Inland Empire Myer's Style | by Chris Myer's | Faces (October '07) Another Friday rolls around and I'm wondering where I should go tonight after I get off work. As I drive home it suddenly dawns on me where I should be when a truck with digital displays drives by. As the truck flashes and blinks across the intersection in all its neon glory, it displays the name of a new bar, Faces. With a quick phone call and a change of clothes, I'm on my way. Compared to other places I've visited, Faces in Riverside has a higher class feel to it. This might be because it pulls double duty. During the day it acts as a restaurant while at night, it's a lounge and bar. For all you club goers out there, this means no dance floor, at least not on regular nights. I was able to catch a  glimpse of a ball room I'm sure you can rent out. The bar itself is equally as elegant as the furnishing, fully stocked to suite any of your needs. Despite the ritzy styling’s of Faces there wasn't a great deal of people there. Wither it has yet to be discovered, or deters people because of its lack of space to mingle is uncertain. If your out with a group of friends and you want sit down, have a bit to eat or drink, and perhaps enjoy a show, then look no further. This place is for you. On a side note, for you computer junkies out there, this place does offer free wireless internet. If you’re a prospective band looking to play here, beware. The stage is incredibly small and the loading door is nothing more then a regular one. Also, patrons will have a hard time checking out your act, as the structure of the building tends to be width challenged, which means, only a few people in the front will really get to check you out.      1725 Spruce St Riverside, CA 92507 (951) 680-9848 __________________________________________________ Tequila Hoppers (September ’07) After an hour long wait on the I-10, with cars at a dead stop on the road, I finally made it to my destination for the month, Tequila Hoppers in Upland. It was their college night so I figured it would be fairly crowded. It was very much the opposite. In fact, it was very much a different type of atmosphere then I’m used to. We arrived at around 10:30 p.m., a prime time for any night establishment, but to my surprise there were a meager number of patrons present. Not only was there a lack of people, but everyone that was there simply sat at a table. This leaves everyone isolated from one another and is not conductive to meeting anyone. However when in Rome, do as Romans do. So we promptly took a seat. For you guys, note that the waitresses are dressed accordingly for the night in miniskirt and tight T’s. Always a plus for the atmosphere. Ladies, don’t be discouraged though as the bar staff has an ample amount of eye candy for you also. Despite their good looks though, it took some time for the waitress to take our order, and then even longer for her to get it to us. Usually I’m not picky on the wait, but considering the amount of people there, it was shameful. On the plus side this place is packed with TV screens. It’s a sports bar if there ever was a sports bar. There was even a projector aimed at a wall to display the latest game. But this nice little aspect was overthrown by the music. Once again, maybe it was because of the lack of people, but the music in this place was on full blast making it hard to carry on a conversation, even with yourself. Unfortunately, I cannot condone the attendance of such a place if you’re an individual out to have fun meeting people for the night. If you have a group of friends and live in the area, but don’t want to travel far, then feel free to claim this place your own. Tequila Hoppers Bar & Grill 60 N. Mountain Ave. Upland, CA 91786 (909) 985-9114 __________________________________________________ La Villa (August '07) If you’re up for some salsa dancing then tonight is your night at La Villa in Colton. While La Villa has recently opened its doors on several new nights, it already has a strong following. This club may be perfect for some of the denizens of Colton who don’t feel like making the trip to the surrounding locals. Cover charge is cheap and the drink specials are moderately priced. One thing that did not impress me, however, was the dance floor. Technically it’s not a dance floor, but rather a space cleared for dancing. This puts a damper on anyone with smooth moves since you’ll be caught in the grooves of the tile. The DJ booth also causes a small problem because there isn’t one. The DJ’s resort to setting up a table partially where people are dancing, obviously taking up your dance room! Despite this clubs lack of dance friendliness the staff makes up for it. The moment I stepped into the club I was approached by the staff and was told about all the drink specials of the night. As I preceded to take part in these drink specials, I found the bartenders to be equally wonderful in their service. It also became very apparent over the night that many people there were repeat customers. So there you have it! While not the greatest party place I’ve ever been to, it was a nice change of pace to discover a friendlier environment. It’s worth checking out if you live in the area and aren’t up for a wild night. La Villa 195 W. Valley Blvd. Colton, CA 92324 909-824-0665 __________________________________________________ Life’s a Beach! (July '07) June marked the beginning of summer, but July is when things really start to heat up, especially here in the Inland Empire. Naturally, you’ll want to dig out that beach wear that has been sitting in your closet, and what better place to wear it other then the beach? But I’m not here to tell you about any beach you would go to regularly. I want to tell you about Margarita Beach in San Bernardino. I managed to catch their opening night for their summer long special. Every Thursday they have fifty cent drafts and two dollar you call it shots for people dressed in their bikini’s. If that’s not incentive enough for some of you, then maybe the vast amount of people that come here will. I was pleasantly surprised by how packed this place was. I hardly had any room to stand, let alone dance with anyone. However, being this packed does have its down sides. The waitresses are so busy they might accidently forget your drink, forcing you to head to the bar. Once there, your stuck with the hordes of other people waiting for their drinks. You’ll definitely have to work your way to the front. Second, the dance floor is extremely small. Most of the floor is taken up by tables, seats, and pool tables. For anyone in the area, Margarita Beach is a must! It’s a great place to socialize and have a good time. Just don’t come for the dance floor since there virtually isn’t one. Margarita Beach San Bernardino 1987 Diners Ct San Bernardino, CA 92408 (909) 890-9993 __________________________________________________ Royal F*@c*!# (June ’07) Historic downtown Redlands is a treasure trove for anyone looking to have a night on the town. From the many social events to the more subtle parks, Redlands always has something for everyone. This month on the streets I’m spreading the word about a place called Royal Falconer. This is no ordinary bar folks. This is a pub! When you walk in you’ll immediately get that European feel. Even one of the lads there, who happened to be from across the pond, said that The Falconer, and Redlands in general, really reminded him of back home. However, I do wonder if the smell also reminded him of back home. This has to be one of the most distinctive smelling bars I’ve ever been in. Whither it was the decorative array of eclectic memorabilia, or the dark ales being served there, I’m not sure, but the odor stays on you even after departing. Unlike some of the places I’ve mentioned that are geared toward the younger crowds, The Falconer is definitely in favor of the older crowd and draws a considerable amount of repeat customers. I’d recommend going to this place with a group of friends, since you might feel a bit alienated if you don’t know someone there, but the service is friendly and quick. Drinks are moderately priced, but think of it as a trade off for the authentic European feel (and smell). Of course, call The Falconer to see when their Happy hour and event nights are. Royal Falconer British Pub   106 Orange St Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 307-8913 __________________________________________________ Revolution 9 (May '07) Recently a new club has opened its doors in Riverside, known as Revolution 9. Revolution 9 is hosted by Pepitos on Thursday nights and I was able to attend one of the opening nights. I was pleasantly surprised by the large turn out, which shows that the club really has the potential to become one of the premier spots for Thursdays. One of the big attractions is that anyone who is 21 or over gets in free (for the time being). For 18 and over its only $3. A very modest price for any club. The drink specials are also modestly priced, making this place easy on the wallet. If you do decide to head down to the club, remember to look your best as there is a photographer that takes pictures to place on the clubs’ myspace which can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/revolutionno9 This club is definitely something to look into if you have nothing better to do on a Thursday night after work. The music is loud, the drinks are cheap, and entry is free. What’s not to like about that? Pepitos 6549 Magnolia Ave. Riverside, 92506 __________________________________________ Shakin Things Up (April '07) This month I’m telling you about a little place that’s rockin Riverside, Tremors. A few months ago, my band was invited to play a show at Tremors. Having never been there, I didn’t know what to expect as far as who went there and what it was like. Being located next to the University, it was no surprise that a large amounts of the young generations started pouring in.    The club is “divided” in a sense. There is only a narrow hall the leads from the dance floor and stage area, to the bar area. This makes it feel a bit awkward for people there to enjoy a show, or dance, to order drinks since the bar is usually habited by locals who frequent the bar. Luckily, the shows are later in the night after the usuals are done watching the game and go home. If you’re in a band or a performer and thinking about Tremors as a possible venue, be glad to know that Tremors is equipped with a stage and sound system, so you wont need to haul your PA system out. They also have mics, but it’s better to bring your own. Another thing to think about is power! Be warned that there is a limited amount of plugs near the stage. This almost cost us our gig when we forgot all our extension cords. Other then that, the service was friendly and drinks are not horribly priced. Definitely somewhere to look into, especially if your looking for a new watering hole. Tremors 1-951-683-3060 1329 University Ave Riverside, CA 92507 ________________________________________________ His and Hers...(March '07) Mondays are always a drag in the nightlife world. As most of you know, I'm sure, It's the first day back to work from the weekend and therefore, not too many people are out looking for fun. For some of us however, the party never stops so we search for some form of entertainment. This month I'll let you in on a secret night spot that you can relax for free! In the heart of University Plaza in Riverside is a restaurant and bar called The Ville. Recently The Ville has started a new club for Monday nights called His and Hers and since Mondays are so slow, they're letting the 18 and over in with no cover charge. While this free event is enough to please most out goers, I do have a word of caution. This is a new event and the promoter isn't very good. Only a hand full of people arrive, or even know of its existence. I can't recommend this place if you’re going for the people because there simply isn't that many there. The drink specials are average priced, about $3 a glass or $12 a pitcher, but with a free cover charge you should be able to afford a few. So now that you know about this little Monday retreat, get out there and see what it's all about. The only way it will get popular is if you go and spread the word! Ville (951) 328-1050 1201 University Ave Riverside, CA 92507 ________________________________________________ Do a little dance, make a little…(February '07) Don’t like the large clubs with multiple stories and wide open dance floors? Then try Club Era. The Club Era event takes place at the Sevilla Restaurant in Riverside every Sunday night. Let me give you a fair warning: this place is small, so get there early. Otherwise, you just might find yourself waiting outside for half the night, since the event draws a large crowd. Once you’re on the inside your thrown almost directly on the dance floor, and the dance floor is where you’ll want to spend most of your time. Spinning lights over head and fog machines help to keep the atmosphere active while the DJ’s pump out an eclectic mix of Electro, Trance, 80's and British synth-pop. Out of most clubs in the I.E. thus far, the DJ’s here are spinning the best mixes for their genera. If you’re 21 and over, you’ll be glad to know that the only other objects in the room are lavishly stocked bars. I was very impressed with their large array of beverages, but disappointed by the slightly higher prices of drinks. If you just have to dance on Sunday nights I definitely recommend that you try Club Era. However, I advise that you save money by not buying drinks because of their high prices. So there you have it fellow club goers. Another quality hot spot for you to enjoy. Have fun. Sevilla Restaurant & Club 3252 Mission Inn Ave Riverside, CA 92507-4069 ________________________________________________ Downtown, Where All the People Go (January '07) The lights have come down, the candles blown out, and the new year started. I hope everyone had a fun over the holidays, which are the perfect reason to party in the middle of winter. If you didn’t get out much this year, let now be the year that you get out and get moving on the dance floor. 2007 promises to be a very good year and, amazingly enough, for a list of things happening in 2007 just go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007 Now for the hot spot on clubbing for this month. As you drive down E Street of the heart of San Bernardino, you might not know it, but there’s actually some night life among the ominous office buildings. On a little street off to the side is a place called Carlos O’Briens. Originating in Arizona, this club has spread to several locations across the nation including downtown San Bernardino. However, it’s no longer owned by the original founder, so don’t try checking their website for information. When you walk in, the first thing you’ll notice is how small the club is, but you could make the argument that it gives a cozy feel. Could it be an excuse to dance a little closer to that someone you’ve been watching all night? Although the buildings’ area is rather cramped, it happens to be three stories tall with a venue for bands on the top floor (I really hope they have an elevator for them). The second floor is more of a look out point to watch the people dancing on the first floor, which makes for a nice retreat to talk. While the stairs may have you contained to the ground floor after a few hours, Carlos is definitely a place to check out and make the trip to every so often. Don’ t make the mistake some of my friends have though, dress code is enforced, so dress your best and have some fun! Contact Carlos O’Briens for special events like salsa dancing and radio hosted nights where the cover charge is free. Carlos O'Briens 440 W. Court Street San Bernardino, CA 92401 909 715-3120 and 909-384-9690 ________________________________________________ Double Vaulted (December ’06) Last month, if you can remember that far back, I took you to a small bar called The Vault in Redlands. Following this trend, I’ll take you to yet another place called The Vault. This time however, it is located in downtown Pomona. This area in Pomona is actually a center for the arts complete with galleries, venues, and coffee houses. What’s interesting about The Vault is that it actually used to be a bank several decades ago, hence the name of the bar. Since the bank has moved to another location, the building has been converted into the bar it is today. The band that I play with now has had the liberty to play several times at the club. If you also play in a band and considering playing here, you should know that The Vault is equipped with a great stage and PA system. The only real grip about playing The Vault is the seemingly small door to load the equipment, and the double set of stairs into the bar and onto the stage. The Vault has a relaxed social atmosphere that is great if your going out with a bunch of friends. Unfortunately I can’t say that The Vault has a really comfortable “home” feel, with its hard floors and dramatic lighting. I would not recommend this place to anyone going out on a date unless you go for a show. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas in advance! The Vault 301 W. 2nd St. Pomona, CA, 92766 _________________________________________ Java and Juice (November ’06) Last month I brought you a few places where you could really let loose and go crazy, but this month, I think I’ll take you to a place where you can relax. Let us go to downtown Redlands right off of Orange St. Now, we’ve all been or heard of the Redlands farmers market, but has anyone ever traveled outside of State St.? Well if you just walk a little further down the road you’ll come to a corner with a little café on it. This is Fox Coffee. I know it as Grounds for Enjoyment, but it has recently had the name change. Fox has a wide array of teas, coffee, cappuccino, and other café options to choose from. I personally enjoy their smoothies and ice blended chi teas, which seem a little above par in comparison to other places such as Starbucks. You’d really have to visit in order get a real sense of the atmosphere, but its very mellow and relaxed. Once you’re done relaxing there’s a little surprise right next door! There happens to be a little bar called The Vault. It’s a popular watering hole among residence of the area, with shows playing regularly by local bands. There’s even an open mic night for you to show your talent. Even though these places aren’t going anywhere, don’t wait to visit them. Drink specials vary on different occasions, call for more info. Vault Martini Bar & Grill (909) 798-2399 20 E Vine St Redlands, CA 92373 Fox Coffee (909) 335-6787 101 Cajon St Redlands, CA 92373 _________________________________________ Hip New Places to Hop to Tonight (October '06) Tired of the same old places every night? Or maybe you just want something to do with a few friends tonight. Well, I’m here to tell you about some places you might not know about here in the IE where you can dance, drink, and have some fun. If you’re a big country fan, or just have a taste for cattle ranching, try going to the Branding Iron located in San Bernardino. Every night they round up music to get you square dancin’. Even if square dancing isn’t your thing, they still spin the latest dance and R&B to get your groove on. Especially popular is their college night every Wednesday where the cover charge is free before 10: 00 p.m. with a college I.D. But you’re a city slicker and country isn’t for you, right? Where do you go then? Well, if you think you can compete with the latest fashion statements (or maybe you have one of your own to make), then try an 80's night at Incahoots in Riverside. Don’t let the label of “80's night” fool you however. They also play the latest in Electro and Brit Rock. Entry fees vary for different nights and special events. For more information call: Incahoots Riverside 3742 Park Sierra Dr., Riverside, CA (5.56 miles away) 951-359-4800 Brandin Iron 320 S E St, San Bernardino, CA (0.93 miles away) 909-888-7388