Nominations & Final Voting
Based entirely on community participation, Omaha businesses are nominated as the best in their industry at TheReader.com, starting in January, running through the end of March, a month later than normal. Tens of thousands of nominations inform the top nominees in each category to appear on the final ballot, which ran from April to the end of May. Stringent procedures help insure one-person, one-vote and to minimize vote-buying. An independent accounting firm Hancock & Dana, one of Omaha’s oldest, counts final votes to tabulate the awards.
Winners
This list represents what Omaha locals and Reader readers love — businesses that are the best at what they do. With deep thanks to everyone in the community that participated, we congratulate this amazing list of awardees!
Best Nightlife & Play
Table of Contents
Best Bar for an Internet Date
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Beercade
Readers’ Choice: Ozone Lounge, Liv Lounge
Readers Refer: Bushwacker’s Saloon & Dance Hall, Jerry’s Bar
Best Bar for Beer Selection
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Crescent Moon
Readers’ Choice: LOCAL Beer, Patio and Kitchen, Omaha Tap House, Blatt Beer & Table, Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom
Readers Recommend: Krug Park
Readers Refer: California Bar, Barchen Beer Garden
Best Bar for Conversation
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mr. Toad’s Pub
Readers’ Choice: Office West Lounge, Pageturners Lounge, Flixx, Homy Inn, 1912
Readers Recommend: The Caddy Shack Sports Bar & Grill, Jerry’s Bar
Readers Refer: Mercury
Best Bar for Craft Cocktails
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Wicked Rabbit
Readers’ Choice: Herbe Sainte, Mercury, Nite Owl
Readers Recommend: The Berry & Rye, Jerry’s Bar
Best Bar for Hiding Out
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brothers Lounge
Readers’ Choice: California Bar
Readers Recommend: Bud Olson’s Bar, Jerry’s Bar, Rick’s Drift Inn
Readers Refer: Bushwacker’s Saloon & Dance Hall, Village Bar
Best Bar for Spirits Selection
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dundee Dell
Readers’ Choice: Library Pub, Herbe Sainte, Proof
Readers Recommend: Grane
Best Bar with Live Music
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Waiting Room Lounge
Readers’ Choice: Ozone Lounge, Buck’s Bar and Grill
Readers Refer: The Down Under Lounge, Harney Street Tavern, Bushwacker’s Saloon & Dance Hall, The B-Room
Best Casino
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Horseshoe Council Bluffs, Ameristar
Readers’ Choice: Prairie Flower Casino
Readers Recommend: Harrah’s
Best Cigar Bar
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jake’s Cigars & Spirits
Readers’ Choice: Havana Garage, Safari Cigars and Lounge, Copacabana Cocktail Lounge
Best Concert Venue
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stir Cove
Readers’ Choice: Sokol Auditorium, The Slowdown
Readers Recommend: The Jewell
Readers Refer: The Lookout Lounge
Best Dance Club
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Max
Readers’ Choice: Ozone Lounge
Readers Recommend: Bar 415, Bushwacker’s Saloon & Dance Hall
Best DJ Service
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jack’s Entertainment
Readers’ Choice: Bryan Hill Entertainment Inc.
Readers Recommend: Gman Entertainment, A Lasting Impression DJ
Readers Refer: Supafly Promotions – Omaha DJ Services, Complete Weddings + Events
Best Golf Course
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiburon Golf Club
Readers’ Choice: Quarry Oaks Golf Club, Indian Creek
Readers Recommend: Lavista Falls, Bent Tree Golf Club
Readers Refer: Johnny Goodman Golf Course
Best Happy Hour Bar
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill
Readers’ Choice: Lighthouse Bar & Grill, Kona Grill, Red Lion Lounge
Readers Recommend: Jimi D’s, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, California Bar, Jerry’s Bar
Readers Refer: The Village Bar
Best Karaoke Bar
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Moe & Curly’s Pub
Readers’ Choice: Reno’s Karaoke, California Bar, Alderman’s Bar, Cove Lounge & Grille
Readers Refer: Crossbones Bar
Best Movie Theater
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Marcus Majestic Cinema Omaha
Readers’ Choice: Marcus Twin Creek, AMC Oakview Plaza 24, Aksarben Cinema, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema La Vista, Film Streams’ Dundee Theater
Readers Recommend: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Midtown
Best Neighborhood Tavern
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn
Readers’ Choice: Elbow Room, The Village Bar Ralston
Readers Recommend: California Bar, Jerry’s Bar, Tanner’s Bar & Grill
Readers Refer: WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, South Omaha’s Finest Tequila Garage
Best Patio at a Bar
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mr. Toad’s Pub
Readers’ Choice: O’Leaver’s Pub, California Bar, Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill
Readers Recommend: Ref’s Sports Bar & Grill, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, Crossbones Bar, Jerry’s Bar
Readers Refer: Barchen Beer Garden
Best Sand Volleyball
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill
Readers’ Choice: Big Red Keno, O’Leaver’s Pub
Readers Recommend: Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill
Readers Refer: The MARK
Best Shopping District/Mall
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Crossing Outlets, Old Market
Readers’ Choice: Westroads Mall, Downtown Ralston
Readers Recommend: Village Pointe
Readers Refer: Shadow Lake Towne Center, Rockbrook Village
Best Sports Bar
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar
Readers’ Choice: Tanner’s Bar & Grill, Icehouse Sports Bar, Varsity Sports Cafe & Roman Coin Pizza
Readers Recommend: The Caddy Shack Sports Bar & Grill, Phoenix Food & Spirits
Readers Refer: Ref’s Sports Bar & Grill
Best Tourist Attractions
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Readers’ Choice: The Old Market, Lauritzen Gardens
Readers Recommend: Omaha Summer Arts Festival
Best Wine Shop
Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Twisted Vine
Readers’ Choice: Spirit World, La Buvette Wine & Grocery
Readers Recommend: Vino Mas, Corkscrew Wine & Cheese