Flying Saucer

If you’re ever in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, and you’re a beer aficionado, this is the place for you to enjoy 75 brews on tap and more than 200 bottled, a select collection of wines, an agreeable liquor offering and some pretty decent edibles in addition to the traditional pub food selections. We stumbled upon Flying Saucer in an effort to grab a quick bite and a couple of cocktails with friends and family in the area while in town on business for my husband, and what we found was an assimilation of smiling patrons, a very lively atomsphere and the aroma of roast beef sandwiches and fresh pretzels being baked and plated wafting from the kitchen as we entered through the front door.

Located in the middle of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas in the River Market section of the city, this casual establishment caters to the sports bar lover. Seating options include sofas, spots at the large bar and traditional table seating in the middle of the restaurant. Additionally, enormous projector screens lower from the ceiling for sports games for visitors to enjoy.

We love the establishment’s direct approach to straightforward customer feedback as advertised on the drink coasters on tables inside the restaurant. Take a look at what it says below…good or bad, they want to know what their customers really think…

You’ll be seeing saucers when you enter this unique and lively establishment…literally! Because there are plates attached to every inch of wall and ceiling space available! Yes…we said plates on the ceiling! That was definitely a first for us…

We were told that if you join Flying Saucer’s UFO Club for $15, you will be presented with a t-shirt, free entry access and a membership card which you can keep track of the number of brews you (drink). In fact, once a member drinks the 200th beer (there’s a 3-beer limit per day that you can log on the membership card), their name and infamous date of the drinking of the 200th brew is put onto a plate and hung on the wall proudly called the “Ring of Honor”. Now beer is not our thing, but we did feel this was an interesting concept to offer. There are also several popular specials on different nights such as ‘Pint Night’ on Mondays, when you can purchase a select pint of beer for just $2.75. Tuesday evenings are reserved for Trivia Night, while on Wednesdays

Gastropub? You could call it that. Besides the usual bar food like wings, nachos and pizza, Flying Saucer also serves hummus with pita bread and prides themselves on their German-style fare such as their fresh-baked soft pretzels and bratwurst creations as well as their sandwiches and fresh salads. And, obviously, their many craft beer selections and brews from nearly every corner of the world. We were also informed that there are specials offered most evenings such as Monday Night ‘Pint Night’ when you can purchase an enjoy a pint of select beer for just $2.75. Tuesday nights are reserved for ‘Trivia Night’, while on Wednesday ‘Glass Night’, patrons are offered the opportunity to buy a featured brew that evening and keep the glass for just $1 more.

The portions served are larger than your normal pub selections for the price. The below Saucer Dipster ($8.49), a seasoned roast beef sandwich with melted Swiss cheese and horseradish mayo on a hoagie roll was served with a flavorsome au jus on the side for dipping. All hot sandwiches are served with your choice of fries, hot German potato salad or a side salad…

Another item ordered at our table was the Reuben-Esque ($8.29) which was piled high with pastrami, jalapeno-kraut, melted Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on a toasted Marbled Rye bread. With this sandwich, a side salad was chosen to accompany it.

The other two of us ordered the same thing…the Grilled Chicken Breast & Greens Salad ($8.49),which was a delightful, filling and visually appealing presentation of everything I love in a salad. Created with mixed greens, Roma tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions and Italian cheeses, this selection was a hit…

Overall, our experience was acceptable. Other than the environment getting a bit loud at a point during our meal, we enjoyed the unique surroundings, informed and intelligent staff and jovial attitude of other patrons around us.

ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Plates, plates and more plates! A massively long bar running the length of the restaurant and if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot in the front, we noticed several people just sitting and enjoying the breeze and passers by through the open front of the establishment. The place stayed busy from the moment we arrive to the time we left.

FOOD / DRINK: Fresh-made crisp salads, delicious sandwiches and rejuvenating refreshments from the bar.

LOCATION: Flying Saucer is located at 323 President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock, AR 72201.

HOURS: Monday through Thursday from 11AM to 1AM, Fridays from 11AM-2AM,Saturdays from 11AM -1AM and Sundays from 11AM – Midnight.

SERVICE / STAFF: Our server was kin and seemed knowledgeable about the menu and drink menu.

PRICE / VALUE: Extremely reasonable prices on pretty tasty selections. We enjoyed the salads and hot sandwiches and a few cocktails and glasses of wine and everyone in our party was of the same mind in that the food was agreeable, the ambiance was lively and festive and the beverages were chilled to perfection and refreshing.
CORKAGE FEE: No outside alcohol is allowed inside this establishment.
CONTACT INFO: Phone: (501) 372-8032, Website: www.beerknurd.com

PARKING: We found ample metered street parking a block away, then just took a stroll down the sidewalk until we got to Flying Saucer

TOTAL BILL: Our total bill for two hot sandwich plates, two chicken salads and a couple of rounds of cocktails came to a little over $60. Worth the splurge for reasonably-priced fare in a lively atmosphere and a terrific place to watch “the game” if you’re not in the comfort of your own home.