02/05/08

tues pub night

by thisnametkaen

Actually, they do offer wireless internet. Cheese fries, Maybe next time order something not typically found at Smokehouse and you might like what you are eating. tues pub quiz night, not too crowded on saturdays. food till ten pm. great micro brews.

05/02/07

The telecommuter's report - updated

by sleeplessj

UPDATE: the afternoon weekday barmaid (little girl with dark hair) had too much attitude for me, after I asked her to send back the cheese fries for the third time we sort of had a falling out. After I discovered Barclays down the street, I'm probably never going back to Ben-n-Nicks. Ciao....

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I'm a regular during the off-hours, that is to say when my "dr.'s appointment" in Rockridge is done, I head straight to Ben'n'Nicks to drown my sorrows during the working hours, with my laptop plugged into the nearest outlet and my wireless internet card fully loaded. That is, they do not offer wireless internet here to my knowledge, so you road warriors are advised to bring your own internet connectivity. Anyhow, if you do happen to have that handy, you can park here and work in relative peace and quiet while partaking of some of the better-quality draught beers. The beer selection on tap changes daily, sometimes hourly, but there are standards that are almost always available (Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pliny the Elder, Drakes etc). The music ambience depends on the bartender on duty, they sometimes tend to the more moroser sh*t but occasionally the sour mood lifts and you'll hear some good 80's-90's vintage rock. Popular place for late lunch crowd, not uncommon to see your local high priest dining here with "friends." (People of the Frock are always welcome at Ben 'n' Nicks.) Anyway the bar is very quiet during the work day and it's an ideal place to telecommute from, as long as you bring your own internet. Standard pub grub food, nothing to write home about. If you order cheese fries make sure you order them not to skimp on the cheese. - SleeplessJ

• Pros: good draught beer, clean restroom
• Cons: no wireless internet, barmaid with extreme attitude problem

12/15/05

Awesome spot!

by barbeedoo

When I get off the Rockridge BART, I often head for Ben & Nick's (it's less than a block away). I also meet with my friends there on Friday night. The food is generally pretty good. They serve the usual bar food , like burgers and fish & chips. But also great salads and specials. They have a full bar as well as wine and a great selection of draft beer. I don't like beer (gasp!) so it's great that I have other options. Bartenders are friendly and fun--I like Tom & Ben especially. It seems each bartender picks his or her own CDs to play, so there's a lot of diversity. Ben & Nick's rocks!

09/09/05

This Place Has The Coolest Bartenders

by gasout

The night time bartenders here are so friendly and funny, they seem to be having fun so I do too. The beer selection is always great and their nachos are off the hook. Why would anyone complain about this place? Also, the music changes depending on who is working it seems, and I think they are back to CD's.

• Pros: hot bartenders, good beer, family friendly
• Cons: street sweeping night

09/30/04

Crappy Music

by pitt

This place could be cool. But, it is not since the MUSIC sucks. The bartenders pick the music on there IPOD, which is a cool idea, however the music is really awful - like - Hall&Oates 'Private Eyes", Europe 'The Final Countdown' and 'That's what Friends are For' by Dion Warwick.

Please! Please! Bens update the music, get a consultant, something so this bar can get into atleast the 90s.

• Pros: good food, beer selection
• Cons: , crappy music, loser music

02/27/04

This neighborhood pub in Rockridge prides itself on a rotating selection of fine draft beers.

by Contributor

The Scene
During the day, sunlight from the wall of windows illuminates a slightly shabby interior. At night, dim lighting, the dark wood bar and tables, and tall walls covered in vintage beer promotions create a friendly atmosphere for friends to meet for drinks. Bartenders and staff are casual but competent.

The Draw
Stumbling distance from the Rockridge BART station, the bar is a regular rendezvous for young, single East Bay commuters looking for a place to unwind. Though mixed drinks are served, draft beer is the specialty. There's a wide range of microbrews and imported labels (Czechvar, Leffe, Spaten), with selections rotating seasonally. The stock of single-malt whiskeys and premium tequilas is also quite good; plus for the hungry, a modest menu of bar food is available.