Mining entertainment on the Comstock

Thanks to the concerted efforts of Virginia City business owners, the Comstock is once again the place to enjoy some of the most diverse music around.

When Red Dog Saloon opened in the early 1960s, everyone who was anyone in the San Francisco music scene started showing up to play. This tradition on live music filling C Street continued through the early 2000s and is once more returning.

"There was just this perfect storm where drinking and driving was no longer OK, there weren't enough places to stay and people didn't realize how well-maintained the roads are, even in winter," said Jett Aguilar, who is going into her 12th year of owning Union Brewery, a cornerstone of Comstock social life since 1862. "Today, with Washoe Club, the reopening of Red Dog, Ponderosa, the bar at Piper's (Opera House), Sgt. Major's, Bucket of Blood, there's music up here all the time and always on Saturday night."

Now with the addition of Silverland Inn & Suites, as well as local favorites such as The Silver Queen Hotel, Sugarloaf Mountain Motel and others as well as several bed and breakfasts, patrons can opt to make a night of dining, dancing and staying on the hill. Early reservations are recommended for special events as rooms are often booked many months in advance.

Whether your preference, is blues, rock, bluegrass or karaoke, rest assured you'll find it here.

"We've been working hard to keep the music going, trying to mix it up a bit and get all genres of music in," said Cherrie Bailey, who has owned the old Washoe Club Bar for eight years. "It has taken a lot of time, energy and commitment to breathe life back into the Comstock, and Washoe picked up where Red Dog left off."

Bailey has even gone so far as to charter a bus that would take patrons from The Summit in Reno up to V.C. for the night and returning them about 2 a.m.

"We didn't have enough demand then, but we're willing to start up again if there's more call for it," Bailey said. "Right now, we have live music every Saturday afternoon and night, and will ramp things up in spring."

With the reopening of Red Dog Saloon in April 2008 under the ownership of Loren and Sue Pursel, V.C. is once again back on top. Rod Phillips - who has played with such greats as Michael Martin Murphey and The New Christy Minstrels - and Westwind will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Coming March 19 and 20 are Big Brother and the Holding Company.

"This traditionally is an old, psychadelic rock bar," Red Dog owner Loren Pursel said. "But we've drawn in a kind of different clientele than some of the other places in town."

Red Dog is a non-smoking facility and in addition to a full-service bar, offers pizza until 9 or 10 p.m.

"We're kid friendly and it's really great to have events here and a venue that welcomes families," Pursel said. "We have great shows with very well known performers and local talent, too, as well as open mic night each Tuesday.

"It's been a positive thing."

Doing business on the Comstock may pose a few challenges, but for the most part, those who live and work here wouldn't trade it in.

"This has been an awesome experience where I'm always meeting great people and musicians and we have a wide area - Carson, Reno, and surrounding - that we can pull from and word is getting out," Bailey said.

As for Union Brewery, its past has continued into the present. Once a local hangout for miners, today it's primary clientele are bikers and locals.

"We are mostly a biker bar and we know how to throw a party," Aquilar said. "Everyone's always invited to come on up and have a great time."

• Union Brewery 11th Anniversary Party featuring music by Hired Gunnz, a favorite area band, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Free and open to the public. (775) 847-9016

• The Old Washoe Club features live music every Saturday; Annual Beach Party is March 6. 775-847-7210 or e-mail washoeclub@yahoo.com to be added to the mailing list or for information.

• Red Dog Saloon hosts Rod Phillips and Westwind, Friday, Jan 29 at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. 775-847-7474 or reddogvc.com

• Bucket of Blood Saloon is home for David John and The Comstock Cowboys, who play at 1 p.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Call 775-847-0322.