Discover Walla Walla

Just as recently as 3 years ago, the chance to experience entertainment in Walla Walla after 7 pm was slim and none with none more often than the slim. Now, one can walk the streets of downtown on Thursday through Saturday nights and have several places to patronize.

This is a prime reflection of the stark change in Walla Walla. Let me give you an example. On a Saturday night, just a couple of weeks after I had moved to Walla Walla in March of 2003, I went to a local pub and restaurant for some food, drink and a little action at 8:30 pm. When I asked for a menu, the bartender told me they had closed the kitchen at 8. I thought that was a bit early but cheerfully asked him where I could get some food at this hour?

He chuckled and said, "The only place serving food after 8 in Walla Walla is Shari's." You know Shari's, a distant cousin to Denny's that specializes in "down home" pies. Any entertainment? Yeah, a broken down barn called "Barnaby's" that was the home of 21-year-olds experimenting with hard liquor for the first time, and a DJ who was obsessed with rap. I became depressed.

In just 7 short years, that scenario is a distant memory. Not only do most restaurants stay open much later but there is a bevy of music and eats coming from a wide-range of establishments. Vintage Cellars used to be solely a wine and beer bar; now it serves food and live music with its beverages. With its patio and inviting upstairs, it makes for a nice evening destination.

Sapolil Cellars started featuring live music about two years ago. Now, it is the tasting room's staple. Live music can be heard often on both Friday and Saturday nights, the seating area has been expanded, the upstairs balcony is now open, and the bar menu has stretched from solely wines, to beers and other libations, and a kitchen in the back hustles out food to the customers. The tasting room is open every day and the bar-like atmosphere draws folks in for late afternoon cocktails.

The Red Monkey Restaurant and Lounge, a smaller version of a Las Vegas sports bar/nightclub, often provides live music late week, an energetic sports bar atmosphere throughout the day, and a hip dance club after 9:30 Thursday through Saturday.

Head south down Hwy 11 for ten minutes and you'll find the Blue Mountain Cider Company with its gorgeous patio, serving up live music with tasty entrees and wine  every Friday night.

The Marcus Whitman Hotel is now putting on live music on a frequent basis with the Portland Cello Project performing July 23rd. The Backstage Bistro - the first establishment to offer musical entertainment on the weekends - continues its weekend performances twice a month, and the Downtown Foundation is providing evening concerts on the weekends this summer.

Open mic nights are flourishing. Vintage Cellars, The Red Monkey, Sapolil Cellars and Walla Walla Village Winery are the most popular, with Walla Walla Village ranking high. The cozy tasting room with authentic rock ‘n' roll album art and concert posters seems to draw the most interest. On a Thursday night, one can find the place packed with some nice sounds emanating from the building.

Forgive me, if I have missed someone. The point is, not only can you listen to music while enjoying wine or some other beverage, but many of these establishments have now geared themselves to provide food and a better listening environment. Shari's is still serving great pies, but no music and Gallo wine, at best.