Off the beaten downtown path, Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen (902 Dodge St, Omaha) is a modern bar offering elevated comfort food sourced locally and 100+ craft beers from local Nebraska and Iowa breweries. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 (excluding nights there are events downtown). Discounted starters include things from poutine, their Local burger and soft pretzels. Drafts are all discounted dependent on their starting price point ($5 and under are $3, etc.) well drinks are $3.50 and beer bottles and cans are half priced.
Local has an open floor plan where you sit yourself. Large modern fixtures stud the exposed ceilings and the centerpiece is a wrap around bar. There’s a large patio with plenty of shared seating and a cool lounge area with a life-sized Connect Four wall! The waitstaff is very helpful when trying to navigate the extensive beer list and Local’s website even has an “If, Then” section that pairs common “mainstream” favorites with their local craft counterparts.
My friend and I decided to try their Bierrocks( $1 each: beerrock version has Nebraska beef, beer-braised cabbage, onions and spices) which were mini Runza buns. I don’t really care for Runzas because at a certain point the inside of the dough is mushy, but the size here made them edible. They came with Local’s “spicy” beer cheese sauce. Nice addition that elevated these bierrocks from knock-off Runzas. Two or three would satisfy anyone’s Runza itch.
My first drink was the Empyrean Imperial Mango IPA ($4: 16oz). I really have to stop trying to make myself like IPAs. The mango didn’t overpower the hoppiness of this beer and I just couldn’t finish. It is however, a very light beer and great for sipping on Local’s patio if you are an IPA lover or convert.
My love of potatoes wouldn’t let me skip over the waffle fry nachos ($5: Mexican chorizo, housemade pico, black olives, jalapenos, sour cream and beer cheese). The actual waffle fries were super crispy and well seasoned. Thick enough to actually support the toppings and crispy enough to emulate a chip sort of crunch. The beer cheese was a great substitute for nacho cheese, having the same amount of space while having more depth of flavor.
I had better luck with the Peacetree Blonde Fatale ($4: 8oz). Blonde ales might be my sweet spot summer beers as they are light and refreshing and essentially hop-free (as far as distinguishable taste). This has been on the beer list my last two visits but be warned, it does change periodically. If something really catches your interest, try it right away, especially given their reasonably priced flight option.
I give Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen five smiles. I love that they incorporate Nebraska in their food and beverage offerings, the patio is nice and I have to go back to play Connect Four. They are also one of the few if not only bars downtown that have off-street parking (although it is metered, almost had it all Local).
