The Casino Bar & Grill is located in the historic town of Bodega in Western Sonoma County, just six miles south of Bodega Bay. And the most common assumption, because of it’s name is that it’s a gambling establishment, but it is not.
The Casino is a landmark roadhouse saloon, a community gathering place, and a place where friends and travelers can come together for a drink, a bite to eat, or a round of pool, and experience the authentic culture of what a small town in Northern CA is really like.
Here’s a bit of history directly from the Casino’s web site:
In 1874, a general store was built in central Bodega called Goodman’s General Mercantile. In 1939 a local man named Nebo Casini bought it and turned it into a restaurant and bar. He named the place the Casino as a play on the family name, Casini, and as history has it, he actually put some slot machines in the back room. In 1949, Nebo sold the Casino to his brother Art Casini and his wife, Evelyn. For more than 70 years now, the bar has remained in the Casini family.
The Casino is currently operated by Greg and Elizabeth Schimpf, but Evelyn Casini herself still tends the bar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as she has for more than six decades. Today, the Casino is one of Sonoma County’s few remaining rural bars. Known locally as Bodega’s beloved watering hole, it is an anchor for the community and a gathering place for the residents and visitors alike. Over the years, the Casino has been the site of weddings, birthday parties, memorial celebrations, informal town meetings, and provided a warm haven during winter power outages.
The casino offers free shuttle service from Bodega Bay (call them at 707-876-3185 for availability), always has new things on their menu, and often features live music on the weekends. Go for a bit of history, or just to enjoy the present. Enjoy!
