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Welcome to Sidecar

Sidecar, nestled at 1040 Broad St in San Luis Obispo, CA, is a vibrant destination renowned for elevating the dining experience beyond traditional cafes. This beloved spot boasts both indoor and outdoor seating, with an inviting patio that embraces the beautiful California weather. Guests rave about the exceptional coffee and tea selection, and the mixology team consistently impresses with innovative cocktails. From perfectly balanced drinks like the "One Percenter" to creative snacks such as wasabi fries and indulgent animal fries, Sidecar offers a delightful culinary journey. With a warm atmosphere and attentive service, it's an ideal venue for celebrations or casual gatherings alike.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Sidecar, a dining and drinking haven nestled at 1040 Broad St, San Luis Obispo, CA. With a commitment to elevating the culinary experience, Sidecar seamlessly blends a sophisticated atmosphere with outstanding service, making it a must-visit spot for locals and travelers alike.

From the moment you step onto the patio or settle into the cozy interior, you are enveloped in an ambiance that's perfect for both relaxed brunches and lively gatherings. As Shawn Larsen attests, their breakfast offerings elevate the standard café fare found in SLO, making it a delightful choice for families, complete with dog-friendly outdoor seating.

The drink menu is a true testament to Sidecar’s prowess as a top-tier cocktail destination. Our guests rave about the expertly crafted concoctions, like the One Percenter—described as the smoothest bourbon cocktail— and the visually stunning Crushing Turts, which offers a unique taste experience. As Rikki Tracy points out, the bartenders are not just mixologists; they are friendly, attentive artisans dedicated to curating memorable drinks.

Sidecar prides itself on using the freshest ingredients to craft creative cocktails that not only taste great but are also works of art in presentation. The mixology team, led by bartender Danielle Primmer, is renowned for its innovative approach. Whether you're toasting a special occasion or simply unwinding after a long day, their drinks promise to impress. As Karen Waldron highlights, this is a bar team that truly sets a high standard.

But it’s not just the drinks that shine; the food offerings are equally noteworthy. Customers praise the crispy brussel sprouts and indulgent animal fries that flawlessly accompany the drink selection. As shared by Gregory Grothaus, the delightful snacks elevate any celebratory gathering, adding a touch of comfort and flavor to the party.

For an unforgettable dining experience, Sidecar combines mouthwatering dishes, stunning cocktails, and impeccable service in a charming setting. Whether you're here for a wedding celebration, a casual brunch, or just because, Sidecar meets every need with flair and finesse. Don’t miss the chance to visit this gem in downtown San Luis Obispo. You won’t be disappointed!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Sidecar
Shawn Larsen
Shawn Larsen

This place is great, as the reviews state. Indoor and outdoor seating, but everyone orders outside. They take breakfast to the next level, beyond your standard cafes or breakfast locations in SLO. Coffee/Tea selection is Wonderful, while taking pride in how it is served. We were a party of 6, which 3 kids, and it worked well. Also dog friendly outside.

Rikki Tracy
Rikki Tracy

Excellent cocktails. Cannot emphasize enough how well-balanced these drinks are. The one percenter was the smoothest spirit-forward bourbon drink I’ve had. Crushing turts was gorgeously presented an delicious with a distinctive funkiness. Bartenders were friendly, answered questions willingly, service was quick. The wasabi fries were delicious and creative, General Tso’s chicken was tasty. The outlier was the lo mein noodles, which were a bit bland. Would definitely return.

Karen Waldron
Karen Waldron

Hands down the BEST mixologist team in California! As a wedding and event producer, we work with a lot of great bar teams. The Sidecar Bar team sets the bar high with always coming up with creative new drinks, the freshest ingredients and we just love their drink presentations! Danielle Primmer and her staff couldn't be nicer to work with. Our guests always LOVE their cocktails & the sidecar bar is always a favorite stop when in SLO! if you're having an event and need a stellar bar team, look no further, this is it!

Gregory Grothaus
Gregory Grothaus

My Experience What an unforgettable night at Sidecar celebrating a special Cal Poly graduation! Our party of seven was welcomed with open arms and treated to a fantastic mix of drinks, bites, and joyful vibes. It was the perfect place to toast to new beginnings with friends and family! Delicious Food We loved every bite of the tasty snacks—especially the crispy, flavorful brussel sprouts and the indulgent animal fries loaded with goodness . The snacks perfectly balanced out the delicious array of drinks and made the celebration extra satisfying! Outstanding Service Nicole was absolutely amazing—friendly, attentive, and full of good energy! She made sure our glasses were never empty and our table always had what we needed. Her cheerful attitude added so much warmth to our celebration. Cheers-Worthy Drinks From the zesty Moscow Mules to the cleverly named Horse and Donkey cocktail , plus a great variety of beer , wine , crisp kolsch, and refreshing hoppy water —there was something for every taste. Sidecar knows how to pour with style! Final Thoughts & Recommendation Sidecar made our graduation night sparkle with flavor, fun, and fantastic service. Big thanks to Nicole and the whole team for helping us celebrate in style. Highly recommend this spot for any special occasion—or just because!

Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright

Sidecar was an awesome experience. We were back in town for a wedding and it was our first time at the new location. We sat on the patio overlooking the stream and it was great! The drinks were excellent (as expected) and the food was awesome as well! Highly recommend the Chicago dog and the brussel sprouts.

LynAnne Wilton
LynAnne Wilton

Sidecar is a gem in downtown SLO. My husband and I have always loved their bar, and choosing them to provide bar service at our wedding was an easy choice. Our wedding venue was The Penny, a sister company of Sidecar, so they made it really easy to coordinate between the two. We had a great time doing a private cocktail tasting with Josh to decide on our wedding drinks, and the drinks were EXCELLENT. 6 month later, our wedding guests are still talking about the paper plane cocktail! Their bartenders were kind, professional, and so fun to have at our wedding.

Sierra Kalman
Sierra Kalman

Such a great ambiance. We got a few drinks, the old fashion is perfectly balanced, borderline too many bitters, but simple and just what we needed.

Sharon Turek
Sharon Turek

We hired Sidecar bartending services for our recent wedding in San Luis Obispo. Their professionalism and attentiveness throughout the event was amazing, and they made the planning process very easy for us. The custom cocktails they designed for us were incredibly creative – they added such a unique and memorable touch that our guests are still talking about a month later! We're really happy with our decision on hiring them for our wedding and would definitely recommend to others!