Santa Cruz Neighborhood Bars
529 Seabright Lounge
529 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.2900
This former dive has been transformed from a raucous scrapper's delight to a uniquely romantic and fun place to lounge. They boast live DJs playing four or five nights a week with a variety of music styles. Busy nights bouncers keep out the riffraff and make sure things stay mellow inside. Pool table, flat-screens, and I-net jukebox keep things moving when there's no DJ. The decor adds a splash of class to the mood but never too stuffy—flip-flops welcome. Happy Hour specials 4-7; open Tuesday-Saturday 4pm-2am and Sunday 4pm-11pm.
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
715 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.423.7337
Conveniently located downtown, this dive bar has a reputation as the punk's hangout. In reality, anyone is welcome as long as they can stomach the cigarette smoke and loud street people who wander in from Pacific. Pool sharks swim around the rec room as cheap stiff drinks, with names like TKO, are served up by friendly bartenders.
The Asti
715 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.423.7337
When the Santa Cruz weather is nice, hop on your skateboard and ride on over to The Asti Café in downtown for their pool tables, video lottery games, and their amazing jukebox. The bar has happy hour every weekday from 4-7pm and has "Pint Night" on Thursdays. During football season, Sundays have more specials than you can handle. The Asti Café is the late night place to go in Santa Cruz, open until 2am.
The Avenue
11 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.3434
The last bar at the southern end of downtown features two pool tables and a back patio with afternoon barbecues. One of downtown's most popular dives, The Avenue attracts locals and students who would rather watch the game and share a few pitchers of Bud after work instead of discussing politics over a martini.
Bocci's Cellar
140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.427.1795
With free bocce ball, cheap brews, live music nearly every night and some of the friendliest bartenders around, Bocci's Cellar has become a popular neighborhood hangout. There's also a full restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Dart tournaments and weekly karaoke also attract a diverse crowd who come regularly. Just get there early to claim a court.
Boulder Creek Brewery
Highway 9, Boulder Creek, California; Tel. 831.338.7882
A warm and comforting roadhouse stop for anyone traversing windy, mountainous Highway 9, the Boulder Creek Brewery also happens to be a top-notch brewery with a dozen distinctive beers on tap, from the signature Redwood Ale to the award-winning Mudslide Stout. The capable kitchen turns out pub grub and comfort food ranging from enchiladas to burgers, making for an all-purpose, all-around destination bar.
Britannia Arms
8017 Soquel Dr., Aptos, California; Tel. 831.688.1233
An authentic English pub with the beer list to prove it, Britannia Arms is a comfy, no-nonsense bar with friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere. Located in Aptos, the Brit is a popular hangout for football and soccer fans thanks to numerous televisions and a full menu for both lunch and dinner. Catch the game, have a pint, and relax—it's a not just a European thing.
Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.429.6994
What's better than this great little neighborhood bar and landing spot after a Rio Theatre show? Its newly expanded bar, of course. And if it's Thursday, or a busy night, or a band is playing on the patio, the outside garden bar opens as well. Check the board for the clever and creative nightly drink specials. Happy hour is from 5-7pm, Monday through Friday.
Crow's Nest
2218 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.476.4560
Perched at the mouth of the Santa Cruz Harbor, the Crow's Nest flaunts a view that dares to be outdone. Happy Hour at the Nest offers great deals on drinks and delicious appetizers. Live comedy on Sunday nights, Monday Night Football parties and live music Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Henfling's Tavern
9450 Hwy 9., Ben Lomond, California; Tel. 831.336.9318
Though it's earned a reputation over the years for being a rough ‘n tumble biker bar, Henfling's Tavern is actually a pretty mellow place to grab a drink should you find yourself in Ben Lomond. The roadhouse vibe is complemented by a wraparound porch complete with heaters. Local rock bands roll into the bar a few times a week, so check the listings for upcoming gigs.
JJ's Saloon
4714 Soquel Dr., Soquel, California; Tel. 831.462.1631
Back in the day, JJ's gave away matchbooks emblazoned with that great old saw: "You're only a stranger once." In fact, settling in for a couple of cocktails here generally means making some friends. Still a classic neighborhood sports bar, JJ's has caught on with the retro- hipsters, but they haven't ruined the place—it's a friendly bunch. Bonus: shuffleboard table.
Mediterranean
265 Center St, Aptos, California; Tel. 831.688.7004
Though this popular Aptos bar is called the Mediterranean, it actually serves up a tasty mix of American Mexican food. In addition to the fine dining, the neighborhood hot-spot also provides plenty of entertainment like darts, video games and a well-stocked jukebox. If that's not enough, there's always the weekday happy hour from 4:30-6:30pm.
One Double Oh Seven
1007 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.9589
The sign says "Smokers Lounge"—welcome words to a particular slice of the population. And as it happens, that demographic includes a lot of fun people. Outside the Plexiglass wall that defines the smokers' section (and includes the bar itself), health-conscious drinkers can choose among several pool tables, as well as foosball and even pinball (!). The idea seems to be: Life may be short, so enjoy it.
Over the Hill Gang Saloon
3530 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.476.3679
If the wooden saloon doors don't tip you off to the Wild West theme, then perhaps the innumerable items of kitsch will—including cowboy and Indian mannequins, a bison head and stuffed rattlesnakes. The darts and video poker should keep the game-player amused, while the jukebox keeps the patrons two-steppin'. Just don't try to pay with plastic, it ain't that kind of place.
Poet and Patriot
320 Cedar St. Suite E, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.8620
When local hero Chris Matthews, an honest-to-God working-class Irishman from New Jersey, built this place, he infused it with honest-to-God working-class Irish-American heart, and defied the laws of time and space. There's Guinness and Murphy's on tap (room-temp or cold), three always-active dartboards, and acoustic music on weekends—it feels just like Jersey (or maybe Dublin). Plus a convivial bunch who somehow look a lot like the folks who hung out there 30 years ago.
Sir Froggy's Pub
4771 Soquel Dr, Soquel, California; Tel. 831.476.9802
Like a cabin in the woods, Sir Froggy's takes you in and warms you up with a crackling fireplace, full bar and even a vacation house-style bookcase. Pool, pinball and the ever-popular Karaoke Thursdays keep patrons well entertained at this rustic haunt in charming Soquel.
The Rush Inn
113 Knight St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.9673
This bar is a bit out of the way, tucked behind the clock tower off Pacific. Simply put, it is a gamer's delight, with pinball and video game machines lining the walls. Since it's off the beaten path, the drinks are not as overpriced as other bars downtown, and they even put on good punk shows occasionally.
The Windjammer
1 Rancho del Mar, Aptos, California; Tel. 831.685.1587
A tavern wholly devoted to the reveling arts, the Windjammer features a pool table, dart boards, live music on the weekends and TV for sports coverage during the week. Thoughtfully, the proprietors open up at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays to minister to the weekend wounded with Bloody Marys and burgers from the next-door café.
