There are lots of things that make El Rio pretty damn cool. Obviously the suffleboard table is awesome, and those drink special nights (dollar drinks!!!) are crazy. But for me, it's all about the back patio area. Big, open aired area with tropical foliage. A groovy place to watch movies, see a show, or have flirty fun with the party folks getting down Mission summer style. When the weather isn't perfect, they stick the bands in this narrow side room where everyone squishes in and it's impossible to see anything. This aspect of El Rio I'm not such a big fan of.
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