Reader Review: Arts & Entertainment

Sun., Nov. 15, 1998

The area’s hottest spot is Kelly’s, readers tell us. Not only is the Stateline country music watering hole the overall top nightclub, it won for best place to dance and received an honorable mention for place to meet people.

Another popular haunt is the Ram, voted the top sports bar, No. 3 pool place and honorable mention finisher in overall nightclub, dance spot and place to meet people.

NIGHTCLUB

1. Kelly’s Grand Ole Opry

Perched on the divide between Idaho and Spokane in Stateline, Kelly’s Grand Ole Opry is one of the truest country bars in the region. This club is open to those 18 and older and features swing dance lessons, live country bands and a rodeo arena out back.

2. Havana’s

3. Swackhammer’s

Honorable mention: The Ram, Bayou Brewing Company

PLACE TO DANCE

1. Kelly’s

2. Dempsey’s Brass Rail

3. tie: Havana’s, Eagles Lodge

Honorable mention: The Ram

SPORTS BAR

1. The Ram

2. Players & Spectators

3. Finnerty’s Red Lion Inn

Honorable mention: Pepperdine, Steve’s Sports Dugout

KARAOKE BAR

1. Peking North

2. Percy’s

3. Cathay Inn

Honorable mention: Dewey’s East, Kay Lon Gardens

PLACE TO MEET PEOPLE

1. Church

2. Riverfront Park

3. NorthTown Mall

Honorable mention: Kelly’s, The Ram

PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

1. Movie

2. Riverfront Park

3. Clinkerdagger

Honorable mention: Manito Park, C.I. Shenanigan’s

PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC EVENING

1. Clinkerdagger

2. Home

3. Patsy Clark’s Mansion

Honorable mention: Beverly’s, Ankeny’s

DIVE BAR

1. Viking

Beer lovers rejoice. This is the king of beer joints, a place that features 27 brews on tap, 95 bottled varieties and beer from 15 countries around the world. Oh, yeah, and this North Side spot has some pretty tasty pub food. Try their deli sandwich.

2. Mootsies

3. Top Hat

Honorable mention: Ichabod’s, Dave’s Bar & Grill

MOVIE THEATER

1. Spokane Valley 12

2. Newport Cinema

3. Garland

Honorable mention: Fox, Lyons

CASINO

1. Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo Casino

From all appearances, gaming is on a roll in the Inland Northwest. And gamblers have plenty of choices. But the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo Casino in Worley was our big winner.

2. Two Rivers

3. Mars

Honorable mention: Players & Spectators, Silver Lanes

ART GALLERY

1. Cheney Cowles Museum

The Cheney Cowles Museum in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition began life 40 years ago as a memorial to Maj. Cheney Cowles, killed in World War II. It was the fulfillment of a longtime dream of members of the Eastern Washington Historical Society for additional facilities to display historical and art treasures, and today attracts visitors from around the region to view its ever-changing exhibits. It also boasts a nationally ranked collection of Native American artifacts.

2. Douglas Gallery

3. Jundt Art Museum

Honorable mention: Chase Gallery, Lorinda Knight Gallery

BOWLING CENTEr

1. Lilac Lanes

2. Silver Lanes

3. Players & Spectators

Honorable mention: North Bowl, Colonial Bowl

PLACE TO PLAY POOL

1. McQ’s

2. Players & Spectators

3. The Ram

Honorable mention: Swackhammer’s, Giuseppe’s Bistro Billiards & Brew

PLACE NEWCOMERS HAVEN’T DISCOVERED

1. Bowl and Pitcher

2. The Elk

3. tie: Manito Park, Japanese Gardens, Wolf Lodge Inn

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