Reno, Nevada, known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” is known for its casinos, but it’s remembered for its communities. Whether you are embracing the vibrant beverage scene, giving thrifting a try, taking a photo by the Reno arch in downtown Reno, or tasting new dishes, there’s plenty to do in Reno, Nevada.
Founded in 2019, The Lodge, which sits at the bottom of Mount Rose in the Galena Forest, is a popular place to stop by for a drink or food after a long hike or trek up the summit. Operated by manager, Carly Southern who describes the spot as “My little slice of heaven!” – The Lodge is a respite from an arduous day of outdoorsy excursion in for both locals and travelers and with people bustling in and out, it truly is the heart of the community. To warm up, order the Irish Coffee, which is a recipe of espresso, Jameson and brown sugar, or try Glühwein, the mulled wine with cinnamon, orange and honey. Southern describes The Lodge as “Cozy, friendly – everyone is pretty nice! – and fun, with live music on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Lodge is a beautiful space to be. I love the location of it most, nestled in the trees. Our patrons are the best! Always happy to enjoy the space with us. Our musicians are amazing and provide entertainment for the community. It’s a very special spot filled with special people, and it’s a whole vibe in itself.”
As Nevada’s first meadery, Black Rabbit Mead Co. sourcing local honey in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for their cider-style meads is vital. Jake Conway and Will Truce were two high school teachers that experimented with their mead recipes until they perfected them, but it wasn’t until a road trip to the Northwest gave them the inspiration for their signature, cider-style meads.
“What Jake and I loved, was the concept that you could source local ingredients to make a local alcohol,” says co-founder, Will Truce. “We learned how to make traditional mead, and then Jake and I took a road trip through the Northwest where there were more meaderies and we discovered this cider-style. We stopped making traditional meads altogether because we’re so enamored by the cider-style meads.” As for their unique name, Black Rabbit Mead Co.? “Jake and I enjoy the more ancient, darker, even eerie qualities that we associate with mead making. And very much the local quality, too – everything we do is a celebration of our local community. The name Black Rabbit Mead came because we liked that Old English pub meaning and black rabbits are the most abundant species here in the area. It also possesses that underground, edgy quality in mead, too.”
Try a new flavor or take a sip of one of their original recipes, Three-Headed Rabbit, which infuses three styles of hops, or Rosemary Black, the only single fruit mead they carry.
When you walk into Great Basin Brewing Co.’s Reno location, you’re immediately greeted with a large, blue neon sign that screams “Get Icky With It!” You’ll soon find out that their award-winning Ichthyosaur “Icky” IPA is not the only beer worth bragging about. Founded in 1993, Great Basin Brewing Co. pioneered craft beer in a landscape that wasn’t all imaginative with flavors. One of the founders, Eric McClary, would come up with ‘crazy’ beer ideas, that today, still stand the testament of time.
The Cerveza Chilebeso is a golden ale with fresh jalapeno peppers. Evan Eldridge, Brewmaster, who worked his way up from the canning line to his prestigious role today, tells the story of how it was an original Great Basin flagship from ’93, when no one was really doing chile beers back then. “Chilebaso” literally means “a kiss of chiles” and as Eldridge describes it, “It’s 5%, it’s got a lot of jalapeno flavor, a lot of jalapeno aroma, but at the same time, not that much – just a kiss of heat.”
Try any of their long list of award-winning beers, including the Truckee River Red and Bitchin’ Berry. Pair up with a delicious pizza, like the Chupacabra, which includes garlic cream sauce, chevre, mozzarella, caramelized onions, grilled chicken, parsley and honey.
“Nothing can be said to be certain, except Death & Taxes,” touts the cocktail bar, Death and Taxes. While not technically a speakeasy, if you’re looking for cocktails with speakeasy vibes, look no further than Death and Taxes. While the whole venue is dim, the liquor bottles seem to light the way towards a crafted beverage of choice. And if you’re in search for high-end whiskey, ask the bartender to take you behind the secret door, to peruse their grand selection. Order the Havana Highball which includes rum, lychee, mint, pineapple, lime, champagne or the Bam Bam Milk Punch, which includes two types of rum, clarified cereal milk, grapefruit, pineapple, and lime, and where the bartender will apply fruity pebbles to your drink with the smallest of tweezers.
If you’re looking for light, airy vibes in Reno, Nevada, the cocktail bar, Rum, Sugar, Lime offers a tropical oasis. With vibes that could transport you to Miami, the bright aesthetic is a respite from the edgier bars of Reno, and the venue proudly states, “We take our cocktails very seriously.” You can’t go wrong with the classics. The Painkiller, “a mature big sibling to the Pina Colada” includes rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, and orange and slides down smoothly, sip after sip, and The Daiquiri uses fan favorite, Flor de Cana four-year rum, with lime and simple syrup, and it’s, “Such a classic, we named the bar after it.”
“Let’s get funkee at Junkee!” is Junkee Clothing Exchange’s motto. Thrifters will find heaven on earth at Junkee Clothing Exchange, a 15,000 sq ft. oasis selling recycled clothes, costumes, furniture, and antiques. No matter what occasion you’re shopping for, colorful Junkee has the clothing, accessories, and shoes for you. From trunks of sunglasses to racks upon racks of boas, fedoras, and sparkly dresses, let your styling imagination go wild.
Arario, translated as “heavenly energy” in Korean, is a Korean fusion restaurant that serves up worldly dishes that will transport you and your taste buds out of Reno. At Arario Midtown, the Kimchee Fries are a must-have, with a heaping portion of kimchee and bulgogi piled onto a plate with melted cheese, it definitely hits the spot after having a few drinks at Death & Taxes (located right across the street). Any of their entrees are mouthwatering twists on traditional Korean fare, including the Seoul Cheese Steak Sandwich and Ika Ika Bowl. Come hungry, leave satisfied.
“Fresh AF” is the motto of Two Chicks, a popular breakfast spot that happens to be accessible to Aiden hotel guests through a door through the hotel lobby. Women-owned and operated by Haley (Red Chick) and Jessica (Yellow Chick) since 2014, the two have been serving delicious breakfast entrees for nearly ten years. Get on the gravy train and order the Biscuit & Gravy combo, doused with rich, homemade sausage gravy. If you’ve got a craving for something sweeter, order a short stack of pancakes (blueberries, bananas, chocolate chip, or all three!), and let the maple syrup drip down on them like fresh spring rain.
Recently opened in 2020, the Reno Public Market has become a must-go for locals and tourists alike. If you love to support local, look no further than the Reno Public Market, which houses not only retail vendors but 17 food vendors as well in their Reno Public Market Food Hall, one of the largest food halls in the West Coast. Championing community and small businesses is at the heart of the Reno Public Market, don’t miss out on visiting Far Out, Wyld Market and Wok & Roll, just to name a few.
Located conveniently on Virginia Avenue, just minutes away from the hip, MidTown District, Great Basin Brewing Co., Reno Public Market and Reno-Sparks Convention Center, this modern, contemporary property is your homebase for all things to do in Reno, Nevada. Start breakfast off with a secret entrance to Two Chicks from the hotel lobby and enjoy your industrial-style room, complete with modern amenities and luxuries. Book your stay today at Aiden by Best Western @ South Reno.
You’ll always feel lucky in Nevada. With fun cities, diverse landscapes, and 15+ Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Nevada, booking with Best Western® Hotels & Resorts is a win when visiting the Silver State.