The Mediterranean Bar

Nice little Cash Only dive bar. Great price for a shot of Don Julio 1942 - only $22. Most other…read moreplaces start around $30. If i come back to Soquel, I'll definitely come back.

Came here with a group of friends to watch the Warrior game. We wanted to hang out a neighborhood…read morebar with TV's - mission accomplished! Loved this place, and yes, ALL LOCALS. With that said, me and my out-of-townies felt welcomed. Folks would come by to talk about the college games that were also on. Overall, everything that we would've hoped for and more. Why?? Because the drinks were incredibly priced. Come to JJ's if you want to cool place to hang out with some good local folks with an unpretentious, fun vibe.

Shot of Don Julio 1942

My baby shooting some pool

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Vodka soda

Sir Froggy's Pub

3.7(54 reviews)

2.6 mi

YES!!! A dive bar that doesn't feel too "divey"! Sir Froggy's Pub has a large center bar with a…read morepenny-infused countertop (cute detail) and great service (our female bartender told us her drink specialty is that she "makes all the drinks with love"! Teehee) The place is decently-sized and pretty clean; it's not too crowded; and it has a few TV screens playing sports games so the vibe was very light and lively. There was a pool table, though no one was playing it at the time I was there. The lighting was perfect for a bar (not bright like a hospital and not divey-dark). My gin and tonic was perfectly-made. It's a great local hangout bar.

Went in today for a pint of Guinness and was treated like pure crap, I usually head out towards…read moreMonterey or San Francisco for pubs, decide to come to this one and give it a try, awful service and the pour to my Guinness was absolutely disgusting, on top of the fact that it was completely out, she kept pouring it and switching cups in between.

3 of the 6 TVs

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Britannia Arms

3.3(381 reviews)

2.1 mi

Every time we come to the Brit the food is fresh, delicious and such good quality! Service is…read moreamazing, servers are so attentive and food comes out fast. We also love the ambience, especially sitting outside as the view of the beach is so nice :) Pictured is the Ahi TarTare and behind that dish is the Garden Burger! I recommend both.

Walked into a busy crowd and waited by a register with a menu for about 10 minutes hoping for…read moreservice. Waitress walked by several times to bus some plates and glasses and input some orders into the console but never made eye contact, nor did the old guy with the glasses when he came out to attend the bar. Finally, I caught his attention and asked if I could order. He just said, "Kinda busy right now" and went back to what he was doing. No "give me a minute and I'll be right with you." Much like the crowd that was already there (and unlike the mixed demographic just outside or me), some older white folks came in after me and stood around for a few minutes also. Waitress finally grabbed some menus and asked them "have you been helped?" I interjected and asked, "Can I place an order to go first please?" Without stopping, she said "no" and continued on to them. I left. They saw me leave and didn't say anything. Make of that interaction what you will. The extra star is giving them the benefit of the doubt since they were busy plus their immediate adjacency to the beach.

I side the restaurant

Fish 1 of 2 for 2x Fish & Chips

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Meat Pie, Ahi Tuna & Bangers

Churchill & Beers

4.6(100 reviews)

2.0 mi

We went to Churchill & Beers on a Saturday night with a party of 7. They were able to make us a…read moretable in the back. The restaurant is kind of a like a combination diner and sports bar. There were TVs everywhere and they were showing hockey, baseball, and basketball. For the food, I really enjoyed the Ahi Tuna Salad. It was nicely seared on the outside while still being raw on the inside. The greens with sliced ginger and dressing bring it all together. Mozzarella Sticks come with 4 large pieces. If you eat them while they're hot, you can get a pretty awesome cheese pull. These were served with marinara sauce and the appetizer was tasty. My son ordered a Chicken Pesto pizza that I was able to issue a dad tax on. I thought the pizza was solid, not spectacular. A nice chill place to hang out and watch a game.

Lots of TVs and folks watching baseball games when we there, British brew pub vibes. We were…read moreimmediately tended to even though one gentleman was taking care of everyone. At least 15 parties, but this gentleman was on it, filling everyone's drinks, asking for next round of alcoholic drinks, serving food, bussing tables! Fish and chips - fish was cut into smaller bite size portions rather than entire fillets (mixed opinion). It tasted good, well seasoned and crispy. Chips are the real deal -medium cut, lightly battered (Black country style), crispy, well seasoned with paprika mix. These tend to stay crisp for a long time thus providing nice accompaniment with multiple rounds of drinks. Cheesesteak - thin cut tri-tip was well done, juicy, tender meat, good amount of onions and peppers and swish cheese. All in all good local joint

Main dining area

Chicken Pesto Pizza - large

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The Hideout

4.2(845 reviews)

1.1 mi

Great Food, Great Service & a Manager Who Actually Says Hello!…read more Loved this place! My bride and I had a fantastic experience from the moment we walked in. This restaurant has an incredible indoor and outdoor space, a great menu, and an atmosphere that somehow manages to be both chill and professional. You'll find a wonderfully diverse crowd here, and everyone seems to fit right in. Now, let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the meatballs--they were fantastic! And the garlic bread? Fabulous. Honestly, I could have made a meal out of the bread alone, but I exercised some restraint...because I'm an adult. My bride ordered the hamburger, and she loved it. The salads were excellent, the bread was outstanding, and the dessert selection was enough to make someone suddenly forget they were "too full for dessert." Our server was incredible--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. And then, as if the experience couldn't get any better, the manager actually came out and welcomed us! You don't find that everywhere. That personal touch says a lot about how this place approaches hospitality. Everything was clean, the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the ambiance made us want to hang around longer than we probably should have. One warning: Parking can be a bit of a challenge. But trust me, this is one of those places where you circle the parking lot a few times and say, "Lord, give me a parking space!" Yelp Elite verdict: Absolutely worth the hassle! Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Great service. And apparently, great managers who actually come out to meet their guests. My bride and I will definitely be back! #YelpElite #FoodieFind #DateNight #GreatFood #GreatService #Meatballs #GarlicBread #DessertLovers #RestaurantReview #WorthTheHassle #FoodAndFun #FiveStars

Really enjoyed our first visit to The Hideout! We had the fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato…read morefries and the prime rib. The sandwich was delicious, and the chipotle aioli was especially good--creamy, flavorful, and one of the better ones I've had. The sweet potato fries were crispy. My partner really enjoyed the prime rib, and the portion was large enough for leftovers. Service was quick, attentive, and friendly. We sat outside with our pups, which we appreciated. The only suggestion would be to update the patio layout a bit. Our table was directly across from the waiting area, so it felt like we had very little privacy while people waited. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back.

Indoor dining area

Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)

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Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

Mentone

3.8(428 reviews)

0.7 mi

Everything was simply amazing! From the service, the comfortable atmosphere, to the incredible…read morefood. We indulged in delicious cocktails, 2 delicious appetizers: the burrata and the peaches with prosciutto and Parmesan. They had the best Caesar salad we've ever had (better than the Zuni cafe even). We also enjoyed a past dish (beef dumplings I tomato sauce) and a Genovese and pistachio pesto pizza. We didn't really have room for dessert but had to try them anyway. The lemon curd with pistachio was divine as was the affogato. We will be back next time we are in Santa Cruz!

Good: - marg pizza -…read moretrenette bolognese - ravioli (wouldn't get it again cuz not my palate) - strachiatella Meh: - root vegetables Black cod was weird, like it seemed nice but we all thought the fish was too slimy, too...alive? Too recently slaughtered? But I mean, maybe we're just not cool enough to appreciate it lol.

Look at the decor! Tres chic!

Stracciatella

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Affogato with hazelnut gelato

Bay Bar & Grill

4.6(22 reviews)

2.2 mi

Popped into the Bay Bar in Capitola Village for a bite to eat and a cocktail - wow this place is so…read morenice! Brightly painted in beachy colors with beautiful enormous rattan lighting, and a clean and friendly atmosphere. It has cool wrap-around modern seating benches with boho pillows and mirror wall decor near the pool table. We got to meet super charming Brittany, the owner, and ordered a fried chicken sandwich/fries which was crunchy and yummy and the pile of fries were crispy which we love. Also had buffalo chicken wings - they were so perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. They truly were the best I've had in the area. BUT I cannot say enough how incredibly perfect the Martini that Brittany made me was - A Vodka martini with jalapeño-infused olive juice with two blue-cheese stuffed olives served in an icy fogged martini glass. I think it was called the Spicy Christina. Refreshing and a sipping pleasure. We'll definitely be back for all the above and to try their Waffle-Chicken sandwich. We also got to hang with our favorite local bartender, Christa! She'll make you feel at home with her chatty ways, bar games and good pours!!!! This is a great place to meet up with friends and definitely a local fave. But tourists will love it too - it has such a light and friendly party vibe.

ummmmm best bar ever!!! Bay Bar is by far the best bar I've been to. The atmosphere is always fun,…read morethe drinks are great, and the staff make everyone feel welcome. Britney was the best she was friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience. Her positive attitude and excellent service are the reason we'll definitely be coming back. If you visit Bay Bar, ask for Britney you won't be disappointed!

Karaoke Tuesdays! Every Tuesday 6-10pm! All ages! Here, our locals hold it down during winter :)

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Simple versions of their parent menu items: fried chicken slider & the chicken & waffle slider (yes, the waffle is the bun!)

Jellyfish Lounge

4.0(4 reviews)

3.0 mi

Yelp makes it seem like it's open, but it's not. Maybe that's due to covid. It was one of the…read morereasons we chose to stay at this hotel so it was a disappointment to find it closed when we asked a bunch of friends to meet us there.

Very clean bar with a variety of bottled beers and multiple brands of liquor. All the staff at the…read morehotel are amazing and the bartender is awesome. He makes the best lemon drop I have ever tasted. Great happy hour!!!

Famous Jellyfish Chandelier -- Sit by the fireplace while sipping some fine local wines.

Watch your favorite game on our large screen TV.

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Enjoy fine local wines.

One Double Oh Seven Club

4.1(48 reviews)

5.6 mi

Shuffle table is sadly garbage/ so slow. Pool is king, but slop counts and ball in hand? Not…read moreregular bar rules. Cranky. Very methy/ weird vibe. My wife was told " we don't like strangers". I bought drinks for everyone. Durty.

Come here for a good time! This is one of the oldest smoke bars in the country. Vinny and eddy are…read morethe best! Love the service very personable people and such a good crowd!

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Afternoon delight

Harbor Cafe

4.4(1.7k reviews)

4.8 mi

Staff was friendly, service was great and the food was delicious. I recommend the eggs Benedict.read more

You know the spot is good when it also becomes your family's go-to spot…read more I recommend Harbor Cafe to everyone. Not only does it have my favorite breakfast burrito, but the staff are all so so so nice. It is the perfect ambiance - casual, fun, just incredible vibes. Everything I've ever ordered has been divine. We live about an hour away but always make a trip out for brunch.

The open kitchen area

Carnitas omelet

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The outdoor seating

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10 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Mona L.

0

1

2

16 years ago

This has got to be the Best Family Bar EVER!! Good Times! Good Friends! Great Owner! I have been a Bartender at this Establishment for almost 2 years now and the reason I work there is because I have the Greatest Customer's any Bartender could imagine having. I also have a fantastic Bar Owner who treats his staff like there one of his very own and participates in several Charity functions, as well as helping person's to gain College Education and encourages health and well being over self gain. I heard bad things about this bar before I walked in the door and realized it was all before the new ownership. I work in a safe place with good people who care about each other. I love the Mediterranean and I have yet to see a PIRATE! hmm? Maybe I need to get better glasses!? The Mediterranean has made several big changes since the 2 years I have been working there and I have to admit it's working. Out with the old!! In with the NEW! I would never work in Pirate Pit and I'm way to Hippie to encourage poor behavior. SMILES! Meow! read more

Imma T.

0

1

0

14 years ago

OMG this place sucks. Went there the other night more like the towns newest GAY bar all the customers where 30 something year old guys straight outta a Gap catalog. I was the only girl and when my boyfriend's friend who was visiting from outta town played pool with one of these guys he made no conversation complete stuck up GQ not local that's for sure. Place totally sucked down to the Bitchy ass bartender and what is up with the forged signature on an obviously not legit Giants Jersey it's a pretty sad sight. Mays would be pissed If he seen that. Its pitiful Show some respect for The SF Giants!! Prices are WAY TOO HIGH AND NO ALCOHOL. Liked it better years ago. If you like preppy stuck up customers and a bitchy bartender topped off with an over priced drink with no booze this is your place.Good Luck read more

Stephanie G.

4

3

0

9 years ago

Super cool place for hanging out with friends. We went on a Friday night. It was very busy if you plan to go after 10 pm you probably can't find any seat. But no worry that their service was quite quick. Our bartender was nice as well. As a cocktail bar, the vibe here is pretty good and place is not too crowded. There are awesome cocktails and you can enjoy the drink and time here. I ordered IPA beer and "HIT THE ROAD JACK". I loved "HIT THE ROAD JACK" so much, taste sour and sweet. Price is reasonable comparing with other cocktail bars. Would like to back to try more drinks and food here. read more

Jenny O.

0

1

0

14 years ago

Oh my !!!! The METHaterranean lives !!!!!All meth heads welcome back !!!! Even that one with the two tone hair !!!! EWWWW! Poor little bar...the new owner is so bad ,sweat pants and turtlenecks !!! Yipes ! The new owner even threw a piece if metal at a CUSTOMER and broke the beautiful stained glass window ...-poor little bar ....very BAD new owners and do not believe the " all druggies gone " it is a LIE !!!! read more

Scott F.

Elite 19

34

429

46

11 years ago

It used to be famous for 2 bulletholes in ceiling from Huey Newton's bodyguard (black panthers ) from when Angela Davis taught at UCSC in 1980s.Now apparently from other reviews a crankster haven. 10 years ago had thug watsonville gangbangers late night but cool daytime pensioners. I did enjoy jukebox and pool table hope it gets turned around. read more

Meoff J.

0

1

0

17 years ago

if you're a drunk shithead then c'mon down!! Or if you're homeless or look homeless or have sex with the homeless then this is the place for u. everyone is accepted except the half decent person. It does foster some ok panthers if thats what you're into, but spend a couple hours at the bar before u attempt to pick up on one of these gal's. read more

Mike B.

0

3

0

14 years ago

What happened to that great lady ,with the arm tattoos , who did football ????? Followed her from the loser Windjammer ,she is the best at football. And her food is the best!!!!!!! Only 3 tv's and terrible food and that guy from the loser jammer..... Does any one know where she is bartending????? read more

Shelly C.

13

9

2

14 years ago

Its a whole new world, but I'm not scared. They have an awesome pool table, darts, xbox and shake a shift. And you can see your hand in front of you. go there, you're sure to have a good time! read more

James B.

0

7

0

8 years ago

gotta love the meddddddd i come here regularly and love the locals would recomend to anyone who wants to chill in a local area

Juan S.

0

3

1

3 years ago

If dive is what you want, that's the med!

The Mediterranean Bar - divebars - Updated August 2026

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JJ’s Saloon And Social Club

4.1

(61 reviews)

Nice little Cash Only dive bar. Great price for a shot of Don Julio 1942 - only $22. Most other…read moreplaces start around $30. If i come back to Soquel, I'll definitely come back.

Came here with a group of friends to watch the Warrior game. We wanted to hang out a neighborhood…read morebar with TV's - mission accomplished! Loved this place, and yes, ALL LOCALS. With that said, me and my out-of-townies felt welcomed. Folks would come by to talk about the college games that were also on. Overall, everything that we would've hoped for and more. Why?? Because the drinks were incredibly priced. Come to JJ's if you want to cool place to hang out with some good local folks with an unpretentious, fun vibe.

Sir Froggy's Pub

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YES!!! A dive bar that doesn't feel too "divey"! Sir Froggy's Pub has a large center bar with a…read morepenny-infused countertop (cute detail) and great service (our female bartender told us her drink specialty is that she "makes all the drinks with love"! Teehee) The place is decently-sized and pretty clean; it's not too crowded; and it has a few TV screens playing sports games so the vibe was very light and lively. There was a pool table, though no one was playing it at the time I was there. The lighting was perfect for a bar (not bright like a hospital and not divey-dark). My gin and tonic was perfectly-made. It's a great local hangout bar.

Went in today for a pint of Guinness and was treated like pure crap, I usually head out towards…read moreMonterey or San Francisco for pubs, decide to come to this one and give it a try, awful service and the pour to my Guinness was absolutely disgusting, on top of the fact that it was completely out, she kept pouring it and switching cups in between.

Brady's Yacht Club

4.4

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Hands down Brady's yacht club was just fun is the easiest way to say it. We showed up Saturday,…read moreAugust 22, around 11:30 a.m. there were a few other patrons inside the bar and maybe two outside on the patio area and it was just Good vibes all around. The bartender that made our drinks, didn't tonic and bloody mary, was super personable and asta's general questions about where we were from and how we were spending our day today. We let her know that we're from the Sacramento area here for a wedding and she was all excited and said that we had a perfect day to come visit for a little bit before having to head to our wedding event. More than anything this place is meant for a good time. Come in with good vibes, big smile, and cash cuz it's a cash bar only, and you will have an amazing time. So happy that we stumbled upon this as we were right next door getting sandwiches for late lunch. Highly recommend swinging by this bar and having a good time.

I had the worst father's day and GRACE AND KAI made it all better, they took care of me, everything…read morewas clean and amazing and they made it feel like home. I've been here before and haven't met them but I did tonight and this was the best. Visit them, tip them, hell yeah

Callahan's

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(50 reviews)

Love this bar, always fun, great bands on tues and wed and pool playing is always fun , great…read morebartenders

I was looking on yelp for live music and this place popped up. There was no live music the night I…read morewent but none the less it's still a bar! Immediately as I came in, a "fight broke" out with some locals. It got settled quickly but it kept me on my toes the remainder on the time there. Drinks are cheap and the darts were free which was amazing! Billards are $1 a game but only take quarters. You can get change from the bartender. They even have some pin ball machines. Lots of locals and bikers at this bar but it could just be the day I went who knows. I love the interior of the place, as it has so many random things hung up everywhere. It gives it character. Also a back patio which is nice. Clean bathrooms too! Very dive bar like!

The Castaways

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Best dive bar everrrrrrrr. The next drink master might work here. The cocktails were delicious…read more Bartender whipped up a guava daiquiri for me and then recommended the first kiss after that. Place is awesome with pool, darts, and plants. Great place will be returning

So what's so special about Castaways?... Well. This is the dive bar that you want to come in for a…read morecool, friendly and relaxed time. Alone or with friends, this is a cool bar. Excellent and friendly service, amazing drinks and the chill effect you want in a local bar. This is my place to unwind after a baby day at work. The place to come in for a few drinks and enjoy the ambience and the friendly, and very professional bartenders. There are a few bars around. But this is really the place to come.

Mission West

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Great drinks and ambience. Amy is my favorite bartender. She's an amazing person and part of the…read morecommunity. She lives in SC and is a fixture of our lovely neighborhood. Keep up the awesome work guys. Love your music and extra cold beer!

I've lived in Santa Cruz county for almost 10 years and haven't really visited a lot of bars in…read moretown. My sister came to visit so I looked up a few to check out and she liked their drink menu here so we checked it out. Walking in its divey inside, but I always love a good dive bar. The bartender was super friendly, happy to chat and offered us the drink list to look over. They had a pickle martini on the menu and that's what we opt'd for. I never had one before, but I DUG it. It's savory and a bit sour, love. We sat outside and they had pizza to order back there and line dancing happening. It was fun to watch the environment and people dancing. Good crowd of folks and friendly to conversation.

Fast Eddy's Billiards

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Loved our experience at Fast Eddy's. The place was quite clean, with great pool facilities, and an…read moreoverall lovely vibe to it. The darts in the corner, various arcade machines, and a full bar. This place has everything you need, and is a great spot for any evening!!

Went here with a group of friends for a birthday celebration and it didn't disappoint…read more Great food, awesome vibe and ambiance. It got a bit crowded towards the end of the night but we all had a great time.

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One Double Oh Seven Club

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Come here for a good time! This is one of the oldest smoke bars in the country. Vinny and eddy are…read morethe best! Love the service very personable people and such a good crowd!

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