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Asti Café
715 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-423-7337
The Lowdown: Established in 1937, the walls of the Asti Café are lined with an entertaining gallery of picture frames featuring collages of snapshots taken inside its infamous walls over the past 60-something years. There’s a wilder element here that enjoy the Asti’s three pool tables and one of the best juke boxes in town. It’s the perfect way to culminate a party and liquor-filled night.
Bottom Line: Novices to the dive bar scene need not apply.
The Attic
931 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-460-1800
The Lowdown: This teahouse/café/art gallery/music venue and all-around performance lounge has something to appeal to everyone. Stop in to absorb the great menu, ranging from classic to eccentric, or to just sip on a freshly brewed cup of tea. While you’re inside, check out some great art and the events schedule.
Bottom Line: A great escape from the busy streets of downtown.
The Avenue
711 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-426-3434
The Lowdown: One of Santa Cruz’s older drinking establishments, The Avenue boasts four pool tables, an air hockey table, and even a couple of old-school video game machines—but the clientele itself is interesting enough. There is a large patio/deck outside. Check out the Avenue’s famous “drink and drown” Wednesdays, where selected domestic beers go for $4.25 a pitcher and $1.75 for a pint.
Bottom Line: Because drinks shouldn’t make you go broke before midnight.
Bay Bar
209 Esplanade, Capitola
831-477-0749
The Lowdown: In addition to offering breathtaking views of Capitola Beach, Bay Bar boldly lays claim to the best burgers in town. Curl up with a cocktail in front of the fireplace in the winter. Full bar, pool tables and an internet jukebox.
Bottom Line: Casual beachfront dining at its best.
Blue Lagoon
923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-423-7117 or thebluelagoon.com
The Lowdown: Consistently voted the best dance club in Santa Cruz, Blue Lagoon caters to just about every palate: deep house, goth-industrial, hip hop, Brit-pop and a successful ‘80s music Thursdays. There’s a fine rotation of DJs for the weekends. Live bands, usually of the punk persuasion, also come through about once a week, so check the schedule ahead of time. There’s also a quieter cocktail lounge and a pool table room for the less dancetastic among us. Gay friendly.
Bottom Line: A thriving nightclub.
Brady’s Yacht Club
413 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz
The Lowdown: The second living room for many Seabright residents Brady’s is a perfect place to throw back a pint after work. There’s nothing too fancy about it. There’s a bar, some taps, a pool table and a jukebox with an impressive selection of Flogging Molly.
Bottom Line: Best dive bar in town.
Brookdale Lodge
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale
831-338-6433
The Lowdown: Originally established in 1890, the historic Brookdale Lodge is known for its rustic setting, which includes a dining room with a natural flowing brook running down its center. Live entertainment is presented almost every weekend to delight guests who have come for weddings, family reunions and romantic getaways.
Bottom Line: Its unique atmosphere and rustic setting is part of what has kept business booming for more than 100 years, and what will keep people coming back in the future.
Britannia Arms
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos
831-688-1233
The Lowdown: This authentic British pub offers a taste of Dear Old Blighty with the help of imported beer and a full menu including fish ’n’ chips. With its cozy atmosphere, families are invited to eat by the fire, and the younger crowd can drink it up while enjoying the variety of live entertainment offered. A dinner special is offered Monday nights. Trivia contests Wednesday nights, games and karaoke on some nights.
Bottom Line: Never a shortage of entertainment or conversation or noise.
Beauregard Vineyards Tasting Room
107 Beach St., Santa Cruz
425-7777 or beauregardvineyards.com
The Lowdown: While there are plenty of scattered vineyards in the Santa Cruz
Mountains to hunt down and explore, sometimes it’s nicer to just stay near the beach and relax with a glass of local wine and a view of the ocean. That’s where Beauregard comes in, with their scenic tasting room on the upper floor at the end of the wharf, where a panorama of Monterey Bay is paired with the best reds and whites of local vintage.
The Bottom Line: Wine with an ocean view.
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-423-1336
The Lowdown: A Santa Cruz icon, its stage has attracted many a groovy band in its day. Still going strong after more than 25 years, this hot hub features two full bars, one of which wraps through the downstairs dining and seating area, where you can relax at a table surrounded by the virtual jungle of plants in the atrium. In the main music hall, check out the great concerts and loosen up with a drink and a dance. Another, smaller bar upstairs is positioned to quench the thirst of patrons playing either on one of the six pool tables or the long shuffleboard table in the game room.
Bottom Line: The Queen of the Santa Cruz music scene.
Cava Wine Bar
It just celebrated its first year. Cava Wine Bar, in the heart of the Capitola Village, is spearheaded by two gregarious men with a penchant for fermented grape juice. Talk with local winemakers here, settle in for some jazz, and try a glass of your favorite wine. Impressive and downright festive. (115 San Jose Ave. Capitola, 831-476-2282.) Photo: Kelly Vaillancourt 
Clouds Downtown
110 Church St., Santa Cruz
831-429-2000
The Lowdown: Upscale and engaging, this is a place that boasts a pretty stellar martini. At Clouds, you’ll find a large selection of top-shelf brands of aged and rare liquors for those with a more discerning and refined taste. Great appetizer menu; terrific full meals featuring fresh fish. Killer salads!
Bottom Line: One of the liveliest spots downtown.
Club Dakota
Dakota is a real hot spot. Those who want to get a groove on in a friendly and welcoming environment will definitely want to hit the place while trekking up or down Pacific Avenue. With a full bar in the front to help prepare for the journey back to the dance floor, the club features a wide variety of musical styles for people from all persuasions and walks of life. Gay-friendly.There’s a reason it’s always packed on weekends. (1209 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-454-9030.) Pictured: DJ Ad, photo: Pete Saporito
Crow’s Nest
2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
831-476-4560
The Lowdown: Reggae rhythms and an icy tropical drink? Live soul music and a perfect martini? Whatever your dream combination, chances are you’ll find it at the Crow’s Nest. From rock and blues to reggae and soul, the Crow’s Nest offers a wide variety of live entertainment and dancing in the upstairs lounge. Add that to the full bar with ocean views and some appetizers from the Breakwater Grill, and you’ve got a classic night out in Santa Cruz.
Bottom Line: You’re going to dance and drink anyway. Why not do it with a view of the harbor?
Don Quixote’s
6275 Hwy 9, Felton
831-603-2294
The Lowdown: Its menu may be dominated by upscale Mexican cuisine, but Don Quixote’s is the place to go to hear the country’s best Americana/Roots musicians. Acoustic folk, bluegrass, country-blues—you name it. Local musicians also enjoy a significant stage presence.
Bottom Line: Where fancy dining meets down-home music.
418 Project
418 Front St., Santa Cruz
831-466-9770
The Lowdown: The 418 serves as one of Santa Cruz’s premiere performance arts venues. Dance, drumming, classes and more happen in this home to artists. Around for years, the 418 is a favorite establishment.
Bottom Line: Never ceases to impress.
Henfling’s Tavern
9450 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond
831-336-9318
The Lowdown: Nestled in the redwoods, Henfling’s parking lot is usually stacked with Harley-Davidsons. A great place to hear danceable live music, get a burger or a “biker’s breakfast burrito,” and hone your darts game. Huge on-tap selection and knowledgeable bartenders.
Bottom Line: Hang with locals every Monday for an all-night happy hour.
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831-427-2227
The Lowdown: Taking full advantage of Santa Cruz’s ideal position at the halfway point between music meccas San Francisco and LA, this intimate venue snags world-class jazz musicians making their way along the coast. Recent performers include Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau. Café Kuumbwa, boasting a healthy/organic menu, serves all shows.
Bottom Line: The next best thing to stumbling upon a jazz legend in an underground European club.
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall Restaurant & Pub
110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz
831-459-9999
The Lowdown: Taking inspiration from the drinking song of old, 99 Bottles offers beer lovers a little bit of everything—99 varieties of beer in stock, from breweries and locations all over the globe. Entertainment most nights ranges from music to trivia to a raffle for fabulous prizes and free booze.
Bottom Line: If you like beer, this is the candle for your mothlike wings to flutter toward.
Madani’s Hookah Lounge
2017 N. Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-566-5758
The Lowdown: It’s the new downtown spot where folks enjoy the ancient social legacy of the hookah. With more than 50 different flavors to choose from, you can sit back, relax—and exhale. Free Wi-Fi on hand and the atmosphere is very chill.
Bottom Line: Hip and hot at the moment.
Moe’s Alley
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
831-479-1854
The Lowdown: A favorite tour spot for blues musicians on their way through town, you can often catch the genre’s best on the Alley’s intimate stage. Salsa, reggae, rumba and hip hop acts round out the line-up. Fully-stocked bar and outdoor patio.
Bottom Line: Organic cuisine and live music six days a week.
Monty’s Log Cabin
5755 Highway 9, Felton
831-335-9969
The Lowdown: It’s nestled in the redwoods on Highway 9 and this rustic log cabin has all the right stuff for an enjoyable pit stop off the beaten path. Check out the pool table, darts and a jukebox. At night, stay warm by the outdoor fire pit while enjoying the fresh smell of the surrounding old-growth.
Bottom Line: Felton's best-kept secret—until now.
The Poet and the Patriot
320-E Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831-426-8620
The Lowdown: Sporting lads and lassies, darts and brews, the curious might examine all of the historical and cultural Irish artifacts that fill every nook and cranny. The thirsty will enjoy the Guinness on tap, served as it ought to be, at room temperature.
Bottom Line: How many establishments pull off being horseshoe shaped?
The Red Room
1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
831-426-2994
The Lowdown: Situated on the bottom floor of the old Santa Cruz Hotel building, the Red Room’s décor and ambiance are in keeping with the motif and the name of the establishment. The regular crowd has been coming back for years. Pictures of Miss California winners from decades past—when the event was held in Santa Cruz—hang in the front corner, greeting you as you step inside. It sometimes feels as though you’ve entered a different time period.
Bottom Line: More relaxed and inexpensive than its upstairs hotspot sister. (See restaurant listings for The Red).
Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
831-426-9930
The Lowdown: As you approach the top of the stairway that brings you up to Rosie McCann’s, a sign greets you that says “A hundred thousand welcomes,” written in Gaelic, and you know right away that you’ll feel at home in this Santa Cruz-style Irish Pub and Restaurant. With 25 beers on tap, and the best selection of rare Bushmills, Jamesons and other single malt Scotches and whiskeys, Rosie’s also has the best Irish dishes around, including the delicious lamb stew. Featuring live music and DJs on the weekends.
Bottom Line: Every city, by obscure international law, must have an Irish pub. This is ours.
The Rush Inn
113 Knight St., Santa Cruz
831-425-9673
The Lowdown: Filled with Joe Montana and teammates’ memorabilia, the inside of the Rush Inn looks almost like a shrine that any true 49ers fan should make a pilgrimage to at least once in their life. Devotees of Bay Area teams can usually catch a game or two on the TV at night, pool sharks can play a close-quarters game if it’s not too crowded around the table, and the adventurous can try to finish off an Irish Car Bomb.
Bottom Line: A place only a stool squatter could love, but love it they do.
Soif Wine Bar & Merchants
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz
831-423-2020
The Lowdown: This fabulous hot spot is both an amazing wine boutique and a great place to eat. Experience the best of both worlds here—shopping and dining. In the wine store, you will find the local and international wines of great variety. In the actual bar, you can order from an eclectic food menu or sample the wines from the diverse wine list. A real experience.
Bottom Line: Wine love can sing its name to the rafters here.
Vinocruz
725 Front St. #101, Santa Cruz
831-426-8466
The Lowdown: Sophisticated without being stuck up, Vinocruz’s brushed stainless steel tasting table serves up the best in local wines seven days a week. Owners J-P Correa and Jeffrey Kongslie have created a relaxed space to show off the bounty of the Santa Cruz Mountains’ more than 60 wineries.
Bottom Line: Localism done right.
Windjammer
1 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos
831-685-1587
The Lowdown: Get your game on at this Aptos watering hole with its pool tables, dartboards and arcade. Football fans can hit the full bar, get a famous Windjammer hot dog and kick back for complete satellite coverage of the NFL season.
Bottom Line: Eight TVs for your sports fix, live music and a complete cocktail lounge.
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