Before opening to the general public, Old Sacramento's western-themed River City Saloon hosted two preview parties late last week for two nights of wild wild fun. The saloon officially opened its doors on Saturday, May 9.

On Thursday, the Saloon hosted an open house with 25-cent beer and free appetizers. The next night was an invite-only soiree for friends, family, and neighboring businesses. The cash registers were ringing and the bartenders got plenty of practice in preparation for business in coming days. The parties, held in the evening, were aimed mainly at the over 21 but patrons of all ages showed up to sample their bar and menu offerings.

While the first night of business was rather mild, owner Sean Derfield is looking forward to increased business as the word is spread around. The saloon will be hosting a grand opening celebration next Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16 and a restaurant and bar industry party on Sunday.

It's easy to forget that 2009 lies just outside the entrance. Even the bar has historical significance, coming from a hotel in New York in the early 1900s. Before it was demolished, the Brunswick bar was rescued and brought from an Atlanta auction to its final destination in the saloon. Barrels line the wall as makeshift bar tables and billiard tables at the back are waiting to be played.

The staff play a major role in transporting patrons back into time as well, with waitresses decked out in cocktail dresses and feathers in their hair and waiters donning suspenders. The costume department has pulled out all of the stops for the employees on hand to pose for pictures with customers. The ladies are outfitted in bustles, petticoats and ringlets on top of their heads and the male characters sport top hats, trousers, and monocles.

After selling his half of Citrus Heights' popular bar Shakers Pub, owner Sean Derfield decided to invest in the saloon. The building, nestled in Old Sacramento's historic district, was previously home to Earl Gray Tea Manor before Derfield came across it and decided to turn it into the saloon. It neighbors a variety of tenants, such as Candy Land candy shop, Fulton's Bar and Grill and Cali 10 clothing shop. The saloon is also only a street away from the California Railroad Museum, making the bar and eatery a prime location.

The saloon's MySpace page boasts a "family friendly time during the day and a rocking good time for adults at night." To welcome tourists and families into the bar during the daytime, Derfield has plans to have staff dressed in period attire pass out wooden coins good for soft drinks once doors have been opened for a little bit longer.

He's already gotten to work on the "rocking" part for the nighttime scene as well. In addition to a piano to entertain the daytime set, the bar will host bands from many different musical genres at night. There are several live-music performances lined up for the next couple of months, including a Bob Marley tribute on May 16 and funk/reggae group "The Bad Fish Band" on May 22.

Not just a watering hole, the saloon’s menu offers an extensive spread of sandwiches and burgers to go with its beer, whiskey, and wine offerings. The saloon also has Sarsaparilla on draught for only a quarter, which is a drink similar to root beer, for those under 21. Baskets of peanuts are on the bar with hopes that shells will be discarded on the ground. While there are only a few lonesome piles of peanut shells on the ground so far, it is likely that the floor will be completely covered in the next few months.

The River City Saloon is located in Old Sacramento at 916 2nd St. For information on upcoming music performances, visit myspace.com/therivercitysaloon.