10 Best Bars in Lake Tahoe's South Shore: Brews, Cocktails and Cigars

Whiskey Dick's the one of the original South Tahoe dive bars frequented by both tourists and locals. The saloon features live music on most weekends by alternative, rock, bluegrass and classic tunes. When the stage is not occupied, a jukebox is always loaded with classic and new music. The bar is low-key and a popular place for pool, shuffleboard, darts and some classic video games. The bar also has a patio for summer nights. The bar serves over a hundred beers and cocktails including the toxic Alice in Wonderland for $6.50 and the Red Bull and Vodka for only $5. Each of their cocktails are generously served in 12 or 16 ounce cups, so be sure to pace yourself. You can also grab some simple pub food like burgers, chicken wings, dips and nachos.

The Lucky Beaver is a 24 hours sports bar on the Nevada side of the lake that also offers video poker and a large menu full of great burgers, sandwiches, salads and an appetizer menu with chicken wings and the famous Tower of Onion Rings. All of the Lucky Beaver's 1/2 lb. burgers are made with a combination of short ribs and chuck roast and are tall and juicy. The classic Beaver Burger is only $12 with all the fixings and the Gambler with applewood smoked bacon, beer battered onion rings, smoky BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese is $14. The Lucky Beaver bar features popular beers on tap as well as in the bottle and serves up signature cocktails, wine and beer. The bar has video poker and large screen TVs that show various sports and special events and the bar is hopping on Super Bowl Sunday and during other local and regional football events.

The comfortable and mellow bar is a little off the beaten track in Meyers, but is a popular locals spot for their drinks, food and live music. Come in for one of their famous sandwiches and stay later into the night for live entertainment and some fun with the friendly bartenders. Their sandwiches (both meat and vegetarian) are healthy and filling and you can get a salad (e.g. Caprese, Greek or Organic Spinach) on the side. Order the Amsterdam sandwich with goat cheese, black olives and artichoke hearts or the Kiva with smoked salmon, onions, greens and ricotta cheese. They also offer desserts such as the Mud Pie and the Teddy Bear Picnic with cheddar, organic apples, carrots and peanut butter. The bar includes several organic microbrews on tap, various cocktails with homemade juices and fruit and wine.

With original ales and fresh pub grub, the Brewery at Lake Tahoe is another local favorite. The summer crowds will fill the outdoor tables, but the winter crowds create a cozy atmosphere for your after skiing adventures. Try the Bad Ass Ale and the Bad Ass Pizza. You will look pretty...well...bad ass. Along with its huge pizzas, the Brewery also serves up appetizers like fried zucchini and raviolis, sandwiches and burgers like the hot pastrami on rye and the Portabella Mushroom Burger. They also have salads and a really good French Onion Soup. Their beer selection runs the gamut from Miller and Coors to local microbrews like Sierra Nevada and Deschutes. They also have their own brews including fore-mentioned Bad Ass Ale, the refreshing Alpine Amber Ale and the Summery Washoe Wheat Ale.

The Genoa Bar is a bit of a drive down Kingsbury Grade to the small town of Genoa, but it's worth it to visit the "Oldest Continually Operating Thirst Parlor" in the state of Nevada. This bar has been continuously on the bar route in this area since 1863 and used to be called a "gentleman's saloon". These days it's a fun local's bar that has a lot of the original antiques, lighting and even some very old spiderwebs. The old Jukebox plays even older music and there is some retro slot machines, animal heads on the walls, a wood burning stove, a pool table and a friendly bartender. Raquel Welch's bra hangs from the ceiling and people like Clark Gable and Johnny Cash sat here. Basic beers and hard liquor are served here and you can enjoy them inside the bar or while sitting on the rickety, old front porch.

This restaurant is located at 7,800 feet above Lake Tahoe. The view is excellent from just about any table and the atmosphere casual and enjoyable. The appetizers are generous and the Steamed New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels are a good choice. The entrees include beef, poultry and seafood dishes. Sierra Venison is also on the menu. If Seared Ahi Tuna is available, be sure to give it a try. Moderately-priced wines and mixed drinks are also served. The drink menu includes premium wines and liquors and specialized cocktails. Each drink will run about $7-$10 Green Lipped Mussels. The bar is a popular and pleasant place to have a special event, wedding reception or office party.

The Clich� Lounge, Located in the Harrah's Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, has the distinction of being one of the highest bars in the Tahoe area. Located on the 16th floor of the hotel, this hip ultra-lounge has amazing views of the lake and the local ski resorts. The bar serves the very best in wines and spirits as well as over 50 brands of cigars. Brands like Fuente Fuente Opus X, the Zino Davidoff and Vintage Macanudos can be savored in the sumptuous surroundings. A state-of-the-art air filtration system keeps the aromatic vapors moving, removing them up and out of this Lake Tahoe lounge, making Clich� non-smoker friendly as well. Clich�'s list of wines includes selections from around the world, along with fine cognacs, champagnes and designer cocktails. The best single malt scotches and vintage ports are also a specialty of this lounge with a view. The lounge is only open Friday and Saturday after 7:00 p.m. and while the dress is casual, it's not your typical Tahoe bar for the ski crowd. A nice shirt and your best jeans or khakis will be more acceptable than fleece and hiking boots.

7800 Bar & Grill is the only family owned restaurant and bar in the Kirkwood area and it shows. The place is packed on winter ski weekends and at night�especially during one of their many special events which includes free live bands, wine and beer dinners, karaoke night and Pray for Snow bonfires. The menu might be another reason so many people flock to this out of the way bar and grill. The lunch and dinner menu feature comfort food like gourmet Mac 'n Cheese, Grandma's Pot Pie, Fish Tacos, Chili, Clam Chowder and a great kid's menu. Their dinner items include several fish dishes and an amazing Cacao and Espresso Rubbed Filet Mignon. The bar features various beers on tap, local and regional wines and various cocktails.

Himmel Haus is a German restaurant and bierhaus featuring a wide variety of German and Belgian biers and wines with a simple menu of Bavarian-inspired food with a local California twist. The menu includes locally made and sustainably harvested ingredients. The bier menu includes Pilsner, Helles, Hefe Weizen, Dunkel Marzen, Bock and Doppelbock as well as Belgian biers like Lambic, Blond, Wit, Ale and Trappist biers like Chimay and Rochefort Ale. Himmel Haus has special events all week including movies nights, live music, open mic night and trivia night. Their summer BierFest is popular as well as their Oktoberfest celebration.

Cold Water Brewery & Grill in South Lake Tahoe is redefining the pub with handcrafted beer and California style comfort food. Not only does the brewery serve beers like the Water House Wheat, Mr. Toad's Wild Rye, and Hall of the Gods Porter, but they also serve lunch and dinner and a fantastic Sunday Brunch to get you ready for mountain sports. Their menu includes bites like Bacon Wrapped Dates stuffed with Blue Cheese ($7) and Onion Straws ($5), entrees like Smoked Trout Tacos with Apple Jicama Slaw ($14), Short Rib Cottage Pie ($19) and Seared Nantucket Bay Scallops ($26). The Sunday Brunch is served from 9:30 to 2 p.m and features items like Challah French Toast ($11), Breakfast Burger ($14) and delectable Bacon Beignets ($5).