Blondies Food & Drink

Dropped for a pint. Listened to some sweet jazz.

A local hang-out for students and older adults alike. If you're just passing through, stop in to order a sandwich and peruse a wide selection of beers and ciders, or choose a wine. Meat or vegetarian sandwiches, fresh brownies and a variety of tot baskets are on offer from the kitchen. There is also a relatively small convenience-type grocery selection. Old school in the deepest sense, when country folk had beers at the corner grocery, you can also do a load of laundry next door if you're in need. In regular times (i.e. not the pandemic) there are open mike nights, stand-up comedy events, local university science nights, and karaoke. Blondie's has it all, except for cheap prices. If you're looking to save a buck. maybe don't choose a place where you enjoy drinks and snacks in company while visiting the laundry mat.

Fun little off campus sandwich shop with a large selection of coffees, beers, wines, ciders. Free music, open mic, etc. Child friendly and some games. A small eclectic market also. Small outside seating area. Be aware that chairs and tables are not in good condition. Great tots, and hot spinach artichoke parmesan dip with crostini, yum!

Great little place to pick up some beer to go or a quick bite. They have a Tater Tot menu and some good hot sandwiches. Nice place to check out some live music as well. They have fun weekly events like quiz night and science on tap.

Good loaded tots and a fair selection of drinks.

Great place. It's like a small coffee shop with live music, mixed with a bar mixed with a small corner store right next to a laundry mat in the middle of a college neighborhood. Looking for a fun time. This is the spot you should be at!! If you haven't been here yet your missing out big time!

I love Blondies, I am just a regular customer, and have a some general thoughts from my local experience I’d like to share.
This is a small family run place; authentic, thoughtful, and community oriented. I’ve been patronizing for Almost 10 years. They provide an irreplaceable space and diverse service for our corner of Arcata. Always open and supportive to community members using the space for creative, educational and charitable endeavors. Struggling to maintain a welcoming and comfortable space for their diverse customers (too many stories to share here); dealing with (for example) an employee naively selling alcohol to an undercover and the implications, open alcohol in the parking lot and smoking proximity to entrances; investing to make improvements to a leased, not owned, property; working to improve selection and quality; bringing in community music and art; and, I can never forget the open mic fundraising match to purchase new audio equipment.
All this while dealing with regular staff turnaround and wildly fluctuating busyness and HSU school schedules make this a tricky dynamic to provide a steady consistent business.
That’s what community is all about, and they embody it wholeheartedly and with the best of intentions. I for one look over the occasional off sandwich from the new staff member, or slow service when one person is working and 10 people show up suddenly, and appreciate the service and existence of this precious Arcata establishment. We are blessed to have such dedicated people striving to provide for and give to our community.
Before one rushes to shortsighted and narrow judgment consider the history(whether or not you’re aware of it), the setting(this is Arcata not San Francisco), and the potential of not having such a place. Would you prefer a 7/11? Long live Blondies and community businesses just like it! Thank you for all the magic you help create!

Nice spot for live music and huge selection of craft beers

Great food, great coffee, general household groceries and products, plenty of munchies. Both homemade and commercial products. Wonderful beer selection. Great place to hang out, catch a live show, read a book, many things to offer. Great place.

I was so happy to discover this place. Indoor/outdoor with a patio if you have a pooch. Nice selections of beers, drinks and sammies.

Sammies are like the friggin best, though. The Marilyn is my jam.

Atmosphere is like a big sitting/study room