Articles

In Heaven They’ll Never Close

By
• June 5, 2012

The Avenue (closed 2012) The most recent casualty to Santa Cruz’s dive scene, the Avenue Bar and Cigars was the best place to watch overaged, underpaid prostitutes flash returning customers and new victims. Those who didn’t want to see anything illegal happen simply had to close their eyes and listen to the sweet, sweet sounds of “I’ll get you the money tomorrow!” No joke, Pacific hasn’t been the same since March.

Hurry Back Inn (closed 2004) Like a piece from a Western movie set, this dank little standalone neighborhood bar on 41st Ave. near Pleasure Point had a certain aura about it—whether of defeat or authenticity, you had to decide for yourself.

The Knight Owl (closed c. 2000) According to one summation in Metro Santa Cruz, “If you’ve been 86’d from every other bar in Santa Cruz for being drunk and disorderly, then this is the place for you.” Also called the Fight Owl, this Seabright watering hole (now the Mad House) was famous for its sticky floors, which were overlaid with a smelly patina of peanut shells and cigarette butts.

The Silver Bullet (closed 1998) Revered for its “drink and drown” Wednesdays . An “I miss the Silver Bullet” Facebook page keeps the torch burning for this rowdy bar at Soquel and Front streets, which was leveled to make room for the parking garage. A recent conversation focused on whether Callahan’s could be the new Bullet.

 

  • https://www.santacruz.com/articles/in_heaven_the_dive_bars_never_close.html Courtney.

    I miss the Silver Bullet, and that was when I was a more innocent, surfing hippie chick days. But to say that the Avenue will be missed and is a casualty and that lower Pacific Ave won’t be the same without it is really not understanding the reality of things today. The Avenue drew a large, constant flow of drug dealers, mainly crack, from places like Oakland and Seaside, to prey on the locals and not do locals. Lots of crime and generally shady activities resulted. Thankfully the Santa Cruz PD and Take Back Santa Cruz did what they could about the scene. For me,  not knowing the story behind why The Avenue ultimately closed, all I can say is thank goodness Pacific Ave will never be the same.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/ae/articles/2012/06/05/in_heaven_the_dive_bars_never_close Courtney.

    I miss the Silver Bullet, and that was when I was a more innocent, surfing hippie chick days. But to say that the Avenue will be missed and is a casualty and that lower Pacific Ave won’t be the same without it is really not understanding the reality of things today. The Avenue drew a large, constant flow of drug dealers, mainly crack, from places like Oakland and Seaside, to prey on the locals and not do locals. Lots of crime and generally shady activities resulted. Thankfully the Santa Cruz PD and Take Back Santa Cruz did what they could about the scene. For me,  not knowing the story behind why The Avenue ultimately closed, all I can say is thank goodness Pacific Ave will never be the same.