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    The Castaways

    4.0 (32 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Open • 2:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Castaways Photos

    Business Info

    THE CASTAWAYS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Very loud
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - The Castaways

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bar area
    Kayla V.

    Clean, laidback spot with excellent service from the bartender. There's pool tables, darts, and a small couch lounge area as well. Not sure why it's rated so low

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    3 years ago

    Super cool dive bar! Cheap well drinks, friendly locals, and two pool tables. The waitress was very friendly as well!

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    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    3 years ago

    I haven't had any food but the staff is friendly and the ambience is on point! Also the price is good! Definitely recommend

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Photo of Jo N.
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    5 years ago

    Meggan is such a great bartender! I've frequented where she works for a very long time. It's definitely worth the drive from the East Bay!

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    8 years ago

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    17 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    18 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    Photo of Ann Z.
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    11 years ago

    full bar, with a lot of choices. I really love the decor and cleanliness. There are pool tables, a jukebox, and aquariums.

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Good dive bar. Wish there were more pool tables. But good late night spot with locals

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    17 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    Ask the Community - The Castaways

    Review Highlights - The Castaways

    “This IS the place to be in the east side of santa cruz other than in capitola.”

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    People searched for Bars 6,225 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

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    Moe's Alley - Stage

    Moe's Alley

    4.0(167 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    •$$

    I went to Moe's for a concert it being my first time going there. The bartending staff were really…read morenice and super helpful. When I asked about purchasing a local cider they carried I was given directions to the maker, what time they opened, and who I should talk to when I get there. Now that's going above and beyond. There was a nice variety of drinks and they were delicious. I loved the layout of the venue very intimate with the stage but still tons of standing room and if you didn't want to be inside with the crowd there was a tv with the ample outside seating where you could watch the band. The bathrooms were very spacious and super clean. The little taco stand in the back was perfect too. The tacos were delicious. I wish we had a place just like Moe's in Sacramento . I will definitely come to Moe's again next time in town.

    I had a very uncomfortable experience with an African American security guard at the Latino event…read more From the moment I arrived with my family, I felt singled out. He asked for my ID despite not asking any of my other family members, even though it was obvious I had arrived with them. That immediately made me question why I was being treated differently due to his tone and professionalism. Throughout the event, he continued staring me down in a way that felt intimidating and unnecessary. Then, after already announcing that there were 15 minutes left before closing, he approached me again and told me I needed to finish my drink right then. The tone and approach felt aggressive and disrespectful. I understand security has a job to do, but there is a professional and respectful way to interact with people. Instead, I left feeling targeted as a Latina, uncomfortable, and unwelcome at an event that was supposed to be about celebrating community and culture.

    Photos
    Moe's Alley - Inside early before the show

    Inside early before the show

    Moe's Alley - Bar

    Bar

    Moe's Alley - Stage

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    Stage

    Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House - Firestone Walker Black Forest stout

    Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House

    4.4(442 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$

    Third order of business during my visit to Beer Thirty was to buy my standard vacation souvenir - a…read morebrewpub or taphouse hat. I'm not sad to bench the Pizza Port hat I've kept alive since a San Diego visit in 2022, but it's been in the fight one round too long. I washed it once in the dishwasher, as it claimed it could handle, and the logo is barely legible anymore. I love it, and will keep it, but this Beer Thirty hat is clean. Barely touched. Except by the cat? Some feline fuzz up on that shelf clings to the bill. I don't see a cat anywhere. Nocturnal, perhaps. This lid is bright and optimistic. Gotta don the cap before the sando arrives, lest I prematurely age it with grease spots. For now, it's a pristine, high-contrast, six-color surge atop my ridiculous hair. After lunch, it will probably attract local canines, who love a salted pork perfume with subtle notes of meow. Working backward, the second order of business was to order from the adjacent restaurant, Carpo's. Hard to go wrong with a BLT. Order of business number one, obviously, was to choose my brunch beer. I'm an aging West Coast IPA enthusiast who in recent years has moderated my dwindling prime by embracing West Coast Pilsners as an alternative, and for good reason. After a couple West Coast IPA's I sometimes lose all sense of space, time, propriety. Beers three and four become a forgone conclusion, and then I'll find myself at the Over The Hill Gang Saloon singing Eddie Rabbit to beers number six and seven. The pils, with it's 1.5% reduction in ABV, sets me up for a sustainable buzz and helps reduce the likelihood of my needing bail money later. Today is the first day of vacation, however, so 7% IPA it is! I get most of it down with the appearance of control, without seeming like too much of a day drunk, but I slug back the rest real quick in order to procure the second beer before the BLT arrives. IPA number two and I resettle at the picnic table. And just as I take a fresh swig and exhale the last two weeks of stress, I think to myself. I could sit here all fucking day. Outdoor, shaded patio, about the size of an NBA court. One half allows kids. The other, the one with cornhole, does not. I used to love having a place to take my kids when they were younger, so they could run around and watch me and others drink. Now that the babies are all grown up, I do not want to drink with children. Is that strange? Bully for the owners to consider both approaches. A little after midday on a Monday, there are no kids. Just me, some dude on his phone, and three old hippies, scattered about the place. We, the five of us, are each flying solo. Yet each is more content than the next. No male loneliness epidemic here. Just some dudes zenning out instead of carrying day jobs. "Dennis!?" Carpo's window suddenly is calling my name. Good timing. I was trending toward beers three and four without food in my belly, so this will help slow my roll. Two West coast brews in, it's only 1:30pm. Here, they arm you with a sandwich if you need one and throw you into the ring. One half of the BLT got tabasco, an old fave. The other half got a sriracha I've never seen before. They spar for top masculine condiment. Nobody sticks around to see who wins. Each is its own pre-bout steroidal flex, and like most fights, the interest is in the hype, the build up. When they finally go toes, it fizzles. Indeed by the time I wolfed the first half, I barely tasted the Tabasco. I got some light notes of spice in the sriracha side, but the referee was the story tonight. Mr. Bacon, he ran a steady ship, put a kibosh on all the nonsense, moderated the entire battle with an able, yummy, smoky hand. Casinos and books are usually the real winners in these fights. Their role was today played by toasted sourdough. OMG was the bread good! I have one more swazzle remaining of my beer. Strike that. Two swazzles. Time enough for just a few more words. I will save them for texting my Oakland pals to let them know how much I love this place.

    What a fun spot! We finished a nearby hike and saw the sign on the road as we were heading out to…read moreour hike and we knew it needed to happen on the way back. Great selection of beers, sours, cider, and kombucha. There is an option for food, but we only got drinks. Food looked basic, but I can't attest to it since we didn't make any of it happen. Dogs are allowed, so are kids. lol, there is a kid-free zone if you prefer that is sectioned off. I can see it being a nice option, but it's nice to see families and folks all enjoying the space together. Not much to add other than if you are in the area it is absolutely worth the stop. Service was friendly, disc golf friendly folks (they sell discs), swag to purchase including their super cute glasses which we did go home with. Too cute to pass up.

    Photos
    Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
    Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House - Corn hole

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    Corn hole

    The Castaways - bars - Updated September 2026

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