Such a great little surprise. From the outside it looks like your classic no-frills dive, but it turned out to be a perfect spot to grab a beer and unwind. The vibe is relaxed, unpretentious, and exactly what you want when you just need to chill. Linda behind the bar was fantastic, friendly, attentive, and the kind of bartender who makes you feel like a regular even if it's your first time in. She really made the experience stand out. Definitely a spot I'd come back to for an easygoing night and a cold drink. read more

Asti Cafe - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I always make a point to stop in here when in SC. It's on the Pacific Avenue crawl and as unassuming as it comes. Drinks are good, lots of variety on all things bottled and canned, good tap selection, friendly staff. Fun spot to start and end at for your evening! Give it a visit next time you're in town! read more

Asti Cafe - View from front door toward the pool room on the right. - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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Terrible experience. The bartender (bald guy) was super rude to us for no reason. I came to ask for a cup of water, and he asked for my ID (which makes sense). I showed him my ID, and he refused to serve us. Didn't want to explain, I guess because my ID is a foreign ID from a country he didn't like. Anyway, I wouldn't recommend anyone who's not local to come here. Very unpleasant experience read more

10/10 worst bar i've ever been to. Booths were covered in mystery liquid i assume spilled drinks but hey who knows. I was denied entrance with my legal and valid ID only to come back the next week to be let in. Ordered a lemon drop only to taste the most disgusting cocktail i've ever had while my friend had a pretty good tasting lemon drop made for her. After that the bartenders proceeded to yell at the whole bar "Lemon drops are for assholes" making my whole group upset. If i buy a drink AND TIP you should make it without complaining. read more

I love a good dive bar during the day and this place didn't disappoint. The woman bartender eyed me suspiciously as I was not a regular. That and my partner ordered a.....sigh......Red Bull and vodka. Despite my partner's poor taste in drinks and men, the bartender ultimately accepted our presence. I'd def come back. read more

Asti Cafe - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The half Mexican dude with facial hair was A-MAZ-ING!! Not only did he do a mediocre shimmy for me while handing me a bag of REAL bbq potato chips, he was also wise about crack. Def coming here with family next time! read more

Great service, good drinks, ask for a bartender shooter, we had a great game of pool . I'll be back!

Bartender protected us from a weird dude and everyone started was friendly and helpful

Being a songwriter who's been to over 69 countries and written for Whitney Houston to Ray Charles I've been in many bars in my 65 years on this planet. I've NEVER been so insulted from a bartender named Cory and Lucy who came up to me out of nowhere and said there is a group text going around saying that I talk to young girls. Another bartender who know him thinks he is just jealous and racist. Beware African American folks of Cory at The Asti !!!!!! read more

Asti Cafe - Me crying in my martini about how Cory was so racist. - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Downhill slowly. Bad unattended service for a while. More interested in finishing their smokes then serving patrons.

The bartender was friendly and had a sense of humor! Great place to hang out. Really good knowledge of cocktails! read more

Asti Cafe - Bar - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

This place is a real game-changer! A great spot to shoot a game of pool and if you love it as much as I do, than you're going to love this place too! The atmosphere is very chill, there's never any dumbasses here acting like immature buffoons, like you would get at most pool halls. If you want competition or just to relax and have a great time, then you I'll find plenty of it here. The owner and managers here are always cool. A very friendly and relaxed environment. I go out of my way to come here, they have some of the cleanest and nicest pool tables I have ever seen. I'm glad I stumbled upon this gem, this place is the REAL deal! It's definitely going into my rotation of places to play pool. So if you love the game of pool as much as I do, then come here. Thank you for the hospitality. read more

Asti Cafe - I love this game, it's a very zen-like experience. - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

cheap drinks, great bar tenders, Punk rock kind of ambiance, great service :) One of my fave dive bars for sure. read more

Bartender was amazing. I read a review about how the place was terrible and the bartender was trash but I think they were the problem because the Lady bartender I had was amazing with great conversation and the overall ambiance was great. read more

The bar service was bad and rude. He helped other people even though we were there before them. Not sure if they don't like Mexicans in their bar but that's how I felt like. Wouldn't go here ever again or recommend. This is a hard pass for me. read more

Came here for some quick pitchers during halftime of a recent UCSC basketball game at the Sea Dubs arena. Met some characters, drank some swill, a good time was had by all. read more

Worst service I've ever gotten. Extremely rude bartender, my two friends and I were ignored while he seemed to be chatting with his friends. Not a good experience read more

Coolest little dive bar in santa cruz by far. We always go before shows at the catalyst which is a 5 min walk from here. Ive always gotten good service here so i dont know what people are talking about. All the bartenders ive seen are super polite and nice. A guy accidentally touched my girlfriends drink and the bartended made a fresh one for free before we even noticed. Super cool place!!! read more

Y'all I'm just stoked Al still works here and the best days to come are Thursday's-sundays, the obvious party days. Keep in mind these guys have seen it AAAALLL and no petty "can I have your name to review you on yelp" crap is going to sway them. Still the best prices downtown, generous for the cost. But as I say in regards to the Nasty Asti and Burning man per usual: don't go, it sucks ;) Amenities remained the same from my last review: they're holding fort like no other and surprisingly not a high turn over rate here-- the regulars are regulars and the bartenders remain as well. Can't say much about the other experiences and bartenders though because I particularly choose to only come here when Al is present, everyone has a favorite right? So if you know what's best for you, you'll treat them right and not be a jackass. Yo also they're on top of making sure their pool equipment is doing alright! Yay. read more

Loud, smoky, cheap. This dive pulls an interesting crowd--I think I caught a pair snorting lines in the bathroom when I rounded the corner. And one scruffy dude groped my female colleague as he passed by--twice! But, the beer and liquor is cheap. Hang around long enough, and the smoke steeps into your clothes, and the din scrambles your thoughts. Great place to get your buzz going before going to a more quiet place to continue hangin'. read more

I've never been here except for the two bar crawls that I've been on for my two friends who recently turned 21. The guy bartender was super friendly and excited for their birthdays. He even gave all of us free flaming dr peppers for the first one's birthday. Loved it! It's a really small place though. I would say it's good for an older crowd (people out of college). Not exactly the place I would choose to go to. It has the nickname "nasty Asti" afterall... read more

Asti Cafe - Flaming dr peppers! - Bars Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE... service trash, bartender trash.... We came here on Monday night nothing busy and he was the most disrespectful rude guy EVER. I WOULD NOT suggest this bar to anyone. The one down the street is 100% better. read more

BEWARE!!!! my friend was drugged here. don't go alone as a woman. don't leave your drink unattended. she went here to play pool and ended up getting drugged while she was shooting. overall an unsafe and unfortunate place to go. avoid this place at all costs. read more

Smoking+HUGE shots+ cute bartender= goodness. I was having a horrible day. I randomly appeared in Santa Cruz, somewhat by accident (I'm from SF). I NEEDED a drink. I mean, NEEDED. I drive by the Asti, definitely not expecting a gross, filthy, wonderful dive bar right off pacific. I go in. Order a neat Jack Daniel's. I light a Marlboro Red. I watch the game. i finish my drink, and the cute bartender yells from the other end of the bar... do you need another jack? Yes. Please. The End. read more

The Asti frequently smells like barf, is full of smoke & is nicknamed the "Nasty - Asti." I've said this about previous dives - that it feels dirty, nasty & grimey but sometimes that's just want you need. The place gathers a really eclectic crowd of all ages & you can meet some really interesting walks of life there. If you're looking for a prototype grimey dive bar - THIS IS YOUR PLACE! read more

I haven't been in downtown Santa Cruz for about 6 years. The last time that I had seen some 'night life' in SC the Asti was known as one of the seedier clubs on the track. I was happy to go back. Seems as if they are trying to change their image at first, as they scrutinize over EVERY ID at the door. Once inside however it is the same old Asti.... crappy. Ran into a woman I hadn't seen in 2 years here... bitch was tanked. So much so that when I walked past the bouncer I heard her yell my name, leap over a table and come across the bar and start punching me... I guess it was because she loved me so bad as she was smiling.... but the boxing match isn't what I had in mind... I'm getting off track. After removing said woman from me I wandered to the bathroom, while standing there doing my business I looked and saw a good amount of cocaine sitting on the TP dispenser. Just sitting there.... Asti, nothing has changed. Rejoining my friends and the crazy woman we decided to go down the block for a new atmosphere. The Asti might just be too nasty for me now. read more

The nasty asti is always a place, I end up at. No matter what, it's always Paloma's and cigarette's, at the asti at 1:00am. (Ask ryan to make the Paloma, it's amazing). Getting waters here is always hard, it's like I'm in Coyote Ugly and I'm gonna get sprayed with a hose. It's always a strange crowd, I've meet too many crazy people here, but that's Santa Cruz for you. If you want some authentic SC heritage, check out the nasty asti. You can always wonder over to Saturn Cafe for a late night veggie snack after. read more

With 3 pool tables, $4 well drinks, and dim lights close to downtown, what more could you ask for?

The Asti (The Nasti) is nasty... it make you do nasty things. If I role into town and my good friends are at work I can always find someone I know at the asti. You never know how you night will end at the asti. Will a big group of friends take over the place. Might it just be you and girls. Or might you meet a guy that the asti convinces you is a good idea. The music is always good, the drinks are cheap (if not free), and strong. There's 3 pool tables in the back. The scared, tattooed ruffians scare off all the jocks, so it's home to me. ( as far as bars go) read more

The Asti is right next to another bar called the Avenue so i put them together and call them the "Astivue" these two bars are my fav in santa cruz. because.... cheep booze cute boys punk rock and I've thrown up in front of both of them, and had to get my mom to come pick me up, ya I'm that classy i pulled the mom card. if your ever in town go there and check out Seth the bar tender.... (hot) and say hi to Brucie at the ave. Sweetest guy in town. CHEERS TO THE ASTIVUE!! read more

Oh Nasty Asti, how I love you. So much so that I might need to stop calling you that. Cheap drinks? Check! Pool (if you're into that kind of stuff...)? Yep! And the most fantastic candy dishes on the planet. Winning! Seriously, where else can you get a hefty pour of Glenfiddich for $6? Nowhere. Plus you get to enjoy your drink in a very non-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruzy dive with great bartenders and entertaining patrons. Nasty Asti, you have my heart. read more

The Nasti is basically a crappier version of its neighbor, the Avenue. They're both dive bars, hot-boxed with cigarette smoke. They both have reasonably priced drinks and sketchy patrons. The difference is that the Nasti is way smaller and the bartenders aren't friendly. So my tip? Go next door! read more

Best dive bar EVER!! Mike and Al make me sooooo happy! Best duo ever! Seth is cool too :) Don't mess around with these boys. Local as F*** Heavy pours and cheap pool. Smoking bar! I love this place! Don't come here I like having a seat :) read more

What he said! Super-seedy, divey place, one of the better jukeboxes in the world, and strong drinks. This place is worse than Luckey's Cigar Club in Eugene when it's busy, though. Which means that it is SO OUT on the weekends. I thought all the hipster swine went to the Red Room, but looks like they're trying to set up shop here, too. Another reason to avoid it on the weekends. There's nothing freakier than going to a bar to DRINK only to be surrounded by people going to a bar to be seen. Gah. Yeah, if you're serious about drinking, this is your spot for daytime boozing. Sometimes it's cool on Sundays. Avoid the talkative bums. ESPECIALLY ones named Jim Moran. Especially. I want that three hours of my life back! read more

We wandered into this dive for a quick drink after grabbing some grub at the Saturn Cafe across the road. I find it interesting it's considered a cafe, as it clearly fits the bill as a dive bar. And I mean, a reeeeal dive bar. I hopped up onto a stool at the bar, and was on hugging terms with a woman I'd just met within 30 minutes. This is my sort of place. A whole shelf dedicated to Jameson. A hefty shot of Rumpleminze with a PBR back for $5. Some good microbrews on tap. An old popcorn maker. A jukebox, where most of the patron will play some kick ass classic rock. AND A POOL ROOM IN THE BACK. Three whole pool tables. So awesome. This'll have to be a regular stop during my adventures out to Santa Cruz. read more

So here's what. I used to live in the old SC. I went back this weekend with a couple of friends who lived there back in the day as well. They were adament about going here. I never frequented it myself, as it always seemed a bit sketchy for my taste, and the smoke pouring out the door everytime I walked by made me pretty naseous. But my friend begged, and it was 1am and we had just seen that 300 movie and I needed a beer to calm the abs-muscle-overdose I had just received, and so I acquiesced. It started out ok, aside from all the smoke (wtf? smoking in bars in Santa Cruz? Whatevs. Cancer Stick lovers) we had our beers and each others company. The music was not so great, the bartender seemed like kind of a stick in the mud, and the clientele was sketchy as hell, but what the heck? I was pumped, on account of the 300 movie. And then it happend. It was about 2am at this point, and Bon Jovi came on over the stereo. Oh yes, a little "Livin" on a Prayer" for yours and my listening pleasure. Everybody in the bar is stoked, they live for moments like these (don't we all?) and we all have one of those "oh so rare bar moments", when the stars align and the nostalgia is thick like Guiness in the air. And we're all singing together, shout it out with me now.... "Once upon a time Not so long ago Tommy used to work on the docks Unions been on strike Hes down on his luck...its tough, so tough Gina works the diner all day Working for her man, she brings home her pay For love - for love She says weve got to hold on to what weve got cause it doesnt make a difference If we make it or not Weve got each other and thats a lot For love - well give it a shot Chorus: Whooah, were half way there Livin on a prayer Take my hand and well make it - I swear..........." AND THEN!!!!! The effing bartender TURNED IT OFF!!!!!! RIGHT BEFORE THE BIG PAYOFF OF "OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH LIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVIIIIIIIIIINNNNNN ONNNNNN A PRRRRAAYYYYYYYEERRRRR!!!!!" Asshat!!!! The bar errupts into screams, people are throwing things, smashing their glasses, breaking bottles over one another's heads!!!! It's madness people, MADNESS!!!! And the bartender just puts up his hands and says "yeah that's right, I fucking turned it off. Get over it, you'll hear this song 5 billion more times in your lives. LAST CALL!" Maybe he had a point. But here is my point. You just don't do that. That is 15 different kinds of wrong right there. You don't just turn off a song when the whole bar is singing along, and you certainly don't turn off "Livin on a Prayer" right before the big payoff. I kicked his ass after last call. I might be lying about that. You'll never know. I might or might not be going back the (N)asti. That's for me and the asshat bartender to know. read more

This place is what it is, and succeeds very well in being what it is - a mutherfucking dive bar. This is *the* bar for mid-afternoon drinks. The pool tables are empty, they've got the news channel on the TV, the jukebox has 36 Chambers, and the local vagrants are dying to tell you all about themselves (in a meandering, oh-god-we've-been-talking-for-2-hours kind of way.) As far as night-life goes, I tend to stay the hell away, especially on weekends. The have only a small walkway between the bar and the half-dozen booths, so once the bar and booths fill up, it's fucking impossible to move around, cause everyone is standing in the already-too-small walkway. But like everyone says, the drinks are good and they have daily specials, so get down here the next time you feel like being drunk in the daytime. read more

I was in on the night of November 29th, 2017. When the bartender (tall, brown hairy, scruffy beard) asked me what I'd like to drink, I asked for a water. I was waiting on a friend to order our beverages because I've always been taught that's the polite thing to do. The bartender then rudely told me that if I wasn't going to order a drink that I could get out of his bar. I doubt it was his bar, but if the owner treats people like that, it's even worse. In all my life, I've been to thousands of bars and have never been treated so rudely by a bartender. Usually bartenders are stoked because I'm commonly the designated driver and I'm not a customer that's going to be outta control or become too intoxicated, but this guy sneered at me. I asked him his name so I could accurately write about my experience, but he refused to give it to me. This guy gets nominated as the worst bartender in SC. He was so rude that I will tell a lot of people to avoid the Nasty Asti at all costs. Oh and that bar seriously smells like puke most of the time. Maybe they have some cool pool tables and a decent location, but they have a bad vibe and I'll never go back! Hands down the worst dive bar around. read more

The Asti is a great place to come if you are trying to have a good time. The bartender Al was attentive and tried to make conversation, and the prices were very reasonable. I love the vibes of this place and I also think it's a plus that you can play your own music! (You have to pay for it of course). Will return time and time again. read more

Alright, this place really deserves its coined name the nasty asti... it has some of the cheapest drinks on pacific, so definitely hit up the dive if you are low on dollas, but don't go expecting to see that great of a crowd (or people with teeth). Main things I've noticed about this place: - theres pool tables in the back! - drinks are super cheap, and theres a good selection (flaming doctor pepper anyone?) - the service is HORRIBLE. but I'm pretty sure they are going for that vibe - this is one of the few bars downtown that allows you to smoke inside. I don't do cigs, but many find this a plus All and all, if you are doing the 21 bar crawl, start at the nasty. It's a classic SC bar, but there are better ones down the road. read more