Shortlisted: Ten Best Bars In Bentonville (AR) That Locals Love!
As one of the largest cities in Arkansas, Bentonville has many things to do. And while during the day the activities consist of museum tours and strolls through the city, at night the itinerary is ruled by bars and a fun nightlife scene!
Bentonville’s bar scene is incredibly varied—from dog-friendly beer bars to wine bars with an outdoor garden as well as speakeasy-style pubs with live jazz shows, this city is great fun when the sunsets.
To help you out if it’s your first visit here, we’ve put together a list of the best pubs, bars, and taverns in town. So you can find out more about what makes each worth visiting, where the best happy hours are and more.
Let’s get started!
CONTENTS:
- The Three Best Cocktail Bars
- The Two Best Bars For Food
- The Two Best Bars For Live Music
- The Two Best Bars for Beer
- The Best Wine Bar
The Three Best Cocktail Bars In Bentonville
1. Night Owl Tavern
Friendly bar that offers excellent cocktails, some beer and wine options, and an array of whisky choices.
The apartment complex The Briq on 4th Street holds the Night Owl Tavern, one of the most popular cocktail bars in Bentonville.
Although you may think it is a beer bar because of its name, Night Owl Tavern‘s brew selection is not its main attraction.
Instead, the list of fun cocktail recipes that the bartenders here execute with deep mixology knowledge wows customers every time. Those beverages include vodka, gin, rum, and mezcal, in addition to interesting fruity flavors and infused spirits.
If you are a whisky drinker, Night Owl Tavern is your place too. You can see the extensive selection of bottles behind the bar and order an Old Fashioned made with a whisky of your choice — they have over 20 options from all over the world and of all kinds of flavors. So whether you prefer Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, Canadian, or Irish, we can assure you that you will find a whisky of your liking.
Simply put the Night Owl Tavern is the perfect place to have a quality drink and enjoy a laid-back, friendly vibe. However they don’t have a kitchen, meaning there is no food menu.
Night Owl Tavern is closed Saturday through Tuesday but opens from 7 pm to 1 am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Address: 401 SW A St #120, Bentonville, AR 72712
2. Tower Bar
Business casual bar that offers scenic views of Bentonville, innovative cocktails, snacks, and happy hour deals.
This bar operates on the sixth floor of The Momentary auditorium!
The interiors are elegant and sleek featuring armchairs, stools, and a round sofa — perfect for group gatherings — as seating options. The soft ambient lamps and blue lights create a calm but luxurious atmosphere, while the all-glass walls provide stunning views of the city.
The ambiance screams cocktail bar, and the brief but unique signature cocktail list backs that statement. Coffee, syrups, cream, liquors, and tea, are the unconventional ingredients that result in classy, tasty, well-adorned, and often colorful beverages.
Tower Bar also offers mocktails, a few craft or premium beers, and wine — red, white, rosé, and sparkling by the glass.
This bar does not offer main course dishes to pair with your fun cocktails, but it does have snack options, such as charcuterie plates and hummus bowls.
Those are not included in the happy hour specials, but beer, wine, and classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Daiquiri, Caipirinha, and Martini (among others) are. You can enjoy these deals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm.
You can enjoy the views and the drinks from 5 pm to 10 pm Tuesday through Thursday and from 5 pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays and Mondays, this bar is closed.
Address: 507 SE E St, Bentonville, AR 72712
3. Scotch & Soda
Award-winning whisky bar with endless drinking options, an innovative cocktail menu, excellent food, and an intimate atmosphere.
This bar truly has it all! First of all, it has beautiful interiors. The bar is striking — the floor-to-ceiling liquor wall makes it the most eye-catching sector. The rest of the venue feels intimate, with small, candle-lit tables perfect for two. However, if you feel like socializing, you can always sit at the bar where there are plenty of stools.
Secondly, the food is always good. The menu features snacks, soups, entrees, charcuterie boards, and family-size dishes to share. Although it is a bar, the meals are far from being just bar food. They are more on the gourmet side, both recipe and presentation-wise, so you can expect a quality dinner from 5 pm to 10 pm if visiting.
Scotch & Soda’s third and most outstanding quality is its top-tier drinks. It is no surprise that this bar has been named one of the 40 Best Whisky Bars in the U.S. by Whiskey Advocate — the spirits list is never-ending and contains uncountable excellent items.
The options seem infinite, but don’t worry if you struggle to choose! The bartenders will assess you wisely while they craft delicious cocktails for you. The Old Fashioned is of course a favorite classic at this bar, but there are a far more elaborate recipes that customers love because of the creative flavor combinations and classy presentations.
On Mondays, Scotch & Soda operates in two shifts, the first from midnight to noon and the second from 4 pm to midnight. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, it is open from 4 pm to midnight, while on Fridays and Saturdays, closing hour extends up to 1 am.
Address: 121 W Central Ave, Bentonville, AR 72712
The Two Best Bars In Bentonville For Food
1. Pedaler’s Pub
Patio bar that serves wood-fired pizzas and quality bar food, has an extensive local draft beer selection, and is pet-friendly.
Soccer jerseys, hanging bikes, and guitars make up this bar‘s interiors. Despite the eclectic decorations, the venue is neat and harmonious, with well-distributed seating options — numerous stools along the bar and many tables.
Pedaler’s Pub also offers an ample outdoor patio where you can sit with your dog and stay warm in winter since it is heated and covered by a tent.
The kitchen has an open layout, and you can see the enormous brick oven where the chefs cook their famous wood-fired pizzas. They come in over ten different varieties and have the perfect crust and the typical chewy but crispy texture. Make sure to try the fungi pizza — it is one of Pedaler’s Pub’s most popular toppings!
However, the food menu does not end there. It also features loaded fries, sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, vegan options, and pies that you build to your liking. You can choose up to three bases and toppings and combine them however you want!
Regarding the drinks, the beer stands out in Pedaler’s Pub, with a great selection of ice-cold local drafts and canned or bottled craft beer, including lagers and IPAs. The cocktail list is extensive, too — most are classic recipes with a slight twist, like the Jalapeño Margarita and the Pedaler’s Bloody Mary.
Pedaler’s Pub’s happy hour deals include cocktails, draft wine, and beer. The beers included in the offers vary according to the day: on Tuesdays and Fridays, you can have golden beer for $3, whereas on Wednesdays, it is amber, and on Thursdays, APA.
Hours of operation are from 11 am to 11 pm every day, so you have plenty of opportunities to visit Pedaler’s Pub during the week.
Address: 410 SW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
2. The First Seat Pub & Grill
Pleasant pub that offers homemade pub food, first-rate burgers, several drinks options, and a welcoming atmosphere.
If you are looking for pub-style food, The First Seat is your place. Their menu is extensive and has many options for you to choose from, but the burgers are an absolute favorite among customers.
Made out of 1/3 pound beef patties, they are generous in size and served with homemade sauces and potato flats. There are seven beef burger variations along with five crispy chicken patty and pulled pork alternatives.
There are lighter dishes in the Pub Starters and Pub Craves section, such as cheese curds, pork rinds, and fish and chips. And if you keep reading the menu, you will also find salads, soups, sandwiches, and chicken wings.
The drinks options are surprisingly numerous too. You can pair your meal with a cocktail, bottled or canned beer, a limited-release seasonal brew, a glass or a bottle of wine, or one of the varied spirits on display behind the bar.
When you get there, you will see that sports are playing on the TVs, but don’t be discouraged if you are not a fan of sports bars! The atmosphere is calm and friendly—you will have a good time and an even better dinner!
You can enjoy The First Seat from 11 am to 11 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 11 am to 1 am on Thursdays and Fridays, from 8 am to 11 pm on Saturdays, and from 9:30 am to 10 pm on Sundays.
Adress: 106 SW 2nd St, Bentonville, AR 72712
The Two Best Bars In Bentonville For Live Music
1. Undercroft
Elegant bar that offers live music shows three nights a week, a signature cocktails list, and a spectacular ambiance.
The dark, speakeasy-style interiors add so much to Undercroft‘s appeal. It consists of all-black furniture, intimate booths, elegant bottle displays, and dim lighting. However, whenever there is a special occasion such as Christmas or Halloween, the staff puts all their efforts into completely transforming the bar with beautiful theme decorations.
The ambiance plays a big part in Undercroft, and so does the entertainment. Tuesdays are for jazz, with soulful shows that start at 7 pm and end at 9 pm, whereas on Thursdays, The Irie Trio delight spectators with reggae rock melodies from 8 pm to 10 pm. Finally, if you enjoy one-man-band shows, visit Undercroft on Wednesday nights, when Randall Shreve plays from 7 pm to 9 pm.
The performances are phenomenal, and the gastronomy will not disappoint either. The beer selection is small, with a few brews on tap and some cans, but the wine and the cocktails make up for it. The signature cocktails are fun and have unique twists, such as the pistachio-washed bourbon in the Pistachio Old Fashioned, but you can also stick to your usual choices with the classic cocktails.
If you are feeling hungry, you can order snacks and appetizers from The Preacher’s Son upstairs, as Undercroft does not have a kitchen of its own.
Hours of operation are from 5 pm to 11 pm Monday through Thursday and from 5 pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, it remains closed.
Address: 201 NW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
2. Bentonville Dive
Charming dive bar that offers live music shows and other forms of entertainment, a full bar, and an ample outdoor sitting area.
This bar is the only dive bar in the area, and although the hole-in-the-wall experience is not everyone’s cup of tea, it is known for being one of the best bars in Bentonville, AR.
The venue consists of a small cottage with the typical dive bar decorations and a large patio perfect for the warmer months — the cold is not a problem in winter though, as it has heaters. You can sit at one of the outdoor tables or at the bar inside while watching the match on TV and enjoying a cold beer or a drink.
The drinks menu is unpretentious, so don’t expect the newest brew or signature cocktails. However, Bentonville Dive has a full bar and the bartenders are happy to mix up your favorite classic.
The entertainment in this bar is unmatched, as they have trivia nights, karaoke sessions, and, the best part, live music shows on Fridays and Saturdays. The musicians that play at Bentonville Dive are small, mostly local artists that get the opportunity to showcase their talent, but their performances always get excellent reviews. They are definitely worth the visit!
This bar opens at 4 pm and closes at 11 pm Monday through Thursday. Hours of operation on Fridays are from 4 pm to 1 am, Saturdays from noon to 1 am, and Sundays from noon to 10 pm.
Address: 115 NW 2nd St, Bentonville, AR 72712
The Two Best Bars In Bentonville for Beer
1. Rope Hounds
Taproom with an ample dog-friendly outdoor patio, over ten unique beers on tap, and many products and treats for pets.
Rope Hounds is a taproom with a spacious bar area where the furniture is hand-forged, which gives it a rustic and cozy vibe.
This bar has sixteen beers on tap — coffee beer, sweet cream stouts, German Kolsch, and your classic IPAs and lagers are only a few examples that show the variety and creativity of this bar’s beer selection!
Bentonville doesn’t have many beer bars offering rare brews, so Rope Hounds is one-of-a-kind in that regard.
This place is not only perfect for ale gurus but also for dog lovers and owners – this is easily one of the most dog-friendly bars in Bentonville!
In fact before entering the bar, you will even see the Rope Hounds dog gear store selling top-grade leashes, collars, and accessories. If the color you want isn’t pre-made, they will even make a collar for you right there and then!
What’s more, Rope Hounds also has a safe, dog-friendly outdoor seating area where you and your pup can enjoy your cold beers — they even sell beer for dogs, too! — surrounded by beautiful decorations and food trucks where you can order tasty street food.
This bar is closed Monday through Thursday but opens from 3 pm to 10 pm Friday through Sunday.
Address: 407 SW A St, Bentonville, AR 72712
2. Barley & Vine
Dog-friendly taproom with over twenty-five beers on tap, over ten bottled beer options, and serves pizza.
Barley & Vine is another dog-friendly taproom, but this time with over twenty-five beers on tap, in addition to numerous bottled beers and wine options.
Many brews available are local from Bentonville, but a large number of them are from other cities, like the IPA #3 from Fayetteville, and even from other states, such as the Miller Lite from Wisconsin, the Reasonably Corrupt Lager from Los Angeles, and the Three Blind Mice from Missouri.
They also have international beers, such as the Irish Guinness Stout. You can even order flights of beer and combine them however you want to try flavors from around the country and globe. All in all, when it comes to beer this is easily one of the best bars In Bentonville, AR!
Their food menu is not as extensive as other bars in Bentonville, but customers love Barley & Vine’s pizza, which takes only a few minutes to cook, so you don’t have to wait too long.
Hours of operation are from 3 pm to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 3 pm to midnight on Fridays, and 1 pm to midnight on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
Address: 113 W Central Ave suite 103, Bentonville, AR 72712
The Best Wine Bar In Bentonville
1. Ramo d’Olivo
Wine bar that offers more than 50 wine varieties, wine tastings, homemade food, an outdoor garden, and happy hour specials.
Wine bars don’t abound in Bentonville or anywhere close by, so when you find one as good as Ramo d’Olivo, it is almost an obligation to spread the word.
This bar offers over fifty wines in all their varieties by glass or bottle. And you can sit at one of the indoor tables on the comfy armchairs or in the outdoor garden and do a wine tasting.
We highly recommend ordering a cheese or charcuterie board to pair with your glass. These plates are Ramo d’Olivo’s specialty— they are generously sized, include different kinds of cheese, meat, and olives and are perfect for group tastings.
If you want to have a proper dinner, this bar also hosts Spaghetti Night every Monday. The pasta is made with their homemade sauce and Italian meatballs, which go perfectly with any wine variety.
Ramo d’Olivo offers happy hour specials too: from 4 pm to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, there are discounts on draft and house wine. You can also order buckets of Michelob Ultra beer with a 5-for-$15 deal. On Wednesdays, there are also offers on wine by the glass in the same schedule.
Hours of operation are from 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday and 11 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 217 S Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712
