Once upon a time, to refer to a drinking establishment as a “dive” was to insult it, to declare its dark corners unwelcoming places populated by seedy people who’d as soon stab you as clink a pint. And then the ’90s happened. Grunge went beyond a music genre — it was a lifestyle best acted […]
Drink
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The Palace Saloon
With its red and white classic two-story Victorian exterior, its 40-foot bar, original woodwork and trophy-antlered walls, the Palace Saloon has been a community institution since 1890. Back in the day, local merchants, cattlemen, dairymen and townsfolk, all made the Palace their go-to for news, gossip, drinks and good company. These days, most folks stop […]
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The Next Flight
The Old World design of the Arcata Plaza became decidedly more Euro when Ed and Anna Bernard purchased a small wine shop there 10 years ago. Situated on Eighth Street between a thriving Italian eatery and a clothing boutique, Libation is a wine shop and bar offering an impressive selection of bottles in addition to […]
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Spirits of Humboldt
Our values of locally sourced, natural, sustainable ingredients are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, but they’re also the spark for a couple of our indulgences: the Humboldt Distillery and Dutch and Dewey. In 2012, Abe Stevens put Fortuna’s Humboldt Distillery on the map when he launched his flagship vodka. Originally focusing on small scale […]
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Summer Sipping
Yes, sometimes sun is hard to come by in Humboldt County, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you don’t still want a cool summer cocktail. Six Rivers Brewery (1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville) is a big, warm, inviting place, even if that partial afternoon clearing never materializes. Its new outdoor patio makes Six Rivers a true […]
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Cocktail Infusions
On an unassuming corner in Arcata, behind a bank of frosted glass, and through an ornate, heavy, wooden door, is something bohemian and modestly bacchanalian. In the cozy and hip-but-not-pompous confines of Richard’s Goat Tavern and Tea Room (401 I St.), afternoon light falls in muted colors through the high stained glass windows. That’s a […]
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Winter’s Brew
Finding a good winter ale is one of the best ways to get through Humboldt’s cold, dark and sometimes mercilessly wet winters. Locals know where to go to get the county’s richest and heartiest ales; dark mysterious brews that help insulate against the cold and don’t require near-freezing temperatures to be palatable. Everyone has a […]
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Seasonal Sipping
With so many bars, taprooms and wineries to choose from and so little daylight to spare, it’s hard to know where to start on the quest for the quintessential seasonal beverage. Rest assured, we’ve done the footwork for you. The Tomodachi at Tomo (708 Ninth St., Arcata) is a cool weather go-to, though it can […]
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DI Wine
Bob Stockwell, wine guru at the Arcata Co-op for the past 20 years, helped us sort out a choose-your-own-adventure sampling of Humboldt County vino. Cheers! Bubbly Briceland Brut: A nice, dry sparkler (that sells out!). $35 White Light Bodied: Frog Alley Sauvignon Blanc. Best Winery at the Humboldt County Fair. Crisp, with white fruit overtones. $12 Sun […]
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In the Drink
Just walking into Five Eleven (511 Second Street, Eureka) is relaxing. The restaurant and bar’s softly vibrant blue tones ease you into a happy thirst, and pulling up a white stool to their beautifully tiled bar is like dipping your toes into a pool. Try the Day Spa and the Cool Breeze ($9). Like their […]