City of Napa

7. Hop Creek Pub

   Hop Creek is a true locals’ pub – it’s friendly, cozy, and casual. With craft beers on tap and wines by the glass or bottle, you can enjoy a hearty meal. Crave-worthy pub fare includes pickle fries and wings (with house-made beer BBQ sauce) and plenty of burgers (go for the Black ‘n’ Bleu - a cajun-spiced beef patty with applewood smoked bacon and bleu cheese). When the weather’s nice, enjoy the large outdoor creekside patio. Man’s best friend can come, too – they’re very dog-friendly.

8. The Garage at Action by Tannery Bend Beerworks

   “The Garage” at Action Ave. is the heart and soul of Tannery Bend Beerworks (it’s where the beer is made). This newly designed project with Napa Palisades Saloon is a bustling beer production facility that’s open to the public, too. Walk on up to its big roll-up doors – they’re a can’t miss – for fresh draft (try the Yajome IPA or Coombs Saison) Thursday to Sunday. Kick back with a brew in the relaxed atmosphere of the Napa Rail Arts District, or pick up your favorite beer to-go.

9. St. Clair Brown Winery & Brewery

   Summer is the best time to visit St. Clair, when you can sit in the gardens and enjoy a sample of beer from the on-site nano-brewery. The two-barrel, all-grain system brews 60 gallons of beer per batch, and Brewmaster Elaine St. Clair’s program currently includes 14 different beers (though only three are available on tap at any time). Every winter St. Clair also offers Beer Boot Camp, which gives guests a chance to make beer themselves.

10. Armistice Brewing Co.

    Come for the IPA, stay for the trivia (free to play, Wednesdays). Armistice’s Napa taproom is a popular Clinton Street hangout set for a crowd. Full slide-out windows keep guests refreshed on sun-blazing days and jam-packed nights. Relaxed fun is second nature for this sibling-owned and operated brewery with two locations (Downtown Napa and Richmond, CA.) You’ll want armfuls of their highly aromatic and juicy hazy IPAs – they play great with tacos de birria, also on tap thanks to an on-site taqueria – San Francisco Chronicle favorite El Garage. Food trucks are “in residence” at Armistice, so expect a rotation from more local eateries!

11. Barnhouse Napa Brews

    This Clinton Street spot in Downtown Napa bills itself as a “proper English coffee pub.” The vibe is warm and inviting and the menu features everything from coffee and tea to kombucha and beer. You might recognize two of the owners — actresses Alexis Fields-Jackson and Tamera Mowry-Housley. They and fellow co-owners Eric Barnes and Adam Housley (Barnhouse is a mashup of their names) are usually the people pouring the drinks.

12. Napa Palisades Saloon

    Located at the corner of First and Main streets in Downtown Napa, this pub spotlights California microbrews and often has more than 30 beers on tap. The food here is notable, with items such as chorizo fries and the PEC sandwich with pulled pork, fried egg, smoked gouda, and pickled jalapeños. There are 16 big-screen TVs inside, making the Palisades a great place to watch a big game, too.

13. Downtown Joe's Restaurant

    Overlooking the Napa River, the patio at Downtown Joe’s is a great place to enjoy a pint. The historic brewery dates to the 1800s and today cranks out a variety of pales, ambers, wheat beers, IPAs, stouts, and porters. One of its most unusual brews, the West Coast Bitter, is an overly hopped amber ale featuring grapefruit and caramel notes. Joe’s brings in live entertainment every weekend and offers half-price snacks during Happy Hour.

14. Fieldwork Brewing Company

    This Berkeley craft brewery opened an outpost at the Oxbow Public Market in 2016, and now you'll find them around the back of Oxbow, where they offer indoor and outdoor seating. Today, the experience is all about variety, as beertenders regularly have access to 20 different beers on tap. The taps are also flush with non-alcoholic styles, including The Headliner NA IPA and Day Money NA Grapefruit Blonde. When you get hungry, you can order a quick bite from their food menu or pick up food inside Oxbow and enjoy it at their taproom. In a rush? The fresh beer “to go” is available in 16 oz cans, growlers, and 32 oz crowlers.

15. Trade Brewing

    Situated across the street from the Oxbow Public Market, Trade Brewing has become known among beer lovers as a place for well-balanced microbrews. The brewery always has more than a dozen beers on tap; fan favorites include the 110V (a fruity pale ale) and the Hatchet IPA. If you’re hungry, be sure to order jerk baby back ribs and other Jamaican specialties from Vibrant Foods, which took over the brewery’s kitchen in 2021.

16. Cadet Wine + Beer Bar

    Tucked away in a Franklin Street alley, this convivial neighborhood wine and beer bar is bustling with energy and classic tunes from their regular rotation of vinyl. Plenty of niche wine options are available by the bottle or glass, as well as cider and brews. Options include everything from rare Champagne and California wines to beer in a can. Plan on settling in – they have plenty of quick bites – including fresh popcorn and cheese plates.

17. The Garden by Tannery Bend Beerworks

    Bringing new life to Downtown Napa’s West End, “The Garden” is an aptly named indoor/outdoor beer garden and full-service restaurant with an array of beers on tap, crafted by Tannery Bend Beerworks on Action Avenue. Housed in a classic brick building with high vaulted ceilings, the group behind Tannery Bend recently opened this vibrant venue two blocks west of the Main Street restaurant scene. Live music every Saturday night.

18. La Cheve Bakery & Brews

    The best thing about this Soscol Avenue brewery is that it’s owned by a multi-generational Latino family, and you’ll usually find the matriarch sitting in the dining room and sipping a beer alongside the guests. The beer list is eclectic, bringing together one house-made brew and a variety of other options, mostly from California. There’s a full food menu as well (hola, chilaquiles!), and a menu of baked goods. Our inside tip: Be sure to try the boozy pastries.