Atmosphere: Hipster College Bar

Clientele: Eclectic

Spirits: Full bar

Staff: Hot Bartenders

You’re probably wondering why the photo above is kind of fuzzy, well, that’s because the Belvedere was the last stop on a three-bar tour and I think probably everyone who comes to the Belvedere sees that sign the same way, blurry. Gary’s at the Belvedere is located in the Boozy Bermuda Triangle of bars at Mendocino and College (727 Mendocindo, to be precise). The other two points in the triangle are the 440 Club and the Round Robin all of which are within staggering distance of each other and have a rotating cloud of clientele.

It’s easy to miss the Belvedere because the bar is located at the bottom of a Victorian house on the corner and doesn’t have any flashy signs or big red arrows to point it out to you. The first thing you’ll notice is that they are obsessive about checking IDs – there’s no way in hell I could pass for under 21 or even under 30, yet they check my ID every single time I go there. So I hope the Liquor Control Board appreciates that. The other thing you’ll notice is that hot guys abound…

If you like big, manly men – check out Paul the door man!

IDs please

Inside the bar are multiple coin-op pool tables, an air hockey table and some TVs for you sports fans. There’s a jukebox for music as well. If you are looking for beers on tap, you’ll be disappointed because that’s not going to happen for you but there’s a good selection of bottled beer and of course, a full bar for shots, shooters and cocktails. Speaking of shots and shooters – if the clientele isn’t drinking beer, that’s probably what they are drinking. It’s a younger crowd, the type who drink with the intent to get drunk but it’s also a pretty low-key bar without a lot of drama or rowdy behavior.

There’s a nice outside patio with heaters for the colder months, where the cool kids hang out and smoke and a little back room with the air hockey table. The bathrooms are fairly clean but sometimes run out of TP which sucks. They could use an extra soap dispenser and paper towel holder for the two sinks to prevent having to do-si-do around the person next to you when you want to wash your hands (and everyone should wash their hands).

The oval bar puts you in close contact with your neighbor and the bartenders which is not a bad thing.

Kainoa

The bartenders are hot – check out Kainoa, who is very funny and extremely good looking and has my vote for best smile even though he didn’t want to work it for the camera. Go see him in person and I dare you to disagree.

And then there’s Drew – who this photo does not do nearly enough justice. If you’re feeling frisky, ask him to show you his back tattoo. If you don’t have the sudden desire to lick cream cheese off this guy, I’ll eat my hat.

Of course, the clientele at the Belvedere is full of hot alterna-rocker guys and college boys too. Which, of course, means there’s always a gaggle of chicks there too. Hooray! A meat market for everyone!

We met Gary, the owner, during our first trip to the Belvedere about a month or so ago when he came up to our table of five chicks to see how we were enjoying the place. He’s a very friendly and attentive host and open to feedback. I like that about a bar owner. A friend had a massive and very good burger (and the onion rings were awesome). They serve lunch and dinner (until 10pm), but here’s some more feedback – you need a late night bar menu. Like the 440 and Round Robin, the Belvedere does some steady business in the wee hours of the morning and it would be nice if there was some grub that the drunken masses could consume before they lurch back to their cars and bikes.

Gary likes the Barfly chicks so much he’s offered to put up some swag for our very first Barfly giveaway – so stay tuned for that!

So hot guys, girls, air hockey, pool, full bar, outside patio – what more could you want? It’s a nice middle point between the divey dive bars and the upper crust meat markets.

Pros:

Hot bartenders (duh)

Outside seating

Good food (but only until 10pm)

Full bar

Pool

Cons:

Food only until 10pm

Limited seating (crowded)