Santa Cruz Local Bars (Downtown)
99 Bottles of Beer
110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.459.9999
The 99 different beers to choose from (half of them on tap) and the glossary of beer terms in the menu prove they're serious about beer. If you are too, try the famed quest of drinking all 99 to get a plaque on the wall among the rest of the faithful. Karaoke, live music and trivia nights are all big draws at this downtown Santa Cruz pub.
515 Kitchen and Cocktails
515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051
Imagine an upscale Red Room, or an intimate, quieter Red. Apparently, that's what the owners of those two ultra-hip nightspots did when they designed 515. In the upstairs cocktail lounge, comfy chairs encircle small tables, a perfect arrangement for hanging out with friends. The featured fare includes a dozen newfangled cocktails made with old-fashioned exotic liquors, and the bartenders make a mean Manhattan, too.
Acapulco
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.7588
Without the Garage Bar on Front Street, the need for a Monday night hang is being met by this Pacific Avenue restaurant/bar. The appetizers and flavorful beverages make it a good spot to catch a game or just play the field on a Friday night.
The Asti
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 Attic
931 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.460.1800
Perched above the Blue Lagoon, the Attic offers the best in folk, Americana, indie, jazz and countless eclectic live music acts almost every night. There's also a full tea bar and restaurant menu that includes real buffalo burgers and fresh fish. Its walls are covered with works by local artists and photographers, making the Attic a unique downtown spot.
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.
Blue Lagoon
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.423.7117
Goth rock, hip hop, '80s music and an array of sounds from local bands draw a different crowd to the Blue's two-room-wide dance floor nearly every night. Of course the dirt-cheap drinks—$1 Pabst on Wednesdays and $1 well drinks on Tuesdays—will get just about anyone out to this (not really) gay bar. The atmosphere screams for patrons of all sexual inclinations to up and shake their moneymaker.
Café Limelight
1016 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.7873
Was there ever a better excuse for afternoon drinking than Cafe Limelight's glass front, extensive cheese selection and carefully chosen wine list? With fresh sandwiches for lunch and flights of wine to encourage oenological adventuring, Cafe Limelight is a treat not to be missed at any time of the day or night.
Callahan's Pub
507 Water St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.427.3119
Callahan's is the place to be around Market Street after going for a long motorcycle ride down Highway 9 back into Santa Cruz. Free pool and great happy hour prices also make it a nice break from the craziness of downtown on a Friday or Saturday night. It's just far enough off Pacific to avoid all the crowds, and just close enough to walk back and catch a late bus home if the Hog's still in the garage.
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.423.1336
Most people know the Catalyst primarily as a music venue, but Santa Cruz bar-goers know it's much more than that. There's actually a solid dive bar with six pool tables, a jukebox, and even a few arcade games. The upstairs smoke-filled lounge is not for the weak of lung, but the cheap Budweisers and multiple pool tables sure make it a good late-night option.
Clouds Downtown
110 Church St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.429.2000
Known for its impressive martini list, including the sinfully delicious Caramel Apple Martini, this upscale bar also has a satisfying beer and wine list. You can also find tasty appetizers to please your late-night munchie craving. Come dance while DJs spin on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Club Dakota
1209 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.454.9030
The friendly staff here are always ready to help the diverse patrons of Pacific's Rainbow Flag bar. Known to have a lively and packed dance floor, drag shows, and energetic DJs, Dakota is a happenin' joint with a fresh twist.
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.7575
The Palomar is a temple of a particular brand of California lifestyle. Well-made margaritas (available in a big pitcher, if you're so inclined). A bar menu that features genuinely good food (including world-class tacos, made next door at Jose's). A lively crowd of youthful and attractive locals (of all ages). And carefully-placed televisions tuned to the Giants, A's, ‘Niners, Raiders or Sharks. That California lifestyle.
Hula's
221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.4852
The theme here is Hawaii and surf. That's been done before, but Hula's puts a refreshing spin on it. Beyond the surf flicks looping silently on a flat screen, and tastefully kitschy décor, Hula's bar features island-themed cocktails, from the classic (Zombie, Mai Tai, etc.) to the inventive (the Dr. Funk and the Pink Bikini Martini).
Jury Room
712 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.7120
The tiny central Santa Cruz bar earns its name from its close proximity to the Courthouse, but it's doubtful you'll see any lawmen there having drinks. If you're into cheap beer and loud music, it's well worth a visit.
Kianti's
1100 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.469.4400
Surrounded by a classy Italian restaurant that caters mainly to families and the growing yuppie population, the bar here is one of the safer ones to visit downtown. They can't serve anything over 40 proof, but the portions are big and the food is fabulous. A great wine selection and big TV sets perfect for catching up on the football season add to the refined sports bar ambiance of this clean and respectable bar.
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.427.2227
The best little jazz club in Central California isn't really a place you'd go to eat, although the kitchen does serve up a nice bowl of chili before shows, and it isn't really a place you'd go to drink, although it does pour a number of excellent Central Coast wines and locally brewed beers. It is the place to hear jazz acts of unparalleled quality, from venerable masters like pianist Marian McPartland to funkified young turks like bassist Christian McBride. It's a gem, and it's ours.
Pearl Alley Bistro
110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.429.8070
There's something about climbing the narrow, dark-paneled stairs to Pearl Alley that says the destination is going to be worth it. And it is. A beautifully lit room with a dark bar and gleaming brass accents welcomes regulars and newcomers alike. The full-service bar pours all manner of cocktails, but the selection of French and Italian wines here demands attention.
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.
Red Restaurant and Bar
1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.1913
Swanky doesn't even begin to describe this ultra-hip hangout. Located downtown in the historic Santa Cruz Hotel, Red oozes class with its plush velvet couches, large wooden bar, deep red mood lighting and cozy fireplace. With a great beer selection and skilled bartenders (try the Ginger Thai martini), Red will put you in a sophisticated frame of mind.
Red Room
1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.2994
The polarity between this humble local spot and its upstairs ab-fab counterpart is clearest on your way out. From the dark and leathery Red Room, a cloud of American Spirit smoke lingers around you, burned into your being; whereas descending the stairs of the Red, you are usually followed by a pack of randy socialites.
Rosie McCann's
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.9930
A more upscale establishment than most Irish pubs, this restaurant/bar has a tucked-away dance floor where revelers can shake out their worries without disturbing diners in the main room. A long list of mixed drinks, including the Naughty Olivia and always-pleasurable Irish Car Bomb, provides a wealth of choices for the thirsty.
Soif
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.423.2020
Live jazz on Monday and Tuesday top off the already fabulous atmosphere at Soif. The downtown Santa Cruz location features wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains to various other regions alongside their delectable gourmet dining choices. The bar stays open until the customers stop drinking, so expect to make friends with the bartender.
Tampico
113 Knight St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.9673
Pull up a booth and relax in the cozy lounge at the end of Pacific. A trusted favorite for larger groups of fiesta-seeking patrons, Tampico serves up authentic comida and delicious margaritas to start your night off, or in some cases, end it on a good note.
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.
Vida Lounge
1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.7871
The owners of the former Costa Brava definitely gave their place a posh makeover. Now coated in shiny leather and featuring an array of cocktails, this spot has turned into a great happy hour-pre-party-people-watching meeting place.
