I recently discovered this place on a weekend trip to Monterey. Definitely a local dive bar where everybody seemed to know each other but even as an outsider I felt welcomed. I also met local monterrians who were also very welcoming. This place may not be for the younger hip crowd but for an outsider like me in his 50's, I will definitely come back next time I'm in Monterey! read more

It's always nostalgic to stop by Alfredo's. The customers are friendly and welcoming. Feels like coming home.

This place rules. Walked randomly in and went, yep, my kinda bar. Super chill bartender. Great jukebox playing classic '60s and '70s (at one point it felt like we were listening to the entire Graduate soundtrack-- and I mean that in a good way). I'm from out of town but will be stopping again tonite. For fans of chill, moody lighting, affordable hangout bars. read more

Recommended from the local restaurants in downtown Monterrey. They were dead on with this spot. Great service and friendly staff. This place is a must if you're in the mood for a good night cap read more

A great, friendly bar. Generous poors, good prices, and tons of regulars who know the bartender by name. Had a great time. Just an FYI, it's cash only but they have an ATM inside. read more

Thanks Rick for the restaurant recommendations. Beach house was great. The drinks you poured were good too. Thanks for making a nonlocal feel welcomed in your bar! read more

My friends and I drove down to Monterey from San Francisco for a few days and went to this bar walking distance from my hotel. Met a few locals there- bartenders Bobby and Jason I believe his name was- the one who looks like kid rock The place is Awesome !! I felt very welcomed. If your into local bars, this is the place. I can't wait to go back there again. read more

This is the spot you want to visit in order to take a load off once this god awful pandemic is over. Not a lot of great bars like this left in the world. I love the atmosphere. I love the stiff pours. I love the weird model behind the bar. I love it. read more

The drinks were very good, bartender not so much... the patrons made up for it! Me and my gf still felt very unwelcome

Great atmosphere, cool bartenders and folks The bar looks like you are in an old time cantina, love it. Will come again when we are in town!! read more

Alfredo's Cantina - a candle and menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

Local spot. Total dive bar with loads of monterey history. Interior hasn't been changed in 50 years. Super clean! The " Cheers " of monterey. Greatest $8 cocktail ever! Just go in. Sit down....and watch the show of local characters read more

Have to edit this review. This is a cool local bar. It's nice to find a darker not so loud place to hang out. This place is not packed with loud thumping music and the young unruly crowd. I would come back to this low key place for a drink. If you want loud noise and the young club scene not your place. If you want to hang at an off the beaten path locals place this is it. One caution, when they do last call they mean last call. Get your drink, enjoy it and go home. read more

Alfredo's Cantina - two men at the bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

WOW. Really rude bartender. I don't need super friendly or over the top service from a bartender but this was really rude . Still left a good tip... Dick read more

Poped in for a quick beer. Dark dive bar with one bartender but nice local vibe. Other patrons there seemed like locals and were really welcoming. read more

I am on vacation with a few friends and we were looking for a place to sit and play cards. The bartender was probably the most rude person I have ever met. Automatically rude without a cause. And before ordering he made no disclaimer that it is cash only. And after we pulled out the card he told us and we didnt have cash and in a very rude tone he said give me the drinks back. Would never go back and would never recommend!!! read more

Pros: cool interior. Lots of common liquors. Bartender attitude: poor, low creativity, low entertainment, low on connection, low on drink knowledge. Overall bartender: Old guy was just bitter about his life. No one cares what your rent is, no one cares that you both want the military base to come back and the grad school to go away. I want pink unicorns as pets. It's not gonna happen. Make the customers enjoy their time in the bar and it won't just be you and guy telling stories from his past. I also received my drink in the wrong glass. It should have been a Collins or a pint, not a highball glass, there isn't enough room in that glass for correct amounts. Guy drinking at the bar seemed like nice local but the place was empty. Nice guy Chatted with the bartender until the bartender rant started and no one got a word in. I like when bartenders tell stories. You are paid to hear us bitch and serve us drinks. Not the other way around. Other Cons: The door people go out to smoke stays open so a lot if smoke wafts in. Just FYI, non smoking but the smokiest non smoking bar due to open door policy. Also the place was really hard to discern if it was open from the outside with the lack of even a light at the front door that was on at 10 o'clock at night. Safety first please. We would have spent a lot more money and time here if they took cards or even better the bartender was even mildly good at talking to people and making it an experience to remember and not just a rant I grew tired of. We left with money in our pockets to find a bar either more of a dive or more upscale. This bar was the sad elements of both. Not going back. Tips to bar: signature cocktails help bartenders that lack creativity. So many dusty liquor bottles don't increase the ambiance. Also choosing whether you want to be a locals dive bar or an upscale bar would help you pick a direction that is able to get you a crowd that is consistent in size. I went to other bars that during the week off the main drag that had much busier weeknights than this establishment that had much better over a whole charm in it's exterior and interior appearance. The failure is in the management of this place and needs to be deeply looked into because you're missing a huge money making opportunity with a lack of good management. Or just continue to go even more divey but this guy wasn't even a good dive bartender so I'm assuming that's not what you're trying to go for here. I assume you're trying to classy the place up at least a little bit from what it possibly once was. Being cash only also tells me that either this place is actually a drug front ha ha or you aren't modernizing which also shows bad management. read more

Thank you Doug for very tasty cocktails. I really enjoyed spending time here due to the classic jukebox and friendly people.

This place inspires prose because it's a magical place! I've actually come here to sit in the dark and nurse a drink for several hours as I worked on my laptop or just watched the ebb and flow of the regulars. I've never been much of a drinker, but I love the ambiance here and it's like Threes Company's REGAL BEGAL with the 70's decor and solid J-box. Sometimes the bartenders are snappy--it just adds to the charm. read more

This is a very specific bar. Go here if you want: -Cheap drinks -Darkness -An older crowd -A no nonsense bartender -Room to move around and (usually) sit Do not go here if you are looking for: -Dancing -People under the age of 30 -Complicated or trendy cocktails -A vast selection of high end liquors, beer or wines read more

It was so dark I was scared at first "Manhattan, please!" Damn That was potent I am still piecing together the fragments of my evening at Alfredo's. All I can say is that I feel like I gained 50 cool points by being there. read more

This is my new favorite joint in the great state of California. We traveled down to Monterey for a Valentine's Day getaway. Once we got settled in at the hotel and had some snacks, we decided to look for places to go get another cocktail. There were about 17 brochures and books in the room on Monterey, so I grabbed one and flipped to the first "Bars & Nightlife" section. I wish I had kept the article! The places were listed in alphabetical order. First one: Alfredo's. Here was the description: "ALFREDO'S: Famed as a last-stop nightcap spot, this downtown watering hole, in one of the oldest surviving buildings in Monterey, dishes out fancy-free drinks with old-school service to a faithful blue-collar crowd while classic rock blares from a jukebox. A cozy dive." I'm sold. So we pop in there, and there were only a couple other folks hanging out. We recognized a woman that we'd met working at a bar earlier, and I remembered her name. I timidly asked the bartender (Matt) if they had Fernet (I love Fernet, but it's hard to find in Sacramento, and I never expect any joints to have it). Not only did Alfredo's deliver, but Matt said that it was his drink of choice as well, and we proceeded to share an entire bottle! The downside of the evening was after becoming loyal patrons, a pub crawl tornadoed through - maybe 20 people? Even with their chaotic rambunctious behavior, Matt managed to whip out bloody mary's for them like a PRO! We tried to wait it out and see if they'd leave after one drink, but it was the end of the night for them (and for us) - it was too loud to even think. I love the dim lighting. I love that Matt had just met us, but gave us free drinks for our anniversary. Thank you, Alfredo's, for making a wonderful evening for us. I would return to Monterey again just to come here. (Source of booklet: http://npaper-wehaa.com/monterey-county-weekly/2009/07/15/#?article=453634) read more

I've tried to give myself some time to digest my trip to Alfredo's. It's sort of like a "what just happened?" sort of thing going on. I mean, I guess it was partly my fault. We started early (4PM). The place was super dark, as everyone noted, and super quiet. There was one other touristy couple and three or four die-hard regulars. Divey doesn't even BEGIN to describe this place. After the bartender brought us our margaritas (clearly we were in the wrong place, haha) he offered us some of the salmon wrapped in foil nearby ("it was swimmin' this mornin'!") My drink wasn't good, but I didn't tell him exactly what I wanted in it. But the salmon was the most delicious fish I've eaten in California. But it was a bar I'd be scared to go in alone. But it was the least pretentious bar in Monterey. Three stars because I still don't know if I hated it or loved it. Also, NO CREDIT CARDS. read more

So I found this place on Yelp and thought why not, my friend and I are here for the night, let's have a drink. We get there and it's pretty busy and we find seats right at the bar. The Bar has this wood art on the wall, that apparently is just art :) no other info was provided so of course I took a picture. We order the usual vodka cran and it goes down nice and smooth. Bartender Bobby was a doll and the bar has an eclectic vibe along with all sorts of patrons from everywhere. Great place! read more

Alfredo's Cantina - Art - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

Alfredo's is my favorite. I've always been a whiskey girl at heart and this bar has the best (visible) selection in town. I came here for my birthday in mid-October after a handful of visits. The prices are low and the dim atmosphere is oddly cozy. I didn't play dice nor did I try to hijack the jukebox this time, but I did admire the 60's decor and the lack of other females in the room. Call me the antichrist, but I love being the only girl in a bar. For some reason, men seem to love a girl that knows her whiskey. Between the occasion of my birthday and the company in the bar, I never paid for a single drink. Glenfidditch, Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, and a shot of Patron with the bartender. The other memorable occasion of the evening occurred when one of the customers tried to beat up the bartender. Yet more proof why Alfredo's is the best bar in Monterey. read more

Literally refused to sell me water at 1:32pm and then called me a bitch for trying to google the legality of it lol cool

Not a tourist trap. CASH ONLY!! (but there is an ATM). And old jukebox and a couple of TVs usually playing a sporting event. The bartenders who were here when I was i 2008 are still here (some had been here for years and years before). The owner is awesome and often on the bar, himself. Lots of regulars, a beautiful fireplace w/ seating around and in front of it. It's dark, it's cozy, almost romantic... They aren't fancy, you're not going to get a martini glass, but you'll get a glass. You're not getting a wine list, you're getting a choice or 2 or 3. Go in this place KNOWING what you're going to get, step up and get a drink. It's great. read more

I almost don't want to leave a good review, because I don't want it to become overly popular the way most places tend to get in Monterey. But I just love it too much. It's low key. It's historic. It's not for fruity blended cocktails or club kids. It's my favorite. read more

Cash only, Monterey, CA, dark, low key, ATM inside, easy access to main street, classy if you want it to be, divey if you want it to be, not touristy, locally...love it....like it...but if you hate it, don't go back. #RealBrick read more

Still one of the best bars in Monterey. Good service, good atmosphere, good pour. As for the negative Nellies--I've never seen them deny service or treat people poorly. Not sure what your deal is, but I've never been treated anything but well here, regardless of who's serving. read more

New Year's eve 2009...good riddance and hello twenty-ten!!!!! Fantastic night of alcohol-induced merriment and revelry and suddenly realized that we're walking down the street and it's a quarter to midnight! Caught up in the moment and too late to cab it anywhere, we popped into the nearest bar...yup, believe it or not, we ended up at Alfredo's Cantina for the new year's countdown...WTH?!!! Actually, it worked out just fine. Bartender (owner?) was super cool to us, there was no line, and everyone was super friendly. Although I would have preferred something a little more upscale, it turned out to be a great place to welcome in the new year. After all the craziness of the past year, it was comforting to be in a semi-mellow environment. Great little locals' dive bar...will definitely be back. Happy, Happy New Year to all!!!!! read more

I came with my best friend for the first time here to this city and I have got to say I have enjoyed every single bar except for this one .... rude bartender! Stay away from this guy.. older man with a beard and mustache.. very uninviting.. didn't even greet us.. and the ATM inside is a total RIP off.. they don't have a disclaimer anywhere that says they are cash only .. although I will be coming back to the city I Will NEVER come to this shady ass place ... STAY AWAY PEOPLE read more

Bobby's awesome, I love coming here to relax and have a great time. I like to think of this place as a my dive bar. Bobby always has something to say and the drinks are always fair and well crafted. My type of place. read more

Sorry to rain on the parade. All the Alfredo lovers who can not stop praising the cocktails and decor, need to venture out more. Nothing special here but the underlying aversion to visitors. 1/2 Martini was my limit. In town for World Championship motorcycle racing. read more

The owner was extremely uncooperative and uninviting. We were from out of town, and ask the locals we for a low key bar, and people recommended this place. We went in, sat at the bar, ordered drinks, tipped heavy, and for whatever reason the owner was not very accommodating. We will not be going back and would strongly suggest an alternative location to spend your evening at. read more

Great little place too bad that it only takes cash and they need a digital juke box. Nice lay out great prices a Monterey must. read more

Alfredo's Cantina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

I have never been to a bar where they told me I couldn't have a glass of water, he continued to get me a glass of water and then spill it on me and my friends, while cursing at me calling me a birch and then banned me from the bar he told me that this wasn't a place to order water......but if you want me to come back and be a patron maybe get the ones you already have a glass of water. I will NEVER return to this bar EVER again. read more

Had great time there. Bobby was great and fun bartender!!! Met some regulars and a couple girls from Wales!! Stop in great local bar!! read more

Alfredo's Cantina - Thanks for great time Diane and Jim Cleveland Ohio - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

You've been magnetically hurled through the uninspired downtown of Monterey, full of its pretense, pomp and price. Repelled and repulsed to unexplored corners you thirstily wander in the night, and then perchance upon an odd building; a structure of non-conformance and antiquity. A placard states that it's not earthquake safe, but yet here it is. Still standing after all the years. You decide to step in anyway. Dark, darker, darkerer. Down the honey badger hole. It's more night in here than it is outside. Your eyes rapidly try to adjust. A pre-smoking ban aroma slightly permeates the air as well as wet and raspy banter. It does feel like you've stepped back in time or more precisely, sideways, then back. Fernado's Hideaway anyone? No, it's Alfredo's, Fernado's half-brother. It's no use. Your eyes just give up with trying to adjust. You slowly walk with your arms extended lowly and swaying. Only one seat left at the bar and you've somehow claimed it. The clientele gets a once over and without much analysis you know that you are in league with some of the best professional drinkers in the region. Your first cocktail is strong and cheap. It goes down fast which gets a few knowing glances when the bartender is back to your spot sooner than he expected. Second one in hand, you are half way done when you realize pacing is key. Your neighbors see your libating prowess and strike the matchbook of conversation. Good ol' folk that know the importance of community even if it's centered around a bottle. The place is filling up and juke box selections are made. Drink #3 is purchased for you by your newest best friend. You are being told a story about cream cheese however you are really imagining what life would be like in that tiny fishing village mounted behind the bar. Which building is the foot massage spa? How far is your house from the watering hole? Who was supposedly watching lil' Timmy when he jumped off the dock and into a tumbler of gin? You buy #4 and return the favor of a drink and a story of your own, embellished to hell. You don't remember ordering another drink but there it is. Deemed your last since you almost walked through the large walled mirror to check out "the other room". During the cab ride home you have voted Alfredo's the best place to be unsober in a dark room for your annual drinker's choice award which exists only in your pickled mind. You'll be back soon. read more

2nd night in a row here and man was it happening last night. The place was jam packed with an interesting crowd... a lot of young ones... what the heack? I loved going here because of the older (50+) crowd... love hearing their stories and learning about the local history. Matt is one of the bartenders there who I've gotten to know over the last two nights... nice guy! read more

Went in this little spot. As you walk in its dark and cozy, I really enjoyed the feel of the place. There were about 8 people sitting the bar. My girlfriend and I sat down at one of the tables as the bartender ignored us. He was bald with glasses and had a beard. We sat for a few mins and I thought, he has a lot of people he must be busy, but then walks in a man and sits at the bar, the bartender says hey Kevin and gets him a drink. I had heard this place is known for picking who they want to serve. I just didn't think it was true, we weren't rude we didn't even get a chance to order. It seems the people who go there are older in age like about 40's and up. Idk why we were ignored but I am not going back and from the looks of it I don't think this establishment cares. I wish I could give it negative stars. read more