Fannie’s Cocktails

This place is now called The Bancroft, it seems.
Stopped by for a friend’s MC’s fundraiser event. I liked it. Service was quick. Servers and patrons were friendly. Plenty of room to mill about.
Also, gotta love the old-​school neon ZIMA sign on the wall. SERIOUSLY.
If I lived in the area, this would probably be my home base. Casual, no frills, laid-​back people, cheap drinks.

Boy have things changed. First off, the name. The owners now are seriously improving the negative rep of this dive bar. If u had a bad experience there give it another try. U can’t always judge a book by its cover. Old saying but true, it’s a work in progress but improving more every day. Look out spring valley new bar competition in town coming soon! I mite add the crazy credit card/​atm system has in fact already improved. Tabs accepted and there is no fee whatsoever!!! Come check out the new beers on tap, prices have been lowered, free pool on a regular basis, and many drink specials. Stay tuned… Many new improvements to come! Come check out The Bancroft. Good bye fannies…

I’m looking askance at some of the better reviews here, as I’m having trouble seeing anybody but a hardcore barfly (who likes anywhere that has booze) loving this place.
An evening with friends to see a mutual friend perform at Fannie’s began to turn sour as soon as we finally located this place and actually saw it. It’s not the scene we were expecting for the dark 80s cover band we came to see.
There are dive bars, there are roadhouses, and then there’s Fannie’s. It’s a tumbledown place down a ramshackle road; Linda immediately felt overdressed and began removing accessories. As we parked in front of the abandoned, graffitied building behind the bar we made jokes about being dragged into a dark corner and never seen again. I doubt even a PBR-​chugging hipster could pretend to think Fannie’s is cool.
Things did not improve when we went in. It’s a sizable place, but it looks pretty shabby and more like it’s intended to be a place where you drown your sorrows than where you come for a good time. There is a small stage and a dance floor, however.
We sat at a table near the stage. In front of us sat a man in unkempt clothes who we quickly realized smelled like an uncleaned litter box. (This is my polite way of saying he absolutely reeked of piss.) To add insult to injury, he requested money with which to buy a drink.
Things didn’t improve at the bar. The bartender told us that imports were on special and therefore less than domestics. She pointed out the lineup of imports… not all of which are imported. I believe Samuel Adams was among them. Cassidhe ordered a Guinness. It was served to her ice cold (again, Guinness) in a can. The bartender asked if she’d like a glass, and she was given a frozen mug (no doubt out of the standard kitchen fridge in the corner), into which Cassidhe poured the stout, herself.
Linda ordered a vodka collins. The bartender literally didn’t know what that meant, and asked if she meant a vodka tonic. Linda corrected her and tried to explain, then gave up and ordered a vodka and 7UP. My Captain and coke was fine and priced reasonably, although I actually have paid less for the same drink in decent bars in the city.
When the band finally got to play, the sound was awful. The acoustics are worse than one would even expect of a dive bar. I looked up and I saw the place, including the stage and audience area, has a popcorn ceiling. A popcorn ceiling in a bar that has live music.
Just save yourself the pain. If a band you like gets booked here, wait until their next gig. Better yet, tell your friends in bands not to take a gig at Fannie’s.

Worst dive bar and the patrons are thugs and losers!!! I think one of the bartenders pimp was there with her. Bring a gun if you stop in… This place is like a retired teacher «No Class!» Go to Cali Comfort instead. Just down the road… go east on Bancroft for about a couple of miles on the right.

I’m all for a good dive bar but this place sucks. The bartenders are lame and they over charge whenever they have «entertainment,» which is usually just some weirdo with a karaōke machine singing songs to an empty bar. Spend your $ elsewhere.

OK So first off Did you know that BACK IN THE DAYO this was a biker bar and they used to do tapings for Renegade the TV show here?
The funny thing about this place is that they don’t take credit cards PER SAY, WHAT THEY DO is charge your card, $ 20-​$ 100 and give you cash, its like an ATM and the charge is $ 3. Its actually cheaper than getting a cash advance from your CC company!
Yes its loud, yes there are drunk locals falling asleep at the bar, but I’ve seen worse. It is a DIVE! So just know that. For a Dive I will come back!
May not be your cup of whiskey but its better than heading to Hooleys!

I love Fannie’s for day drinking, the regulars are fun!!! The building has a lot of history to it. Prices are reasonable and there is quite a mix of people. I’m considering having my birthday party there!!!

This place has no respect for the bands who bring them buisness!
NO NOT GO TO FANNIES!
I do not recomend this place at all. At the time my girl were in between houses due to the bank foreclosing on us and unfortunately in between jobs. The money I was making from playing shows was going towards my son.
Well my girl stayed in the car with my son while I went in to play. I did not drink and I was unable to stay long after because I was going to use my cut for dinner and diapers.
Well the bouncer approached me after the show so I extended my hand. He took it and told me I was disrespectfull to my lady and son. I was then informed that I was the worst kind and that I better leave before he had to hurt me. I am a boxer but I wasnt about to start kickin this guys ass with my lady and son in the car. I explained to him my situation but he didnt care. He was over 50 years old and obviously enjoyed playing tough.
Well in addition the ladies behind the bar called the cops. The cops came and guess what? It was not illegal for my girl and son to be in the car as long as they wernt in the bar or by the door.
When I get in the car I found that the «bouncer» had kept coming up to the window to see if they were alright which was only making my girl feel uneasy.
That night my band had filled the place with our fans and I know they made out well that night.
I was unable to receive my cut that night and went hungry. I was able to get it the next day.
I love playing for people and the pay isnt that important but I would play a hole in the wall for no pay (and I like holes in the wall) before I ever thought about playing at Fannies again for ANY amount of pay.
To the bouncer who was more concerned about how tough he looks then all other you either own me a drink or you can come hang out with my boxing club to see how tough you really are. You are the most pathetic human being I have ever met. Worse then a gangster. Oh and that racoon tail you have on your little bike is GAY! Playing shows was all I was able to do while between jobs and you made a struggling families life harder then it needed to be. You and those old bags behind the counter are a waste of life. I will never forgive you for taking food out of my sons mouth. WORST ESTABLISHMENT EVER!
I dont expect for then to make things right because it was obvious that they felt they were in the right. This establishment and the people working there are pathetic. This place is drama. I also book bands and I have not booked a band there since.

My friend was in the band so that was the good part.
The crowd… well let’s just say one of the guys we were with got his crotch grabbed by one of the chicks…
That just about sums it up!

I went to Fannie’s to see my friend’s band play. But who knew I would experience so much more.
Upon entering Fannie’s I was transported back to 1985. From the lead singer’s studded, skin tight, acid washed jeans to the many ladies wearing head to toe denim with scrunchies, the 80s were in full effect.
We left Fannie’s with a headache and puzzled about the crock pot behind the bar.

I really enjoyed this bar I’m only 22 but the other bars I’ve been to make fell kinda like scrap meat up for grabs. It’s a lot more layed back and has a nice atmosphere. It has two pool tables a few arcade games, live music and a beer pong table. It has a DJ on Thursdays and he’s really good.

A bar next to a Liquor store. Spells trouble. Friend was harassed by security who thought he had brought in his own can. (was a bar beer)
Beer prices that fluctuate from patron to patron. Beer lines haven’t been changed in a while, or maybe I was drinking an unpopular domestic draught that had «aged» in the keg.
At least they’re open to alternate bands performing — punk, dirt-​grass, as long as you’re not dancing in any agressive manner (signs posted on the walls) you’ll be alright.

I’ve been to Fannie’s twice, only to see my friend’s band play.
Yeah, it’s that kind of place.
If the vibrant ambiance of alcoholic middle-​aged bar rats and East County crust punks suits you just fine, then git on down to Fannie’s. The hardcore band will blow out your ears with their 80’s pop covers, meanwhile, an old lady at a bar will slurrily ramble on about how kids today don’t know anything about REAL music.
But the highlight of Fannie’s, the reason it gets two stars and not one, is the claw vending machine. It sells two things: stuffed animals and porn DVD’s. You gotta see it to believe it.