Impresses with Exceptional Cocktails and Live Events
Whisky Barrel Saloon is not only a fantastic community gathering spot, but the perfect place to get schooled in whisky. The establishment has been a bar for more than a century now and most recently, it has been Whisky Barrel Saloon for three years. “The Whisky Barrel Saloon became a reality because I wanted to create a bar with an environment of country and rock music… strictly country and rock! There was not going to be any outside elements like rap or R&B,” states Jerry Wolfe who grew up in Montana and instilled a rustic theme at his saloon and additionally in the Whisky Barrel Tavern in Stockton. “We have about 120 whiskies and we specialize in whisky cocktails; and we have whiskies from all over the world. Flavored whiskies are starting to pop up now, like maple, vanilla, cinnamon, blackberry and peach,” notes Wolfe. “We make the Bulleit rye old fashioned and huckleberry martinis which are also made with Bulleit Whiskey.” This “new school” approach to a vintage spirit has really taken off in popularity. But Whisky Barrel Saloon is much more than a bar and Wolfe is ready to school everyone on the finer points of the spirit. “The popularity of whisky, as a whole, all across the country, is on the rise. We consider ourselves experts at teaching people about all kinds of whisky. If somebody wants to do a flight of whisky, I’ll give them three half shots, which basically equates to a whisky tasting. I mean, I could talk whisky all day long,” muses Wolfe.
“If somebody comes in and they’ve never tried whisky, I’ll find something they like. I always tell people if they don’t like whiskey, they just haven’t had a drink at Whisky Barrel Saloon. We’ve never sent someone away without a whisky drink they don’t like.” Whisky Barrel Tavern has been open in Stockton since October ’13 and features a full-service restaurant. “We specialize in comfort foods,” states Wolfe. “We have the best steaks and pork chops in town.” Some of the entrees include a hearty steak sandwich, grilled ahi, blackened tilapia, chili and cornbread, a juicy house burger and bratwurst. Or, spring for something different with the bacon bouquet, which features regular, jalapeno and candied bacon, and pair it with a vanilla or pecan whisky for an unexpected flavor sensation. “We do live music at both Whisky Barrels every single weekend. The Whisky Barrel Saloon in Lodi has a country band every Friday night and the Whisky Barrel Tavern has a live band every Saturday night… sometimes it is rock and sometimes it is country. We are the best venue for live music in Stockton and we’re the best venue for live music in Lodi. There’s not even a close second,” Wolfe remarks. “The bands that we bring in, especially for no cover charge are fantastic. In the next few months I’ve booked a bunch of tribute bands at both locations. We’ll have tribute bands for Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Rush, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash and Cream.” With country music still soaring in popularity, both locations also feature country bands.
“We do a happy hour all week at the saloon-Monday through Thursday, all night long and at the Tavern 3:00-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We have a $5 appetizer menu, $1 off all beers and drinks and we have $1 Coors banquets on Sundays.” The Tavern location is now catering heavily to the football crowd this season. Whisky Barrel Tavern will be open at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning with breakfast being served all day long and two, 120” TV’s to show all the action,” finishes Wolfe. The saloon is closed Sundays. “The Whisky Barrel Saloon in Lodi has been a bar for 102 years. It’s old and very awesome and a very rustic building. It’s never been anything but a bar,” says Wolfe of the Lodi hotspot. Wolfe was partners in the last bar in the Lodi location when it was Last Call. He has now claimed his own concept and is looking forward to propelling the Whisky Barrel Saloon and Whisky Barrel Tavern well into their next 100 years.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Whisky Barrel Saloon
114 N. Sacramento St., Lodi
Whisky Barrel Tavern
151 W. Alder St.
Stockton, (209) 938-9192
whiskybarrelsaloon.com