13 Best Cocktail Bars near Crystal Bay

“My husband and I were served the best meal we have ever had. The food, service, ambiance and even the Frank Sanatra playing was perfect. We loved the entire staff. The chef came out to say hello and was so pleasant. We immediately told all our friends and Crysral Bay Steak and Lobster is our number 1 restaurant from now on. Thank you for a great experience! See you soon.“

“Solid spot in a good location.
Friendly staff with great prices on drinks.

Free and fresh popcorn. Great Bloody Mary.

You can order food from next door without issue.

Few more TVs than I can count on two hands.

Swing through, parking on the street.“

“Gaviota is truly one of the best spots in Incline Village! From the moment you walk in, the staff makes you feel so welcome with their kindness, attentiveness, and genuine hospitality.

The cocktail program is incredibly creative—every drink is beautifully crafted, unique, and full of flavor. You can tell there’s so much thought and passion behind every menu item. The food is just as impressive and pairs perfectly with the drinks. Everything we’ve tried has been fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented.

Whether you’re stopping by for a date night, drinks with friends, or a relaxing evening, Gaviota is absolutely worth visiting. The atmosphere is stylish and inviting, and the entire experience feels special from start to finish. Highly recommend!“

“The food was good overall, but it fell short of expectations. I love the eclectic combinations, and the ingredients were high quality. The scallops and Mac n cheese were elite. The tuna tartare and ribs were very good. The halibut and butter lettuce salad were ordinary. The cookies and cream sandwiches were offensive given the level of the restaurant. It felt like something out of a grocery carton, and ultimately pushed me to give a 4-rating.

Beyond the food, the service and ambience were very good.“

“Let me first begin by saying the waitstaff is incredibly kind, attentive, and friendly. Furthermore, the atmosphere—outside in particular—is just lovely, especially when they have live music; it’s set amidst the Truckee River with heat lamps and a fire pit to keep you toasty and this gem is easily accessible from a bike path no less. Should you order the Strawberry Shortcake, it is enormous and delicious. For these reasons alone, the River Grill should receive 5 stars. The reasons it does not, though they won’t dissuade me from returning, are to follow. I ordered the Grape Martini—unique, intriguing, and my waitstaff gave it a good name. It was good I must say, but it, as one could expect but at the same time not really think to, tastes exactly like grape juice. I did initially have to send it back because it came garnished with cranberries (of which I am allergic) instead of frozen grapes as advertised. You could imagine my chuckle when I watched my waiter, from afar at my table, present it to the hostess and I watched her fish one of the cranberries out of the drink, plop it in her mouth, and hurry away disgusted. They remade my drink which was kind of them but it did take acquiring the taste to not think of Arthur on a Juicy Juice carton. For dinner I ordered the Beef Tenderloin—the asparagus was amazing, the whipped (mashed) potatoes were yummy especially with the Demi Glaze, and the beef itself was good but more on the medium-well side when ordered medium which is kind of getting into semantics I know, however, it was a little dry. I also ordered the Truckee Sourdough but it never came despite being charged for it until brought to attention. For a 20-something who doesn’t have $100 to spend on a fancy dinner often, this combination can feel a little disappointing. Should I have the opportunity to, I would come back to River Grill because it, overall, was a lovely evening.“

“The food is exceptional, try the Halibut, you will love it! Joey did a wonderful job and the entrire staff is very welcoming and helpful. Perfect place to kick back and have a delicious meal and/or a cocktail.“

“We had a great lunch here- cool ambiance, delicious food and a server with great suggestions and vibes (thanks, Jordan!). Ceviche was a highlight!

Such a great spot of families, with a dedicated kids menu and separate playroom with a small climbing wall.“

“Excellent BBQ!! We will be back!!“

“First time in... Food was good and the portion was decent. Not very busy and three servers were on. Service was slow I felt and the bartender was less than friendly, charming or outgoing. Maybe they were having an off night, I don't know. I would go back but maybe just for drinks? .“

“Great evening stop. Was just out pub crawling with my girl, happened in, and was immediately greeted by staff. Helped point us to good drinks on tap. Then had a great conversation with the owner Chris, who compt us a couple of shots of something that went down like candy. Can't wait to drop back in and try the food next time.“

“5 star for the all you can eat buffet - satisfying, great quality and open till 11:30am, perfect for brunch.

3 star for the regular lunch menu… food is just okay, not worth the price. And avoid watermelon salad, with one toast + 2 pieces of watermelon (see the photo)“

“Gonzalo truly set the tone for an exceptional experience at the Living Room Lodge (LRL) at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Warm, friendly, and incredibly attentive, he made us feel genuinely cared for, from start to finish. His hospitality felt effortless and heartfelt — and the heavenly vanilla latte he crafted came with a smile that made it even more special. Gonzalo is a true gem and a shining example of Ritz-Carlton’s world-class service & hospitality.

We were seated in a beautiful spot with stunning views of the Northstar ski slopes on a bright, sunny day. The experience was elevated by sitting behind a subtle tinted glass that softened the harshness of the sun while still letting in all the light and scenery — the perfect balance. Surrounded by towering Sierra Nevada pines, the setting felt serene, cozy, and quintessentially Tahoe.

We started with a vanilla latte that was nothing short of magical — it truly felt like a warm embrace in a cup. Smooth, comforting, and crafted to perfection.

The meat burger was perfectly done — juicy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. My son absolutely loved the chocolate and strawberry ice cream, which was a delightful treat.

Dessert was the grand finale: the salted caramel lotus with vanilla sponge cake, caramel glaze, and cacao nib streusel was an absolute masterpiece. Each bite delivered a beautiful harmony of textures, flavors & suspense; indulgent yet refined.

An unforgettable experience that blends breathtaking views, outstanding food, and truly genuine hospitality.“

“I don’t understand the lower ratings for this place. We had a great experience. Service was attentive and they were able to accommodate a special request. Menu had lots to offer and the food was delicious. Unlike some other restaurants at the resort, portions were generous. And Tipsy Tuesday offers 2 for 1 wine by the glass with generous pours. Please give them a try. You won’t be sorry!“