Vinny’s on Tower

I’m a sucker for an underlit bar with lots of dark wood and TVs that don’t scream. Imagine my relief upon moving here to find that the Green Valley Ranch area (near DIA) has a great spot just like this down the road.

Though Vinny’s bills itself a sports bar (quietly), it doesn’t really give off the “clink beers with your noisy frat brothers” vibe. There are multiple TVs you can watch from any angle at the bar (and from the many booths that run alongside it), but the volume is blissfully low, letting you hear your lunch/dinner guests without having to lean in and go, “What? Say that again!”

The food is typical American fare (burgers, wings, salads) with a few curveballs thrown in (a Monte Cristo sandwich, pot roast, and fish tacos for instance). We’ve never had bad service, either, but we’ve typically gone on weeknights. However, we got swept up by a bucket (or three) of good brews one evening and found ourselves surrounded by a rousing karaoke show. (We did some drunken No Doubt, of course, and people sang along.) The crowd was really mixed and everyone (young and old) was really supportive of everyone who took the mic. Great crowd to accidentally party with, I won’t lie. For the record, Saturday nights at 9pm is Vinny’s karaoke.

There’s a killer digital jukebox there if you wanna control the ambiance. They have everything from 60s classic rock to brand-new The Weekend, and it pumps through a sound system that’s nicely set up.

They recently underwent a remodel, so the place is really clean.

Vinny’s is split into two sides: the bar is on one, and a quieter, more subdued dining room is on the other. There’s a daily happy hour that includes $2 draft Coors Lights and $1 off all house wines and well drinks. As well, all DIA employees get 20 percent off their entire bill by presenting a DIA badge. Would I recommend Vinny’s? Sure, perhaps for a laid-back meal with a buddy.

VinnysBarandGrillAtDIA.com