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We all have our ideas of what makes up a great getaway right? For Michael and I, it’s a few drinks, good eats and a few laughs. Our recent weekend adventure to Put-In-Bay was for us to refresh, and revive.
Since Put-In-Bay is just a few hours away from Pittsburgh, it’s an easy commute and one we do often. Each time we go, we discover more reasons to love the area. For those of you that want an adult nightlife, where you can just ‘be’ Put-In-Bay is the place to go.
On this trip, we spent time at one of my personal favorite restaurants and bar. In addition to offering some of the best eats on the island, having incredible service, and drinks that are mixed so well, they also offer great nightlife.
It’s time to get REEL with great nightlife, food and drinks on Put-In-Bay, so you too can revive your spirit from being overworked! Let’s party.
Where To Find Great Nightlife, Food and Drinks On Put-In-Bay
For those of you that are young at heart, adults that don’t want to be in a bathing suit at night, and want their drinks mixed well, you need to go to The Reel Bar. It’s right on Catawba Avenue and not to be missed.
The Reel Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and for fun at night at the bar. It’s clean, the decor is fun, I never see the same thing twice and perhaps I am unbiased but it’s come to be my personal ‘hang’.
There’s outdoor seating and indoor seating. Yes it gets packed because the Reel Bar provides great drink service, fair prices and really great eats. However, there’s another side to the REEL Bar that you won’t experience if you just eat breakfast or lunch there. The entertainment.
Entertainment In The Reel Bar
From live bands and music to Ray Fogg Show, who sings songs with other words in them, the kind I can’t even say, sorry! It’s all at the Reel Bar where you can get Real With Life. There are other nights with live bands or solo performances, just check to see who’s gonna be there.
Ray gets a little ‘toasted’ as he goes cause he really does drink as he performs, so yeah, it can get ‘cheeky’ for lack of a better word. Again, you put yourself in the seat, leave if you don’t like it. If you do stick around you might see others even more silly than what’s on stage. He’s fun and it’s all in fun, so enjoy!
Ray’s gotta charisma about himself like no one else we have seen, and a few drinks later, you will catch on to the fun. His songs are atypical of what you would expect and dare you to have fun. Yeah, he’s extra in every way and perfect for the night you are seeking.
It just happened that the Ray Fogg Show was the show feature the night we were there. It got pretty wild, and Ray will push the envelope of crude, but that does not stop the laughs.
I belly laughed a lot and snorted on my beverage while we listened to him. There are mixed reactions to this guy, so when you’ve had enough just leave.
Bar & Bar Service & Drinks
The bar kept filling up and the crowds were ever-changing, but one thing was certain, it was elbow to elbow and the tables were filled. Honestly, if you have plans of coming back, real plans, or a beer you would love to see on tap>?
Just shout out to the owners on the Reel Bar Facebook Page, they always try to please their customers and love to hear new suggestions. Relevant is where it’s at and they own the playbook on it! Need to know more about them, reach out on Facebook, they will respond.
Service of beverages is punctual, and I have to say that over and over because not everywhere is like this. Booze flow here, so drink up and ‘Sip Sip Hooray!’
Me Saying What Needs Said About Getting Your Party On and Still Being A Civil
I’ll be outright too, if you ever read anything to the contrary about service here, they probably were over-intoxicated adults and could not distinguish between 5 minutes and 50 minutes.
We have been to this bar and eatery (morning, noon and night) and the staff there works hard and MOVES like a breeze of the wind. Also, food is fresh, hand crafted and good and we have been there a lot for food.
I’m gonna add this, when there’s maximum capacity in the place, we still had food on he table in under 15 minutes. Last, if you are going to eat and are in a state of ‘FUBAR’ (Google it if you don’t know it) food is not gonna sit in your belly well.
Don’t order it because that generally ends up in ‘tossing it up on the sidewalk somewhere’ having NOTHING to do with the food served. There’s a point of party and there’s a point of ridiculous, and I’ve seen it all! So party smart and have fun, but also don’t be a jerk.
The Atmosphere Just Makes Put-In-Bay More….
Once you enter these doors, you are going to have fun. It’s time to just enjoy a night out and the people you are with. The Reel Bar, let’s it all happen.
When it’s at its busiest, or when there are just a few people inside it’s always fun. Don’t pass this up if you are on Catawba Avenue, it’s steps from Delaware Avenue. If you really want the nightlife, then wait till about 8P then come in.
For those that prefer a little more quiet, all I can say is try breakfast or lunch on non-themed Put-In-Bay days because when a place is this good, it is busy!
***Warning, once you go one time, it’s addicting and you will keep going back** We have been returning year after year. The food is great, and they have a great selection of beers on tap.
Want some fun? Check out and love the deck area. Talk about people watching from a great vantage point. Also, since you have discovered the Reel Bar, it’s great to watch everyone going by and knowing they are missing out on. Keep on going y’all you’re missing the best on the island!
Best Wine
I personally give them thumbs up for having the best Wine on the island. Really, not all the bars up here have good wine. They have an actual list of choices at the Reel Bar.
Trust me, I try wine everywhere I go and a few bars up there serve ‘headache wine’, not the Reel bar. In fact, the Reel Bar serves Real Wine. LOL! Dark and dry the way I like it! A few bars that we quickly visited before heading to our resort were OUT Of wine if you read my article on the Insider’s Tips For Put-In-Bay, how does that even happen with a winery on the island?
Wine is one of my ‘things’ and the wine I had at the REEL Bar by all standards met my pang. Dry, red, and a nice finish, and an oak barrel taste, all just perfection. Michael enjoyed a beer.
Then, our new friend Dave met up with us. This bar is where friends gather and we met Dave after we got off the Ferry and did not have a way to our resort. Dave drove us to the resort and then met up with us at the bar! It’s a small Island, everyone knows everyone and you easily can make new fun friends!
FOOD ANYONE
Part of relaxing is eating. Don’t worry there are some great eats from perch street tacos, to burgers to vegetarian eats. So when I say ‘food anyone’ I literally mean, they can serve food to almost any dietary lifestyle. (Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Carnivore, Allergen-friendly etc.)
Again, that is what makes the Reel Bar unique on the island and so relevant. No belly left behind, lol! It’s considerate relevancy towards everyone not just the meat and potato people. Thank you!
From veggie burgers to bourbon burgers, the eats are fresh, and delicious. One of the most popular burgers in The Reel Bar is the Bourbon Burger. Here’s what it looks like. Spend any amount of time at the Reel Bar and you will see several of these pass to the tables by you.
Sooner Or Later
As soon as we can, this year we are heading back up. Any guesses what bar or bar seat you will find me in? Or Us in? Yep. The Reel Bar. After all, when you find a place that is as vibrant and fun as this, you return.
Whether you get there sooner or later than me, make sure to stop. If you see me there buy me a wine, you know what I like to eat and drink now, right? Consider it your finder’s fee for a great time, lol!
Put-In-Bay is about traditions, returning travelers and fun, and here is a place you will find a lot of us. We know where to eat, and where to grab the great nightlife. ~ DANA XO
This is not a sponsored post, the owners are my personal friends and I provided this because I want others to know how great the Reel Bar is. You know I ONLY write about what is above average and they earn 5 Stars for that!
