Nightlife in Santa Cruz

THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Nightlife Activities

Nightlife in Santa Cruz

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Nightlife
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What travelers are saying

  • jenLeCreate
    Vista, CA398 contributions
    Been to the jazz center a couple of times now and always come away amazed (and ready to go back again). This is a nice small venue (about 200 seats) that hosts local and some more well known musicians. Ample parking around the venue - metered street (until 8 pm) and i think there are parking garages nearby (we always stay so we can walk to the venue).

    You can buy dinner (before the show and bull bar. There are also restaurants around the area in case you want something different. Seating is general admission so it is good to get there a little early (I think the door opened about an hour before the show). With that said though, there are no bad seats in the house and the acoustics are great

    Sit back, hold your sweetie, have something to drink and enjoy the show. Support the local arts!

    Note: like most entertainment places, currently the center is temporarily closed due to covid.
    Written July 15, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dl50126
    Chicago, USA11 contributions
    We spent a lovely evening in this venue. Great wines available by the glass or bottle. We spent our time noshing, sipping and having great conversations with the staff. Be sure to have them call the bike taxi to take you home. This was the icing on the cake. Thanks to all.
    Written August 4, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 915staceyf
    Fayetteville, AR28 contributions
    Jimmy Thackery really burned it up at this great venue. A great spot with patio doors that open up to a smoking area and a taco bar. Perfect to enjoy the lovely weather in Santa Cruz. The bar staff is amazing. All the blues fans will feel automatically at home when they see the posters of all the greats who play there. Love it! We made new friends too
    Written September 3, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • WinoExtreme
    San Francisco, CA165 contributions
    I go to the Pocket every time I am in the Santa Cruz area, they always have great music. I have seen countless international acts on random nights. Affordable drinks and great staff. I only write about the places I love.
    Written July 7, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Matthew M
    Cardiff, UK107 contributions
    A great experience in the craft bar with Danny, very welcoming, great local knowledge & a great host in between serving a decently busy bar. Good products too.
    Will definitely come back & recommend to friends.
    Written September 8, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nicole T
    Spencer, OH111 contributions
    Visited here on a mini tap house/brewery tour (Humble Sea, Santa Cruz Mountain, and West End Tap). Beer here was pretty good, the selection of non-alcoholic beverages for the DD was better. Nice patio.
    Written October 7, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dacklc
    Louisville, KY10 contributions
    Staff was very helpful

    Pricing was good

    Atmosphere was very nice and laid back

    Nice place to relax off the normal track

    The chocolate was amazing
    Written May 20, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • christinanrodriguez
    Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
    After looking for this place we never found it. This place is pretty ‘Derpy’
    Good times with friends
    Written July 10, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pittbossss
    Santa Cruz, CA4 contributions
    Awesome neighborhood bar with great staff and a fun and friendly vibe. Remarkably good drinks, too! Management definitely takes pride in the establishment and it shows. Will be back soon.
    Written March 27, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Athonia
    Santa Cruz, CA1 contribution
    It's a toss up between Red Restaurant & Lounge and Blue Lounge for best local bar in Santa Cruz. Good Times weekly voted 'Red' best bar in 2015 but I think that's arguable. Both have moody dark red lighting inside giving them that quintesential lounge ambiance. Strong drinks, clean bathrooms, and a great crowd also allow both establishments to rank highly side by side.

    I'd have to say that Blue Lounge comes in on top by comparison to Red for a few reasons. The Seabright neighborhood is less touristy and has some creature comforts that downtown Santa Cruz lacks. For instance, Blue Lounge is a five minute walk to the harbor, the lighthouse and the beach. There's free parking behind the bar and plenty more parking on local side streets. If you want to avoid the crowds downtown then Blue Lounge is an easy choice to make for your weekend pub crawl.

    Sounds: Blue Lounge has DJs spinning electronic dance music most weekend nights and they have nice big JBL speakers that fills the bar with jams.

    Games & Entertainment: As others have pointed out there's a pinball machine and free billiards too! Thursday nights are LGBT night and on Monday nights they have karaoke.

    Nearby venues: much like downtown you can easily grab dinner & drinks and end up dancing or shooting pool all night without ever getting into your car. Start with dinner and a pint at Seabright Brewery. Alternatively you can grab a sandwich & fries at Betty Burger. After that, flow over to Brady's Yacht Club to get your dive bar check-ins out of the way. End up at the Blue Lounge for billiards, dancing and drinks. They even have snacks behind the bar if you need a pallet cleanser after visiting the first two places.

    All in all, it's a fun little place to hang out. Bar tenders are welcoming and the decor makes it cozy. Oh, you can hit 'em up on Facebook too https://www.facebook.com/theblueloungesc
    Written April 25, 2015
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • andy10krun
    Kingston-upon-Hull, UK45 contributions
    This is definitely the place to visit if you want top notch burgers and a great choice of craft beers. Portions are generous so arrive hungry! Never eaten a beer battered deep fried burger before - it might not be healthy but it was tasty 😋
    Written August 11, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Skip H
    Santa Cruz, CA121 contributions
    this place is exactly what you want in a total dive bar. Very colorful locals who are professionals at dive bar attendance. locals only. If you are into that- this is your place. Bradys has been around for 40 years +. pool table.
    try to blend in and good luck. If you are friendly, so are the patrons.
    Written January 17, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adair P
    1 contribution
    We hired Annie and her beautiful bus as a charter for a Board of Directors retreat, and it was amazing. Annie is kind, knowledgeable, and just a downright fun person. The bus was perfect for 12 of us, and we couldn't have asked for anything more. Thanks, Brew Cruz!
    Written May 31, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JK
    2 contributions
    We walked by on our way to Kaiser Arena, looking for dinner. Menu for Big Basin Vineyards Tasting Room looked interesting, so we asked if we could order food only, without wine. They were very accommodating and we enjoyed a very nice meal of shared dips and trout salad. We’ll be back to taste the wine!
    Written November 28, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Keesha Aakriti M
    Minneapolis, MN16 contributions
    Rocks definitely a must to go place. The bartenders are awesome at making drinks . One bartender made a drink for me out favorite gin and tonic. If your looking for cool people, great drinks, and cool atmosphere this is it!
    Written June 20, 2015
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz



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So I havent seen this post recently. Debating the merits of staying in Santa Cruz vs Capitola.

We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.

Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.

The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.

Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?

Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.

Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.

Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?

Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?

Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.

Thank you for your advice.
Answer: There is not much for boys that age in Capitola. Its core is a small village with boutique shopping. The hotel itself is on busy 41st Avenue, not very near the village. The mall you speak of is considering going out of business and turning into something else. It has a couple of semi-fast food restaurants. It is not something the boys could walk to from the Fairfield Inn, or has anything of interest to them, IMO.

The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.

Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.

The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .

The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.

I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html

Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....

Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor