A night out in Santa Cruz County can be giddy. Santa Cruz is known for its wide array of night time entertainment, from rock clubs and jazz bars to dance clubs and dive bars.

Asti Cafe
Affectionate referred to by locals as “the Nasty,” this is the perfect beachside dive bar. Friendly, if not a little drunken, party animals love the place for its juke box and pool tables, not to mention stiff drinks.

The Attic
Part tea house, part art gallery, part concert venue, the Attic has been receiving rave reviews since it opened in 2004.

The Avenue
Another fantastic place to go for interesting Santa Cruz folk, pool tables and drink specials.

The Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.8620
The bar serves up perfectly room temperature Guinness while locals hang out after work playing darts and taking it easy. They have a weekday happy hour from 5-7pm and an open mic event from 2-6pm on Saturdays.

Red Room
1003 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.2994
Smoking is usually allowed and a jukebox keeps the volume up. Strong pours and a relaxed crowd, often University of California Santa Cruz students on Thursday nights packs the bar. Weekdays are the best days to go especially during the 4:30-6:30pm happy hour.

The Red
200 Locust St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.1913
The elegant ambiance is far from the stale smoke of downstairs and often times music improves the atmosphere with low-key soul, hip-hop, and the occasional jazz band.

Rosie McCann's Irish Pub
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.426.9930
The perfect place to mingle and to enjoy a few pints, Rosie McCann's Irish Pub in downtown Santa Cruz is a must see. They have a nice cocktail lounge and a weekday happy hour from 4-6pm.

Rush Inn
113 Knight St., Santa Cruz, California; Tel. 831.425.9673
Arguably one of the best bars in downtown Santa Cruz, the Rush Inn attracts hipsters and locals alike. Everyone mingles over cheap pitchers, pool tables, a Johnny Mneumonic pinball machine and, of course, the jukebox. Bartenders are friendly and yes, there are even still video game machines.