Bonn Lair

I would like to say my previous review was soley based on the trivia night. I’ve been a few times since then just to hang out and for some good beer and it’s absolutely perfect for that. IT’s a great atmosphere, and a cool staff. (I haven’t seen the trivia lady again. Yikes).

I have really ambivalent feelings about BL.
Pros:
The beer is quite excellent with a nice variety.
The food is average, however, it’s a nice convenience to be able to order food in house and not have to stop before or after. The food is also very reasonably priced.
Darts.
Outdoor patio.
Usually polite and friendly patrons.
Bike rack out front.
Easy access.
Great location.
Cons:
Seating is tight if a booth isn’t available.
Ordering a beer can be a challenge. The small area where the beer is generally full with patrons. Moreover, there is no definitive line/​rotation and the bartenders have a propensity for serving regulars first and occasional patrons second, third, etc… Perhaps I’d come more often if it wasn’t such a hassle to get a beer?
The two gals that look like twins/​sisters can be a little on the rude side.
The proprietor/​owner comes off as being the type of person that doesn’t appreciate his customers. At least that was my experience. He was really cold and seemed disinterested the two times we spoke.
BL could be much better with a few minor improvements.

If I’m looking to grab a pint with a friend and just shoot the sh*t, Bonn Lair is my go-​to pub. In fact, it’s my favorite pub to enjoy a pint — usually Guinness! If you’re looking for a really sleek, glitzy joint, Bonn Lair is not that. It’s a bit rough around the edges — not in an unsafe way. Let’s just say that it has character and charm, and it’s definitely the most authentic English pub in Sacramento.
Their selection of beers isn’t huge, but they rotate their taps regularly. And all are quality — mostly English, some Irish, and some other European brews. Once my friend asked for a specific Irish beer, and the bartender gave a quick retort at how they’re an English pub. In a very no-​nonsense English manner. I love it!
If you like the chill neighborhood vibe where customers are often regulars, where the Guinness is extra cold and where people are friendly and genuine, then you’ll dig Bonn Lair.

I came here on a Monday after work. It wasn’t too busy and there was still enough seating and tables available.
My friend and I opted to sit at a table next to the bar. The interior has very authentic pub décor. It was all very cool to look at.
The food menu looked great until we noticed that they don’t offer any fried food on Mondays (huge disappointment). Not sure why that is, but that cut the list of food I wanted to try by a lot. I really wanted to try the fish and chips, but we opted for the tacos and the one of the pasties. There was also a 25 minute wait for 2 tacos, which seemed ridiculous.
Overall, the food was alright. I would pass on the tacos, and the chicken pastie (pasty?) was really salty. The service was fine, but nothing stellar.
I wouldn’t mind coming back for drinks, but it’s probably not the best choice for food.

Whoever decorated the interior please take a bow. I’ve been to England and I think my family in Liverpool would surely give this a stamp of approval for authenticity as I did. Take note people — this is what a real pub looks (and feels) like. Bonus to the ladies — purse hooks under the bar.
Quality beers, rotating taps, and a friendly bartender. All that’s missing is someone playing pub tunes on the piano. I didn’t eat here but word is the fish n chips are legit.
You have stouts galore, Guinness on tap (and know about the mandatory 2 minute wait to get a divine pour) and stock a respectable selection of Belgian brews — I’m sold. Tasty brews on tap from Iceland? Well yes, I think that’s a must try.
Really wishing I paid more attention to this pub when I used to spend a lot more time in this area in my college days. To think of all the Guinnesses I could have drank…

Amazingly cozy little pub! I came in here to have a pint while I waited for an event across the street.
I got a Ye Speckled Hen at my husband’s recommendation. I only wanted one drink and the minimum tab is $ 10, so the bartender set me up with a beer token for next time. Sweet, that guarantees I’ll come back!
The coziness lends itself to more winter drinking, so I may pass in warmer weather.

Do not go here when the bartender «John» is there. (Might not be his name but who cares)
He was eating when we first showed up and proceeded to keep chewing while pouring our beers.
The beers were flat and he had zero knowledge of the beers he was serving, plus he was literally the worst bartender I’ve ever had.
Horrible bartender and the business would probably do a lot better financially if he no longer worked there.
When people ask what bar in Sacramento I would NOT recommend this place is the first on my list.

Two visits = enough time to judge this place thoroughly.
Where to start?
Beer: Not good enough. 10 weak beers from western europe. Nothing over 5.0% except the union jack by firestone. Basically selling dirty water. Franzikaner hefe was completely tapped of CO2. No foam and despicable taste. The bartender noticed and knew. He didn’t porperly accomadate. Refusing to change out an old keg is directly saying ethics are overrated. As a consumer, I do expect my simple expectations to be adequately met. As a beer snob, I don’t want to be served flat beer. Sorry friends, this place is for kids.
Décor: Disrespectful attempt to recreate a british setting. Beaten up furniture. Worn out seat cushions. Rotten beer smell, and unbearable cigarette stench. The façade of being in Europe faded pretty quickly. Felt more like you were in a slum part of a third world country. Brutally honest.
Service: *crickets* Refer to the reviews dissecting the bad service. I didnt pay enough attention to them regretfully. This might be the biggest downfall for the bar. After recently moving in the area and having exceptional service at restaurants nearby, I really did have high hopes for this place. Customer service is not a priority. The treatment was awfully partial. No smiles or hellos from the employees. Small talk felt like absurdity. Never once did I feel welcome.
Overall: Never going back. 2 stars.

Best place to drink a GOOD BEER with a friend!

This place is a typical pub, their is a nice mellow vibe here.

What a shit hole to have a beer. I can’t decide if the interior design decorations are from a garage sale or the county garbage dump.
I have been throughout the UK and never experienced such
a filthy neighborhood pub.
The place smells from cigarettes and spilled beer.
I would not let my dog pee in there.

I love my neighborhood but Bonn Lair would be a reason to move to East Sac. «Uh…hi…My name is Kat…» This is when I would expect to hear a jovial «Hi Kat» from the bartender but not so much at Bonn Lair. I’ve only been a handful of times but it always seems like a tight knit group of conversationalists and beer aficionados.
Last night we sheepishly grabbed bar stools in an attempt to infiltrate the inner circle and get a smile from the Scottish bartender. My husband immediately became fixated on the hanging steins and set out to crack the code since there was a class war going on, steins vs. pint glasses.
It was a quiet night so here I am sipping my port and listening to him whisper, «okay…that’s an ale in a pint glass, got it». Me being the more outgoing one in our duo, I decided to dive right in and introduce myself to our stein sipping stool mate. We found out there’s really no pouring conspiracy. The custom steins belong to the abundance of regulars and I get it!
Bonn Lair is the perfect spot to grab a beer alone, with existing friends or to come and try and make new ones. It’s a true English pub and an oasis from so many of our crowded and bro invested watering holes. We only stopped in for one drink but we could have stayed all night. We left with a heartfelt «see you soon» from the bartender and a new ceramic related goal for my pint glass drinking husband.

Fish and chips are the bomb. Vanessa, the bartender, knows her shit. If you want to have an awesome European beer experience, this is the place!

I can’t do a review without writing stuff, so I’m writing stuff.

This has the best atmosphere of any British pub in town. There is a great local flavor; you can tell they are great soccer fans, and the beer selection is outrageous.
Parking is a problem. I once got the last parking spot in the lot in back, and got trapped in. I recommend parking on a side street.

Nice, cozy little place! Bartender, Brad, was super friendly. I will admit that this review is probably a little skewed because I was here during the middle of the day on a Monday because my wife had a meeting nearby. However, the place made a good enough impression that I will be back to check out the fish and chips, the Scottish egg, and maybe the «Irish» tacos. Nice neighborhood bar vibe!

Some friends and I went to Bonn Lair to check out their beer week specials. The place is has a cool vibe and some decent eats. Also, the beer specials were nice.
However, we ordered the fish and chips — the breading kept coming off and didn’t have much flavor. The fish also didn’t taste fresh. Ugh. The veggie pastie was pretty good though.
Our friends ordered the bangers and potato salad. The potato salad tasted like the kind you get at the grocery store, no bueno. The bangers had a super thick skin like they were fried. Our friends were not huge fans. Also, the service was super slow. I’m not sure why, since a lot of people were not ordering food.
Also, beware of the study nazis who decide they want to study at a bar. One interrupted our conversation and said we were being too loud and to tone it down. (Really?) If I were the bar, I would tell people not to use up a whole booth or table to study by themselves and not order anything.

I like this place. The End.
I spent some time in Ireland a few years ago and I missed the small pub feel, so Bonn Lair has patiently been sitting on my bookmarks list for a while now. What better time to try them out then visiting them for lunch.
The beer selection here is awesome. Some of the best in Sacramento if I dare say!
I was really hankering for some fish and chips after a recent talk thread discussing the subject, and also a late night of partying with Unilocalers!
I was a little disappointed because the fish was a bit unevenly cooked. I think, since they had just opened for the day, the fryer might not have been hot enough, or equally hot, as parts of one fish were a little chewy, while others were perfectly cooked. Unfortunately the batter was a little gummy in parts. I ended up removing most of the batter and picking around at the fish for the flaky parts, yum! The tarter sauce here is really good — much better then Streets’ tarter sauce.
The bartender was training a new server and was guiding her around as he worked. He genuinely seemed to care about her pouring technique and customer service skills. He was bragging about having the best guinness pour in town and I think he was right, he’s the best! Also, this is an Irish Pub, where else in town would you want to drink Guinness!
I will definitely be back to drink here. They LOVE soccer (football) games here!

Going to Bonn Lair is like going to a friend’s house. It’s warm, cozy and everyone knows each other. The bartenders treat you like you’ve been friends for ages, even if you haven’t been. The beer selection is always top notch. I love that they have Wee Heavy.
And excuse me, but IRISH TACOS? I want these daily. You throw some potatoes in a soft taco and every white girl of European descent is going to come busting down your door.

OK y’all said this place was small and cozy… LOL more like cracker box size but delightfully entertaining! My girlfriend was happily celebrating another birthday, and had a yearning for fish and chips, over to Bonn Lair she requested.
I arrived a little bit earlier than the others, grabbed a nice cool Crispin Cider and found a empty room nestled in the back. Sitting, drinking and Unilocaling, I was in my own world when some regulars came in from the back patio (which is so small no words can describe it!). Since I was not a familiar face and I was alone, they proceed to introduce themselves, sparked up a conversation and to my surprise offered to go get me some apricots from their house/​tree just up the street. I love bars like this, full of regular and very genuine folks.
My group arrived, we quickly began order buckets of beer which are $ 14 for 4 beers. We also ordered the Reuben sandwich with potato chips and Fish and Chips. We were all able to sit in the back room to converse and be mary. Food arrived: Fish and Chips were DA Bomb!!! Reuben had way too much sauerkraut and sadly I was unable to finish it.
The music.. . This Irish Pub was playing Motown’s greatest Hits! Yes I was in Heaven!!!
All in All we had a lot of fun, and after getting a lil bit to noisy for this small establishment we moved on to the next bar. And of course I had to say good bye to the folks I meet, including the wonderful Betty, who declares she is their every day that ends with a «Y».…and to come back and say hello! I sure will.