Sparks

Sparks is awesome and one of the few original sports bars in Apex.... before there was one stamped on every corner. I have enjoyed going here for the past 10 years and will continue to support it. The food is AMAZING and the management and staff are so nice! If you want a game on - all you have to do is call them or show up bvefore the game and they are MORE THAN HAPPY to put it on for you and your friends. I always have a great time and look forward to going back. I would definitely try this place if you are looking for a great neighborhood restaurant and bar. I dont like the ""open cafeteria"" feel of Rudy's or Rudinos... Sparks is welcoming and the dining room is split from the bar, which is very nice for when I come with my kids. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a great dining experience!!!! more

I do not know who wrote the review regarding ECU but as a HUGE ECU fan I can honestly say Rudys is the ECU Pirate headquarters. They always have every game playing on every television and even run discounted food and drink specials. We have always enjoyed watching the Pirates play with a huge fan base of fellow ECU fans all adorned in their purple and gold attire. Even the waitstaff wears ECU jerseys! I have only been to Sparks one time which was more than enough! The food was terrible and over priced. The clientele was not very classy and the waitstaff was not friendly. The place seemed dirty and smelled like a sewer! I would not recommend dining here much less watching the Pirates play football! Go on the Pirates website and you will notice they recommend Rudys as the home of the Pirates! more

I love going to Sparks when I am in Apex! I will go out of my way to have one of their lunch specials!!! Try the chef salad or the pork bbq sliders!!! My wifes loves the ribs and the choices of sauces to put on the sliders! I love the wings, jap. bites, and after living in Texas, Sparks has good brisket. A lot better than Danny's Bqq down the street, but both places could work on the smoke ring a little bit! The other thing I love about sparks is that they do a lot for the community! Everything from fundraiser for children and letting us do toys for tots gift drive at the resturant. Go to Sparks and enjoy the BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more

This is the only bar ANYWHERE that provided all the ECU games this season! I was so pleased so sit among a sea of purple and gold. There was an instant feeling of welcome and family among the ""regular"" crowd, too, even though they are mostly UNC fans, they were cheering for us as well. Pros: They have every game!!! Cons: Did have to wait for bar sevice more

Know beforehand that this place charges $25.00 for opening a tab that may disappear from your statement within five business days. Ask for a detailed receipt before leaving to make sure only YOUR food and drinks were charged to your card. Also, have anyone who accompanied you, check their receipts as well, in order to be sure they were not charged for the same drinks or some other patron's food/drinks that they are not even familiar with. Finally, please make sure you check your statement in order to make sure you were only charged ONCE for the time that you were there, and that it is again, for the correct amount. Pros: Good live music Cons: being overcharged more

We all have had bad experiences and I understand that when you have a bad experience perception is real to you. I was at the bar when this happened. I liked how this lady started off in the bar with ?do you know who I am!? It seemed to me that the ?mop boy? she wanted to verbally abuse turned out to be the manager. Who, I felt, did a great tactful job at trying to defend himself to someone that was so quickly angered. It seemed that she was even more angered because she did not have anyone to brow beat and ?notify? about being ?un-assaulted? by a mop. Oh the horror and disgrace that I am sure that she wanted to spew to any ear that would bend about her experience. I also like how she is making it her personal mission to degrade the character of another person with her ?status.? I also enjoyed how she got a friend to log in a ?100% boycott an establishment? So basically she threw a fit, and because no one bowed down and kissed her ?Prada?s? we all should ignore our own opinions and try to destroy a family business. I am not trying to insult this ?lady? and I am trying to use restraint to be honest about the situation. But, I am offended. We all have businesses and we all are trying our best to support each other as a community. I actually was going to log on to thank Alex and Kyle for doing their part in supporting families and having a fundraiser for ?Caitlins Cause.? I saw the banner and came back to support this family, that I don?t even know, because I felt that this was the right thing to do. When I read what this woman said it just bothered me. I witnessed this incident, and what she said just made me hang my head in disbelief and sadness. I cannot believe that a person would go so far to be a ?rightfighter.? We are all in the same economic crisis and no one is better than anyone else. So please save the attitude that you are better than the rest of us to a low roar. Pros: Great food and LOTS of positive changes Cons: being bullied on the message boards more

What happened to Shari1 is terrible and unforgiveable. I am now participating in a 100% Boycott of Sparks and encourage all others to do so as well !!! Pros: Used to be a Nice Place Cons: The GM has ruined the Establishment more

visited Sparks for the first time tonight with a friend for Karokee night. I am a business owner myself, and immediately got along well with the bartender, Mike. After spending over $80 on a Thursday night, where there were maybe 12 people in the entire place, I thought I had found a nice place to bring employees and clients for drinks. I was sitting at the bar, sipping a non-alcolohic redbull, when someone spilled an entire beer all the way down my dress and in my hair. I was not upset, and a bartender immediately brought me big papertowels to clean up. As I am trying to wipe down, a guy comes up with a mop and begins pushing me with the mop, mopping over my feet, which are Prada sandals. I said, excuse me and he said, im sorry, but I didn't think I needed to ask you to move since I am cleaning up your mess. Shocked, since I am neither drunk nor the one who spilled anything, simply a patron who got drenched, I said, I didn't spill anything. I got spilled on. He huffed and puffed at me, and wiped over my feet again to push me away. I then said, why do you have an attitude with me? I have been sitting here enjoying my night not causing any problems and was a victim of a drunk spilling a whole beer on me. He said, You want to try to start something? and put the broom inches from my face with his face up to mine. I asked to speak to a manager, and he said I am the general manager, Alex, and I'm telling you to leave now. ?????? So, without asking what happened, without apolozing for what happened to a good customer who spent more money than anyone else at the bar, who is soaked from head to toe in beer, he decides the right thing to do is tell me to leave????? This has to be the worst customer service I have ever gotten....and after I was so happy to find a place right down from my own business where I could go to relax after work...a neighbor, at that....I am appalled! This Alex guy obviously has anger problems, because I am a very presentable female who not only had already inquired about renting the Karokee girl, but who was inquiring about renting out the entire bar for a special event. I cannot believe the conduct of this so called general manager after I had heard such nice things about Kyle, the owner. No phone calls were returned to me from Kyle, and they have no idea how much business they lost by treating an innocent bystander/victim of a drunken spill that way. I have lived in Cary my entire life and my husband and I employ over 45 people with our two businesses...we know everyone in this town and this is just bad business! Pros: had heard it was nice Cons: bad customer service with manager with chip on shoulder! more

Wow! Has this place changed... I was blown away with not only the new decor but the food as well! I have eaten there probably 20 times since they have re-opened and I finally felt as if I had to help spread the word. After reading some of the old reviews on this very site I don't know how Sparks is perceived by others, but I love it and I tell friends and co-workers about the place on a daily basis. They have the absolute best babyback ribs I have ever eaten, when I can get away from the pulled pork or the ""sluggers"" (i don't know what they are, but they are pork and they are delicious), or let me add maybe the best burger I have ever eaten. You can get the burger on a Pretzel Roll... I am ruined, I can no longer eat a burger anywhere else, including home! My husband gets the Buffalo riblets, holy heaven, dusted and fried pork riblets tossed in wing sauce, Yumm! So if I didn't love the place enough, I now discover that they have the baseball tv package and I can see every single RedSox game ( they had a lot of Braves fans too). We generally eat in the dining room but usually go out to the bar for a drink before we go home, the clientel is very friendly and the service is good too. Please Sparks, don't change a thing you are the best! Pros: Excellent food, non smoking dining room, cool bar, great tvs Cons: A little smoky @ the bar more

I, being new to the area was not able to find a karaoke night for the longest time. We were at chilis and the waitress said ""go to sparks its great!"" So we packed up and went down there on a thursday night. We walked in and after the cursory look that EVERY bar clientele gives you we went out to the patio and not 30 sec later had drinks ordered. After reading all of the reviews i am shocked at some of the low ones. What bar doesnt have a couple altercations etc besides TGIFridays and wine bars? I like the fact that it seems to be a lot of locals that come regularly. When i lived in colorado we had a bar like this and it ROCKED. i still miss it. Hopefully sparks is back open from the fire they had soon. I really need my karaoke and beer fix! They make great mixed drinks too btw! If you dont know what you want or you want to deviate from the norm ask trish she knows her stuff! Pros: has a great neighborhood feel and fun karaoke on thursdays parking is easy and they have a patio that is medium sized Cons: bathrooms could use a little updating, it was closed recently but hopefully will reopen! more

I put a lot of heart into that place before we sold it. The food was great and the staff was friendly. We were busy all of the time and we made our guests feel at home. Its too bad my 2+ years of love and sweat means nothing as the new owner has turned it into a dive... C'mon people of Apex....DEMAND MORE! I now live in Manhattan, but you were all my friends and family once. YOU DESERVE BETTER!!! and by the way, those are my wing recipes ;).... Pros: it was my love for the first few years. Cons: its now a dive bar more

My husband is from Buffalo, and we've finally found a wing place in town we both love! The classic buffalo sauce was just a tinge spicy, perfect for someone like me who doesn't like spicy food. The server was attentive, checking on us several times during the meal, and brought me a glass of water right before I finished my beer - read my mind! The nacho appetizer was very large, but wasn't warm; probably wouldn't order that again. But we'll definitely be back for the wings!! Pros: Wings, beer selection, service more

Best bartenders, servers and patrons. The staff is very friendly and the service is very fast. Ashley is especially wonderful and is always working hard. Food is good - you'd be surprised how good the salads can be in a local sports bar. :) Pros: Staff, food, fun atmosphere, feel welcome Cons: Too much country music more

As a family we've been to Sparks 4-5 times. It was much better a year or so ago before the menu (or management?) changed. Food is not really that good now, but the staple bar food is ok. For a drinking place, I'd rather go elsewhere too. I've been by myself and with friends. It's ok when you go with others and sit in the back, but it feels awkward at the bar like you've entered someone's home unexpectedly. Like someone else said, you get the feeling the ""regulars"" don't want you there or you better talk and act like they do. Very weird atmosphere. Apex Police seem to make regular visits or hang around the general area too. Not a good feeling, especially if you want a few drinks without hassle. Might be worth a try again in the future, but I won't return anytime soon. Pros: Ok bar food and drinks Cons: Not a friendly atmosphere, other food choices not good, place needs a purge and facelift more

The staff here made me feel at home. I had just returned from the Army and they welcomed me with open arms. The atmosphere was amazing and the wait staff was very attentive. Coming home is a difficult transition for any soldier, but they made it easy. I can honestly say the second time I got back to the states my first stop was here. Believe it or not they all remembered me and my name. It is the definition of a local ""Cheers"" where there is great food and service at a reasonable price. I highly recommend this little jewel of Apex. Pros: Bartenders Cons: Limited entertainment options more

This place has horrible food and horrible clientele. My wife and I tried to watch a game here and like the previous review had said hostile townies try to run the bar and will try to be rude to you if you are not a white trash townie. Left at Halftime DO NOT GO HERE. Pros: the service was fine Cons: Trashy townies that frequent this place, horrible food. more

Hello sportsfans! Let me tell you about a little sports bar i just fell in love with!!! Sparks! They have some of the best darn wings on the east coast!!! Personallly, I like them HOTTTT! And thats just what I got. The service was awesome and so was the food! There were two very attractive bartenders who were very friendly and attentive. My class never went dry! And they didnt know me from Adam! I've got to be honest with you, I read some of the horrible reviews and was a little reluctant, but I decided what the heck! And I'm glad I did! I will, without a doubt, be back! Pros: Great food! Great service! Cons: TV's could be in a better location more

recently moved to apex and wanted to find a friendly ""non chain"" restaurant/bar. somone told me to check out sparks...and so i did. i have to tell you, i have been all around the us and that was one of the best burgers ive ever had. and you can have it cooked to your likeness! wow! you dont find that very often! i sat at the bar all alone and the bartender acted as if she had known me forever! she really made me feel right at home. she informed me it was wing night, (apparently that is a tues. night special) and when i told her i didnt do chicken, trish, the bartender, recomended the burger. outstanding recomendation! and wash it down with a few cold draft miller lights...even better! i feel i will soon be a ""regular"" to the sparks sports bar and grill! Pros: outsatnding food and service Cons: could use a fresh coat of paint more

We walked in, there was hardly anyone there, should have been a warning....anyway, it took the ditzy blonde what seemed like forever to greet us and take our order. We got our food pretty fast, but then again, there was no one else there - but the dumb, blonde got the order wrong. Isn't that an oxymoron, dumb blonde? more

A friend and I visited Sparks one evening for food and drinks. I walked in and right away and the atmosphere made me feel right at home. The service was excellent and the staff was very friendly, and tenative. Also, the food was EXQUISITE! I suggest and will frequent this establishment regularly. so to all looking for a friendly night out on the lovely town of apex take a gander at this restaurant and you'll be amazed!!!!! Pros: service smiles satisfaction Cons: cinder block wall in bathroom more