Drake’s Brewing Company – The Barn West Sacramento

Drake’s, The Barn, West Sacramento is a restaurant and beer garden known for its vibrant and diverse gathering scene near the Sacramento River. Located in West Sacramento’s Bridge District the two-acre area is a popular and versatile destination spot with a fun outdoor atmosphere cooled by misters during warmer weather. Lawn chairs, fire pits, food and drink draw a festive crowd with different entertainment events including yoga at sunset in the adjacent meadow, live music, outdoor movies and daily themes that spice up the attractive venue.

Daily Promos at Drake’s: The Barn through 2023
TUESDAY – Truckin’ Taco Tuesdays (various food truck specials)
WEDNESDAY – Pizza & Pint Combo Deal
THURSDAY – Trivia Night
FRIDAY – Beer & Bourbon Special
SATURDAY & SUNDAY – Bucket o’ Beers

Drake’s Brewery began in the “brew-story” as an early Bay Area craft brew maker. It now has four locations including The Barn. This is Drake’s West Sac place to grab a cold one and relax. The location is also a stone’s throw from Sutter Health Park, the home of the Sacramento River Cats baseball team, making it a great game day stop. As summer ball season heats up, fans can be found lounging under the misters in, what can be described, as a tailgate affair.

Drake’s craft beer offering is extensive featuring a variety of house beers, specials, and guest beers as well as cocktails, spirits, ciders. Farm-to-fork dining includes fresh and seasonal ingredients with a rich display of pizzas, tacos, and brunch fare to be found. Guests can, also, saddle up to the YO?LO! Food Truck for sandwiches, sides, and more. The Barn is dog-friendly, and kids are welcome to share in the stellar bites sure to excite little ones.

Every Saturday and Sunday* from 10AM-2PM enjoy brunch specials and beats starring some of our favorite local DJs

• THE PITCHER’S MOUND LOADED BREAKFAST SKILLET – Eggs, country potatoes, cheddar/mozzarella blend and mushrooms. Topped with cilantro lime crema, guacamole, green onions, and cilantro.
• FRENCH TOAST – Thick slices of french toast topped with whipped butter, and a berry compote.
• THE BARN BRUNCH SANDO – Fried egg, hash browns, cheese, bacon, soft herb medley.
  pepper jam.
• BREAKFAST BURRITO – Barn potatoes, soft scrambled egg, bacon & cheese blend in a flour tortilla. Served with house salsa.
• KIDS FRENCH TOAST STIX – Served with fruit salad.
  Brunch runs from 10AM-2PM, pizza & burger service starts at 12PM, and all other food items are available at 2PM when brunch ends.

Drake’s The Barn in West Sacramento is a unique and vibrant destination that seamlessly blends food, drink, and entertainment to create a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Nestled along the Sacramento River, this rustic-chic establishment has become a local favorite and a must-visit for tourists exploring the region.

With its scenic views of the river, a commitment to sustainability, and to making guests comfortable with the installation of outdoor misters, Drake’s The Barn is a true gem in West Sacramento, offering a delightful blend of flavors and experiences.

Taking over a restaurant is a challenging endeavor. Taking over a restaurant and remodeling is daunting. Taking over a 35 year-old restaurant in a historical building with a vision for its renovation is a valued commitment. Michael Sanson, owner of Plank Craft Kitchen and Bar, has made his mark on the local Sacramento regional restaurant scene with his well-respected, popular culinary hot spot, located in the Folsom Historic District. Rich in history, the Historic District began in the 1850’s and is a preserved representation of a Gold Rush era town. Set among old western styled buildings and weathered facades, upscale bistros, wine cafes & festive pubs mix with fashionable retail shops to attract visitors. This historic district has embraced modern amenities including commercial outdoor misters. Along this “strand”, guests are welcomed with outdoor misters on sidewalk eves, patios, and decks.

No stranger to the machinations of working with historical landmark buildings, Sanson recently took over the former Hacienda Del Rio Restaurant with a plan to rebrand the space, housed on the upper second floor of the Hacienda Building situated on the busy corner crossroads of Sutter and Riley Streets.  After investing in a significant face-lift, Hacienda Real Mexican Grill and Cantina opened Spring of 2023 with a menu offering appetizers, salads, soups, and traditional Mexican fare with a flair. The extensive bar features margaritas, mules, mocktails and bottled and draft beer.

Hacienda Real Must Have:

 Vampiro Asada Tacos
Marinated steak + avocado salsa + cabbage + radish + oaxacan cheese + lime on crisp tortillas; Served with three (3) soft corn tortillas and served with rice and choice of beans.

Vampiro sparks visions of “vampires” and seems a mystery when applied to a menu item. So, what is a vampiro taco?  Imagine a recipe that takes a corn-tortilla, cooked on a grill until it turns crackly, then topped with a layer of melted cheese and added assorted protein toppings such as chicken, shrimp, and beef…like a lovingly tendered blend of a taco, a tostada, and a quesadilla.  This yummy “snack” is said to bloom from the streets in the Mexcian State of Sinaloa, with several ideas as to the origin of its unique name.

• Some say the name tacos vampiros relates to the fanned-out wing shape of the grilled tacos.
• The garlic added to the “protein topping” is considered “Dracula-repellent”…thus, the vampire reference.
• It is, also, said that the dish vanquishes your hunger just like blood quenches thirst for a vampire.

Whether the shape, the garlic taste, or its satiating power, tacos vampiros is awesome!

The Patio Deck Is a Show-Stopper with Outdoor Misters
Hacienda Real’s face-lift includes a “new and improved” ambiance with updated interior décor, seating, and art to create a festive, yet beautiful environment. The remodel has made great use of the space so that the service flow is streamlined, and crowds can move around smoothly. The outdoor deck has been significantly enhanced and is the place to be “scene”.  On any given day, you will find a throng of customers enjoying an al fresco dining experience under the outdoor misters on the upper deck of Hacienda Real. Overlooking the Historic District, the deck is a gathering spot seen from the streets below and invites with a fun vibe.

The deck has been upgraded with a shaded cover complimenting the restaurant exterior. White patio lights, big wood beams, and black metal accent the “sun-screen” without deterring the open air feel. Outdoor misters mounted to fans and outdoor mister lines create a warm, welcoming environment with a cool and comfortable atmosphere. If you want to learn more about Koolfog’s state-of-the-art misting technology with expert design, manufacturing, and installation, visit www.koolfog.com.

The Sacramento region is known by many names. The California State Capitol City, Farm-to Fork Capitol, The City of Trees, Camelia City, and River City. With so much to offer, Sacramento has become a year-round destination featuring historic landmarks, exquisite dining, entertainment, arts, culture, and shopping. Despite sizzling temps, it’s the summer season in Sacramento where this diverse region shines. Outdoor activity, exploring nature as well as music and food fests, take center stage in the town where two of California’s major rivers meet. Tubing downstream, SUP and kayak adventures give way to hiking waterfalls and wine-tasting. When the weather is hot, celebrating friends and family at open-air gatherings is made possible and comfortable with the use of outdoor patio misters.

The Sacramento and American Rivers converge near Old Sacramento, a beautiful riverfront historic district with cafes, attractions and museums that appeal to all ages. A little upstream, Crawdad’s on the River is packed with après boating revelers sipping on cocktails and feasting on amazing seafood dishes under cooling patio misters. Customers can pull their cruisers right up to the restaurant’s dock for good eats and live music while taking in the most amazing sunsets al fresco.  

A New Era

Sacramento City recently (June 2022) approved a policy-making sidewalk, parking lot and parklets a permanent possibility for restaurants seeking such building permits for their establishments. One of the bright spots of the Covid pandemic was/is the rise of these outdoor dining areas. The City has created pre-approved layouts for those wishing to add to their space with requirements for permanent construction materials. Building with stone, concrete or wood makes for the perfect structure for installing patio misters. Permanent structures make an investment in a Koolfog system that is much sweeter and goes a long way in enticing visitors to optimize and utilize such Plein air settings. It is said that the Sacramento downtown area has about 122 restaurant businesses operating this type of outdoor space to date. Koolfog has many clients in these numbers and as competition for capturing patrons increases, we welcome the opportunity to give more outdoor dining areas a bit of cooling pizzaz.

Patio Misters on Display in Historic Folsom

An eastern suburb of the City of Sacramento, also located with the Sacramento County borders, is the charming town of Folsom. While Folsom is famous for its prison, it is also one of the finest bedroom communities along the American River. The Historic Folsom District is a unique blend of merchants and history. Updated saloons mix with craft beer pubs in between dining options for all palettes. The streets are dotted with dessert delicacy shops, galleries, an Escape Room, Axe throwing…you get the drift. It’s an eclectic enclave artfully blending modern amenities with Old West vibes. 

At Willamette Wineworks, small bites and charcuteries are paired with amazing wines under their balcony misters. Samplers can enjoy the gentle breeze coming off the water while savoring one of those Sacramento sunsets without breaking a sweat. If you walk down one end of the street to the other, you’ll notice a delightful haze put out by the many patio misters cooling customers streetside. Not only does this create a visually interesting ambiance it is a welcome sign to retail consumers that businesses are open and want them to feel comfortable hanging out.  Strollers on Sutter Street can admire the architecture that dates to the Gold Rush Era. At the busy corner of Riley & Sutter, patio misters invite those looking for a good time to Scarlet’s Specialty Saloon inside the fabulous Powerhouse Pub. Named after The Folsom Powerhouse, an 1895 hydroelectric power station, one of the first in the United States, the Powerhouse Pub sits above this preserved historical site overlooking the water released from the Folsom Dam into Lake Natoma. Weekends are especially lively at the Powerhouse Pub with crowds dancing to live music and a bar scene that rivals city slicker hangouts. The streetside terrace is cooled by patio misters and is a great spot for people watching when the street is closed off for a festive nightly gathering of vendors, tourists, locals, and outdoor dining. Folsom’s Historic District and it’s many restaurants offer, yet, another unique destination within the Sacramento region to step outside to explore the many happenings that make Summer’s in Sac Sensational!