Davenport Roadhouse
1 Davenport Ave., Davenport, CA
831.426.8801 ext. 100
Once a whaling village and more recently a mill town, this tiny community still possesses a funky North Coast charm. Find it here every Tuesday, when fish tacos and draft beers are two bucks each, and the still-colorful locals are joined by adventurous visitors from as far away as Bonny Doon and Santa Cruz. On weekends, the place gets a little wild, as befits its surroundings.
La Mission
1719 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
831.426.3564
Huge glistening mugs filled to the brim with margarita mix three times the normal portion have been seen on the short bar section of this sit-down Mexican restaurant. The oversized drinks have generous quantities of triple sec and tequila included, but run at the high cost of $15. For those not pledging in a frat, the normal margarita ration costs only $3.50. A small variety of wines and Mexican beers are also available.
Ye Olde Watering Hole
2405 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA
831.469.4653
This dive bar has a grungy sense of class that makes it a gloriously homey place to get a drink. The pool table, TV sets, and genre-straddling jukebox are the stars here, and the cheap whiskey does improve the entertainment. Things have been known to get out of hand if someone, usually a student, makes a wrong move, but overall this place exhibits the comfort of a working man's living room.
