Our Story
Kevin Riley and Nick Andrew created Riley’s with certain priorities in mind. Their devotion to partying with the customers is a quality that makes Riley’s truly unique, Riley’s was to be no ordinary bar! Riley’s would be where everyone could enjoy great drinks in an exceptional atmosphere.
At only 23 years old, Kevin and Nick opened Rileys while still attending Chico State! It was a lively time in Chico and on that fateful Pioneer Day in 1986, Riley's Bar was born. Riley’s was chosen as one of the “TOP 100 College Bars” in the nation by Playboy magazine in the fall of 1997. We have strived in being original in everything we do. We were the first bar to give its customers a BUCK NITE (1987), and we have continued for the past 35 years.
We were the first bar to have Jagermeister (1987) as well as the first bar to have SIERRA NEVADA on draft (1988). Riley’s at one time was the #1 Jack Daniels drinking bar in Northern California. In 2018, Riley's was the #1 bar for Jameson in Northern California. We feature the best in satellite sports everyday with over 20 TV’s available so that everyone can enjoy their favorite game while eating a variety of our original menu items. We are currently one of the top sellers of Rumplemintz in the WORLD!
In 2021 Riley's was voted "Best bar in the nation" by Barstool Sports!
Riley’s customers are very special, some consider Riley’s their second home. In 1986 a patron of Riley’s made a sign that proudly hangs over the front door and symbolizes everything that Kevin and Nick have worked for. It reads “Enter as a stranger… Leave as a friend.”
We strive to give our friends a great atmosphere with great food, great drinks, and great specials: Burger Blowout every Monday, and Wednesday nights the ever popular Hump Day Happy Hour. Daily draft specials, Happy Hours everyday from 4pm to 7pm featuring drafts of domestic or Sierra Nevada, and of course, the infamous BUCK NITE every Tuesday.
Riley’s takes pride in the fact that we have established our own set of Alumni whom we keep in touch with and invite back every year for our annual Birthday party. Over the years this weekend has become one of the most memorable events of the year. It is always an awesome feeling to see Alumni return to their home turf and be able to party the way they did back in the day. The saying comes to mind: “You can take the man out of Chico but you can not take Chico out of the man.” Nick and Kevin love to throw parties, and it has become our goal to have employees who have the same infectious desire, and do it every night!
We hope Riley’s means as much to you as it has to all of our friends that have passed through our doors.Thank you for coming to Riley’s!