The best bars & nightlife in Santa Cruz

Alta Vina pours an ever-curious lineup that invites you to taste outside your usual lane, with friendly guidance that feels more neighbor…

420 3rd St (Oakland)

This week, skip the flight, keep the flavor. La Catalana delivers classic and modern tapas, paella, and rare-to-find fideu, alongside…

3720 N First St Unit 10 (San Jose)

Paper Plane has been crafting artful cocktails since 2013, backed by one of the Bay Area’s largest, highly curated bottle collections. Let…

72 S 1st St (San Jose)

Madson Wines pours thoughtful wines at cozy tastings and low-key events, with winemaker Cole Thomas keeping things personal without the…

328 Ingalls St Ste G

When you need a reliable place to let loose, The Blue Lagoon keeps the party humming with local DJs, a packed dance floor, and drinks that…

923 Pacific Ave

2-story Mission club with a bar downstairs & an upstairs space for dancing to DJ beats & live bands.

647 Valencia St (San Francisco)

Comfy tavern with craft beers, large TVs & sustainable American eats in a historic brick building.

151 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

Dim, trendy cocktail bar with steampunk decor prepares signature drinks with housemade ingredients.

679 3rd St (San Francisco)

Cozy wine bar offering food, including Italian meatballs, in an intimate setting.

350 W Julian St Bldg 4 (San Jose)

Cozy wine and sake bar with a selection of tinned fish and small bites, plus a wine club.

691 14th St (San Francisco)

Hosting regular karaoke nights, this bowling-alley eatery serves burgers & pizza, plus drinks.

115 Cliff St

Laid-back eatery, plus bar featuring natural wines as well as eats like oysters, arancini and pasta.

30 Fountain Alley #160 (San Jose)

Relaxed, airy waterfront spot for wine tasting with savory snacks & ocean views.

55 Municipal Wharf Ste B

Hip, modern space pouring craft cocktails, beer and wine, plus an outdoor patio.

725 Front St

Playful bar & arcade for a variety of drinks & vintage video-game machines in a neon-decked space.

2200A Market St (San Francisco)

Stylish wine bar with a selection of natural wines, plus tinned fish, deviled eggs, and other snacks.

2845 18th St (San Francisco)

Casual eatery featuring a menu of healthy dishes, plus wine and beer (some local) plus beer on tap.

8050 Soquel Dr Ste b (Aptos)

Bold wallpaper & neon set the backdrop for cocktails & American snacks at this neighborhood lounge.

1439 Taraval St (San Francisco)

Casual spot featuring a lengthy wine list, plus appetizers, salads and oysters.

234 Townsend St (San Francisco)

Pub grub, draft beer & cocktails are on tap at this low-key, brick-walled hangout.

2940 431 Natoma St (San Francisco)

Easygoing venue with indoor & outdoor seating plus seasonal Californian plates & ample wines.

368 Santana Row (San Jose)

Intimate theater is a permanent venue for magician & comedian Jay Alexander. Food & drinks served.

419 O'Farrell St (San Francisco)

Wines from around the world are paired with European dishes & tapas at this cozy, stylish bar.

476 Castro St (San Francisco)

Cheese & small plates join 20 beers & wines on tap in a casual, wood-dominant space with a patio.

1389 Lincoln Ave (San Jose)

Craft cocktail lounge and restaurant featuring seasonal dishes and a menu of creative cocktails.

66 S 1st St (San Jose)

Comfortable tasting room offering pours of the house's own vintages & bottles to take home.

200 2nd Street @, Jackson St (Oakland)

Stylish, upscale wine bar pairing natural & biodynamic blends with New American small plates.

1737 Broadway (Oakland)

Bustling room & bar with American entrees including steamed clams plus cocktails such as margaritas.

106 Beach St

Massive gastropub serving craft brews, creative cocktails & elevated pub grub for lunch & dinner.

620 Treat Ave (San Francisco)

English-pub setting for casual eating, trivia/karaoke nights, happy hours & regular DJ sets.

173 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

Neighborhood eatery with a mid-century theme, serving American staples, craft cocktails and beer.

3343 Lakeshore Ave (Oakland)

Casual bar for sipping wine by the glass, plus bottled brews to go.

1690 Hayes St (San Francisco)

Intimate, rustic-chic haunt offering wines from around the world, craft brews & select small plates.

1435 The Alameda (San Jose)

This stylish bowling alley offers billiards, bars, private lanes, a full food menu & sleek decor.

5420 Thornwood Dr (San Jose)

Neighborhood wine bar and restaurant serving small plates and hosting live music.

9 W Portal Ave (San Francisco)

Funky spot offering an eclectic mashup of an arcade, bar, dance club, and restaurant.

1255 7th St (Oakland)

Stylish traditional venue preparing classic Italian food & pairing it with mainly Italian wines.

320A Sharks Wy (San Jose)

Dive bar featuring a taco truck and jukebox dancing, plus live-music nights.

3530 Portola Dr

Well-worn spot in an unassuming building known for local bands, loud music, drinks & a punk vibe.

98 S Almaden Ave (San Jose)

Mission spot serving beer & American cafe fare, plus live music, comedy & trivia nights.

433 S Van Ness Ave (San Francisco)

Set at the Chaminade Resort, this upscale restaurant offers a menu of comfort foods and scenic views.

1 Chaminade Ln

A full bar & happy hour specials draw crowds to this low-key neighborhood lounge with a large patio.

2424 Telegraph Ave (Oakland)

Cozy, bustling locale offering extensive wine & whiskey menus, plus charcuterie, pizza & tapas.

65 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Cozy spot in an old record store serves local brews, an extensive wine menu & modern American fare.

3565 20th St (San Francisco)

Billiards & TV sports are popular at this low-key watering hole with burgers & 30 beers on tap.

2705 Union Ave (San Jose)

Relaxed, family-owned vineyard with red & white wines plus an outdoor patio & tasting room.

328 Ingalls St

Tasting room featuring Santa Cruz Cider Company products such as apple cider and flights.

65 Hangar Way (Watsonville)

Reservations are required at this swanky, dimly lit unmarked bar known for handcrafted cocktails.

501 Jones St (San Francisco)

Wine bar with a cozy, friendly vibe serving charcuterie and other eats.

110 Folsom St (San Francisco)

Pinball, pool & old-school arcade games, plus music, cocktails & craft beers, in hip, historic digs.

616 Divisadero St (San Francisco)

Wine bar for European wines & small plates in a charming, narrow space with bar & patio seating.

458 Grove St (San Francisco)

Upbeat hub offering a big beer menu, wings, burgers & other bar eats, plus pool & live music.

841 Almar Ave

Spanish wine bar and taberna offering a selection of pintxos and tapas, plus live music.

2301 Bryant St (San Francisco)

Cozy neighborhood bar known for its natural wine selection and tastings, plus outdoor seating and cheese plates.

3354 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Buzzing gastropub for craft cocktails & elevated American comfort food with seasonal tendencies.

69 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Taproom of San Leandro brewery for house beer plus wood-fired pizza & more in former auto-shop digs.

2325 Broadway (Oakland)

Neighborhood wine and cocktail bar for conversation and nibbles, such as charcuterie, flatbread pizza, and vegan options.

201 Ocean Ave (San Francisco)

Relaxed winery serving small plates and flights, plus bottles to go.

525 Pacific Ave

Happening watering hole with a patio, plus beer on tap & rotating chefs dishing up cool snacks.

135 12th St (Oakland)

Hip wine shop and bar featuring small-batch wines from around the world, plus tastings and classes.

376 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Part of a NYC comedy club chain started in the '60s, this spot hosts big-name & lesser-known comics.

62 S Second St (San Jose)

Renovated local watering hole draws crowds with its wooden bar & Prohibition-themed memorabilia.

2800 24th St (San Francisco)