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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Parish Publick House

4.2(398 reviews)

0.5 mi

Parrish Pub Looking for a great place to refuel after a…read morehike at Nisene Marks? Stop by Parrish Pub! Great food all around, a Puppers Menu for your four-legged adventure buddy , and a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome! My personal favorite? The Filthy Freddy + a pint! The staff is fantastic, the food is great, and honestly... they're just friendly all around! Hike, eat, drink, repeat! Definitely worth the stop!

Soooo bad! I just spent $25 for the worst burger I've ever…read morehad in my life! I fed it to my dog. No Kidding! Dry bun with an overcooked paddy. No condiments no tomato or onion. Ordered the classic burger which says it comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle. I also added cheese & mushroom. No cheese on it. I think it was supposed to come with fries which I didn't get. I added a side of mash potato & veg which a girl came running out to give me when I was already driving off. Should have checked the order. Terrible! I called to let them know & the hostess or whomever answered the phone kept laughing about it like spending that much money on garbage is funny.

Bar area

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Pfeiffer Burger with fries!

The Hideout

4.2(851 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

Brussels w/ Bacon ($18)

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Fried Artichoke Hearts App ($15)

The Castaways

4.0(32 reviews)

3.2 mi

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.

Guava daiquiri

The first kiss

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Bar area

The Sand Bar

3.3(352 reviews)

2.2 mi

such a vibe there! I love how chill everyone else is.The age group (from that night) ranged from 70…read moreyr olds to 33 yr olds. Everyone had a great time listening to live music.. a lot of ppl were dancing. The only thing that I way would say is maybe have a ladies restroom in the near future?

Food that hits the spot. You thought you've had fish and prawn tacos before but then you eat at The…read moreSand Bar. One bite into the tacos and ceviche and enlightenment surrounds you. Inside the main bar and restaurant is dark with some friendly buzzing flies. The restroom is artistically painted with some stickers and graffiti to make it feel homely. The jewel is the outdoor patio with a view of the Venetian Court colorful homes. Server was super friendly and accommodating for a family of young kids. They automatically charged gratuity for my group of six. Would definitely come back again.

The interior of the venue when there's live music

Grilled Mahi tacos

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Sno-White Drive In

3.1(198 reviews)

0.1 mi

great old Asian man big large cones and delicious soft serve. ice cream deserves five starsread more

There aren't too many places like the left around that bring back those nostalgic old school…read morememories.... yes, this place did that, which was a nice temporary distraction. In fact, we were staying at a hotel nearby and the restaurant server highly recommended this place for a great burger..... so, on our second day visiting Aptos, we decided to check this place out. Service is very friendly, the place does have a cool nostalgic feel to it, but I think the good old days are pretty much gone, and I suspect, so has the quality of the food here because, it was honestly only ok. So, my wife loves a good burger, and so naturally, she ordered the hamburger combination, which came with a small bag of fries and a drink, and I ordered the fish sandwich combo. My wife was actually pretty disappointed with her burger... all she'd tell me was that it was ok, with a bit of a disappointed look on her face. To make things worse, the fries were luke warm. My fish sandwich was actually not that bad... nice flaky white fish with a nice light crunchy fried breading on the outside, sitting inside between a nice warm bun. However, my fries were luke warm too. I think the highlight of our dine in lunch experience was the side order of fried onion rings... they tasted quite good, were still quite hot, and they weren't oily. I can see how this place can still be popular for those who want a quick take away bite to eat, but if you're truly looking for a great tasting quality burger or sandwich, this is likely not the place to find it. That's too bad as we really had high hopes after a local recommended this place.

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Casa Rossy

3.9(103 reviews)

0.0 mi

Food was excellent, after a couple of tweaks for us vegans!…read more The veggie burrito (without crema and cheese) is so delicious! It tastes like the best seasoned fajitas but wrapped up in a tortilla. The veggie comes in a spinach tortilla, which makes you feel like you are eating so healthy too! They have amazing hot sauces. We could only have 2/3 because one has crema, but wow they were delicious. The red salsa they serve with their chips (which were fresh as can be the two times we ate here in the past month) was scrumptious. It is clear that someone in the kitchen cares enough to cook with great spices, and to make sure things are done incredibly - not overcooked, not undercooked, not overseasoned, not underseasoned. The food is amazingly flavorful. The person who helped us was incredibly kind. We were greeted with a smile and she seemed to really enjoy meeting our needs. That was really refreshing in a world where everyone seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere else. It led to a great experience. The place itself is definitely not fancy. There's a little patio out back that is cute. We ate at a table directly in front of the window. We now make this a destination when we are hanging out along the Monterey Bay as it is truly one of the best spots for a quick bite of Mexican food that is super flavorful!

I believe this place is permanently closed and replaced by another restaurant…read more Food was good. Service and ambience okay.

Pastor taco, ordered without onions

Fun new place

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Fast Eddy's Billiards

3.8(65 reviews)

2.8 mi

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!!

Brittney is the absolute best bartender in the state of Texas. Courtesy and professional and not…read morehard to look at. 5 star performance.

Hard to miss streetside

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Britannia Arms

3.3(382 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.

Inside

Fish 1 of 2 for 2x Fish & Chips

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Meat Pie, Ahi Tuna & Bangers

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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.

5

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

18 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 September 2026

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JJ’s Saloon And Social Club

(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

3.7

(54 reviews)

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.

The Castaways

4.0

(32 reviews)

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.

Over the Hill Gang Saloon

4.3

(37 reviews)

Walking around pleasure point I heard this great band plane and they were playing an upbeat rock…read more'n' roll sound! It sounded like a quartet, but they had a good beat and rhythm so I've literally followed the amusement!! To my surprise, it was this little bar on the corner and it seemed like everybody was friends from their old heyday!! A handful of people were dancing and they all seem to know the musicians playing. I wanted something easy so I just got a beer on tap and the surface was quick and the beer was regular. It was mainly the music in the life band!! I stayed for 30 minutes and listened to their whole set!! I will definitely go back and check out this bar again!! Such a vibe!!

Best gay bar in Santa Cruz hands down!! Second is not even close. Went in here and got hit on by so…read moremany guys i have never been so fulfilled!

Callahan's

4.4

(51 reviews)

My favorite bar in town! Great spot for an after-work drink and socializing with the regulars, and…read morethey also host frequent weekend events that often include live music. Love playing darts here and they have a couple of pool tables and a jukebox as well. The owners often bartend themselves and all their staff are super friendly and attentive. There is a large outdoor patio where drinks and smoking are allowed. I've made lots of friends here!

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

Fast Eddy's Billiards

3.8

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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!!

Brittney is the absolute best bartender in the state of Texas. Courtesy and professional and not…read morehard to look at. 5 star performance.

Mission West

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Dive Bar with heart and standards. Great drinks, fun live bands and entertainment, and impressive…read moreservice. I believe its because its under new managing ownership with Amy at the helm, leading by example. An industry OG who cares about delivering great drinks, service, and experience while also making sure her staff are well supported. Any bar can make a drink, Mission West makes a fantastic one, but the service and overall experience is what differentiates Mission West.

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.

One Double Oh Seven Club

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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.

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