Vista Uptown Bar — Restaurant in Boise

Cue “Tennessee Waltz” … (Sam Cooke version) ,,,

What a glory this here bar do be! And make no bones about it, this is a Gosh-Darn, Honest-to-Goodness capital ‘B-A-R’ bar.. We’ve seen too many ‘samples of local bars pretendin’ to be sumpin else : mini-golf, taco joint, hec, even a doggone ice cream shop (hullo STIL of the Right) .. Vista don’t play that game. Vista is a beacon, announces itself with its tall sign right on the bull-vard as if to say, “Here I am, fren. Can you handle me?”

And there’s much to take-on here at the UVB : int-restin ark-techchur; darts and a solid $1 pool table; space-ish pat-o; dogs, dog, doggies—sum at the bar! ; a stage; trusty TouchTunes jukebox (beam a song from yer seat!); and oh golly, those lovely barmaids and the good barmen.. fren-lee, comp-tent; pourin’ dranks withow delay or favor. Tatooed? Fer sure. STYL, not att-tude. B.S. detecta firmly, I say, firmly in place.

There’s not menny places this writer does fit in here in the T.V. He’s single.. ova 40.. sarcastic (announces his Irish Exits for heaven sake) .. don’t drank much.. BUT HERE at Vista Bar, he a-found a welcoming place he might even feel SAFE at, God help ‘em.. The fine Chels and her co-hort fillin’ his Coke cup wout judge-mint. Oh and didja know you can bring in food from the nearby Burg joint or elsewhere? I did fine with jes the nourishmint of the bar’s chip ‘cleck-shin (Doritos!) ..

Thanks, Vista Bar. I aim to visit quite a bit this summ.. Keen to join in the fun out back; playin games; sippin a cold ‘un (or Coke ;-) all good all good. Woof Woof. Hey Dawg: sing us that last bit of Tennessee Waltz from th’ late great Mr. Cooke, as it comes to mind when we recall that night at UVB :

“That beautiful, that wonderful, that marvelous That glorious, that beautiful...

The Vista Bar is nestled in a wonderfully unique A-frame building directly behind Bad Boy Burgers. Once the haven of chain-smoking locals in search of inexpensive libations, it has recently (within the past year or so) been remodeled and improved to great extent.

They have a full bar, a large beer selection with both craft beers and cheap domestics on tap, and a cozy gas fireplace that you can lounge beside on cold nights. The remodel added a large section where you can find a second bar area, a huge TV, and pool tables. There's a patio area in the back, and although it isn't the most scenic of areas it's a great place to pass the time with your friends on a warm summer evening.

I'd almost hesitate to consider the Vista bar to be in my beloved "dive-bar" category anymore. But, in the end, it is a dimly lit bar with inexpensive drinks and a friendly local crowd. The biggest plus for me, however, is that it's DOG FRIENDLY. Akin to the Symposion, The "V" allows you to bring your pup (so long as your pup is well behaved with other dogs and people) so that you can spend some quality time with your fur-family while drinking a tasty micro brew.

A well-rounded "dive-chic" (I just made that up) bar, surrounded by a variety of bench restaurants for when you get hungry (many of which deliver to the bar), that is well worth a...

Great patio, ok beer selection. Friendly staff, but check your​ bill before you pay. As the previous reviewer stated, there can be discrepancies.

Update: 8/22/17 - after my last experience with an inflated tab, I thought I'd give the V another shot. I wish I could say today's experience was positive. The bartender, Sondra, ignored my empty glass while she chatted with the male customers. When she finally acknowledged me, it wasn't to ask "would you like another?", it was to ask if i was ready to tab out. As she (finally) took my order for another beer, she started making passive-aggressive comments like "Are you ok?" and " having a bad day?" Apparently, she's used to going unchallenged about her lack of bartender acumen. I tried for transparency and honesty by going girl-to-girl, as in "hey, I'm not one of the guys you're flirting with, but I still tip really well. Just keep my beer full". I'm not sure if this meant anything to her or not, as the only response i got was more attitide. This will definitly be my last $5.50 premium pint here. Really, if you want friendly service and way colder beer (at reasonable priceses), plus an in-house kitchen serving home-made food, try Jumpin' Janet's...