Donovan Hughes

"Retro Junkie" is quite a progressive concept that more entertainment venues should establish. And that is by opening up an indoor/outdoor dance club earlier in the day. That's exactly what this place does and they do it right. Their hours are Sundays from 12:30-10pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 6pm to as late as 2am on weekend nights. Location is right in the heart of Walnut Creek off of N. Main Street and close to Ygnacio Valley Rd. I came here with a group of friends on the afternoon of Sunday, September 5th around 5:30pm and stayed until 9:30pm. We paid a $10 cover and this does allow in/out privileges after you get your hand stamped. One interesting concept about this place is that they have "themed" nights; meaning there are guest DJ's spinning a specific type of music (house, top 40, hip-hop, oldies, etc.), trivia nights, and live bands. There are also other forms of entertainment that includes cornhole, beer pong, a jumbo Connect Four game, Jenga, and even a food truck that parks adjacent to the outside area. I consider this place to be two clubs in one. The outdoor area has large communal style picnic benches over astro turf with several tents to block out the sunshine and any other outdoor elements. This is also the area where the DJ spins a variety of music depending on the day. Additionally, there are heat lamps (as we know how much the Bay Area temperatures drop after sunset) as well as lights and palm trees that only add to the colorful setup that this place has to offer. The inside has a look and feel of something entirely different which is a dedicated dance club complete with a large bar area and a back area complete with several pinball machines and pool tables. You will also find an area where they showcase skateboards and lots of vinyl records, hence the name Retro in "Retro Junkie". During the time my friends and I came, they were playing a ton of throwback 90's music mixed with some of the more modern hits. During these times where we are living in COVID, all of the employees were following safety guidelines by masking up and keeping themselves and others safe. I enjoyed several drinks including an iced cold beer and a mixed cocktail. Overall, I only wish there were more places like this everywhere. Sometimes its always fun to start dancing a little earlier in the day and that's what this place does right. Overall, I give "Retro Junkie" an above average four stars. Definitely fun vibes here!

+1

LaMonica Esver

I’ve visited this place years ago, but was so happy to see the updates since the pandemic. The beer garden is an open air haven! They show movies outdoors with a crisp & clear screen with a booming sound system. The bartender staff were friendly and made great 🍹 cocktails. The night I went they were serving street tacos, which were delicious. I’ll definitely go back.

Steven Hanson

All those people and one toilet. Plus $25 cover charge, if you like very loud retro music and you like to stand, have at it. Limited parking on busy nights.

SoulBrotha91

Drove over 20 miles just to arrive and be told by security at the entrance that they "don't allow clothing with sports logo" (even though my hoodie didn't have a sports logo and only referenced the Oakland A's coliseum as the last dive bar if we're being specific). I then decided I was gonna leave and not return since I didn't see the point in driving 60 miles back & forth from home just to change my attire. Which I had to take an L in wasting 17 dollars. At this point I took the time to look up their policy. Come to find out in the event details from eventbrite it did mention the rule of "No sports logos/sports attire", which I'll take responsibility for not checking prior. But here's the problem. Why was it stated there via eventbrite but not on the official website of this venue??!! Why did I have to go thru a 3rd party source to know that? By common sense I was gonna look on their website first yet no policy/rules section was found. There is also a picture in the photos section which states "No jerseys" but ought to say "No sports apparel of any kind". The only bar/venue I've had this happen to me. I was really looking forward to the daft punk night but maybe it was for the best that I didn't go. The various low ratings I read speak for themselves, along with the fact they have a no refund policy. $17 that I won't get back. And the photos seem to show that this place will only appeal to white folks that grew upon 80's or 90's rock bands. Speaking of 90's the arcade cabinets could have more variety of beat em up games like the Ninja Turtles (1991) and X-men (1992). Or even NBA Jam, a cult classic! I'll stick to the other bars I've gone to or Round 1 for this type of vibe. I'm good

Henrik Dahl

They have security that is over reacting. My first time there and I went to the bathroom and ended up in the wrong bathroom - there was no one in the bathroom so I made an honest mistake. I come out and a security guy angrily throws me out with my girlfriend. Talk about over reacting - I understand if you make trouble but these security guards react like well are a bunch of troublemakers! First and last time there! Oh yeah the mixed drinks are horrible too.

Victoria Hillman

I recommended this place previous because I always had a great time! I usually recommend this place to anyone who visits the bay- but I just recently got some very, very upsetting news. My very good family friend’s fiancé came here with her girlfriends for a good time and her ID was confiscated? I laughed in disbelieve when I first heard the story: I didn’t believe it because last I knew my friend Enrique was part owner ? (I haven’t been to this establishment in over ten years because I moved away.) Maybe there is new owners and that’s why it’s not as good? Clearly, quality of the establishment has degraded for them to treat anyone with this type of malice? The business actually commented back and said “Hopefully you will work on being a more honest human being in the future.” Wow. Shame on you. That couple are the most honest people I know. Taking a women OF age, her ID? Instead of just turning her away at the door. That’s absolutely unreal to me… How times have changed for the worst at retro junkie :( Makes me sad.

Angelina Rodriguez Salazar

I think their recent reviews speak for themselves. We were denied entry by Vinny the head of security who has clearly let the title get to his bald head. We arrived with a seltzer in hand and he told us we could not have it on their property so we took it back to our car 2 blocks down. We came back and he denied us entry because we didn’t follow his “order” to throw it away. He never told us that. He then proceeded to say we were going to cost him his liquor license, at the time there was plenty of other men drinking in their actual lot out of their trunks with beer cans. My friends and I were all brown and didn’t look like the demographic that was in the building. Even his mate was questioning why he was doing this. Absolutely horrible establishment, but what more can you expect from a location in Walnut Creek. Anyways, check out Albany, ca for better, more welcoming environments.

Jalen Wesley

If you are black and come here prepare to be racially profiled. I came here to support my friend, and of all the 70 people in the room he was on my coattails. The “security”(with tattoos everywhere mentionable) here the guy with many tattoos is bias. I was accompanying my friend, but as I was trying to assist my friend to the bathroom he was immediately on my heels. And throughout the night he was staring me down, me one of two only black guys on the Latin. This place is not exclusive, and the POC here uphold the racism of WC.

Jaycee Brunson

Went here a few years back for my birthday. I’ve been to plenty of bars, but I’ve never experienced security as unprofessional and rude as I did here. they were dismissive, aggressive, and spoke down to us for no reason. Also seeing the way they’re responding to other bad reviews just speaks for them as a company. Plenty of other great places to go in Walnut Creek.

Nico Sabedra

Went to Retro Junkies and had one of the worst, most unprofessional experiences I’ve ever had at a bar. The staff illegally confiscated my fiancée’s valid ID, claiming it was fake. I’m 26 and she’s 28 why on earth would we need fake IDs? When we called back the next day to speak with management, they told us the ID would be ready for pickup. But when we arrived, it had mysteriously disappeared. They offered no explanation, no replacement, nothing — just “a table for the night” as if that made up for them taking and losing a government-issued ID. This place is sketchy, careless, and completely unprofessional. If you value your time, money, and personal property, stay far away.