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Santa Cruz Nightlife

Music and people at the Blue Lagoon - Santa Cruz
Music and people at the Blue Lagoon
by MDH
Reviews and photos of Santa Cruz bars and nightclubs posted by real travelers and Santa Cruz locals.
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Santa Cruz NightlifeTips 1 - 9 of 9  
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lots of bars: Pacific Avenue
  • Tip Rating:
    • kazander
  • By kazander on March 11, 2004
  • Santa Cruz Page by kazander
    • early morning Pacific Avenue - Santa Cruz
    early morning Pacific Avenue
    by kazander
    Pacific avenue is the main st. down by the ocean. The bus lets you off in the middle of it all. there are a lot of bars, pubs, taverns ect... We went to an Irish place called Rosie McCann's a couple of times, there weren't that many people inside though. Another bar we visited was the Red Room. This wasn't located on Pacific, but it wasn't too far. It's on Cedar St. It is kinda small but it had a cool ambiance. Now it's been awhile so correct me if I'm wrong but we also went to another bar with a tropical theme...palm trees inside and such, I believe it was called Tampico Lounge, also located on Pacific Ave. Whatever the name I know we enjoyed it. :)

    We always dressed up a little, but Santa Cruz in general is pretty laid back

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Pacific Avenue and beyond
  • Website: http://www.santacruz.com/dining/barsclubs.shtml
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Pacific Avenue Area: Downtown Santa Cruz
  • Tip Rating:
    • atufft
  • By atufft on July 6, 2006
  • Santa Cruz Page by atufft
    • Downtown Santa Cruz at Night - Santa Cruz
    Downtown Santa Cruz at
    Night
    by atufft,
    4 more photos
    In 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake destroyed virtually all of downtown Santa Cruz. The benefit from that was the removal of hideous 50's and 60's era storefronts, and the rebuilding of a completely redesigned downtown oriented toward foot traffic and disabled tourists. At night, the street is full of street actors, break dancers, and musicians, and the people of Santa Cruz are themselves amusing to watch. Sidewalk restaurants provide a view of these activities, and then there are a number of fine bookstores, surf shops, shoe stores, used record stores, and import shops. Santa Cruz has a special reputation for fine bead stringing stores and other shops that cater to the eccentric bohemian tastes of the locals that live there. There is also a fine old movie theater. The best time to visit is during August through October when the fog is typically burned off and evenings warm. Downtown is also fun during the day...

    Casual and Fun. It can be cool in the evening though, so wear more than a swimsuit. Most restaurants will require shoes and shirt.

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  • Theme: People Watching
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Friday night free concerts at the Boardwalk: Under the Boardwalk, down by the seaaaa
  • Tip Rating:
    • Callavetta
  • By Callavetta on August 5, 2005
  • Santa Cruz Page by Callavetta
    • Eddie Money rocking out at the Beach - Santa Cruz
    Eddie Money rocking out at the
    Beach
    by Callavetta
    During the summer Pepsi hosts Friday night free concerts on the beach! These can be loads of fun. Fill a picnic basket, pack a blanket, and head on down to the beach. The performers might be from the '80's (or earlier) but what is more fun than bopping to Herman's Hermits or Eddie Money on a Friday night after work with the sand between your toes?

    Two shows nightly: 6:30 and 8:00

    Check out the schedule at www.beachboardwalk.com

    Traditionally the last concert of the year, on Labor Day weekend is The Drifters, singing... you guessed it: "Under the Boardwalk".

    Man, those dudes are getting OLD!

    It's the beach! But be prepared for the fog to roll in. And when the concerts over, catch a ride on the Big Dipper, California's historical wood roller coaster.

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  • Theme: Concert
  • Address: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
  • Website: www.beachboardwalk.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    One of my favorite clubs in...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By sarasue on August 26, 2002
  • Santa Cruz Page by sarasue
    • Santa Cruz Nightlife
    by sarasue
    One of my favorite clubs in Santa Cruz is the Red Room.It is a great bar with character. It is relatively small but full of interesting people. You can also play pool there if you are lucky enough to get a spot. Besides the Red Room, the Poet and Patriot is a nice Irish pub where a lot of fun can be had. For dancing or music the Blue Lagoon is a good place as well as Palookaville which holds live music and the Catalyst as well. However if you like jazz music you must go to Kuumbwa Jazz Center. It is a great place and if you are lucky you are bound to see some of the greats within Jazz music.

    Santa Cruz is a pretty laid back hippy-esque town where anything pretty much goes.

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  • Theme: Concert
  • Other Contact: Catalyst -- Nightclub 1011 Pacif
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Santa Cruz 9: Santa Cruz 9
  • Tip Rating:
    • MDH
  • Updated By MDH on July 20, 2003
  • Santa Cruz Page by MDH
    • Santa Cruz 9 on Pacific Ave. at night - Santa Cruz
    Santa Cruz 9 on Pacific
    Ave. at night
    by MDH
    This relatively new cinema complex in Santa Cruz is great with evening shows. It charges usually $8.50 a pop and has the most current selections. It's also a great place to people watch if you're ever stuck in line.

    Anything really.

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  • Theme: Theater
  • Address: 1405 Pacific Avenue
  • Phone: 831-460-2599
  • Directions: Located in the heart of Pacific Ave.
  • Website: http://www.signaturetheatres.com/santacruz/cinema/
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    The Blue Lagoon: The Blue Lagoon
  • Tip Rating:
    • MDH
  • Updated By MDH on July 20, 2003
  • Santa Cruz Page by MDH
    • Music and people at the Blue Lagoon - Santa Cruz
    Music and people at the Blue
    Lagoon
    by MDH
    The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular clubs in town, and caters to a straight and gay audience. There's a bar here, and also live music from DJs, who often have theme nights ('80s Night, Hip-Hop Night, House/Trance Night, Disco Night, Goth Night, etc)

    The dress code is usually kept casual, but nothing too risky or anything.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: 923 Pacific Ave.
  • Phone: 831-423-7117
  • Directions: The Blue Lagoon is located on the lower end of Pacific Avenue--the main downtown street. It sits side by side to side stores, apartments, and is located near the Catalyst and Streetlight Records.
  • Website: http://www.thebluelagoon.com/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    The Catalyst: The Catalyst
  • Tip Rating:
    • MDH
  • Updated By MDH on July 20, 2003
  • Santa Cruz Page by MDH
    • The Violent Femmes live at the Catalyst - Santa Cruz
    The Violent Femmes live at the
    Catalyst
    by MDH
    The most popular music club in town. It caters to variety of local and sometimes international acts (Neil Young, Papa Roach, Emmylou Harris, Ice T, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette have all played here), but for most of the time, it pays attention to the local scene.

    The most popular music among Santa Cruz's youth is punk, without a doubt. Sorry dance music folks, but this isn't your town. You're bound to hear some sort of punk music if you're in town. Other really popular forms played at the Catalyst are reggae, surf rock, and ska, another big favorite. A burgeoning local hip-hop movement is starting in Santa Cruz at the moment, and you can catch a lot of their new talent start here.
    Older fans will appreciate many classic rock and blues legend often try to stop by at the Catalyst.
    A bar is also inside for over-21 guests.

    Casual clothes, but expect to find a lot of Hawaiian shirts and gas station jackets with the younger crowds. It's also very common for giant mosh pits to break out on the floor with local punk shows.

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  • Theme: Concert
  • Address: 1011 Pacific Ave
  • Phone: 831-423-1336
  • Directions: Located on the lower end of Pacific Ave.
  • Website: http://www.catalystclub.com/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Catilist, Astes, Blue Lagoon...
  • Tip Rating:
    • roadyman
  • By roadyman on August 24, 2002
  • Santa Cruz Page by roadyman
    • Catilist, Astes, Blue Lagoon (Gay Bar), Poet and the Patriot(Irish), really any place downtown.

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  • Theme: Concert
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    99 Bottles of Beer: Beer beer beer
    trvlrtom
  • By trvlrtom on December 28, 2007
  • Santa Cruz Page by trvlrtom
    • 99 Bottles, Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz
    99 Bottles, Santa Cruz
    by trvlrtom
    99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall ... not too difficult to figure out what this bar is about. Whether you are a beer specialist or a casual drinker, there is no way to be disappointed with what is available here. It is a pleasant bar in downtown Santa Cruz that also offers pub food. There are comfortable booths, some tables, outside seating and a larger room in the back if you are coming with a crowd.

    Casual but clean

  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: 110 Walnut Ave
  • Phone: (831) 459-9999
  • Directions: Downtown
  • Website: www.99bottles.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1
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