Free Spirit Cafe - Vernon

The crowd tends to arrive a bit late, so what seems like a quiet night at 11:00 PM turns into a lively party by 12:30 AM. The music is fantastic, people are dancing, drinks are affordable, and the crowd is incredibly diverse. As others have pointed out, people-watching here is an experience in itself. It’s great to see folks from various age groups, ethnic backgrounds, and nationalities coming together to have a good time. I’ve brought dates and friends to the Dirty Bird, and while they often raise an eyebrow at the decor upon entering, they always leave with smiles, exclaiming, "That was fun!" Simply put, I LOVE the DB!!

The drinks are average, so if you're after fancy craft beers or an extensive wine list, this isn't the place for you. You can expect cheap beer, decent wine, and standard mixers at the Bird. It’s a dive—an authentic local bar. Let’s stop trying to change what it is. It’s not classy, it’s not a nightclub, and it’s not a trendy downtown spot for pickups. It’s more like Cheers... but better because it’s genuine.

The live band was decent enough, the crowd was friendly, and surprisingly diverse. Having grown up in this area, I’ve never encountered such a mix of people before—where are they all coming from? As expected from a dive bar, the beer selection was limited and the liquor cheap, but they did have Sam Adams, which was a nice touch. One of our group ordered a PBR, but it came back a bit flat and skunky. I wasn't about to send a beer back, so I traded with her—and it was just as bad. The highlight of the night was definitely people-watching. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, with unlikely groups coming together as the drinks flowed. My favorite line of the night was when someone said, “Yo girl, thanks for hooking me up. He’s cute. Yeah, he’s gonna take me back to his place for some weed.”

The highlights of the cafe include some pool tables, an outdoor seating area, and plenty of space to sit, but that's not saying much for a place calling itself a cafe. I haven't tried the food, but the menu features typical pub fare. The drink prices are reasonable, but the quality can be hit or miss. I've ordered mixed drinks that have ranged from overly strong to weak, and their selection of draft and bottled beers is quite limited. The clientele is definitely unique. Each time I've visited, I'm entertained and puzzled by the variety of people—it's perfect for amusing people-watching. The music adds to the atmosphere; one moment you might hear hard-hitting rap, and the next, you'll be treated to 80s ballads. The dancing that accompanies the music is equally entertaining. Ultimately, it's a place to enjoy a night filled with wild antics. Over the years, the cafe has even made headlines locally for some unfortunate incidents. Honestly, if it weren't for friends dragging me along or a few drinks in me, I wouldn't bother spending my time or money here—it's definitely a sketchy spot.

I’m both amazed and puzzled that The Dirty Bird, as locals call it, is classified as a restaurant. If you decide to eat here, you might as well play the lottery regularly because your chances of winning are definitely better! I’ve visited several times to enjoy a drink and watch the people. Each night of the week features a unique theme and attracts a different crowd. It’s remarkable that a place like this has lasted so long, but it’s considered a local icon, which earns it an extra star. If you look up “dive bar” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of this place!