Jan's Lounge, Orangevale CA

Jan's Lounge
9222 Greenback Lane
Orangevale, CA
(916) 989-0583 

• Price Per Domestic Pitcher: N/A
• Credit/Debit: Yes
• Parking: Public Lot
• Good For Groups:  Yes
• Music:  Internet Jukebox, Live

• Best Nights: Fri, Sat
• Has TV: Yes
• Smoking: Patio w/ drinks
• Alcohol: Full Bar
• ATM: Yes

450 mile 7 hour drive for a dive bar you ask? Damn right and a great one at that. My original plan was to hit the Glass Turtle but they were charging a $10 cover for the UFC fight. I decided not to pay a cover for a dive bar and watched the fight from the sidewalk for free while figuring out a new bar which was Jan's Lounge in Orangevale, CA.

The Bar: Located in a strip mall on a main street, which, a few blocks down, a DUI Checkpoint hosted by Orangevale's finest, but that didn't stop this dive from rockin. I arrived shortly after 8pm and this place was packed. A live band on stage and a crowd of people on the dance floor. It immediately felt like home.
The Crowd: All types, from the retired crowd to the college crowd and everyone in between.
Service: Fairly prompt for how busy it was. We got the "Who the hell are you" look since we were faces, but once I introduced myself the service was quick the rest of the evening. No pitchers and no PBR was a bummer but I made it through.
Prices: This is where I failed. I opened a tab and forgot to get pricing. I had 3 Fireball Whisky shots, 4 glasses of Coors Light draft (which tasted a bit sour), and 7 bottles of Coors Light. Yeah, I had a bit... totaling $46.00. You do the math.
Entertainment: Tonight was a live band by the name of Running With Scissorz. Pretty decent cover band minus singing Green Day, honestly, lets leave that one to the artist. There is also an internet jukebox, and I heard someone mention they have karaoke, but no clue on the night. Shuffle board, electronic darts, 3 TV's.
Restroom: Not too terrible. Kept up pretty good through out the night.
Closing statement: I would recommend this spot to anyone who is in the area. I absolutely plan a return visit next time I am in Nor Cal.

We rate Jan's Lounge a 4 out of 5.

The Blarney Stone, Fountain Valley CA

The Blarney Stone
11761 Edinger Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA
714-775-9987

• Price Per Domestic Pitcher: N/A
• Credit/Debit: No (Cash Only)
• Parking: Public Lot
• Good For Groups:  Yes
• Music:  Internet Jukebox, Karaoke, Live

• Best Nights: Fri, Sat
• Has TV: Yes
• Smoking: Outside, No drinks
• Alcohol: Full Bar
• ATM: Yes

The Bar: Once again, located in a strip-mall as routinely the best dives are. The sign out front is drawn on with a sharpie from the looks of it. Immediately upon arriving to the place we knew it was exactly the type of bar we all love. No windows, just a solid brick wall out front with a door leading into the unknown. The bar itself seats about 15 people with some tables along the wall.
The Crowd: We got here pretty early and it was dead. The band Tight Rope was setting up and few locals sitting at the bar. Once the band started playing, the crowd poured in. All friendly, easy to talk to, and loved being in front of the camera.
Service: 5 star service. Bartender knows his drinks well... including the famous Guerrilla Fart shot which about knocked me on my ass.
Entertainment: Karaoke every Tuesday night along with Live Bands on the weekends. 1 pool table in the back ($0.75) and a internet jukebox.
Restroom: Looked like shit, not in the literal term, but still pretty gross, although, it smelled nice.
Closing statement: If you're in the area, I would absolutely recommend this bar. We had a blast and definitely plan on a return trip in the future.

We rate The Blarney Stone a 4 out of 5.