Sacramento is blessed with many fine patios. Most patios are dog friendly, and a convenient place to lock up your bike. But to us Griddians these patios are much more than this. Sacramento patios are a great place for people watching, a nice way to enjoy a meal and the weather, have a good conversation, and a fun place to be seen. Some patios are nice and warm facing the sun, and some patios are cool and shady day or night. I constantly find myself searching the city on select days for the patio that best suits my situation.

It’s no secret I’m a freak about Belgian beer, and one of my favorite things to do this summer has been finding nice patios to enjoy a big bottle of deliciousness with friends (Belgian beer is best shared in 750 ml bottles). Due to long hours of work at multiple jobs, these occasions aren’t as common as they used to be. However, I recently found myself on the patio at Burgers & Brew after a long day, and couldn’t have been more amused. We would watch the same people, like inebriated tennis balls, bouncing from R15 to Shady Lady, then back to R, back to Shady on and on. Burgers & Brew is like bleachers for this inebriation tennis match. Each trip back and forth, we would watch the same people, more intoxicated with each swing of the inebriation tennis racket. In Sacramento, you can’t beat the Burgers & Brew patio experience. With big, delicious bottles of beer hovering around the $14 mark, you get to sit back and watch this tennis match (which I think Shady wins every time), enjoy a great bottle of beer, and witness the occasional drunk chick in a ridiculous outfit trying to gain entrance to Venue (which to her surprise is closed some Friday or Saturday nights).

This experience made me think of other patios that might be as entertaining. Here is what I’ve come up with so far:

Hot Rod’s: Watching chaos ensue around Lounge on20 and “the fruit loop”, as my gay friends lovingly refer to this area.

Capitol Garage: Watching people bounce between the Park and neighboring restaurants: P.F. Chang’s, Bistro 33 Midtown, Mikuni etc.

de Vere’s Irish Pub: Watching people bounce from de Vere’s to Mix, maybe even to the Grand.

58 degrees & Holding: Watching people bounce around Zocalo, Paesano’s, Aioli, L Wine Lounge.

Rick’s Dessert Diner: Watching people bounce in and out of Golden Bear, ’nuff said.

Do you have any suggestions for spectating such a sport? I’d love to hear your opinions. I would also like to add, although I don’t go out as much as I used to these days, I’ve been known as quite a spectacle myself. On an occasional night in Midtown, I’m sure you’ll laugh as my fuzzy green exterior bounces down an urban Sacramento street. And if you see me, please don’t hesitate to point me in the direction of a nice racket to serve up an ace. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, my friend and boss for my full time job has become quite ill and as a result my workload has increased quite a bit. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, it has been difficult to stay on top of UrbanSac and I’m working on updates to make the maintenance easier and keep the information current. This is a website for locals by a local, so I thank you all for your patience and your feedback.