The Big Lieutenant
South Bentonville, Bentonville
Bar in Bentonville, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The Big Lieutenant is an easy Bentonville pick when convenience matters more than a defined cocktail program or destination dining. It makes sense for a casual group meet-up on the southwest side of town, but readers chasing a stronger drinks identity should compare it with Bar Cleeta, Undercroft, Sunny's, or Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. first.
About The Big Lieutenant
The Big Lieutenant is a casual Bentonville venue. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Friday from 5–9 PM, open Saturday from 12–9 PM, open Sunday from 12–8 PM.
Plan around the facts that are known rather than assuming a more specific experience. Keep it in mind as a casual Bentonville option and confirm any details beyond hours before making firm plans.
Plan around the schedule
For a repeat visit, the most grounded way to plan around The Big Lieutenant is by its schedule and casual dress code. It is not open Monday or Tuesday, weekday service is limited to Wednesday through Friday evenings, the longest windows are on Saturday and Sunday.
If you are comparing options in Bentonville, consider The Big Lieutenant alongside Bar Cleeta, Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. or Sunny's before deciding what best fits the night.
Use the confirmed facts first
The record does not include awards, chef detail, cuisine type, pricing, or a published drinks focus. That does not make the venue a bad choice; it simply means the safest recommendation is to keep expectations flexible and base the plan on the confirmed hours and casual dress code.
For a fuller Bentonville plan, pair this kind of casual choice with local guides: bars, restaurants, hotels, wineries, experiences. Quick reference: choose it when the hours and casual dress code fit your plans; cross-shop if you need a venue with more publicly specific details.
Planning details
- Location
- 600 SW 41st St #8, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Website
- thebiglieutenant.com
- Phone
- +1 479 332 4318
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Big Lieutenant reads like a local bar that thinks like a small-city cocktail destination. Housed in a built-out Suite 8 on a quieter commercial strip, it feels deliberately scaled for regulars rather than tourists. The write-up emphasizes a maturing, precision-driven drink culture and a kitchen that is integrated with the bar program, so the overall mood is refined and quietly purposeful rather than flashy. Expect a modern, somewhat intimate room where craftsmanship matters: the kind of place that signals its ambitions through thoughtful menus and attention to pairing rather than through theatrical gestures.
Best For
This is chiefly a neighborhood evening spot for people who care about both drinks and food. It suits after-work crowds looking for well-made cocktails and plates that are designed to be part of the same conversation, and casual hangouts where the focus is on quality rather than volume. Because the venue is presented as serving a local, particular audience rather than transient tourism, it also works well for small groups who want a considered night out and for diners seeking a dinner that feels rooted in a serious bar program.
Ordering Tips
Treat the menu as an integrated drink-and-food program: start by asking the bartender about the features of the cocktail list and which small plates or shared dishes are meant to accompany them. The copy highlights a kitchen that isn’t an afterthought, so consider ordering food alongside drinks rather than as an afterthought. If you’d rather lean into the bar side, invite the staff to recommend pairings—they present the program as deliberate, so the team is likely prepared to match cocktails with kitchen offerings for a balanced experience.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual neighborhood spot with sports TVs, welcoming for locals and Hog fans.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Pub
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Background Music
Signature Pours
La Hacienda
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Try Undercroft if the night needs a more cocktail-led atmosphere. Try Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. if the group wants food built into the plan rather than treating drinks as the whole event.
Bar context
How it compares in Bentonville
The Momentary is the better choice when the night is tied to culture, events, or a larger Bentonville outing. The Big Lieutenant is easier to frame as a casual bar stop, especially when the group is already on the southwest side of town and does not need the venue to anchor the evening.
For food-led value, Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. is the cleaner recommendation because the format is more obvious before arrival. For a more cocktail-focused or tucked-away bar mood, Undercroft is the stronger cross-shop. Choose The Big Lieutenant when ease matters more than a defined drinks identity.
Bar Cleeta and Sunny's are better fits for readers who want the room and menu to feel more intentional. The Big Lieutenant is the lower-pressure option in this set: useful for groups, casual plans, a night where booking difficulty should stay low.
Explore Bentonville
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Big Lieutenant guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Big Lieutenant
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Big Lieutenant | Bentonville | No published awards |
| The Momentary | Bentonville | No published awards |
| Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. | Bentonville | No published awards |
| Undercroft | Bentonville | No published awards |
| Bar Cleeta | Bentonville | No published awards |
| Sunny's | Bentonville | No published awards |
How The Big Lieutenant Bentonville compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Big Lieutenant open late?
Not especially. The latest closing time is 9 PM on Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday closes at 8 PM, Monday and Tuesday are closed.
Do I need a reservation at The Big Lieutenant?
What's the crowd like at The Big Lieutenant?
The dress code is casual. Beyond that, there is not enough information to describe the crowd or scene with confidence.
Is The Big Lieutenant good for a date?
It may work for a casual plan if the hours fit your schedule. The service windows are Wednesday through Friday from 5–9 PM, Saturday from 12–9 PM, Sunday from 12–8 PM.
Is the food good at The Big Lieutenant?
There is not enough menu or cuisine detail here to judge the food with confidence. If food is the main reason for going, check current information directly before making plans.
Does The Big Lieutenant have happy hour deals?
What's the best time to go to The Big Lieutenant?
Choose based on the hours: Wednesday through Friday from 5–9 PM, Saturday from 12–9 PM, or Sunday from 12–8 PM. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
