Reno - Downtown
View Reno - Downtown and Midtowne in a larger map
Downtown. Land of a burgeoning burner and arts community amid lots of shopping and entertainment, blinky lights, casino-hotels, and plenty of tourists.
Downtown Reno is transforming. Home to a bubbling innovative arts community as well as most of our mega hotel-casino resorts, downtown is an experience in itself apart from the rest of Reno, offering a variety of attractions amid old and modern, rehauling and vacant buildings, but currently one requiring the patience and sharpness of the experienced traveler.
Below is a brief travel narrative, pointing out some of the highlights to help guide you a through Downtown Reno.
But for specific locations in and around Downtown, or to see the very many worthwhile shops, restaurants, bars, coffeeshops, and hotels, please be sure to scroll down to the listings towards the bottom half of the page.
A few helpful notes:
* Wherever you plan to park downtown, please be sure to remember to lock your vehicles.
* Less and less of Reno's parking is free, so be sure to have change available for parking.
* As with many places off the playa, we recommend some caution before cruising around with your burner props and esprit. Security at the casinos for example is something to be mindful about.
* Virginia Street is the heart of Downtown Reno. However, Virginia Street is NOT the street to use to access or travel through Downtown. It is designed mostly for pedestrian tourists. Sierra and Center Streets – which are one-way streets – lie on either side of Virginia Street, and these are the streets to use. Use Sierra Street to access and travel south through Downtown; use Center Street to return north to I-80.
* Finally, a little side note to further help with navigation: Many streets divide into east and west on either side of Virginia St (for example, West 2nd Street travels west of Virginia Street). And Virginia and streets parallel to it divide into north and south on either side of the Truckee River in Downtown Reno (for example, North Center Street travels north of the Truckee River).
To the journey Downtown…
Coming off Interstate-80, if you take the first right, you will be on Sierra Street. This is the best street to access and travel through downtown from I-80.
In need of EMERGENCY MEDICAL attention, St. Mary's a block over to your right will take excellent care of you.
Continuing down Sierra Street you will pass through the several casino-hotel complexes of Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, and the El Dorado.
Crossing the RR tracks at Third Street, to your left, a block over at Virginia Street, is the legendary Reno Arch.
Continuing down Sierra Street to First Street, this is where Reno’s burgeoning arts center begins along the Truckee River. There are several galleries, museums, and shops in the area, and walks or hang-outs along the river are also highly recommended.
Most notably in this area are two art installations, installations with past lives in Black Rock City. Spire of Fire is at the corner of Sierra and Island Streets, next to the Truckee River. Guardian of Eden by Kate Raudenbush is in front of the Nevada Museum of Art. See below for locations and details.
Right off Sierra along 1st Street: Westwards you will soon find Java Jungle-Vino, and down a few blocks further, the Greyhound Bus Station on Stevenson Lane, and to your right a block further at Ralston, in the Truckee River Lodge, you will find Reno's only vegetarian/vegan restaurant, and with style, the Pneumatic Diner.
Left off Sierra on 1st Street: East of Sierra at 1st Street is the best place to access Virginia Street and south of Downtown.
At First and Virginia Streets you will find the world-famous Bruka Theatre — one of our favorite local theaters.
South on Virginia Street, across the Truckee River and beyond the small financial district, you will soon be entering what has lately come to be known as the Midtown District. A loose band of largely burner-owned, operated, or supportive businesses that have come to be the center of much of the local burning man community. World-Famous The Melting Pot World Emporium, Polyesther's Costume Boutique, and Junkee Clothing Exchange are the most notable highlights to check out, along with The Doll House, Great Basin Community Food Co-Op, Ace's Tattoo, Black Hole Body Piercing, Romantic Sensations, 1099 Club, Chocolate Walrus Boutique, and Carter Brothers Ace Hardware, along a 1/2 mile stretch of Virginia Street.
If you wish to continue southwards beyond Midtowne, look to the Plumb Lane hub.
Need to get back to I-80 from anywhere in Downtown? Remember that Center Street, the street one block east of Virginia Street, is the street that will get you back to I-80.
And this concludes our brief narrative through Downtown. Thank you and please come again!
Okay. But let's say that you are or wish to be car-less around Downtown Reno. Lookout and catch the FREE Sierra Spirit Citifare bus that tours around the downtown core. A map is posted at each bus stop. Buses arrive every 10 minutes to whisk you away. You can also access the regional bus-system close by, at Center and Fourth streets, to venture to places around the entire region.
Groceries and Water
Great Basin Community Food Co-Op
542 1/2 Plumas Street – 775-324-6133 – map
Open daily 9am-9pm. The wonderful people of Reno's only community-owned food co-op are committed to supporting and providing local, sustainable, as well as organic products to the fullest extent possible. Providing a wide variety of produce from currently 56 local farms, bulk foods, dried foods, water, coconut water, drinks, lotions, and solar ovens, Great Basin encourages burners to special-order for their supplies for the playa. Check out the website (highlighted above) and contact the co-op for further information on what they carry, how to support the co-op, and to look into making pre-order arrangements. In the special order section of the website you can view order catalogs, deadlines, pick up dates, and order forms. They currently use wholesale prices and add 15%. Email orders@greatbasinfood.coop for any questions or help.
Spring Water Depot
895 South Center Street – 775-843-7852 – map
24-Hour vending service available. Easy access to fill your own portable containers. No containers available for sale.
Random Curiosities
The Melting Pot World Emporium
1049 South Virginia Street – 775-322-9445 – map
Regular hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun. 12pm-5pm. Around the time of Burning Man, open earlier and later. Call ahead for special hours.
Family-owned and operated by burners Monique, Eric, and Kaz, this wonderful place is also a year-round and longtime favorite of the local and world burner community. Lots and lots of great, exotic, ethnic, futuristic, retro, steampunk, and other fashionable costuming, clothing, lingerie, tutus, booty shorts, belts, boots, shoes, leg warmers, goggles, bags, jewelry, masks, hats, pasties, capes, wings, hoola hoops, playa-safe boas, parasols, a large variety of fire tools, ready-to-go el-wire kits, light toys, flags, tapestries, playa gifts, carrying packs, camel-bags, pocket belts, poi, body paints and latex, body and eco-friendly lotions and oils, lip balms, smoking tools, portable ashtrays, books and dvd's about Burning Man, Burning Man calendars, and other curiosities. Also a section of fun clothing just for kids too! All-in-all, a great place to meetup with other burners and for local info.
The Melting Pot is also one of the few places on the planet that sells tickets to Burning Man. HOWEVER, for 2011, tickets are already sold out here — if they are still available at all, go to Burning Man Tickets Online.
Junkees Clothing Exchange
960 South Virginia Street – 775-322-5868 – map
Open every day, 11am-8pm. Open later during Burning Man, call ahead for special hours. Owned and operated by burners Jessica and Troy and crew, Junkee Clothing Exchange is a wonderful journey backwards and forwards in time and space to find a HUGE variety of very affordable vintage recycled, upcycled, custom, and one-of-a-kind clothing, including exotic and fun clothing, hats, scarves, corsets, tutus, vests, purses, shoes, jumpsuits, glasses, jewelry, masks, costumes and other accessories for both men and women for the funky life on the playa. Also a place to sell or trade back, recycle your playawear!
Polyesther's Costume Boutique
655 South Virginia Street – 775-420-5050 – map
Burning Man hours: Open daily 11am-8pm, but call ahead for after-hours possibilities. Polyesther's is an up-and-coming costume boutique at a new location that is unique for it's custom-made line of wild fun fashion-ware, unique to the life of Black Rock City and beyond. Here you can find unique, wild, and fun upcycled as well as brand-new clothing and costumes ranging from industrial to faux to vintage to disco to fishnet to chain-malle to sexy, for both women and men. Designs by Esther, Christine Saari-Walkingstick, Aliwear, and other designers. You can find a wide variety of coats, mini-coats, dresses, pants, shirts, vests, suits, tutus, corsets, lingerie, leggings, gloves, belts, ponchos, boot toppers and covers, vests, pants, hats, wigs, halos, wings, bikini-wear, el-wired and weighted hoola-hoops, hand-painted parasols, masks, and jewelry. Esther will also make something custome just for you, contact her by August 15 to get in your order.
The Doll House
1092 South Virginia Street – 775-337-6060 – map
Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. During Burning Man, call for after-hours. The Doll House is the place to get some of the sexiest custom-made outfits and costumes for the playa, including spandex pants, booty shorts, mini-pleated skirts, bikinis, tops, fishnet stockings in a wide variety of colors and designs, fur clothing and accessories, feather earrings, pasties, eye lashes, and a large selection in boots and shoes. Some sexy wear such as booty shorts, thongs, and boots for men too. Also carrier of men-magnet lotions and lip gloss. Owner and burner Jeanne specializes in sewing stretch fabrics, including lames and other wild fabrics, and she also carries a large variety from other brands. Custom outfits possible — orders should be placed by no later than August 15!
Spire of Fire
Corner of Sierra and Island Streets, next to the Truckee River – map
Featured in Black Rock City in 2010, Spire of Fire, by local Reno artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, is BRAF’s fourth installation at this public art venue in Reno, Nevada, and will be on display June 20 – Nov. 15, 2011.
Nevada Museum of Art
160 West Liberty Street – 775-329-3333 – 775-329-1541 – map
Open Wed-Sun. 10am-5pm, Thur 10am-8pm. Reno's largest art museum, and bringing a little more of the playa through art exhibitions and installations to Reno every year — most notably Kate Raudenbush's Guardian of Eden.
Bruka Theatre
99 North Virginia Street – 775-323-3221 – map
One of our favorite theatre and production companies, founded and operated mostly by burners to create and share the experience of innovative theatre. Call ahead or check out the website for shows and times.
Romantic Sensations
1065 South Virginia Street – 775-322-1884 – map
Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Large adult boutique with toys, boots, wigs, clothing, lingerie.
Chocolate Walrus Boutique
1278 South Virginia Street – 775-825-2267 – map
Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm. Adult boutique offering romance.
Aces Tattoo
681 South Virginia Street – 775-333-0915 – map
Open afternoons and evenings, 7 days a week.
Black Hole Body Piercing
912 South Virginia Street – 775-329-6010 – map
Open Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm. A full-service piercing studio owned by a female burner since 1995. The Black Hole carries a huge selection of jewelry for body piercing and stretched ears, and offers clean, private and group-viewing piercing rooms, using only single-piercing needles. The friendly and knowledgeable staff would be pleased to discuss any piercing questions or ideas you may have.
Salvation Army
1925 Sutro Street – 775-688-4588 – 775-688-4589 – map
Open 9am-6pm, closed Sundays. Large thrift store.
Hardware/Camping
Carter Bros. Ace Hardware
1215 South Virginia Street – 775-337-1200 – map
Open Mon-Sat 8am-6:30pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Call ahead for later hours during Burning Man. Owned and operated by burners, one of the few hardware stores in town that is independently seeking to meet the shade and camping needs of the burning man participant. Stocking up on a wide variety of playa-specific hardware, camping, and lighting needs. Tents, sleeping bags, tarps, conduit, pvc, wood, tools, solar showers, solar pathway lights, headlamps, water jugs, coolers, and crank flashlights are just some of the items to be found here.
Bicycles
Kiwanis Bike Program
2500 Valley Road – 775-846-7146 – map
Open 9am-9pm during Burning Man. Normally a bike program to benefit kids of all ages in-need in the community, the folks of the Kiwanis Bike Program receive large numbers of bikes left on the playa each year, and end up setting aside good playa bikes for burners to purchase for Burning Man at very fair prices. They also provide bike repairs.
There are actually two ways to purchase one of the bikes from these great folks: one way is to stop during the week of Burning Man at their shop; the other way is at the Save Mart supermarket located in the Keystone shopping hub. Get em while they last!
Reno Bike Project
541 East Fourth Street – 775-323-4488 – map
Open 9am-9pm around Burning Man time — call ahead though for possible unusual-hours appointment. A used-bike seller and community bike shop operated by many burners, this is a great place to get a bike at a great price. Get em while they last! They also repair bikes, carry lights and lighting, including ready-to-go el-wire kits by Cool Neon, baskets, racks, and bells, and will take and recycle bikes back post-Burning Man.
College Cyclery
622 South Virginia Street – 775-323-1809 – map
Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.
Wild Sierra Adventures
407 North Virginia Street – 775-323-8928 – 866-323-8928 – map
Open daily 9am-5pm. Located inside the Silver Legacy at the Adventures Desk. Taking reservations for bike rentals and shuttle services to the playa.
Restaurants
Pneumatic Diner
501 West First Street – 775-786-8888, ext. 106 – map
Open 11am-11pm daily, except Sundays open at 9am for brunch. A long-time favorite hangout of many vegetarians and vegans as well as non-vegetarians, the laid back and cozy atmosphere quickly leads one to forget where one is at in the biggest little city. Seating at times may be hard to come by, as it is a very popular and cozy hole-in-the-wall, but well worth the wait. The entrance is located in the northeast corner of the Truckee River Lodge Building on Ralston St. It's up the stairs on the back side of the building and is easy to miss if you don't know it's there. Oh, and the food is YUMMY with a wide variety of vegan/vegetarian/raw creations!
Dandelion Deli
1170 South Wells, #2 – 775-322-6100 – map
Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm. A very favorite deli among the locals serving vegans/vegetarians as well as carnivores with a wide variety of very, VERY GOOD food at reasonable prices. Also does catering.
Zagol Ethiopian Restaurant
855 East Fourth Street – 775-786-9020. – map
Open 11am-3pm and 5am-9pm Tue-Sun. The region's only Ethiopian restaurant providing exotic vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes.
Blue Moon Pizza
190 California Street – 775-324-2828 – map
Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 1pm-9pm. A local secret, Blue Moon wins accolades from folks in the know. Many vegetarian pizzas, and they stuff the pie to the brim.
Peg's Glorified Ham & Eggs
420 South Sierra Street – 775-329-2600 – map
Open 6:30am-2pm daily.
Silver Peak Grill and Taproom
135 North Sierra Street – 775-284-3300 – map
124 Wonder Street – 775-324-1864 – map
Open Mon-Thu 11am-midnight, Sat-Sun 11am-1am. Very popular local brewery/restaurant with two locations to serve you: One in the heart of the arts district, and the other is south of downtown, across from the very popular Zephyr Lounge.. Features indoor and outdoor dining, serving imaginative dishes and brews.
India Kabob and Curry
1091 South Virginia Street – 775-348-6222 – map
Open daily 11:30am-10:30pm, with lunch buffet from 11:30 til 3:00. This buffet is better than most, the price is a bargain, and they change the line-up on a regular basis, with plenty of options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Good beer selection too. Parking in back is through a narrow alley, but there's decent street parking in the neighborhood.
Thai Chili Restaurant
1030 South Virginia Street – 775-786-7878 – map
Open 11am-9pm daily.
Hotels/Casinos
ElDorado Hotel & Casino
345 North Virginia Street – 800-879-8879 – 775 879-8879 – map
The El Dorado is offering a discount of 25% off "Published Rates" (from $39) from August 25 through September 9. Complimentary upgrade to a "Deluxe Room" plus $150 in added value coupons. Call and mention BURN11.
Silver Legacy Resort Casino
407 North Virginia Street – 800-687-8733 – 775-325-4777 – map
Rooms currently available before and after Burning Man at $49.99 midweek. Click here for further info.
Harrah's
219 North Center Street – 888-726-6311 – 775-788-3000 – map
Harrah's is offers a standard room in the East Tower for $49.00 during September 5 – 8.Monday, 9/5-Thursday, 9/8. Call and mention special code: S09BURN
Circus Circus Reno Hotel and Casino
500 North Sierra Street – 800-648-5010 – 775-329-0711 – 775-789-5604 – map
Circus Circus is offering a discount rates starting at $35, plus two complimentary breakfast vouchers (two per room per stay). Click here or call and ask for the rate code NRSCBRN.
Ramada Reno Hotel
1000 East 6th Street – 775-786-5151 – map
Offering rooms at $49.99 on these dates – August 30 – September 2, and September 5. $89.99 for rooms on September 3 and 4. Click here for more details.
Club Cal Neva
38 East 2nd Street – 775-323-1046 – map
Sands Regency Casino Hotel
345 North Arlington Avenue – 775-348-2200 – 800-648-3553 – map
Sands provides discounted room rates for during Burning Man. $25 from August 28-September 1, and on September 5. $65 on August 27, and from September 2-4. When calling for reservations give discount code: BURN11.
Econo Lodge
666 North Wells Avenue – 775-329-3125 – map
I-80 at Wells Avenue Exit # 14.
Motel 6
866 North Wells Avenue – 775-786-9852 – 775-786-3162 – map
I-80 at Wells Avenue Exit #14.
Days Inn
701 East 7th Street – 775-786-4070 – map
I-80 at Wells Avenue Exit # 14.
Hospitals/Urgent Care Facilities
St Mary's Regional Medical Center
236 West 6th Street – 775-770-3000 – map
Renown Regional Medical Center
155 Mill Street – 775-982-4100 – map
Renown Medical Family & Urgent Care
975 Ryland, Ste. 100 – 775-982-5210 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
Liquor Stores
Craft Wine & Beer
22 Martin Street – 775-622-4333 – map
Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Call ahead for possible later hours. A HUGE (over 300!) and awesome selection of imported and domestic craft beers, imported wines, and some spirits. Notably will be stocking up on canned beers and unique spirits for during the event.
Bars
Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor
71 South Wells Avenue – 775-384-1652 – map
Open daily 2pm-whenever! Look for the giant monkey and "FYD" on the side of the building — Jub Jub's is located in the back.
Burners-owned and operated and known as "The Fucking Classiest Dive Bar in Reno," if you are wondering if there is any kind of affiliation between Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor and the Jub Jub's Theme Camp in Black Rock City, well, ehhhh, hmmm, you'll just have to come find out for yourself. Due to the closing of the world-famous Zephyr Bar, pretty much everyone who frequented that bar now resides at Jub Jub's. Featuring live music regularly and other wildly bizarre and fun personalities and events and games, if you're coming through Reno and stop at the Thirst Parlor on August 26 and 27, ask for a "Free Spin on the Wheel." You won't regret it. Oh, and, Fuck Your Day.
Wurk
214 West Commercial Row – 775-329-9444 – map
A still relatively young nightclub that is a smash already for top-notch dance music, chill, and class. Highly recommended.
The Underground & Treehouse Lounge
555 East Fourth Street – 775-786-2582 – map
Big favorite among local burners and supporter of the community. Host of many burner functions including pre- and decompression events, both The Underground and Treehouse Lounge host a variety of musical scenes.
Strega
310 South Arlington Avenue – 775-348-9911 – map
A relatively new establishment that is very popular already with a cozy style and bands and house music scenes.
1099 Club
1099 South Virginia Street – 775-329-1099 – map
This is a good starting point if you're looking for a rainbow pride tour of Reno. Find drag revues, patio parties, and the dish on other GLBT business and resources.
Red Rock Studio
241 South Sierra Street – 775-324-2468 – map
One of the more unique lounges in town – clean and cozy, wonderful service, and some class ! Open most all day with espressos.
The 5-Star Saloon
132 West Street – 775-329-2878 – map
Open 24/7. A downtown-Reno gay bar that offers a friendly, sassy place, with pool tables, live shows, live DJs, Internet jukebox, and free WiFi. No cover charge; free parking at the 1st Street Parking Gallery.
The Patio
600 West 5th Street – 775-323-6565 – map
A very classy, friendly gay bar with mixed crowd, and deluxe pool tables. Mostly women on Friday nights.
Jungle Vino
248 West 1st Street – 775-329-4484 – map
Open Mon-Thurs 3pm-midnight, Fri 3pm-2am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-midnight. Fine wine and food in an intimate, sophisticated setting. Features a full-service bar, weekly wine tastings, and special events supporting local artists and music.
Silver Peak Grill and Taproom
135 North Sierra Street – 775-284-3300 – map
124 Wonder Street – 775-324-1864 – map (The actual brewery is at this location).
Coffeehouses/Wireless
Java Jungle
246 West 1st Street – 775-329-4484 – map
Open 7am-midnight daily. A local favorite with lots of style by the Truckee River.
Bibo Coffee Company
945 Record Street – 775-348-8087 – map
Open daily 6:30am-9pm. Just north of I-80 and downtown. A local favorite especially with the university with great coffee, tea, and goodies.
Bibo Coffee Company
50 West Liberty Street # 1 – 775-329-3322 – map
Open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm. On the southern edge of downtown and nearby the Nevada Museum of Art. A local favorite with great coffee, tea, and goodies.
Recycling and Garbage Disposal
RSW Recycling
1100 East Commercial Row – 775-329-8822 – map
Open 24/7. Takes plastics, glass, aluminum, tin, and steel cans, cardboard, and paper. No dumping — NO FURNITURE!
Schnitzer Steel
490 Valley Road, Reno – 775-331-2267 – map
Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-3pm. Accepts all metals for recycling.
Reno Salvage Company
301 Montello – 775-323-7109 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Takes scrap metals only.
Earth First Recycling
9600 North Virginia Street, Reno – 775-626-2286 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. A place which accepts plastic containers, cardboard, and pallets.
Reno Transfer Station
1390 East Commercial Row – 775-329-8882 – map
Open Mon-Fri 6am-6pm, Sat and Sun 8am-6pm. Garbage disposal at $6 per cubic yard.
Transportation
Greyhound Bus Station
155 Stevenson Street – 775-322-2970 – map
Auto Repairs/Parts
Reno Vulcanizing Auto Care & Tire Works
590 North Virginia Street – 775-322-2141 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-5pm. Good general auto repairs service beyond tires despite the name.
Rankin's Auto Service
530 Merrill (off Wells near I-80) – 775-329-8433 – map
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
Need more info? Try: Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Reno News and Review, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Magazine, Reno Tahoe Tonight, National Traffic and Road Closure Information, PlayReno, NevadaNet, goTahoe.com, Tahoe.com, Fernleynews.com. 
