Seven Bar North - Albuquerque, NM

Seven Bar North stands as part of Albuquerque’s great history. Centuries have shaped the city and its’ neighborhoods, from the Native Americans that lived in the area thousands of years ago to the city’s official founding in 1706. Albuquerque stays true to its roots by keeping its connections to the past open such as the trail of vintage neon signs visible along Route 66. At Petroglyph National Monument, visitors can get a glimpse of ancient rock carvings.

Plenty of museums reside in the Albuquerque area, but none can be found in Seven Bar North. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, The Albuquerque Museum and Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum — all located in Oldtown — lie in close proximity to the neighborhood, making them worth the travel time.

Three fine art galleries comprise the cultural scene in Seven Bar North. Visit Life Fine Art, Annette Galvano Art and Seagull Gallery when you wish to immerse yourself in artistic inspiration.

Seven Bar North abounds with options for dining. Some of the establishments frequented by locals include Café Bella Coffee, Pei Wei Asian Diner, IHOP, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chuck E. Cheese, Sonic, Krispy Kreme, Panda Express, Urban Hotdog Company, Subway, Starbucks and Pizza 9. Most eating establishments make their homes to the east of Coors Boulevard Bypass NW on either sides of Ellison Drive NW at Cottonwood Corners.

Mariscos Altamar brings a smile to patrons faces, especially those who enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and seafood. The staff provides a free margarita to visitors of this area, making this place a tourist favorite. Locals rave about the sea bass served with head and tail still attached, and some have said they go back a second night just to have it again. The owner takes pride in his business and can be seen mingling and serving guests. Start your meal with the flamed oysters with shrimp sautéed in butter and covered with “diabla” sauce and melted cheese. Wash your meal down with one of the 11 margaritas from the drink menu.

Jinja Bar & Bistro tops the favourites list for residents who enjoy Asian cuisine or sushi. But if the food doesn't keep you riveted to your seat, the view from the massive windows that provide incredible views of the city and mountains will. Dim light in the booths combined with comfortable pillows makes your dining experience cozy and relaxing. Start your meal with tempura — a Japanese classic featuring a light batter over shrimp, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes and onion. Add a cup of soup or Caesar salad to any entrée that strikes your fancy, such as Hoisin glazed barbecue ribs or Mongolian beef. If you want some excitement, head into downtown Albuquerque for a visit to Anodyne. This pool hall features a fantastic beer selection and patrons says it’s the best bar without live music in the downtown area. For music and dancing, try Launchpad Night Club and Effex Nightclub, both of which remain popular choices with the younger crowd. Launchpad serves as a live music venue that features most ever genre of music, including hip hop, rockabilly, glam, indie and electronica. Effex Nightclub features an exciting dance floor as well as a rooftop terrace for outdoor socializing.

Most residents get around the neighborhood via car, but walking and bicycling are also options as well as the public bus system. Grab a cab with ease at most shopping centers, but call ahead for fast pick-up anywhere around the city. Uber also services the area, but wait times might make using this ride-share service prohibitive.

Parking meters on many streets provide inexpensive options when shopping, but be sure to check the time limits to prevent being ticketed. Some residential streets also require parking permits. Open lots with hourly parking available usually charge at $1 per 30 minutes via a parking meter machine that dispenses a ticket to put in your window.

Highways such as Westside Boulevard NW can be easily accessed from the Seven Bar North area. This road connects to the 528 and Coors Bypass NW.

The area is both pedestrian- and bike-friendly, with Albuquerque providing over 400 miles of on-street bicycle facilities and multiuse trails.

Several free parks lie within close proximity to the Seven Bar North neighborhood. Salida Del Sol Park features a large grassy field to play soccer or fly a kite. Locals tend to picnic here in the summer months, but shade lacks in the area other a gazebo used on a first-come, first-serve basis. The play area provides two slides and a swing set for the kids and a walking path for those wanting to get a little fitness. The park can get busy after school on weekdays since the public school sits right next door.

Tres Placitas Park has a smaller area, but features several amenities like a basketball court, swings and playscapes both big and small for all ages. The park's connecting asphalt running trail circles the neighborhood, so you can enjoy a nice view of the Sandias from the park while you run.

Seven Bar North ranks high on the liveability scale due to lots of local amenities and a stable housing market. It has a 19 percent higher cost of living than the rest of Albuquerque. A ride on the bus one way costs only $1, while driving costs the average user the same amount for gas as in any other part of Albuquerque. The typical prices for a beer at a local pub runs around $3.50. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the area costs around $858 per month.

The major shopping for Seven Bar North lies just outside the neighborhood at Cottonwood Corners. Retailers here include Kohl's, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Cost Plus World Market and Home Depot, as well as Marshalls. No high-end stores make their home in the area, but Marshalls features a great selection of high-end brand-name merchandise.

Local medical professionals head to Scrub Annex on Old Airport Avenue NW for work wear. This compact shop carries a variety of men's and women's scrubs, each available in a range of colors and patterns. This place also carries nursing shoes and medical accessories.

Plenty of grocery stores serve the neighborhood, including a Walmart Supercenter, Westside La Montanita Co-op and Sam's Club. While no farmers' markets set up shop in the Seven Bar North neighborhood, nearby neighborhoods, including Rio Rancho, do host them.