Checkerboard Bar

Props for maintaining the longest held liquor license in the state of Washington. Super friendly staff and a must-​visit bar for locals in Spokane. Lots of burgers on the menu but also nachos, fries etc. Ended up getting shots of «Peach Pie Hole» and I am not regretting it. Nachos were good– seemed to be using real bonefide cheese and lots of onions (go onions!)

If only I could give negative stars, this place is awful.
The waitress whom is apparently the owners wife tells you one price and then overcharges you if you run a tab, and the service is so slow, must have been their 20 minutes before I was waited on!
Never going to hookerville again!

A historic bar started when prohibition was still a thing the first counter is orginal. Nice watresses and the owner is a good family guy. They have complimentary chess pieces and other than band nights its a calm atmosphere with friendly regulars and the ghost of the old owner makes occasional appearances ask the watresses that have been there a while for ghost stories. :D

Gave this place a 2^nd chance, big mistake,…this time there was hair in my food!
Avoid this dive!

Upcoming neighborhood bar with good nachos and a burgeoning music venue. Yes, it’s East Sprague. It’s a city… we have hookers. It’s not the Peacock room but if you’re looking for a local scene this qualifies.

Love this place! Found it on a whim, and have returned frequently since, and we don’t normally care for many of Spokane’s bars. There is frequently live music, drinks are stout and reasonably priced, service always friendly and sassy in a good way, but I have to say one of my other favorite parts about this place is the back outside area. It is really like someones big fun yard. There is a nice gazebo to sit under, and on most of the summer nights I have been there they have a little bonfire surrounded by benches. It really is welcoming and you feel like you are at home all most. Have yet to try any food, but will definitely be back soon!

Tonight was my first time at The Checkerboard and I have to say I had a blast! Tonight it was a metal show which was really a good time for metal heads like us. This was the first bar since we moved to Spokane we have been too and its hands down the friendliest bar I’ve ever been too. service was good and prices were reasonable. We had this brat that was killer, its still giving me grief! Its from the meat market down the road. Which I love that they’re using other local businesses. They also have local Spokane beer from again I believe very close by on sprague. (I could be wrong thats just what I was told by someone at drinking at the bar. The beer was called Train Top or something of the such, I didnt have it.) The bartender was an older hip woman who was down for anything. Smiled and joked and was okay with mixing drinks she didnt you know and we told her. I wasnt sure if she owned the place or just worked there. Anyways I would highly recommend Checkerboard bar if you just want a nice relaxing friendly bar. I sure plan on going again sometime soon. :)
OMG I had to come back and redo my review because I had to rave about the nachos. Its a must have. Must bar nachos ever. It might have been because I was tipsy but sooo good. My bf still talks about them like there a legend.

Great drinks and great people!
Always a fun time, LOVE the gazebo!

This is a great neighborhood bar. The atmosphere is perfect! The service is awesome. I hang out there whenever I have the chance. They always have new beers to try, and they just got their liquor license and their bar is ever growing. If you are looking for the «Cheers» experience this is the place to be!

This place was recently taken over by a guy named Ian. Not being from
Spokane we only set foot in here because of the cool old school sign out front and we had just finished eating at Vien Dong, also for the first time.
Today was the second time we have stopped here. Ian and friends are really cleaning the place up and it is looking good.
They have a couple of Manny’s beers and also quite a few of the Budge Brothers stuff from in town. Those are pretty decent. Don’t freak out if you walk in and don’t see them on the actual taps up front, they are in the back.
They do have a limited supply of hard alcohol so if that is what you want you’ll have to fend for yourself there.
I see the girl below mentioned food but I don’t think they serve any at this time.
Overall I think this is a nice little local bar to have a beer in and bullshit.

This is one of the best local taverns I’ve found. It’s small, with an excellent, but small food list that includes vegan and vegetarian bar food options (YAY), a small but delicious rotating tap list that focuses on affordable and local beers, always having at least 1 local beer on tap. The owners run the joint and are extremely friendly. Free Wi-​Fi from the joint next door doesn’t hurt either.
Definitely check it out. No hard alcohol license might mean that some people are disappointed, but I’m just happy that there aren’t crowds of newly-​21-​year-​olds doing shots and spilling on my (free on Wednesdays!) peanuts.