Big Bear Lake
Bars, breweries, and nightlife in Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake's bar scene traces back to the late 1800s, when the mountain town's first saloons served gold miners and railroad workers - a frontier character that's long since shifted toward a tourist-driven mix of classic bars and sports bars, 17 of the area's 25 BarFinder-listed venues. Murray's Saloon & Eatery, a dive bar that's been pouring drinks for more than 25 years, anchors the old-school side of the scene, while spots like AV Bar & Nightclub and The Cave (an intimate live-music venue) cover the livelier end. It's a small-town nightlife scene built around the lake's year-round tourist traffic rather than a big city crowd.