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Live Sounds
For an area so Borrowers in size, it's amazing how big the Santa Cruz live music scene can be. There are plenty of spots where DJs and live acts can do their stuff, whether it's spinning dance tunes or rocking folks into a sweaty stupor.
Aptos Club--Live bands on Thu.-Sat. nights, heavy on punk, pop-punk and industrial bands. Full bar. No cover.
Bittersweet Bistro--Piano jazz complements meals on Friday evenings. Full bar. No cover.
Blue Lagoon--One of the only places to dance in Santa Cruz, the Lagoon plays host to DJs spinning house, disco and '80s classics. Full bar. Cover varies.
Britannia Arms--Live music weekends, usually rock and blues. Full bar. No cover.
Brookdale Lodge--Live music Wed.-Sat. nights. Features national acts as well as locals, heavy on psychedelic rock and acid jazz bands. Full bar. Cover varies.
Café Rio--Soul, R&B and jazz acts provide musical accompaniment for restaurant and bar patrons on weekend nights. Full bar. No cover.
Callahan's Pub--Live rock & roll, blues and R&B Thu.-Sat. nights. Full bar. Cover varies.
The Catalyst--A favorite for music fans, Santa Cruz's live music staple features some of the biggest in national acts, smaller bands and local musicians. Full bar and food service. Cover varies.
Club Dakota--The newest bar on the Santa Cruz block features DJ dancing nightly, showcasing all styles from house to disco to R&B. Full bar. No cover.
Cocoanut Grove--The beautiful '40s-style ballroom plays host to touring acts, as well as monthly dance nights for those 16 and over. Full bar. Cover varies.
Costa Brava--Upscale bar and restaurant plays host to local R&B, jazz and world-beat bands on weekend nights. Full bar. No cover.
Crepe Place--Live music Tue.-Fri. evenings--acts vary weekly but usually stick to the jazz and pop vein. Full bar. No cover.
Crow's Nest--Live music at least four nights a week, running the gamut from rock & roll and funk to world beat and salsa. Full bar. Cover varies.
Don Quixote--Full bar. Cover varies. Live rock & roll Fri.-Sat., country & western on Sundays.
Fogbank--Live rock & roll and blues on weekend nights. Full bar. No cover.
Front St. Pub--Live music from locals on Thursday nights. Beer & wine. No cover.
Harbor Cafe--Live folk on Friday evenings; bluegrass on Saturdays. No cover.
Henfling's--Music nightly, from local rock and blues musicians to nationally touring Celtic, folk and classic rockers. Full bar. Cover varies.
Ideal Bar and Grill--Smooth jazz, rock and pop seven nights a week. Full bar. No cover.
Kuumbwa--This intimate venue attracts the best in national jazz acts (big-name acts every Monday), as well as local and out-of-town Celtic, folk and world-beat. Beer and wine. No smoking. Cover varies.
Mediterranean--Neighborhood haunt features local rock & roll bands Saturday nights. No cover. Full bar.
Mobo Sushi--Local jazz, vocal, Klezmer and ethnic-music bands on Thu.-Sat. nights. Full bar. No cover.
Moe's Alley--The premier spot in Santa Cruz to see national and local blues musicians. Full bar. Cover varies.
Palookaville--Club plays host to local underground bands, renowned hip-hop, soul and funk acts, and established pop/rock groups. Beer and wine. Cover varies.
Paradise Beach Grille--Live jazz and tropical musical stylings Thu.-Fri. and Sun. nights. Full bar. No cover.
Positively Front Street--Thu.-Sun. till midnight.
Red Room--Periodically, edgy music groups perform. Full bar. No cover.
Rosie McCann's--Live music Fri.-Saturday nights, highlighting funk, soul and acid jazz. Full bar. Cover varies.
Seabright Brewery--Live music Friday evenings with bands that play everything from soul to Zydeco. Beer and wine. No cover.
Severino's--Live jazz and pop standards on the weekends. Full bar. No cover.
Skinny McDoogle's--Full bar. No cover.
White Magnolia--The Bayview Hotel's restaurant hosts light jazz Fri.-Sun. afternoons. Full bar. No cover.
Windjammer--Live rock & roll acts on weekends. Full bar. No cover.
Zelda's--Rockers, popsters and crooners take the stage nightly. Full bar. No cover.
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7941 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831/688-9888)
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Rio Del Mar (831/662-9799)
923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831/423-7117)
8017 Soquel Dr., Aptos (831/688-1233)
11570 Hwy. 9, Brookdale (831/338-7633)
131 Esplanade, Rio Del Mar (831/688-8917)
507 Water St., Santa Cruz (831/427-3119)
1133 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (831/423-1336)
1209 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (831/454-9030)
400 Beach St., at the Boardwalk, Santa Cruz (831/423-2053)
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (831/425-7871)
1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz (831/429-6994)
2218 E. Cliff Dr., at the SC Yacht Harbor, Santa Cruz (831/476-4560)
6275 Hwy. 9, Felton (831/335-2800)
211 Esplanade Ave., Capitola (831/462-1881)
516 Front St., Santa Cruz (831/429-8838)
535 Seventh Ave., Santa Cruz (831/475-4948)
9450 Highway 9, Ben Lomond (831/336-8811)
106 Beach St., Santa Cruz (831/423-5271)
320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz (831/427-2227)
265 Center St., Aptos (831/688-7004)
105 S. River St., Santa Cruz (831/425-1700)
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz (831/479-0600)
1133 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (831/454-0600)
215 Esplanade, Capitola (831/476-4900)
44 Front St., Santa Cruz (831/426-1944)
Santa Cruz Hotel, 1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz (831/426-2994)
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz (831/426-9930)
519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz (831/426-2739)
7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos (831/688-8987)
3910 Portola Dr., Live Oak (831/476-4442)
8041 Soquel Dr., Aptos (831/662-1890)
1 Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center Aptos (831/688-4433)
203 Esplanade, Capitola (831/475-4900)
From the September 24-30, 1998 issue of Metro Santa Cruz.