The Draft Bar and Grill

This is a cool place to watch a game. Don’t go expecting anything other than a dark dive bar.
Their are a TON of flat screen tv’s all over the place, even the booths have their own Tv’s, and there is a big projector TV screen. So as for TV’s to view this place gets 5-​STARS… probably more Tv’s than any other bar this size I’ve been in. Really loud so don’t go to chat with your friends. Just watch the game.
Although this is a dive bar I was disappointed with the fact that this dive’s prices don’t match the décor. The management could stand to lower the cost of the typical bar foods and drafts to match the atmosphere, but then again maybe they’re still paying off all those TVs.

I will miss you Frito Pie and how saddened I am to hear you are closed down, everything was perfect just a month ago, yet another dive sports bar leaves me… and my gut says über trendy bar will replace you. I «rec“kon it will be a place I will not be a regular at.

Came here twice, both on a Saturday night — once with a friend for another friend’s birthday gathering, the second time with a date. It’s a super divey sports bar which is right up my alley. However, it takes on a different life at night.
My first experience was totally different than the next. The beer pong in the front patio where you enter was bumpin’ both times. Inside, it was pretty quiet around 10pm but started to get busier by midnight. The DJ was the same both times (I think). On this first visit, people joined the floor and let loose — even though the DJ stunk.
My second visit, I expected the same, but it was totally dead. Except for the smokers on the patio, it was practically empty inside. The couple dry-​humping to the booth next to me and my date set the mood right. For how dead it was, it took forever to get drinks at the bar. The DJ also sucked, and without people on the dance floor, this was even more apparent. Why? Well he skipped songs every 20 seconds, and it was all over the place, from 80s hits to 90s hip hop to some more recent top 40 to some really bizarre underground. Every so often, he’d leave one song nobody knew on for 4 minutes. Strange.
I guess the moral of the review is you never know what you’re gonna get at this place. I suppose it might be best for Sunday football, but I’ve seen places that rely on these crowds go under quickly. Their beer selection is very pedestrian too, so I don’t have much reason to come back anytime soon.

Decided to go with a few friends, watch the fight, never stepped foot into the place. Once inside, I was thrown OFF, the place was packed. I asked a fellow beer gent about the place because my friend hadn’t been there either but heard its a good place to grab a beer for UFC fighting, blah, blah, blah, STANDING ROOM ONLY. Not my idea of watching a fight although we made the best of it. I bought a few rounds for a group, they gave us their table. Yep.
So, now for the quick coverage, the place is spacious, although on this particular late afternoon the air decided it wasn’t going to work. Say, «save» on the bill, yep, so we made the best of it, drinks were flowing, and ordered «bar food,» had to say it a very long time to get the food, it was decent, (get what you pay for) but it was good. As busy as it was, and I have to say it was packed to capacity, the service was okay. I didn’t like they didn’t have valet parking though, and we had to park far and walk. Can’t have everything but overall it was a cool place to watch a fight, many people, good moods, and plenty of beer flowing. I’ll stop in again, but make sure someone gets a table before going.

Went here twice for UFC’s fights
Filled with Texas fans so they left the game and sound on despite Texas beating some low grade team by 50 points. The satellite reception was awful to boot
Drinks watered down, tables dirty everywhere, way way too many tables and chairs stuffed into a cramped space. Service substandard. Wouldnt even try the food even though I was starving since the outdoor patio floor is disgusting and hasnt been cleaned since opening. Dried gum, food, and ashes coating it! They need a bar rescue here really. Staff indifferent, this place really sucks!

I only come to this place because they’re close to my house and they show the UFC. I decided to come tonight to watch the USC season opener in Hawaii. Walking in, I noticed a number of USC fans (I can never tell if someone’s alumni or not in this bandwagon filled town), so I figured I’d be in good shape. Wrong. WRONG. For some reason, the owner/​bartender refused to put on the game, even after several complaints from customers directly to him and through his servers. Even after he was told that some customers were threatening to leave, I saw him mouth «let them leave». Halfway through the first quarter, he finally puts the game on. Rant over.
The food is average. This is not some fancy gastropub, they fry shit, period. The servers do a good job, although this place is severely understaffed, even when you can’t find a place to sit because its so packed.
I don’t know what else to say other than the owner is a douche-​cano and ill probably just start buying the UFCs and having my friends come over instead of speeding the $ 150+ we usually drop on fight night. Oh, and the A/​C is either broke or the owner is trying to sweat the SC fans out because its an oven in here!

Perfect place to watch games and UFC fights with no cover charge. There is an inside as well as outside seating area. I prefer the outside especially midday in the summertime, especially since the inside is usually really dark. Plenty of TV’s both inside and outside.
They have a full bar as well as a full menu.
HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the beef sliders.
They also have beer pong tournaments on the weekends.
The service is good, but not great. Then again, I usually come here when there is a sporting event on and it is fully packed, so you can’t expect outstanding service. I think for the amount of people there, we got good service.
Definitely recommend coming here to watch a game. Keep in mind though, they have a very small parking lot which is usually always full. There is plenty of street parking but even this fills up two hours before any game, so come EARLY!

A very interesting and eclectic crowd gathered here the one and only visit I have made to this bar. I don’t think I will return, did not really have much to offer. The bartender wasn’t friendly at all and took people out of order from which they arrived at the bar. The beer pong patio might be the only reason I would go back. Nope I recant that statement, My fella has a table so I’ll use that on the off chance that feeling ever arises.

Thank you Devon and Will for helping me deal with a crazed man who claimed to be affiliated with your establishment who called me twice harassing me to take my Unilocal review down!
They were both immensely kind and helpful when I let them know a gentleman claiming to be part of their «corporate office» was DEMANDING I remove my Unilocal review or he would keep harassing me.
So, here you go… as requested «Patton,» here is your improved Unilocal review!

During the week they have different events usually, I used to go there to play bingo, you can win free drinks for your team, free appetizers, and other stuff, all the proceeds go to charity, The food is really good, but a little over priced, and if your sitting outside in the covered patio, (where you can play beer pong and/​or have beer pong tournaments) the service is pretty slow, so I would suggest going to the bar and ordering your drinks their. GREAT bartenders, and every night they have a different special. Their 3 $ margaritas on margarita night are AMAZING. Its a very small parking lot, I would advise parking on the main street (Riverside) or on one of the neighborhood streets (across the street) that way you don’t get blocked in and its easier when its time to leave. And as a side note, the outside covered patio is a smoking patio. a little tip for you smokers out there. Some nights you can even go dancing on the medium space they call a dance floor/​stage area. The bathrooms could be cleaner though, and half the time the toilets don’t work properly, so I advise holding it in, unless u get lucky and find one that works. And the security /​bouncer steve is a great guy. Being a woman I have been harassed by a few men there every once in a while, and he takes care of it asap, and makes sure everyone gets to their car safely (if your parked in the lot). so lets see… OVERALL:
FOOD: 5 out of 10
WAITRESS SERVICE: 3 out of 10
BARTENDERS: 9 out of 10
DRINKS: (usually) 10 out of 10
Atmosphere: 9 out of 10 (most nights)

Location it’s a good spot, parking can be a pain when it’s packed. The interior design is what you can expect from a dive bar. There’s a covered outside smoking patio where you can play beer pong and also watch the game. There’s also booths to sit at and eat and hang out.
The inside is dim and there’s a bar if you want to sit there or you can sit at a booth or pub table. its a great place to watch games here giving they have many TVs showing all the games being played and on big games or fights they provide the crowd with a huge projection screen.
Service is good but when crowded it tends to be slow but it’s understandable. The food is really good for bar food.
The wings are my favorite. They’re crispy form the outside and juicy from the inside. I always get half BBQ and half hot.
The frito pie is also good. Steak salad is such a good salad. The dressing really puts the whole salad together. The burgers are a must try. Even the fries are good here.
Did I mention, there’s $ 1 beers when Lakers are playing but I do advice to get there early since it does get very very packed.

This review is for the happy hour during the week:
I’ve been here a couple of times to meet up with people & both times I’ve had a good experience. I believe the happy hour is from 4 – 7, and the deal is 2-​for-​1 on appetizers, beer & drinks. Their drinks are pretty strong, but not too much. I’ve had the Chicken Strips & the Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla, both were really good. The waitresses are all nice & attentive. What I like about this place is that during the time I go there’s usually only a few people there so it’s a good place to meet up with a friend and talk. Also, they have their own parking lot & you don’t have to pay.
If you’re like me & want to avoid Ventura Blvd. & go to a chill spot to have happy hour & watch the game, go to The Draft.

‘As far as I remember’ — it was an awesome place. Looks tiny and unapproachable from the exterior. In fact, I’ve seen it many times and it never looked like a place I’d settle for spending my time in– WRONG. Thank god for pregaming because I was all about trying this place once I was already on a good one!
The outdoor patio is so chill, spacious, great for games, great for smokers, great for socializing etc.
The inside is huge! Beer pong tables? The bar-​top is spacial too– stretches a good amount around the bar. I could see it being a great place for a group. I’ve never been for a game but I bet it’s the place to be! I remember well drinks not being too pricey. I don’t know the price we paid for beer for beer-​pong– so I can’t speak of that, and I remember nothing of the wait time or any list– so don’t ask me.
I had a good time. Of course alcohol does that– but I’ll definitely be back, maybe minus the pregaming to see if this place can stand judgement of a sober person.
We shall see.

It’s a sports bar and I’m not sure what to expect, but I didn’t have high expectation coming here for a get together.
The parking is one way in and one way out and it’s not too much of a hassle since there are no mad rushes. There’s sufficient parking or if not, there’s also street parking.
The outdoor patio is a bunch of people smoking and playing beer pong. Walking through the smoke and getting to the main bar was definitely unpleasant. There are booth seating along the walls and they all have TV monitors for sports fanatics right at the table.
There’s a pool table, high tops and then there’s the actual bar. There is not much to rave about the décor. The ratio to men and women is pretty obvious based on my description.
Everybody was there to have a good time with their company and if sports bars look like this, I’m okay with it. There’s this backside of the corner with massive bean bags as a seating are and creates a more laid back, college atmosphere. It just look so comfy =)
The bartenders are friendly, attentive and good drinks with good company is good times.

I’ve been told about their famous Frito Pie for over a year now but never in the area to actually try it out.
On Tuesday night… that all changed as my girlfriend had to meet up with a friend of hers and picked the Draft.
I don’t know if they universe was happy with me, synchronicity of some sort, or just a coincidence. the parking lot seemed a bit small for a place like this, but the bar was pretty empty… considering I’ve hear the Draft can get pretty Packed most of the time. I was wearing my Charlestown Chiefs jersey and by the time my girlfriend and I sat down… the Bartender had to run up to us and say «Dude, where did you get that Awesome Jersey?». He told us how he was a Big fan of the Slap Shot movie and pointed to the back of the Bar where there was a framed poster of Coach Reggie Dunlup (Paul Newman) «Giving the Business» to Tim ‘Dr. Hook’ McCracken and how there aren’t many «Old Time Hockey» fans that come in on a regular basis. He said a few movie quotes and even busted out «The Foil».
Enough Hockey talk now… Wait…did I mention they have a Kings Logo that doesn’t look as good as the Anaheim Ducks logo on the wall next to the Mens’ room? …Sorry about that, I just said that was enough Hockey Talk. We sat down, and our waitress came up to us but before she could even say «Hello, welcome…» I already said «We would like the Frito Pie». Her friend showed up shortly, and we got 3 plates. Our waitress also told us of their Beer (water) Pong league and we were all pretty interested in it and signed up to be on the email list.
The draft seemed really cool for my first time here. I am for sure coming back. Hope the rest of the times are just as awesome. I can’t believe it’s taken me more than a year to come in.

Heard about this from Jeanette and another friend who said they have cheap drinks and a great Happy Hour. Passed by it about a month ago and decided to go for LAKERS VS THUNDER Game #1 last Monday.
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LOCATION
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Riverside + Whitsett near ValSurf and Mikado.
Nice location, a big outdoor covered patio’ish area, the L.A. River is on the backside, which makes me think this would be a nice night bar.
The inside is pretty cool. LOT’s of TV’s for watching the games and a big projector TV. Pretty big interior. Allegedly they clear out the middle tables some nights and it becomes a dance-​floor.
LOTS of BEER PONG TABLES OUTSIDE.
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THE GOODS
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~ FRITO PIE — This looked interesting. Pic in my picture section… Frito’s and Chili Cheese fries with FRITO’s instead of Fries. It was delicious. Nice bar food for $ 7.00
~ BURGER — My friend got this. Said it wasn’t bad, it was kind’ve good… McDonaldsy like a Big Mac which he said as a «compliment». Said it wasn’t worth the $ 9 but hey it wasn’t terrible.
~ PITCHER o’ WIDMER HEFIWEIZEN — $ 15 don’t remember the ounces but it poured 5-​beers I think so not shabby. Happy hour price would’ve been glorious.
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AND SO…
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I «H.A.T.E.» the Lakers and they lost by 30+ so it was HEAVENLY for me :-)
The waitress had a bit of an attitude with other customers but was cool with me. I was disappointed to arrive @ 5:30pm on a Monday and find out that THEY STOP HAPPY HOUR 30 mins before a big game. I was seated at like 5:40, waited about 20 mins for my friends before I ordered… then at 6:04 she told me they cut off Happy Hour @ 6pm since the Laker game started at 6:30. She told me if it was the Clippers (they next night) they’d have Happy Hour.
I understand from a business aspect it’s going to be a packed house regardless but that sucked.
All-​in-​all it was a good time, would definately like to come during happy hour and at night when it has a dance floor too.
Also I noticed they had Keg’s and 75oz, 100oz and 200oz drinks, which is cool for groups of friends… or just Darrell McKnight.
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UPDATE 01/​31/​2013
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Been back a few times since, upgraded it from a 3-​star to a 5-​star. Awesome place to come with a big (10+) group and I’ve been with 15+ ppl a coupla times. Their LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR is amazing… including $ 4-​$ 6 PITCHERS for like a 2-​hour period which is perfect for beer pong. But yeah their late-​night happy hour is awesome, great place to watch sports, and it’s big with a few different types of areas to lounge at: indoor, bar, patio.

This is my favorite place in the area for NFL Sundays, Laker games, and big college games — whoa. Crowded, loud, and it gets amped up. Usually one game has sound, but all the games are shown here… and if not, they’re very accomodating… just ask for even the most remote game or sport to be put on.
They have 1 HUGE projection screen, 6 booths with a private TV’s, a bunch of pub tables, over 15+ 35″+ HDTV’s, and if you prefer to sit at the bar, small TV’s to watch too [click for pic:

Overall, the food is good for bar food. A nice menu of burgers, dogs, sandwiches, salads, or appetizers… these are all really good: wings, sliders, frito pie, nachos.
— In particular, one of the most special items, «Juniors fried tacos», is filled with ground meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a pickle! Sounds gross? Fine, leave them all for me! I love you, all 4 of you. Always with the intent to share or take a couple home, the order comes standard with 4 tacos. Hey, what can I do? True love has no limits!
They have great happy hour specials of 2 for 1 appetizers, and often drink specials.
– Fresh beer! [
Special shout-​out to their cute, sweet, and nice servers — Nikki, Katie, Ashley, Lindsey, and Jenny, and much appreciation to Joey the bartender — super nice guy! Together, the service and setup create a perfect environment for hanging out and enjoying the games.
For all of you smokers, they have a covered outdoor patio with TV’s, so go for it.

So I thought this place was pretty cool as The Port, but came coincidentally during a Laker game and got to enjoy dollar beers which they have during laker games. The beer is Bud or Bud Light and they come in 8 oz cups so the waitress kept them coming 2 at a time as fast as we could drink them. Food is pricier here than should be, but I guess they have to make their money somewhere, Joe R. decided we had to get $ 8 sweet potato fries, pretty good and large, but still I could have gotten $ 8 beers for those fries.
I hear they have beer pong so yeah I’m a fan of this place and i will back soon.

The Draft is a bit out of the way, is somewhat neighborhood-​divey, and isn’t really my number one pick when it comes to geting-​slizzered spots, but it definitely plays its role
– and is totally clutch when it comes to happy hour and eats.
When I was a snotty little kid, this building used to be a Greek restaurant and dance hall, so seeing it replaced with a bar was initially a lugubrious experience that quickly morphed into one of sotted ecstasy, once I got hammered hardcore (courtesy of enough Grey Geese to populate a Dickens novel).
WHAT?
(British people? And geese? Like for Christmas dinner, Cratchit?)
Anyway…
Food? At a bar? This one — yes. Think suburban BJ’s Brewhouse, minus the desperation, plus less filler-​ice in your Coke and rum.
It’s a sports bar, but not an obnoxious one with too much testosterone or anything like that. There’s a nice patio where you can avoid the big TV if you want to look at quiet Riverside Drive instead.
If you’re looking to hook up, this is the wrong place. The Draft is more a place to go if you’re looking to get wasted in a suburban, low-​key setting.
BTW — Thank you, Dirk Nowitzki, for hitting two game-​winners within seven days and giving me multiple heart attacks.
I don’t even like basketball.
The Draft has a way of making you GAF.

It’s a fact: if you’re in the Valley, you might as well be drunk in the Valley. If it’s your birthday in the Valley*? Forget about it. The only thing to do is get off-​your-​ass wasted (done!) and forget that you spent your birthday in the Valley.
As such, and in the name of off-​your-​ass-​wastedness, The Draft is a pretty excellent locale.
How so? Well, the beer pong is fairly swell. So, too, are the alcoholic beverages served by scantily clad waitresses. The seating is ample – the smoking section, in particular, shines – and the drinks are strong.
What else do you need?
Scantily clad ladies grinding on the door jambs of the bathroom as one tries to exit, you say?
You damn well better believe it!
Frankly, and as explained by my good friend Jimmy Jack M., the only reason to hump a door frame is if you hate yourself. As such, The Draft is a great place to feel classy, or hate yourself, or feel classy whilst you hate yourself. Then again, you could very well end up as the classiest lady or gentleman in the bar; it’s one of those (pretend this «those» has been italicized) places.
Conversely, there is this punching thing video game that men insecure in their manhood like to beat up because it means that they’re badasses, if only as judged by what is essentially a cheap arcade game that estimates the force of their punch. You have been warned.**
Still? The Draft is easily a four star bar. Drinks are cheap, activity is ample, and the people watching is pretty darn good, especially for the Valley.
Four stars.
*Happy Birthday, Mykee Del M. To me, as well! Libras, FTW!
**In other, less nice words, there’s a pretend punching bag you can play with if you have a small penis. The rest of us will judge you but not say mean things to your face. You have been forewarned.