Entry No. 37 — the Spokane file — filed under: ritual-music
Baby Bar
An itty-bitty hole-in-the-wall hidden behind the Neato Burrito counter, marked mostly by a subtle door and a red velvet curtain. Inside it is dim and red-lit, with eclectic art including a Twin Peaks-inspired velvet-curtain installation, occasional live music, and cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices. Locals treat it as a beloved dive where you can always find a friend.
The story
From the sidewalk on 1st Avenue, 827 West looks like an ordinary spot to pick up lunch. Step inside Neato Burrito, walk past the taco counter, and look closely at the back wall. Draped right behind the ordering line is a subtle doorway covered by a red velvet curtain. Duck through it and you drop straight out of a burrito shop into a cramped, dim pocket universe.
The room is small, perpetually red-lit, and anchored by eclectic art—including a velvet-curtain installation nodding to the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks. Despite the ultra-compact dive footprint, the bartenders skip the pre-made mixers and squeeze fresh juices for their cocktails. When a live band is on the schedule, they wedge themselves into a corner barely wide enough for a drum kit while regulars pack the floor tight enough to feel like a living room party.
What it's like
To get in, enter Neato Burrito and push through the heavy red drape in the back. The room is notoriously small and fills up fast on weekends, so coming early on a weeknight—they open at 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday—is your best shot at grabbing a seat. Expect a mix of local regulars, fresh-juice cocktails, and the option to carry a burrito directly through the curtain to eat at the bar.
The move: Order burritos at Neato, then duck through the velvet curtain into the tiny red-lit bar for fresh-juice cocktails and whatever band is squeezed into the corner.
📍 Before you go Tiny space accessed through Neato Burrito; can fill up fast.
- 📍 Spokane (downtown)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 827 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Berserk — Walk two blocks over to trade the red curtain for a punk-leaning room packed with pinball machines and a 45rpm jukebox.
- Volstead Act — Head one block down First Avenue to swap the dive vibe for 1920s Prohibition-style cocktails inside the historic Peyton Building.
- Durkin's Liquor Bar — Walk three blocks east to pair your night with diner-chic comfort food and another hidden speakeasy bar tucked in the basement.
- Bing Crosby Theater (formerly The Met) — Catch a performance at the 1915 historic theater around the block before slipping behind the velvet curtain for nightcaps.
Good to know
How do you find Baby Bar?
Head to 827 W 1st Ave in downtown Spokane, enter Neato Burrito, and look for the red velvet curtain hanging past the front counter.
Can you order food inside the bar?
You order your burritos at the Neato Burrito counter up front and bring them back into the bar area with your drinks.
What are Baby Bar's operating hours?
It opens at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 4:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, staying open late.
Does Baby Bar have live music?
Yes, they host occasional live bands and music events, squeezing performers right into the corner of the small room.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: spokesman.com · Yelp · visitspokane.com · downtownspokane.org · Instagram · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-24