Sweetwater Saloon

We came to this spot earlier in the day and it was completely empty. The atmosphere is very quaint and welcoming. The lady at the bar was friendly. The pool tables are in pretty good condition, although some of the cues are a little broken. Overall, we had a very good experience at this spot.

Drink was great and atmosphere was chill but the bartender kind of ruined the experience. We came in about thirty minutes before happy hour ended and ordered a round of drinks— $24 for three, which we thought was kinda expensive but me and my friends had just gotten there and were busy catching up and didn’t think much of it. After catching up we try and order a second round, but we can’t catch the attention of the bartender and he keeps disappearing into the back. After a while I finally manage to get his attention (in his defense it might have been his break? He was eating fries) and order another round (this is after happy hour ends) and the bartender tells us it’s $22 for the same three drinks. I was confused and mentioned how he charged me $24 earlier when it was happy hour and should have been cheaper. I was only holding a $20 bill so I asked if it would be okay if I just gave him that and call it even, to which his response was “have you ever heard of tipping??” In a really snappy tone. Now I’m a service worker so I understand getting fed up with ppl not tipping but I’m quite used to leaving a big tip when I leave, especially when I’m staying at a bar for a while, so that’s what I was planning to do here. I didn’t feel like arguing so I just went and grabbed some more cash from my purse, but the snappiness of the bartender kinda spoiled me and my friends mood. We ended up leaving after that and getting some drinks at mineshaft down the street, with much faster service from a much nicer bartender. A friend who’s lived in Long Beach for a while recommended sweetwater, but I’m sad to say even she didn’t think it lived up to what it was like pre Covid. Maybe the bartender was just having an off night but it’s kinda a bummer to head to a chill bar for chill vibes and deal with a snippy bartender.

A girl attacked me for entering their ulocked gender neutral restroom (I'm they/them) even threatened to stab me. When i told the barender that she tried to attack me, they told me that it's best that I leave. If theyre going to discriminate against the community and are unable to uphold their gender neutral restrooms, they should remove themselves from the queer scene. I've lived on broadway for a decade and this place has always been problematic. From the uncontrolled bar fights, bartenders who walk way with your cash and dont give change. This place is not a good look, especially when showing friends around the area. Better options and queer spaces down the street.

If urine and molding beer, penetrating nostrils gets you off... Go you'll be in heaven, but remember to fabreeze yourself after, you don't want to smell like an alcoholic Parking: Ha!

Come in after dark for some heavy pours and lowkey sapphic vibes.