Lounge ON20

by Joan H.

Thursday night was official like a referee whistle.  After weeks of presentations, projects, quizzes and exams,.. we were all done and celebrating was more than called for.  It was still early when we headed out so we stopped at Lounge ON20 to have a drink and catch up before becoming ridiculously incoherent.  We walked in and settled onto our couches before being greeted by the waitstaff.  The scene is definitely upscale with mainly well-dressed early to late 30's locals.   The beverage menu is organized by types and regions.  "Speakeasy" grabbed my attention because how would a list of six different Absinthes not get your attention?  Haha, you know me ;)  Other standouts include the seasonal in house-made Spiked Apple Cider and the Allagash, a Belgian White brew.  I also noticed the food menu which offered New American selections by taste, plate or platter depending on how hungry you are. Both the Fried Mac 'N Cheese and Pesto Hanger Steak sounded delicious.  The volume of the music was just right so you could hold a conversation with someone next to you without screaming, "Huh? Whaaaaat?!".  Haha and service was great, we were checked on more than a handful of times during the hour we were there.  5 Stars for Lounge ON20 because I can't remember anything to complain about.  Hrm, so maybe that's why they offer so much Absinthe![ Thanks to Derryl A. for picking up our tab! :) You's the best.. ]

by Faith C.

It's gorgeous inside, but I'm not blown away, to be honest.  I've been to Lounge on 20 twice now, and each time I leave expecting more.  My main beef - it's overpriced.  I'm getting tired of seeing Sacramento try and be hip by placing more bars around town that charge ridiculous prices for food and drink so that people can feel classy.  Three small risotto balls for $12 borders on insanity, regardless of whether they have a drop of white truffle oil in them.  And especially if they're dry and bland.Now, the drinks are pretty amazing.  I had some strawberry bourbon mixture last night that was not to sweet and the perfect amount of bourbon (aka, a lot).  And the drinks are sizeable, which makes me happy.  My friends were very happy with their gin and tonics and old-fashioned.The vegetable risotto, I must admit, was amazing.  The grilled asparagus was perfectly cooked and complimented with lemon.  Again, though, the prices are a tad out of control, but as long as Sacramentans fork over the money, I'm sure that won't change.Service was outstanding.  Our waitress was generally fast and offered to recommend drinks for us (as she did with the bourbon cocktail, way to rock it).

by John K.

Too cool for Sacramento? The staff thinks so. . .. . ."oh those seats are reserved" (place half empty, I could move when they arrive?). . . "order your drinks at the bar"... (the bar is too full, so we sit at the high tables). . ."oh you have to order your drinks from the servers here, you cannot get your drinks from the bar and bring them here". . . HUH? Any other rules to keep me from having a good time? You have got to be kidding me! Only positive is that it is a great location, cool decor and a good selection of wines and champagne. Maybe after it gets a little more "worked-in" they will loosen up. In this economy, me thinks they should try a little harder to please the customer.

by Nisa N.

Yes, this place is kinda expensive, but it's also one of the nicest places in Sac, so what do you expect?  I've been twice now, once on a Friday night last summer and the other day for happy hour.  Their happy hour menu/specials are fantastic!  They have progressively priced food specials from 3-6PM, ranging from $3-$6, $5 wines, champagne and cocktails, and I believe it was $4 for beer.   After being seated on the patio we waited a few minutes before the server greeted us, but she was very pleasant and accommodating otherwise.

by Diana D.Debbie P.Rebecca C.Myra M.Jared S.

Happy Hour made me real happy.The food -all under $5! - was so satisfyingly tasty, piping hot, and definitely hit the spot.  The martinis du jour were pretty good as well.Fried macaroni cheese-- Definitely did NOT disappoint! They were served with some delicious sauce I can't even remember.Bacon-wrapped dates-- Any establishment that goes wrong with serving bacon-wrapped anything should be immediately burned to the ground.  This item was particularly delicious.Risotto-- Basically just like the fried macaroni cheese except the balls were filled with risotto.  Served with marinara sauce, It wasn't anything special.Their cucumber water is also ridiculously refreshing.  I love water.Happy Hour done right.OK so first I don't get why they put such a loungey douchey place in the gayborhood.. this place would probably be busy all the time if it was a gay lounge.. I would probably like it more!I'm not a big fan of douche bag guys or girls who have to wear dresses and stilletos if they go out so I like to stay away from this place.I went once to meet a friend there and I was only in there for about 5 minutes till we decided it was time to leave fast, the atmosphere is filled with stuck up asses. I'm not about to pay a lot for weak drinks when I can walk over to the merc and get about 5 shots in my double vodka cran for 5 dollars and be more laid back.So no thanks. This place is a fail and if you go there enjoy it I probably don't want to know you..... BUT I do want to try their squid ink pasta.. maybe on a weekday when its completely empty.I like Lounge on 20. It's my first stop for 2nd Saturday because the outside desk is a great perch to sit and watch the goings-on. Someone else commented on the "reserved signs." I don't really understand the purpose of these because when we rolled up they seated us at a table with one of these signs.  I suspect they're there merely to allow the host/hostess to seat people at their discretion.Anyway our server was attentive, the food was good, and the drinks were good.  I don't really drink anything fancy but I tasted my friends' drinks which were all very generously poured.  My dirty martini was good, but I wish they had blue-cheese stuffed olives.  I haven't tried their progressive happy hour yet, but I will one of these days and return to review it!Definitely a memorable night.  We stumbled over here in our stilletos after leaving an extremely low key wine bar.  I immediately noticed most women in this place were in cocktail attire... much more dressed up than I would have expected from a lounge located in Sac-town.  But then I soon found out why. There was some kind of charity auction event going on. My friend informed me that the good looking guy that was on the stage being auctioned to the women in the audience was on recent episodes of the reality show "Bachelor". We both found it entertaining to watch these women bid on him; and at some point even stopped his shirt off him. He barely protested; I guess he should be proud to show off his hot body.I liked the trendy white decor of this place with the open patio area. Definitely a fun night.Grabbing a table on the deck as Second Saturday begins? Sipping on wine and grilled asparagus? All good. Not knowing if we had a server for 10 minutes? Almost all tables having "Reserved" signs on them when no one was in the place? Kinda weird.

by Erin A.

Things I like about this place:All their champagnes/sparklingsThe cocktailsThe crazy fire in the glass box thing.... no but seriously, I wish they had more champagne by the glass. Having it in a split is just not as good (no really, it's not... when champagne is in a small bottle it usually means it was not made in the traditional method which means the second fermentation was in the bottle, in small bottles its usually done in a big vat together and then split into little bottles after). Still, they have a better selection than the other wine places for my fave drink!The cocktails are great! I had one called the Jalisco Princess (brace yourself)... Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit, Tequila Blanco, and Domaine Carneros Brut Champagne. Sounds DISGUSTING, but tastes awesome, who would have thought?!?!?! I am gonna make it at home some time. I also got the feminine mystique, and it was a bit too sweet, but still a fun drink.The decor is ultra modern, which really isn't my thing. I always feel not dressed up enough when I am there, especially if there are feral girls running around in their underwear disguised as a dress. But it is kinda fun if you want to pretend you are in LA or Miami for a while, and then feel grateful you don't live in LA or Miami.  It is a nice big space though, and I like that, big couches and chairs. It is great for people watching.The food was ok, but not cheap. Really, for me the only point going there is for some nice bubbly or a crazy cocktail. I just have to remember to dress up a bit more next time.

by nick m.

I never drink bourbon. I got an e-mail early today that said Todd Smith, a mixologist from Beretta and owner of Bourbon and Branch in S.F., would be at Lounge on 20 tonight. I called the PR dude and told him I was doing a story on the resurgence of bourbon, so he said to stop by around 7 to chat.I literally work across the street from L20, so the ambiance and feel was by no means unexpected--this is new-look Midtown. I was, however, taken a back by a few things: was there music playing (so pleasantly background)? Was I waited on (indeed I was, but it was seamless and unobtrusive)? Chic was never so casual, especially in Sacramento, where seemingly  _everything_ upscale is an occasion.This was like "neighborhood chic"--but a far cry from Applebee's.Does that make any sense? Probably not. Go easy on me: I did just sample bourbon drinks for a couple hours.And speaking of which, bourbon is back. The first drink was a pear/bourbon cocktail with hints of lemon and cinnamon served chilled in a cocktail glass. Neat, smooth, refreshing--those days of pounding whisky sours are over, kids. After that, I sampled Willett bourbon, which is made in Kentucky in the heart of bourbon country. Again: neat, smooth. I expected a certain bite--that sourpuss face everyone makes after shots--but there was no bitterness. I'm converted.Here's the best surprise of all: The clientele's friendly as all hell! Sat there for two hours sipping bourbon shots and drinks and chatting up all sorts of people. None of that West L.A. Wall 'tude or anything; L20 reaffirms Sacramento can have an upscale trendy bar but preserve the good-times vibe of a neighborhood dive like The Golden Bear. Props.

by Debbie P.

OK so first I don't get why they put such a loungey douchey place in the gayborhood.. this place would probably be busy all the time if it was a gay lounge.. I would probably like it more!I'm not a big fan of douche bag guys or girls who have to wear dresses and stilletos if they go out so I like to stay away from this place.I went once to meet a friend there and I was only in there for about 5 minutes till we decided it was time to leave fast, the atmosphere is filled with stuck up asses. I'm not about to pay a lot for weak drinks when I can walk over to the merc and get about 5 shots in my double vodka cran for 5 dollars and be more laid back.So no thanks. This place is a fail and if you go there enjoy it I probably don't want to know you..... BUT I do want to try their squid ink pasta.. maybe on a weekday when its completely empty.

by Jill M.

Stopped for lunch on a whim and wasn't disappointed.  Reasonably priced and very ample, tasty portions.  Lunch for two with two beers was $34 including tip and tax.  I ordered the prosciutto panini with mixed baby green salad ($8).  Panini was cooked to perfection and featured prosciutto, smoked cheddar, slices of honeydew melon.  Salad included pear and cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and pickled Asian pear slivers.My lunch date ordered the duck panini with fries ($8).  His was cooked a bit too much (some burnt parts to bread, but he had no complaints), but it featured thinly sliced duck breast, caramelized onions and cheese (sorry, don't recall).  He liked the fries, although I thought they were a bit chewy.Sitting on the patio was lovely, and the server was attentive and friendly when needed.Cool, casual, comfortable atmosphere outside for lunch.  Didn't spend any time indoors, but it looked equally cool and comfy.Will definitely go back!

by Jared S.

Grabbing a table on the deck as Second Saturday begins? Sipping on wine and grilled asparagus? All good. Not knowing if we had a server for 10 minutes? Almost all tables having "Reserved" signs on them when no one was in the place? Kinda weird.