14 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Cruz

“Mission West is a dive bar with heart and great standards. Everything from the attentive and hard working staff to tasty cocktails, to entertaining live music and events. Under the new leadership and ownership (specifically Managing Co- Owners Amy and Jamie) Mission West retains what the hospitality industry is losing... Thoughtful Hospitality. It is clear that training, communication, and leading by example is practiced. Any bar can make a drink. Mission West makes a great one, but Mission West aims to deliver a great overall experience. I especially like going to their events.“

“BEST place to get drinks in SC. Atmosphere is fun and casual. FAVE drink is the Vodsod!! LOVE F&C.“

“Can be a lot of fun here!“

“I wrote a detailed review on 831 Best and Worst Facebook page and this was definitely the BEST category ! Cannot go wrong IMO !“

“Cool Place to have a drink with your friends and listen to live music🎶“

“Such a neat place! We really enjoyed this spot. Service and drinks! Their house drink menu is very unique and fun! Definitely recommend if you're visiting Santa Cruz! The entrance is around the back of motiv off pearl alley but if it's after 9:30p you'll need to go to motiv first to get stamped anyways.“

“Vim is a delightful gem. The recipes feel simultaneously local and global, and strike such a perfect balance of bold/novel and familiar/comfortable. Shout out to the incredible desserts, well-curated wine pairings, beer list, and especially the craft cocktails. Besides the excellent quality food, the ambiance is unique and tasteful. Everyone who works there are consistently nice and helpful and skilled, and I've never had a single bad service experience. I also have to thank Vim so much for providing a full spectrum fine dining experience that includes vegetarians and vegans.“

“Been there couple times now. Food is very good & staff friendly. View at sunset is amazing & constantly changing from the rotating floor. Will definitely choose Makai again!“

“This was our first time there and the food was great and the atmosphere was great.. also had great service. We will be back again..“

“Excellent appetizers, amazing healthy food and great service.“

“My wife and I went there on Saturday for our date night. For appetizers we had the broccolini and the wagyu carpaccio. Both were absolutely amazing. Very flavorful and inspired taste.

For our main we had the pork skirt and the lamb. Perfectly cooked and so tasty.

We shared the creme brulee for dessert and it was one of the best I have had in the last few years.

I would say the price is fair for the portions and amazing for the food experience.

My wife and I agree that this is one of the best restaurant in Santa Cruz county.

If you are looking for a large burger and fries this is not the place but if you want good, well thought out food, then give this restaurant a try and you will not be disappointed.“

“The food was super good organic delicious and I will be going back for more“

“Maybe they needed the service experience reviews from months prior because we had nothing but good things to say about the food and the service. They were accommodating with reservations and they had many servers that were attentive. They even brought us blankets (it was cold that day). Food was excellent as well. Low tide (bottom) was good, but the High tide food was noticeably a level up. We ate dinner and mother's Day brunch there and it didn't disappoint.“

“Food was good and Service was great.“