Past Time Bar

It was a Thursday night and we were driving from LA to SF. It also happened to be my birthday eve. My wonderful bf told me that when the clock struck midnight, he didn’t want me to be in a car, but out celebrating. We were in the middle of nowhere on the 5 freeway. Everything that served any kind of alcohol was closed. Andersen’s Split Pea Soup was closed. We were about to resort to buying some 40s at a gas station, but came across a Unilocal page for 2 bars in this teeny tiny town of Gustine, several miles of the 5. We decided to go for it.
Gustine is too cute for words. It looks like it hasn’t been touched since the 1960s, a little village of walkable mom and pop shops rather than chains. A friend told me later that it’s used frequently for filming, and I can definitely see why, as this town is as old school Americana as it gets.
The owner («Bill, Billy, or whatever you want to call me») warmly welcomed us and even created a free birthday cake shot for me. He chatted with us, telling us about the town’s history, showing off his impressive cocktail shaker collection (it filled a whole wall) and was just a cool guy. This bar is very dive-​ey and full of kitschy memorabilia. There are pool tables, and signs advertising live music, karaōke nights, and comedy. It was the Cheers bar for this town and I’m sure that many good memories (and lack of memories) are made here.
I loved how much character this bar has and I loved that it was such a perfect birthday kickoff experience. The next time we drive up north, we will definitely get off the freeway to see Bill for a drink!

Good times are always had at the pt. Never a dull moment every time I’ve been. The owner is a really cool guy and the pool table is fun. Patio is a nice addition.

This is a good bar in little gustine. This is the bar where the younger crowd goes too… has pool tables… punch-machine…back door area to sit down and smoke. good place to chill out and have a drink.