes, tuned my iPod to the latest Steve Aoki mix-​tape and got the fuck outta dodge.