Chico has a reputation as a college town with serious bar culture — in fact it appeared for several years on Playboy's list of the country's top party schools. The drinking scene has matured somewhat since those days but remains lively. Downtown Broadway has the main concentration of bars and live music venues. The Sierra Nevada Taproom is the most sophisticated drinking option and the one that draws visitors from outside the area.
Coffee culture is well-served by several independent cafes clustered around downtown and the university area.