Heather J.
Yelp
Ferndale's local business community deserves a lot of love. Drinking holes in this fair community can run the gamut from upscale Emory and polished WAB to quieter holes in the wall. Situated near two of the prime comedy theatres in the area, Sneakers falls towards the lower end of the spectrum without turning into the seedy pit of cigarette smoke and sticky, torn stools that a dive conjures to mind. This is the pit stop for a cheap drink with friends when cash and time are tight, and no one feels like dressing up.
Think of Sneakers as the laidback guy cracking open a Fosters and watching the game, happy for you to flop on the couch or belly up to the bar, very come as you are. It's relaxed and unpretentious, a bit loud, and splashed by one too many annoying TVs and bar games for my liking. Larger tables are located towards the back to accommodate groups, and the front tables are squashed against the windows with a view over the street. The staff manages to navigate between the sections well, and the waitresses are nothing if not prompt and friendly. I haven't been when they were getting slammed, mind you.
The menu is limited to pub standards, cheese popper bites being the most recommended by friends. Don't come here if you happen to be hungry or want a wide, diverse menu -- see the WAB down the street for a wider sampling of sandwiches, wraps, and a proper meal. Burgers and fries aren't very memorable but you're here for the drinks, not the food, probably. Fancier drinks can be had in The Loving Touch or Western Market, for that matter, but Sneakers welcomes one and all into its dark interior without asking many questions.The bar is well-stocked, drinks are stiff, and the price won't make your eyeballs roll back into your skull and froth erupt from your mouth.
On the other hand, enduring the karaoke nights and facing down the ladies' outhouse (seriously, a _sheet_? No way did I go use it) will.