Smiling Skull Saloon Review

It's the skull! Relaxing and fun with great music and hot bartenders!

the bar rocks. 11 stars.

One night, I was just being a regular at the skull. Not only did I drink two pitchers alone, but I fell in love with the atmosphere. I recommend to any in-town homiez or passerbys. Great bar.

My favorite bar in Athens ! Best PBR on draft and the best Washington Apple Shots ! Best patio area by far ..

Somehow I never knew this place had a BEER GARDEN out the back door, and had had it for about ten years! Very fun, low-key place to hang out, with a fun crowd and friendly staff. NOTE: Bring cash... closest ATM is the credit union one on Union, all the way up the hill.

C a U very N rude T waitress forced us out after not ordering for 30 seconds. We sat down and were asked to leave. They have lost my business forever

We were camping during a tornado watch that became a warning. Went into town on a holiday and very few spots were open. Not only was smiling skull open, but they also were very understanding and when the sirens went off, they gave us safe shelter. Bartender was a sweetheart through the whole thing, keeping folks calm and safe, allowing us to charge our phones, etc. And drinks were well-priced and they had great live music, 10/10 do recommend

Good place to drink. Lots of friendly ppl. Locals and students mingle. Bartenders are great. I'll be back... cheap drinks.

This classic dive bar lives up to its name, with countless skulls hanging in every nook. Don't miss the outdoor seating that is hidden out back.

It's a Dive Bar, Packed with College Students throughout most of the year, Tuesday Night is Open Mic, Wednesday is Karaoke...Ive been going there for 12 years...The owners are some of the best people Ive ever met.

Beers cold and the Chicks was hot. 4-1. Thanks for the karate night and cold beer.

Good place to drink me and my Dad used to meet up there alot good times

Nice little country bar with great service and a nice view. Have great bands from time to time.

Nice low key bar with great owners and staff. Its a sad thing that the man who built the buisness is no longer with us but he is still present in spirt.
They do have live music some nights but it is a bit small for live bands. But its small dark location gives the place character and personality.

The best little hole in the wall you'll get in athens

For bikers, hard working folks, and non prissy type people. Scenic view from the tiered decks out back where you can drink, smoke, and be outside.

Ice cold beer great place for bad boys to shoot pool or just gather with friends

Always a good time, and Sara is the best bartender there!

Cool place for locals and students...lube music and cons drinks...best outdoor seating in Athens

Great destination ride harley dive bar... friendly staff, cool atmosphere in small town...can't beat the back road ride to get here...some of the best riding in Ohio.

Great place to hangout. People are great. Drinks are cheap (Blue Moon $2.75)

Love the Wednesday karaoke but otherwise a typical townie bar

Great dive bar. Cheap drinks. Excellent service and above average clientele. Go here.

This place is a little dive bar that is a must see when in Athens oh you won't regret it.

Awesome bar and the bartenders bust their butts getting you a cold one. The bands there are often and are great, I'll be back many more times, especially on Halloween!

What a great hole in the wall. It's somewhere where you can go and be yourself nobody cares what background you're from or male or female or whatever. You can make new friends or meet old friends or just be by yourself and read the paper. Atmosphere is always great. Now this is a sort of biker bar but most times you would not know that. The beer is real real cold. There is someone playing pool most of the time so you can join in. usually jukebox is playing. They have karaoke on Wednesdays and they have open stage. Most of the time there is live music on the weekends. If you're by yourself You Can Dance by yourself and no one cares. The afternoon / after work crowd and the Sunday regulars can't be beat. Just a fun time. I would give a 5-star if when it's hot they would make it a little cooler in there but evidently they are trying to save money. So when it's hot and sticky you can go next door or elsewhere. Most of the time the company so good you just deal with the heat. Come out and enjoy yourself put the rest of the world aside.

Local hangout with a very distinct crowd; some of the nicest people in Athens as well.

A great little place to grab a cold one and shoot the wind for a while~

Great little dive bar. Beer is always cold here, and hits the spot after a long ride, Staff is friendly as well as the customers. Bikers feel welcome here.

The Smiling Skull does not try and pretend to be something it's not. It's for people who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and enjoy a real beer with live music. Most underated bar in Athens.

GREAT PLACE TO START THE DAY OFF WITH A FEW COLD ASS BEER'S

A Diamond in the Rough. This place has some characters, to be sure. Seems to be dog friendly at times, too. The back, outside terraces were a pleasant surprise, particularly if you want a smoke. There are some drugs around (if you know who to ask, apparently), and one or two people get pretty wasted from time to time, but it seems safe enough. No food that I could see, and the only parking is on lower West Union (which is usually not a problem). A favorite biker destination the the H-D crowd some weekends in the summer, likely because the owner rides. An Athens original, but decidedly not a place you'll see Joe College on Mom's or Dad's Weekend at OU. Try it.

One of my favorite "dive" bars. Bring cash, calm your inner beer snob, and head out back to enjoy the best outdoor drinking space in Athens. (All of my Uptown bar ratings refer to when they are not jammed; subtract a few stars on weekends during school year)

Always a great time; be it karaoke, open mic, a live band, or a nice drink.

a must go to whenever in Athens..open every day of the year..dogs welcome

Mine and Dad's(JR McGrath) favorite bar. I'll always miss sitting at the bar with Old Boy.

Love coming here on Wednesdays for the karaoke, gets packed most nights though and only get 2-3 songs in.

Great bar! The memorabilia on the walls is awesome!

Reasonably priced with a great live band this past Saturday night

Happiest biker bar in the world most stop and have a beer

Staff is mostly friendly if you're respectful but the clientele can be very hit or miss from night to night

Friendly staff and dog. Who doesn't love a bar with a dog?

If you want an authentic biker bar experience in Athens, look no further. The beer is always cold; enjoy a $6 pitcher with a couple friends, play a couple games of pool and listen to some live music. The people and atmosphere is what makes this place a true Athens gem. I also enjoy ending my night relaxing up on the roof seating area. Don't let the regulars intimidate you, they're great company!

Chill AF joint, good house band, mixed age group, nice staff.

Amazingly cool local pub. It looks a bit seedy, but that's its allure.

Drinks are cheap friendly people not real crowded fun place to hang

Old biker bar, sometimes full ,sometimes smaller crowds all depends on the night.

A great place to be a regular at. Cash only though. They have a fun karaoke night on Wednesdays but it starts a bit late, 9pm.

One of the only downtown bars not completely taken over with college kids. Adults you can actually relax with have a drink share a laugh alot of great band's everyone is friendly staff as well as regular customers. Recommend for townies or older out of towners stop in