Slate of eateries, bars and shops opening in downtown Riverside

Several new additions to the downtown Riverside entertainment and shopping mix have recently opened (or are readying to open), adding to the area’s already decent collection of eateries, bars and shops.

Already open — 9th Street Italian Deli (Ninth & Market), Pixels Bar (near University & Lemon), and Beyond the Olive, which is inside the recently opened Aurea Vista: A Shopping Mecca (University & Lemon), itself a VERY impressive collection of independent shops and artistic products (a great place for gifts!).

Set to open soon — ProAbition (Sixth & Main), a roaring 20s inspired speakeasy; Mission Martini (near Mission Inn & Main), a martini bar that’s an expansion to the popular Elephant Thai restaurant (itself a recent and popular newcomer to downtown). (Update 12/13: Another eatery — DDogs — is working to open in early 2013 at 3557 University, adjacent to Back to the Grind.)

These latest additions add yet another layer to the growing downtown entertainment and shopping area, one we’re glad to see continue to expand. They join several well-established eateries, bars and shops downtown near the pedestrian mall, including (but not limited to):

Main Street & Pedestrian Mall: Mission Galleria, MP Couture, Phood on Main, Antonious Pizza, Pacific Stiks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles, Tamale Factory, Jon Michael Salon, Delights & Invites, Don Carlos Hair Design, Magnolia’s, Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro, Gallery of Flowers, Mission Wine Gallery, Sixth Street Pilates, The Upper Crust Sandwich Shoppe, Hairworks, Soul Dout, Our Treasure Chest Toys, Manhattans Salon, Reveille Yoga and Fitness Studio, House of Imports, Curves, Grams BBQ, Downtowne Book Store, Wendie Monrroy on Main, Textures, The Parrott, Toni Moore Clothing (on Sixth), and Mardon Jewelers.

University Avenue: Back to the Grind, Worthington’s Tavern, Menagerie, Lake Alice Trading Co., Mission Tobacco Lounge, Subway, DragonMarsh, Doña Timos, Emilio’s Salon, Studio Dejon, Division 9 Gallery, California Riverside Ballet, Backstreet Performing Arts, Farmer Boys, Pizza Hut, Art’s Bar & Grill, and Applebees.

Mission Inn Avenue: Elephant Thai, The Hideaway, Mario’s Place, and Big Cheese Pizza & Brewery, and Bello Salon (behind Big Cheese).

And not too far off the beaten path are: Sevilla, Old Spaghetti Factory, Mi Tortilla, Olio Ristoranté (Marriott), Oscar Capelli Salon, Felix’s Barber Shop, The Salted Pig, Bre Dance Studio, El Bajio, Pacific Cabin Sushi, Salon 3778, Riverside Mission Florist, El Sarape Mexican Restaurant, Tio’s Taco’s, Taco Station, Clark’s Nutritional Center, Old Glory General Store, Starbucks, Del taco, Carl’s Jr., and Jack in the Box.

And of course, there’s the Fox Performing Arts Center, the Mission Inn and its related shops, restaurants and bars: Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Bella Trattoria, Las Campanas, Mission Inn Restaurant, Casey’s Cupcakes, Presidential Lounge, 54 Degrees at Duane’s, and Kelly’s Boutique.

Finally, don’t forget about the downtown museums: Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Riverside Art Museum, Mission Inn Museum, UCR/California Museum of Photography, UCR/Culver Center for the Arts, and RCC/Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties.

So, if you haven’t already checked out the new places (or even the old ones), do so and enjoy a part of what makes downtown Riverside a truly special and unique spot in all of Southern California.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise – New bars, restaurants open downtown (Dec. 6, 2012) | New Italian restaurant opens in downtown Riverside (Dec. 7, 2012) | Fancy franks coming to downtown Riverside (Dec. 13, 2012)
• Aurea Vista
• Riverside Downtown Partnership
• Inland Arts