Downtown ABQ Bars
ON AND OFF CENTRAL
Eight downtown bars, most of them within a few blocks of each other on Central.
1. Founders Speakeasy
622 Central SW · Speakeasy · Till 2, Tue–Sat
A password-only room under the El Rey Theater. The week's password posts to their Instagram.
2. Anodyne409 Central NW · Pool hall · Till 1 on weekends
A second-floor pool hall with lots of tables, cheap pool and a jukebox. One of the last real dive bars downtown.
3. Sister407 Central NW · Bar + music room
Forty-plus taps, a pinball arcade in back, and live music or DJs most nights. 21 and up after dark.
4. G.TotiHotel Andaluz · Rooftop · Daily 5–11 PM
The rooftop bar on Hotel Andaluz, named for the site of Albuquerque's first bootlegging arrest. Go for sunset.
5. Effex Nightclub420 Central SW · Dance club · Thu–Sat till 2
The downtown club that actually fills up. Three dance floors and a rooftop patio.
6. Sidetrack Brewing413 2nd St SW · Brewery
The brewery a block off Central. Its Wednesday trivia, run by Basic Wizardry, is one of the best in town.
7. Launchpad618 Central SW · Rock club
A 300-person rock club on Central since 1997, with a show most nights.
8. Safe House Distilling616 Gold SW · Distillery
Downtown's craft distillery, with a small pour room. Teller Vodka and LockPick Gin are made here.
Anodyne and Sister are next door to each other, and Effex is across the street. Founders and Launchpad are two blocks west.