Sidewinders Bar

“LAME? SAD? SICK? ALL OF THE ABOVE?”

Sidewinders is gone now. After pandemic restrictions were lifted, the last owners started a bar called S4200 at 4200 Central Ave. SE. At first it was a nice little cafe where you could get alcohol with food. Later they added the Black Cat Cabaret for drag shows. Then they allowed ordering alcohol without food. Then they put up a poster for The Eagle and claimed to have a leather bar, even though they only have the one main bar and occasionally host performances for the young alternative crowd. If you're in your 20s or 30s and enjoy extremely loud music, you might like S4200. If you think inclusivity is a form of social authoritarianism, give me a call and we can grab a drink at a biker bar together.

A visitor · Over a year ago

I was a regular for years, but after the move to the new location, service and attitude got worse. The owners don't know how to serve the community or run a bar/restaurant. The waitstaff can be inattentive, incompetent, or rude. The food, which they had to serve during the pandemic, is overpriced and completely wrong for bar food. There's no focus on the business or upkeep, and employee training and monitoring are neglected. Several unpaid staff are often high or drunk (they work as independent contractors for tips only). I'll definitely go somewhere else. They don't value their customers, even loyal ones, and treat them as a funding source. Until attitudes change or new owners take over, they'll fail and disappoint the community they claim to serve.

A guest · Over a year ago

“pathetic!!!!!!!”

I spent $15 on a ride-share to get to this bar, arriving at 11:25 PM. There were five or six cars outside. As I walked up, someone inside was attempting to belt out a Whitney Houston song (or maybe a couple of cats were fighting), and the doors were locked! I circled the building trying to find another entrance, then called. The person who answered was extremely rude and said they were closed. Nobody was there. Meanwhile, a pathetic karaoke contest was still going on inside! It's listed as open until 2 AM Monday through Saturday! Don't waste your time or money here. They can't even stay open during their posted hours, which is ridiculous. Plus, it's in a dangerous area.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“Something for everyone.”

A great spot to meet new people and have fun. Drag shows, pool tournaments, dance nights, hot go-go dancers, and themed nights are common. I love this place.

A local visitor · Over a year ago

This place sometimes has drag shows on Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights. Otherwise, the crowd is pretty thin. The atmosphere is lacking, and it's cold inside during winter. If you're white, you might want to avoid the male bartenders, who seem to serve drinks with no alcohol at all. Try the female bartenders instead. Cheers :)

A visitor · Over a year ago