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Photograph by Stephen Laufer Metro Santa Cruz Bars & Clubs 2003 [ Intro | Guide | Live Music | The Catalyst ] The Central Coast [ Downtown Santa Cruz | Central Santa Cruz | West Side Santa Cruz | East Side Santa Cruz | Boardwalk & Waterfront | San Lorenzo Valley | Capitola/Soquel | Aptos | South County ] Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue is indisputably the king when it comes to nightspots. There's something here for just about everyone and for every taste, from college hangs and dimly lit dives to gay dance-halls and trendy wine bars. The Acapulco Cocktail lounge. Daily happy hour 4-6:30pm. Open Sunday through Wednesday until 9pm, Thursday until 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 12pm. 1116 Pacific Ave. (426.7588) Asti Cafe Neighborhood bar. Pool tables, video lottery games, great jukebox. Weekday happy hour 4-7pm. Open until 2am. 715 Pacific Ave. (423.7337) The Avenue Neighborhood bar. Pool tables and sports on nine TV screens. Outdoor back patio. Daily happy hour 5-7pm with cheap brews; Wednesday "Drink and Drown" after 8pm, with discount pitchers. Open until 2am. 711 Pacific Ave. (426.3434) Blue Lagoon Cocktail Lounge Dance club. Two pool tables. Weekday happy hour 6-9pm. Open until 2am. Cover varies. 923 Pacific Ave. (423.7117) Bonesio Wine Bar Wine bar and hookah lounge. Daily happy hour 3-6pm. Open Friday and Saturday until 1:30am. 1016 Cedar St. (457.1217) Callahan's Pub Pub and cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 5-7pm and until 2am (with free pool) Thursday. Open until 2am. 507 Water St. (427.3119) The Catalyst Nightclub. Three bars, pool tables. Friday happy hour 4:30-7pm. Open until 2am. Cover varies. 1011 Pacific Ave. (423.1336) Clouds Downtown Cocktail lounge with award-winning martinis. Late-night dining. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm. 110 Church St. (429.2000) Club Dakota Dance club. Weekday happy hour 4-7pm. Cover varies. 1209 Pacific Ave. (454.9030) Costa Brava Cocktail lounge. Daily happy hour 4:30-7pm, all night Monday and Tuesday (4:30-11pm). Ladies' Night Monday, with an "Industry Night" all day Wednesday that offers discounts to employees of downtown businesses (bring your pay stub). Late-night lounge snacking continues after kitchen closes. Bar open until midnight on weekdays and until 2am on weekends. 1222 Pacific Ave. (425.7871) The Garage Sports Bar Sports bar. Pool table and TVs. Weekday happy hour 5-7pm. Half-off pitchers on Tuesday, free pool on Wednesday, karaoke on Thursday. Open until 2am. 603 Front St. (471.5555) Jose's Cantina Cantina and cocktail lounge adjacent to El Palomar restaurant. Happy hour 4-6pm Monday-Thursday in the taco bar. $3 pints Tuesday 6-10pm. $5 Mojito Madness Wednesday 6-10pm. $2 pints of selected beer Thursday from 7-9pm. 1336 Pacific Ave. (425.7575) Kuumbwa Jazz Center Nightclub. Good wine list, bottled beers. Cover varies. 320-2 Cedar St. (427.2227) Mobo Sushi Cocktail lounge. Open until 10pm Monday-Wednesday, and until 11pm Thursday-Saturday. 105 S. River St. (425.1700) 99 Bottles of Beer Pub with more than 40 beers on tap, California wines and hard ciders. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm; also after 10pm Wednesday and all day Thursday. Karaoke on Monday; "Pint Night" on Tuesday, with happy hour prices for selected beer all night. 110 Walnut Ave. (459.9999; www.99bottles.com) Pearl Alley Bistro & Wine Bar Cocktail lounge with extraordinary wine list. 110 Pearl Alley. (429.8070; www.pearlalley.com) Poet & Patriot Irish Pub Neighborhood bar with real room-temp Guinness. Darts, open-mic. Weekday happy hour 5-7pm. 320 Cedar St. (426.8620; www.poetandpatriot.com) Red Room Cocktail lounge. Jukebox with mix of '70s soul, adrenal rock and lounge music. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Open until 2am. 1003 Cedar St. (426.2994) Rosie McCann's Irish Pub Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm. Open until midnight on weekdays and until 1:30am on weekends. DJs Thursday-Saturday. 1220 Pacific Ave. (426.9930; www.rosiemccanns.com) Rush Inn Neighborhood bar. Pool table, pinball and jukebox. Monday night football with $3.50 well martinis. Tequila dance at 1am. Open until 2am. 113 Knight St. (425.9673) SOIF Extensive wine bar and gourmet dining. Live jazz Tuesday and Wednesday. Open weekdays until 11pm, bar open as long as customers are still drinking. 105 Walnut Ave. (423.2020) Central Santa Cruz Sure, the area lacks definable personality, and even we're not sure where its boundaries begin and end. We encourage you to go exploring--one thing for sure, these neighborhood nooks boast some of the friendliest bartenders and the best live music in town. Bocci's Cellar Cocktail lounge. Free bocce every night, tournaments and $3 pints every Tuesday. Friday happy hour until 6pm. 140 Encinal St. (427.1795) Hindquarter Bar & Grill Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Monday night football specials. Open until 11pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends. 303 Soquel Ave. (426.7770; www.thehindquarter.com) The Jury Room Cocktail lounge. Pool table, golf video game and fireplace. Thursday ladies' night. Free pool on Monday. Open until 2am. 712 Ocean St. (426.7120) Linwood's at Chaminade Cocktail lounge. TVs for sport viewing, billiards and a fireplace. Open on weeknights until 11pm, weekends until midnight. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Live music on Saturday. 1 Chaminade Lane. (475.5600; www.chaminade.com/dining) Moe's Alley Nightclub. Weekday happy hour 4-8pm. Open until 2am. Cover varies. 1535 Commercial Way. (479.1854; www.moesalley.com) Peachwood's at Pasatiempo Inn Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 11:30am-5pm. Hwy 17 and Pasatiempo Drive. (426.6333; www.peachwoods.com) West Side Santa Cruz We're not going to lie to you: the West Side doesn't have much in the way of club-crawling potential. Still, a drive down Mission Street will turn up rewards at both ends of the nightlife spectrum. Ristorante Avanti Eclectic wine bar. Rotating wine-tasting flights every night, gourmet appetizers. Lunch specials Monday-Friday 11:30-2pm. Open Sunday-Thursday until 9pm, Friday and Saturday until 9:30pm. 1711 Mission St. (427.0135) Ye Olde Watering Hole Sports bar. Classic-rock jukebox and pool table. Open until 2am. 2405 Mission St. (469.4653) East Side Santa Cruz Seabright-area residents claim their neighborhood has the most character in Santa Cruz. With Yacht Harbor, Live Oak and the Avenues riding on Seabright's coattails, we guarantee you'll find the brewpub haven, cozy tavern or cocktail lounge of your dreams. Brady's Yacht Club Neighborhood bar. Tuesday is neighborhood night. 413 Seabright Ave. (No phone; "Just go," they say.) The Castaways Sports bar. Amateur-only pool tournaments. Weekday happy hour 3-7pm. Thursday 2 for 1, free pool on Tuesday. Monday night football specials. Open until 2am. 3623 Portola Dr. (462.1319) Cayuga Vault Concert, performance and public event venue. 1100 Soquel Ave. (425.1865; www.cayugavault.com) The Corner Pocket Billiards and darts hall with full bar. Happy hour 4-7pm weekdays; noon-3pm on weekends. Rotating drink specials every night. Open until 2am. 3102 Portola Dr. (475.9819) The Crepe Place Neighborhood bar with unique drinks. Weekday happy hour 5-7pm, all night on Tuesday. Martini specials on Monday. Open until midnight on weekdays and until 1am on weekends. 1134 Soquel Ave. (429.6994) Crow's Nest Cocktail lounge. Indoor and outdoor decks overlooking Yacht Harbor. Happy house weekdays 4-6pm. Cover varies. Yacht Harbor, 2218 East Cliff Dr. (476.4560; www.crowsnest-santacruz.com) 529 Neighborhood bar. Pool tables, darts video games, pinball and a jukebox. Tuesday is neighborhood night. Daily happy hour 5-9pm. Free barbecue on Monday and Friday. Open until 2am. 529 Seabright Ave. (426.5898) Harbor Cafe Beer and wine. Jazz on Friday and Saturday evenings. Happy hour Friday-Saturday 5:30-6:30pm. Open at night on Friday and Saturday only until 10pm. 535 Seventh Ave. (475.0213) One Double Oh Seven Club and Smoking Parlor Sports bar. Several pool tables, dart boards, foosball machines, video games, pinball, shuffleboard and Hot Spot on the TV, plus online trivia game every night except Monday. QB1 Football. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm. Full humidor. 1007 Soquel Ave. (425.9589) Over the Hill Gang Saloon Neighborhood bar. Open until 2am. 3530 Portola Dr. (476.3679) Portola House Cocktail lounge. 3326 Portola Dr. (476.2733) Seabright Brewery Pub. Tuesday is Neighborhood Night 9-11pm. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm. Open until 11:30pm. 519 Seabright Ave. (426.2739; www.seabrightbrewery.com) Boardwalk & Waterfront Contrary to popular belief, Beach Street and the Municipal Wharf aren't just for tourists. Reasons to cover the waterfront include but are not limited to: breathtaking sunset views; a dizzying whirl on the Big Dipper and a divine seafood meal on the wharf. Boardwalk Bowl Bowling alley, restaurant and bar. Atomic bowling Thursday 10pm and Sunday 8pm. $2 off pitchers after 9pm Monday and Tuesday. 115 Cliff St. (426.3324; www.boardwalkbowl.com) Carniglia's Seafood Cocktail lounge. Daily happy hour 3-5pm; weekend happy hour 3:30-5pm. 49a Municipal Wharf. (458.3600; www.carnigliasseafood.com) Gilbert's Seafood Grill Cocktail lounge. 460 Municipal Wharf. (423.5200) Ideal Bar and Grill Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 2:30-5pm. 106 Beach St. (423.5271) The Mainsail Restaurant Cocktail lounge with spectacular view. Happy hour 4-6pm. West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel, 175 W. Cliff Dr. (426.4330) Miramar Cocktail lounge. Happy hour 2:30-6pm with margaritas. Open until 11:30pm. 45 Municipal Wharf. (423.4441) Neptune's Kingdom Fun for the whole family. Beer in upstairs bar, other food and drink downstairs. Arcade, miniature golf, pool tables, foosball, air hockey and more. 400 Beach St. (426.7433; www.beachboardwalk.com/ 03_neptune.html) Olitas Cocktail lounge with specialty drinks and extensive wine list. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm. All-night happy hour and free nacho bar Monday. Tuesday and Thursday taco and drink for $5. 50 Municipal Wharf. (458.9393; www.golocoinsantacruz.com) Riva Fish House Cocktail lounge. Spicy Bloody Marys made from scratch. 500 Municipal Wharf. (429.1223) Stagnaro's Cocktail lounge. 59 Municipal Wharf. (423.2180; www.stagnarobros.com) San Lorenzo Valley If you've never explored Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek or Brookdale, unforgettable nightlife adventures lie in store. Locals, of course, have been singing the rustic charms of their mountain towns for decades. Boulder Creek Brewery Pub. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm; 2-6pm Wednesday; 9:30-10:30 Saturday; 8:30-9:30pm Sunday. Open until 10pm on weekdays and until 10:30pm on weekends. 13040 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. (338.7882; www.bouldercreekbrewery.com) Brookdale Lodge Cocktail lounge. Live music, cover varies. Open until 11pm Sunday-Thursday and until 1am Friday-Saturday. 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale. (338.6433; www.brookdale lodge.com) Don Quixote's Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 3:30-6pm. Cover varies. 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. (335.2800) Henfling's Firehouse Tavern Classic roadhouse. Weekday happy hour 4:30pm-7pm on draft beers and well drinks. Cover varies. 9450 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond. (336.8811; www.henflings.com) Joe's Bar Neighborhood bar. Cheap jukebox with rock classics, dart room, sports TV and quarter pool tables. Open until 2am. 13118 Central Ave., Boulder Creek. (338.9417; www.sanlorenzovalley.com/joes) Malone's Grande Grille Neighborhood bar. Live music on patio 5-8pm. Monday-Thursday happy hour 4-6pm. 4402 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley. (438.2244) Max's Lounge at the Hilton Cocktail lounge. Open until 10pm Monday-Thursday, 11pm Friday and Saturday. 6001 La Madrona Dr., Scotts Valley. (440.1000) Scopazzi's Full bar, blues on Friday nights. 13300 Big Basin Hwy, Boulder Creek. (338.4444) Trout Farm Inn Cocktail lounge. Open until 11pm. 7701 E. Zayante Rd., Felton. (335.4317; www.troutfarminn.com) Capitola/Soquel From the clean, well-lighted places of Capitola to the saucy saloons of Soquel Village, you won't find better places to meet new friends or renew old acquaintances. Cafe Cruz Cocktail lounge overlooking spacious patio. Good list of wines by the glass. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm. 2621 41st Ave., Capitola. (476.3801; www.cafecruz.com) Caffe Lido Full bar/lounge area and outside deck. Open until 9pm Monday-Thursday, 10pm Friday-Saturday. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm, discounted Cosmos and Lemon Drops. 110 Monterey Ave., Capitola. (475.6544) Fast Eddy's Billiards Billiards hall with beer and wine. Video games, pinball and sports on TVs behind the bar. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Free pool for ladies Tuesday after 6:30pm. Open until 2am. 4300 Capitola Rd., Capitola. (462.1882). Fogbank Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm. Open until 11pm-midnight on weekdays and until 1am on weekends. Monday Night Football specials. 211 Esplanade, Capitola. (462.1881). Hurry Back Inn Neighborhood bar. TV for sports. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6pm. Open weekdays until midnight, Friday and Saturday until 2am. 910 41st Ave., Capitola. (475.4932). JJ's Saloon Sports bar. Pool tables, shuffleboard. Open until 2am. 4714 Soquel Dr., Soquel. (462.1631) Paradise Beach Grill Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 4-6pm. 215 Esplanade, Capitola. (476.4900) Shadowbrook Cocktail lounge. Martini Mondays, "Winemaker Wednesdays" 5-8pm. Live music Friday and Saturday evenings. 1750 Wharf Rd., Capitola. (475.1511; www.shadowbrook-capitola.com) Sir Froggy's Pub Neighborhood bar. Pool table, darts, jukebox, TVs for sports. Open until 2am. 4771 Soquel Dr., Soquel (476.9802) Takara Japanese Restaurant Sake bar/lounge. Open 9:30pm. 3775 Capitola Rd., Capitola. (464.1818) Wharf House Restaurant with full bar on the Capitola wharf. Open weekdays until 8:30pm, weekends until 9:30pm. 1400 Wharf Rd., Capitola. (476.3534; www.wharfhouse.com) Zelda's Cocktail lounge. Back deck overlooks Capitola beach. Dance floor, TVs, live music. Weekday happy hour 2:30-5pm. Martini Night Wednesday after 5pm. Open until 1am on weekdays and until 2am on weekends. 203 Esplanade Capitola. (475.4900) Aptos Wear jeans in Aptos Village and Rio Del Mar or don some fancy duds and mix it up in upscale Seascape. Either way, you'll find redwoods, sunset views and outdoor decks, along with generous samplings of live jazz. Aptos Club Nightclub. Modest dance floor, outside patio for smokers, pool tables and jukebox. Weekday happy hour 3:00-6:00pm. Wednesday ladies enter free, $1 drinks at 10pm, plus 25 cents every 15 minutes thereafter. Open until 2am. 7941 Soquel Dr., Aptos. (688.9888) Bittersweet Bistro Cocktail lounge with single-malt Scotches, fine cognac and extensive wine list. Daily "Bistro Hour" 3-6pm, with half-price pizzettas and specially priced wines by the glass, beer and spirits. Monday $3 martinis. Wednesday half off selection of wines. 787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos. (662.9799; www.bittersweetbistro.com) Britannia Arms Pub. Pool table and league darts in game room, Wednesday trivia nights. Weekday happy hour 2:30-6pm. Open until 2am. Sunday and Monday night football specials. Seven TVs for sports. 8017 Soquel Dr., Aptos. (688.1233; www.brittanniaarms.com) Cafe Rio Cocktail lounge, indoor and outdoor at Rio Del Mar beach. Open weekdays until midnight, weekends until 1am. Weekday happy hour 3-5:30pm. 131 Esplanade, Rio Del Mar. (688.8917) Mediterranean Neighborhood bar. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Darts, juke box, golf game, gong. Open until 2am. 265 Center St., Aptos. (688.9840) Palapas Restaurant & Cantina Cocktail lounge and cantina with margarita specials, extensive tequila selection. 21 Seascape Village, Aptos. (662.9000) Severino's Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 4:30-6:30pm. Open Sunday-Thursday until 9pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm. 7500 Old Dominion Court., Aptos. (688.8987; www.seacliff.inn.com/restaurant.html) Windjammer Lounge Neighborhood bar. Daily happy hour 5-7pm. Darts, new pool table. Under new management, grand opening on Oct. 25. Open until 2am. 1 Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Aptos. (688.4433) South County They say as you head south, the weather gets balmier, the folk get friendlier and the music gets livelier. To verify the truth of this local legend, check out these watering holes in Freedom, Watsonville and Moss Landing. Cilantro's Cocktail lounge. Happy hour Monday-Thursday 5-7pm. Rotating specials every night. Open until 1am on weekends. 1934 Main St., Watsonville. (761.2161) El Alteño Cocktail lounge. Open daily until 11pm. 323 Main St., Watsonville. (768.9876) El Tarasco Cafe Cocktail lounge. 328 Walker, Watsonville. (728.5197) Garbini's Hideout Neighborhood bar. Shuffleboard lane. Open until midnight. 589 Auto Center Dr., Watsonville. (728.0272) Green Valley Grill Cocktail lounge. Weekday happy hour 4-6:30pm. Open Monday-Thursday until 9pm, Friday and Saturday until 10pm. Serving Saturday lunches. 40 Penny Lane, Watsonville. (728.0644) Jalisco's Cocktail lounge includes over 20 tequilas. Weekday happy hour 3-6pm. Mariachis on Friday night. Open until 9:30pm on weekdays and until 10pm on weekends. 618 Main St., Watsonville. (728.9080) Lorene's Packing Shed Cocktail lounge. Open until 2am. 972 Main St., Watsonville. (722.2566) The Villager Cocktail lounge. Open daily until 10pm. 1032 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. (722.5200) Wooden Nickel Bar & Grill Neighborhood bar. Open until 12:30am weekdays, 2am weekends. 1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom. 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