The Blue Lagoon (923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.423.7117) What started as Santa Cruz’s first gay bar has since morphed into the dive bar of choice for not only gay folks, but punks, metal heads and every other marginalized cross section of the local populace. The concerts are cheap, the drinks are even cheaper and there’s fish that swim in the walls. What else could you want?
Brookdale Lodge (11570 Highway 9, Brookdale, 831.338.1300) The famously haunted restaurant and bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains has a long, sordid history of unexplained sightings and strange encounters. Perhaps the most frequent report, however, is of top-notch indie acts like Vetiver and Akron/Family playing live shows on its back room stage, then vanishing shortly after midnight. Some 16+ shows.
The Catalyst (1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.423.1338) Through the long line that snakes each weekend from its high double doors and past the twin sets of burly bouncer checkpoints is Santa Cruz’s best-known bar and club. The Catalyst is 5,000 square feet of dancing room, two stages, four bars and six pool tables worth of fist-raising, rock, electronica and hip hop-laced good times. Some shows are 16+.
The Crepe Place (1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.429.6994) A restaurant called the “Crepe Place” that specializes in absinthe cocktails and gourmet French pancakes may not scream “cutting edge indie rock club.” But when the sun goes down, the front room chairs go out, and, sure enough, a packed schedule of underground indie rock, bluegrass and electronica acts plug in.
Crow’s Nest (2218 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, 831.476.4560) Besides grilling up one of the best steaks in town, the harbor-side mega restaurant has an upstairs bar that boasts a solid happy hour (half-price apps and $3.30 pints) and a steady schedule of cheap and dance-friendly shows.
Don Quixote’s (6275 Highway 9, Felton, 831.335.2800) Don Quixote the man is a fictional Spanish hero that tromps around in armor, completing quests. Don Quixote’s the club is a Felton-based restaurant, bar and venue that books shows nearly every night and has a celebrated history of attracting big names in bluegrass, folk, rock and country western music—something we like to think the club’s namesake would fully endorse.
Henflings Tavern (9450 Highway 9, Felton, 831.336.9318) Many a mountain dweller has crawled back home through the woods after one too many cold ones at Henflings. With a hard rock-leaning music agenda and a heavy-handed barstaff, it’s no wonder this blue-collar establishment sends ‘em home happy.
Moe’s Alley (1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, 831.479.1854) Those willing to schlep a few minutes down Highway One to Soquel Drive can find one of the best local venues, and arguably the best sound system, in town. Moe’s Alley specializes in cool drinks, hot bartenders and even hotter blues, funk and hip-hop shows.
The Poet & The Patriot (320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831.426.8620) The Poet and the Patriot occupies the rare gray area between packed college hangout and beloved local watering hole. It’s about as authentically Irish a pub as was ever started by a New Jersey leftist, and, through free rock, folk and Celtic concerts, a busy set of dart boards and a plethora of delicious beers poured by expert staff, the Poet is an indispensable part of the Santa Cruz character.
Verve Lounge (7941 Soquel Dr., Aptos, 831.662.2247) Since opening in 2008, the Verve Lounge has done its best to become the go-to bar and venue in Aptos. It certainly helps to have a killer happy hour and a bevy of signature cocktails like the “Mosquito Mojito” to go with the non-stop blues concerts.
16+/all-ages (call ahead)
The 418 Project (418 Front St., Santa Cruz, 831.466.9770) Anyone who’s ridden a bike down the east bank of the San Lorenzo River levee path and heard the ratatat of tribal drumming or the guttural howl of a hardcore punk singer has likely just crossed the backside of 418 Front Street, a.k.a. the 418 Project. This all ages venue is part ballet recital hall, part Indian take out joint and part punk rock temple—a favorite for the young and rebellious.
The Abbey (350 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831.429.1058) The Abbey, located northwest of downtown and loosely connected to the Vintage Faith Church, is typically filled with a quiet and studious crowd of homework doers and laptop typers. Its regular acoustic concert shows, however, can get rowdy and its tolerance of widely diverging views make for an ever-interesting dynamic.
Asana (103 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 831.425.8327) If the 85 varieties of tea, free wireless and comfy furnishings weren’t enough, Asana Tea House in downtown Santa Cruz also offers a regular schedule of free concerts featuring local and touring acts. Specializing in world music, Americana and a rowdy Tuesday night open mic, Asana is one Tea Party that doesn’t require you to compare Obama to Hitler in order to get in.
Boardwalk Bowl (115 Cliff St., Santa Cruz, 831.426.3324) On Tuesday and Friday nights, the sound of crashing pins and buzzing hand warmers is somewhat drowned out by the sound of local and touring rock bands inside Coasters Lounge at Boardwalk Bowl. The bar section may be 21-and-over, but even toddlers bumper bowling outside can still rock out to the sound between frames.
Bocci’s Cellar (140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, 831.427.1795) Billing itself as “the best kept secret in Santa Cruz,” Bocci’s Cellar is a funky, banquet-style restaurant built in an old Victorian. It’s got great food, a sizable wine list, and free shows nearly every night of the week, including a stellar Sunday jazz jam.
Caffe Pergolesi (418 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831.426.1775) Though its concert schedule is erratic even in a good month, the local ;efties’ favorite java mansion is known to slate some great (and often free) punk, metal and indie shows. Plus, if you don’t like the band, there are like 15 other rooms you can use to distance your self from it.
Kuumbwa Jazz Center (320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831.427.2227) A look at the schedule of mind-boggling jazz talent that’s regularly booked at Kuumbwa and one might think it was a long-standing establishment in San Francisco, New York or New Orleans. Its secret comes down to a dedicated staff of mostly volunteers and an artistic director who’s managed to turn Santa Cruz into a major stop on the international jazz circuit.
Rio Theatre (1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.423.8209) Though it lacks an in-house bar (there’s one next door), the Rio Theatre on Soquel Avenue is still one of the best places to see a show in Santa Cruz. Featuring film festivals, wildlife shows and national touring indie musicians like Jenny Lewis, Minus the Bear and Cat Power, this classic 61-year-old neon-accented movie theater is a hub of artistic hipness in midtown.
Seabright Brewery (519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.426.2739) On a warm day there are few better places to be in Santa Cruz than on the Seabright Brewery patio clutching a cold, perspiring Pelican Pale Ale in one hand and your dog’s leash in the other. With killer suds, a pro-pooch policy, free funk and rock shows and a rowdy—if slightly older—local clientele, Seabright Brewery is where locals go to toss ‘em back.
SubRosa Anarchist Café (703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831.426.5242) Santa Cruz’s notorious anarchist infoshop, SubRosa, peddles coffee, tea, radical ideas, and, occasionally, acoustic music sets from bands and artists that the café’s staff “feel(s) an affinity” for. Events are always free, so even if you’re not down with the fundamental restructuring of society, you can still chill out in garden and listen anyway.
Woodstock’s Pizza (710 Front St., Santa Cruz, 831.427.4444) The UCSC crowd really got it right with Woodstock’s. Not only is the pizza good, but there’s ridiculous beer specials like $1 pint refills on Wednesdays, plus an awesome heated patio, a bunch of TVs with all the games, and a rotating cast of rock bands, jazz trios and DJs to keep everyone entertained.
