Lodi libations extend beyond wine

With the lion's share of the Lodi area focused on wines, it is easy to forget one simple fact: Not everybody likes wine.

Whether you’re in the mood to shoot pool, toss darts or just down a few cold brews, the sky’s the limit ... Sky’s Bar that is, at 116 W. Turner Road. (J. Paul Bruton/News-Sentinel)

Not to fret, it's not as if every drinking establishment in town serves only wine. Lodi has a diverse bevy of beverage bars from quaint to cozy to costly.

So what are you looking for? If it's a casual evening downtown, surrounded by movie memorabilia, you'll find two of a kind that favor films.

The aptly named Movie City sits directly across the street from Lodi's state-of-the-art Stadium 12 theater. Where better to mosey after a movie but to a well-stocked bar? And right across the street from Movie City, the cozy Casablanca with a wide variety of specialty import beers and wines entices patrons with its movie-like atmosphere and sultry live piano on weekends.

Downtown School Street also boasts some longtime Lodi bars. Ollie's tavern and Gary's Lounge will set you up with your favorite concoction of choice. And just off School Street on Pine is Stooges bar.

Looking for the "hole-in-the-wall" type of bar? Need a smaller place with a warm atmosphere and ice cold beer? Then try the unpretentious Hole in the Wall bar. Just on the outskirts of Lodi as you head east on Highway 12, it’s small and easygoing, and one of the only places left where you can play a fun game of table-top shuffleboard.

Mojos is one of the newer establishments in town, but already has a loyal clientele. A nice, long, traditional-style bar lines one side of the building. The other has tables and chairs to kick back in.

While Lodi isn’t known for having hoppin’ club scene, Mojo’s has developed a reputation for getting things going on the weekend. A DJ and dancing often has the place packed on Friday and Saturday.

Antonio’s is a large club on the east side of Highway 99. It has been one of the dancing mainstays and is another place to give a call to find out what’s going on if you want to wiggle your waist.

Looking to dress it up a little, or a lot? Rosewood Bar and Grill has a nice bar with able bartenders. The place draws a crowd in the evenings and especially on the weekends when the sweet sounds of live jazz resonate throughout the building.

Taking it up a notch still, get dressed up and head over to the lush paradise of Wine and Roses Inn. Order from a quaint bar with friendly, black-tie quality staff, then sit in front of the fireplace to add to the atmosphere while being serenaded on piano.

Of course in the summertime you’ll forgo the fireplace for outdoor seating under soft lighting that is strung seamlessly among the mature trees and bountiful foliage.

Then there's the cigar smoker's favorite stop — the aptly named Stogies. It is one of the few places left where you can order a beer, then pick the cigar of your choice and smoke it right there on the spot.

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