Karen Johnson

3553 Mt. Diablo Boulevard ~ (925) 284-4817

The Roundup swung open its saloon doors for the first time in 1935. As a child, current owner and Lafayette native Karen Johnson was instructed by her mother to cross the street on her way to a pizza joint after school as she passed the pool tables and wrap around bar that was a gathering place for residents and bikers alike. Later, she worked as a bartender at the Roundup and ended up buying the business from its long-time owner and former Lafayette Chamber of Commerce President, Bill McCabe, in 2004. While its history might have some rough and tumble stories to share, the current Roundup maintains its quirky and quaint vibe while continuing its legacy of “Keeping Lafayette Real,” (the saloon’s current motto).

More than anything, the bar is a gathering place of leisure and fun for those over 21 years of age. There are two pool tables, a vintage pinball machine, shuffleboard, karaoke on Wednesday and Saturday nights and live acoustic music or bands on Fridays. There are 10 beers on tap, 6 wine selections and mixed drinks including a world-famous Irish Coffee and a killer Bloody Mary.

A comfortable, spacious and inviting patio has just opened up in 2021. While the bar doesn’t serve dinner, it does offer snacks and has a reciprocal relationship with neighboring restaurants (Roam Burgers and Amarin Thai Cuisine). You can order from their menus right at the bar and enjoy your dinner in the saloon or on the patio. You might find Karen teaching a class at Oakwood Athletics or sponsoring a local breast cancer fundraiser. Or you could simply drop by a place in Lafayette where “everybody knows your name.”