The Reno Scene - Exploring entertainment and nightlife in our fair city

Sarah Cook, reno.com
January 3, 2007

Brew Brothers, located conveniently inside the Eldorado Hotel & Casino, is always a total experience, to say the least. I can’t say I’m an undying fan of their beer, but they do make a damn fine vodka tonic…well, except for that one time. Anyhow, this brewery is one of the main stops for anyone who goes to the Eldorado to party. It’s just a short walk from Roxy’s Bistro, Bubinga Lounge, and Rumbullions over at the Silver Legacy. So, if you do go to Brew Brothers and find yourself growing bored, just walk away. You’re in the middle of a nightlife haven.

Men, wallets please; there’s a $5 cover for the dudes, but usually, it’s free for the girls. I remember having paid there once, but maybe I just looked strangely masculine that night or something. The last few times I’ve gone, it’s been free, although you do have to pay the price of having a deformed black stamp stained onto your hand for the next day or two.

So, what else does Brew Brothers have besides a prime location and free cover for women? There’s the awesome menu with great dinner and lunch selections, unique (you either hate it or love it) brewery beer, plenty of room to sit and spread out with your posse, and of course, live music.

For me, without live music, there’s something missing. Brew Brothers won’t let you down on that front. Every Friday and Saturday night, from 10:30 until whenever they decide to bombard you with the bright “get out of here” lights, there’s live music with a dance floor to boot, and trust me, people love that dance floor. It’s not one of those “stand around and act like you would be dancing if you weren’t so utterly bored” dance floors. The dancing here is actually awesome and seemingly magnetic…you can’t help but get pulled out to join in the fun.

Left of Centre is my favorite band that plays at the double B. They usually play once or twice a month, and never fail to attract a huge crowd of people that just want to laugh and be merry, literally shaking the floor with a plethora of bold dance moves as they rock out to songs ranging from Merle Haggard to Metallica.

So, dance until you have to pee. One downfall about this place is that the restrooms are out completely out of bounds. You have to forfeit your drink entirely (or chug it) before you leave the bar to travel the short distance from the brewery to the bathroom. But seriously, how does that work? You’re in a casino! People carry their drinks all over the place. Maybe Brew Brothers is trying to be glass-conscious; that way they don’t go down if a drunken person falls on top of a slot player and breaks his glass all over their winnings. (Just a thought.)

Alright, so you’re done with the bathroom and now you want another drink. After all, your last one was taken away from you when you were only two sips in. The bar is slammed and there isn’t an opening in sight. What do you do? I’ve found what works best is using a little acrobatic skill. Take one foot, and place it strategically on the footrest of someone else’s barstool. Then, do the same to that person’s neighbor. Make sure you choose two short people to do this to, or your strategy will be entirely hopeless. Boost yourself upward, thereby increasing your height a significant and rewarding amount, and begin to shout. It doesn’t matter what you say, just shout. It’s bound to get someone’s attention.

Now it’s time to dance. Let’s hope you came with friends. Otherwise, you’re going to have quite the interesting time. If you’re a young woman, all the creepy men are going to hit on you and relentlessly attempt to get their freak on. If you’re an older woman, all the young drunk men are going to bash you around the dance floor. And, if you’re a man of any age, shape, or walk of life, you’re definitely not getting out of there without dancing. You will be forced. So, bust out your blue suede shoes and prepare to meet a lady.

Don’t worry about dressing a certain way; just go, have fun, and remember, chug your drink before peeing. Brew Brothers is definitely a place worth trying, if you haven’t been there already. And if you have, all the more reason to go again. There’s pretty much nothing to lose except wallflower weight ... and your beer, after someone knocks it out of your hand on the dance floor.

The Reno Scene is an insider’s look at what’s going on around town after dark. Our intrepid night owl will scour the city each week to find out what’s really happening during the wee hours of the morning in the Biggest Little City. Basically, each week, we'll play “Operation” with the heart of Reno - get in, get out, and don't get zapped.


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