Chico knows beverage innovation like few other cities in the country. It’s home not only to juggernauts like Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., but also an army of smaller establishments that will ferment, distill, brew, carbonate, and otherwise serve all manner of beverages for your sipping and drinking pleasure.
Beer & Breweries
The Allies Pub serves up classic American-style ales and IPAs in addition to a range of British classics, including stouts, porters, and both English and Scottish ales, some from their own British Bulldog Brewery label. There’s also Nor Cal Brewing Company, Ramble West Brewing, Mulberry Station Brewing, and Secret Trail Brewing Co., an artisan craft brewery that turns out some incredible Northern California beers.
And of course, no visit to Chico is complete without a tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. campus and a visit to its taproom. With world-famous beers pulling in dozens of awards since 1983, every brew is a winner—and you might even have the chance to sample small-batch and limited-run beers during your visit.
Wine & Wineries
You can sample some of Northern California’s best wines at any of Chico’s local wineries and tasting rooms. Try a sip of vine-to-bottle wine with no sulfites and no chemical additives at the LaRocca Vineyards tasting room in the heart of Downtown Chico, or at Odyssey Vineyards, where you can sample wine as well as design your very own flights and grazing boards.
Distilleries
Chico gets into the spirits game with Golden Beaver Distillery. You can sample local moonshine made from the region’s storied Calrose rice and rice malt, a California-styled rice Soju, bourbons and rye whiskies, vodka, gin, and even grappa at both the main distillery and its Park Avenue Still House.
Non-Alcoholic Drinking
Chico’s got you covered when it comes to non-alcoholic drinks of all kinds. All the Bitter provides you with hand-crafted, non-alcoholic bitters made from raw, organic botanicals, giving any drink a delicious spark of natural digestive health. Live Life Juice Co. also has your health in mind, with organic and vegan juice concoctions brimming with vitality—and don’t forget to try some of their amazing food. Chico is also home to Beber Almondmilk, which crafts beverages sourced entirely from local Butte County organic orchards, and the legendary Chico Chai, a stunning small-batch brew made from scratch that can be found all over the city.
Coffee Culture
If caffeine is your vice of choice, Chico’s coffee culture is second to none. Equilateral Coffee serves up unique and inspiring coffee recipes infused with in-house syrups made by hand. Stoble Coffee also innovates with rentable work spaces, where you can combine coffee with community, while Tender Loving Coffee provides not only world-class java, but also an indulgent vegan-friendly menu of treats.
Savor Stunning Sips
Whether you’re looking for top-shelf alcoholic options or zero-proof alternatives, you can find your favorite beverage of choice (or discover your next drinking obsession) at dozens of different restaurants and bars across Chico.
- Argus Bar + Patio
- Savor a mix of classic and original cocktail creations on their beautiful patio.
- The Chico Taproom
- 40 taps of Northern California and coastal craft beer. Bring your dog too!
- The Commons Social Empourium
- A pour-your-own beverage taproom with over 20 beers on tap.
- Duffy’s Tavern
- The definitive dive bar in Chico, with the best Bloody Mary in town.
- The Grill at Hotel Diamond
- Pair expertly crafted cocktails with upscale yet approachable comfort food.
- The Lost Dutchman
- An all-ages taproom and beer garden with a great selection of craft beers on tap.
- Roselle Bar & Lounge
- One of Meriam Park’s hotspots, with small plates and delicious cocktails.
- Strong Water
- A relaxed speakeasy lounge with a seasonal menu of craft cocktails.
- The Winchester Goose
- Locally sourced ingredients in the kitchen; craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails at the bar.
From enjoying a glass at a winery, a pint at a brewery, a cocktail at a lounge, or even a non-alcoholic favorite, Chico’s drinking scene has something for everyone. So come, drink up, and cheers to Chico’s vibrant liquid landscape!