The Zoo — Restaurant in Santa Rosa

If you’re looking for fine dining, craft cocktails, and a classy vibe… keep driving. But if you want a place where the jukebox might play Johnny Cash followed by Snoop Dogg, and where your bartender pours shots like they’re trying to solve world peace — welcome to The Zoo.

This bar is exactly what it sounds like: a glorious habitat for humans of all species. You’ve got the pool-table gorillas pounding out games all night, the karaoke parrots squawking “Bohemian Rhapsody” like their lives depend on it, and the mysterious nocturnal creatures in the corner who may or may not have been sitting there since the ’90s.

The drinks? Cheap enough that you question the math. The vibe? Somewhere between “your uncle’s garage” and “Vegas at 4am.” The decor? Well, let’s just say it’s a museum of questionable choices — but you wouldn’t want it any other way.

Highlights include: • Strong pours that could tranquilize an actual zoo animal. • Bathrooms that tell a story (not always a happy one, but definitely a story). • A crowd so eclectic, you’ll leave with at least one new best friend and probably a conspiracy theory.

Bottom line: If Santa Rosa had a spirit animal, it would live at The Zoo, holding a Bud Light in one paw and a cue stick...

My local watering hole... the people that go here are always the coolest people you'd never think you might find in a [borderline] dive bar like The Zoo! I use that term lightly for the nostalgia of the place, but it's definitely a clean and classy bar overall. There are 2 pool tables ($2/game or 3 games for $5), a touchtunes jukebox, a covered outdoor smoking area with tables and such, and plenty of parking in the back... I just wish they'd bring back the music entertainment nights they had back in the day, but that was then and this is now... Vince, Nick, Edie, Pam, Nicky, and the other bartenders are all great people, and they also do a BBQ steak dinner on Monday nights, which is mad juicy and delicious and affordable for the quality and quantity of what you get. 😁❤️🥩🥔🍽️🥰 I truly feel fortunate to live so close to this local gem! Plus it's always fun to tell people you're going to the zoo and see the confused look on their face when they try and make sense of why "the zoo" would be open at...

This bar is great. People will tell you it’s scary but everyone’s always been super nice. It’s the only bar that opens at 6 AM and they have two nice pool tables. It’s a father and son that own it and they do a great job. One cool thing is you can leave your car in the parking lot if you need to. Check it out. People are cool and it’s a chill place to hang out. Oh! And good & loud...