I don't think they serve good, but I know the drinks are strong and tasty, and the Vibe is pretty chill. Love the people, and the bartenders. Never seen any drama or a fight happen. So it's cool.lol.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Matthew S.
super lame new staff.I'm 25 and have been here at least 40 times. some new bartenders looked at my friend and I and snuffed out our IDs for like 4 minutes and told us they wouldn't accept it. mind you, I have a cali real id and my friend was just from out of state. they refused to scan them and sent us on our way. we just got beer from mission liquor instead. fire those bartenders dude, or at least make them actually check our IDs properly lol. I guess I'll bring my passport next time (never).
Kiara G.
I was eager to visit Mission West, considering it's conveniently close to my friend's house, who had spoken highly of it. However, my experience started off on a disappointing note. The security was seated at a table without any visible identification, and his abrupt request for IDs caught us off guard. After an awkward exchange, we discovered he was indeed security.Hoping for a better experience at the bar, I approached the bartender, Tom, with a smile and a friendly demeanor. Unfortunately, his attitude seemed less than welcoming. It appeared as though he wasn't enjoying his job, and my attempts to engage were met with annoyance.It's disheartening when the initial excitement for a place is overshadowed by such encounters. I believe Mission West has the potential to improve these aspects for a more positive customer experience.
Michelle M.
The vibe at Mission West is just right. We have sat outside with the pup a few times but last night we chose inside. The bar is beautiful and tidy, the mixers made us fabulous cocktails (the smoothest Boulevardier in town), and the other clients were friendly too. There was an engagement party going on in the back and the staff easily took care of the group's needs as well as the others of us. We were impressed that the owner Max came in on a Friday night at 8:30 to help out behind the bar. Mission West is my new go-to neighborhood bar!
Mimi R.
I went for an event. The place was nice but the employee in the front ripped me off I gave him $20 for $5 cover charge he gave me back a $5 and claimed I gave him $10. If you go to this place and pay cash to get in I would be careful. Not sure I will visit or go back. This was very off putting to an otherwise lovely event.
_
It's called the watering hole.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 3
Sam C.
This is the best bar I have ever been to! The blonde girl working the bar is so funny, kind, and very good at mixing drinks. You can't taste the alcohol in the cocktails, but they definitely have the right amount of ethanol, and most of all: it's clean! No dirty glasses or surfaces to be seen here. The bathroom is rather fancy and classy compared to other bars, and is always stocked alongside plenty of decor. I'm not a local to Santa Cruz, but would definitely come back any time I'm in town. It may be a dive bar by its looks, but the service and drinks are far above dive bar status.
Andrew Sutton
Fun “dive bar” with good beer selection and upscale cocktails but for the love of god PLEASE figure out your bathroom situation.
Jennifer S.
Not just great service but amazing drinks! If you don't know what you like to drink, or don't really enjoy being able to taste the alcohol in your drink, this is the place to go! They are great at suggesting drinks and they often have premade drinks they create themselves & they'll let you sample those! While mixing their creations they try themselves, & test on their friends and die hard regular patrons before they start selling, by the time we get them, those mixes are amazing! Their "regulars" are friendly and keep the atmosphere low key yet fun! Everyone is smiling & laughing! If not, it doesn't take much to get them going again! As a female, I have always felt comfortable coming here by myself! I feel safe, I'm treated kindly and can join in on conversations with comfort. They call it a dive bar, but this is not a raunchy place! It's a pretty classy dive bar! Filled with working class folks, unwinding or using it as their place for socialization & good ol' fashioned conversations! It's never felt like a "meat market". Of course I am not here after 8pm, I couldn't tell you what it's like after that. But the drinks will still be good! All their bartenders are skilled, friendly & hustle!Cheers! Enjoy!
Jim W.
5 star dive bar.Full service bar and skilled bartenders.Get your whiskey sour with egg white they eat it is supposed to be made.Cheers!
This bar supports violence against women, it's disgusting. This is not the watering hole I grew up on, it's very sad. Size 15 clown shoes
Syndi JeffordsAustin Bender
I really loved the food. All around fun and yummy experience!
Jerry Zimmerman
Definitely a local bar. A great place to land after all the breweries close.
Donald Steiny
It is what it is, a bar. A few years ago the bar changed owners and its name and changed from a place for hard drinking types to a more varied clientele. Now it js a pleasant place to stop for a drink with friends. The bartenders are first rate and won't need to look up how to make your drink on the internet. The owners are friendly folks who treat people well so ot has a good vibe.
Katherine N.
Once we found it this place was great! I had to call to get directions and they were super friendly and helpful (assuming this happens often) The owners and bartender were some of the nicest people. This is a great neighborhood hangout bar. Drinks were all great! My aunt wasn't a fan of the absinthe and the bartender made her a different drink out of the absinthe and that she loved! I don't live in state anymore but if I did I would definitely be a regular!
I don't think they serve good, but I know the drinks are strong and tasty, and the Vibe is pretty chill. Love the people, and the bartenders. Never seen any drama or a fight happen. So it's cool.lol.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
super lame new staff.I'm 25 and have been here at least 40 times. some new bartenders looked at my friend and I and snuffed out our IDs for like 4 minutes and told us they wouldn't accept it. mind you, I have a cali real id and my friend was just from out of state. they refused to scan them and sent us on our way. we just got beer from mission liquor instead. fire those bartenders dude, or at least make them actually check our IDs properly lol. I guess I'll bring my passport next time (never).
I was eager to visit Mission West, considering it's conveniently close to my friend's house, who had spoken highly of it. However, my experience started off on a disappointing note. The security was seated at a table without any visible identification, and his abrupt request for IDs caught us off guard. After an awkward exchange, we discovered he was indeed security.Hoping for a better experience at the bar, I approached the bartender, Tom, with a smile and a friendly demeanor. Unfortunately, his attitude seemed less than welcoming. It appeared as though he wasn't enjoying his job, and my attempts to engage were met with annoyance.It's disheartening when the initial excitement for a place is overshadowed by such encounters. I believe Mission West has the potential to improve these aspects for a more positive customer experience.
The vibe at Mission West is just right. We have sat outside with the pup a few times but last night we chose inside. The bar is beautiful and tidy, the mixers made us fabulous cocktails (the smoothest Boulevardier in town), and the other clients were friendly too. There was an engagement party going on in the back and the staff easily took care of the group's needs as well as the others of us. We were impressed that the owner Max came in on a Friday night at 8:30 to help out behind the bar. Mission West is my new go-to neighborhood bar!
I went for an event. The place was nice but the employee in the front ripped me off I gave him $20 for $5 cover charge he gave me back a $5 and claimed I gave him $10. If you go to this place and pay cash to get in I would be careful. Not sure I will visit or go back. This was very off putting to an otherwise lovely event.
It's called the watering hole.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 3
This is the best bar I have ever been to! The blonde girl working the bar is so funny, kind, and very good at mixing drinks. You can't taste the alcohol in the cocktails, but they definitely have the right amount of ethanol, and most of all: it's clean! No dirty glasses or surfaces to be seen here. The bathroom is rather fancy and classy compared to other bars, and is always stocked alongside plenty of decor. I'm not a local to Santa Cruz, but would definitely come back any time I'm in town. It may be a dive bar by its looks, but the service and drinks are far above dive bar status.
Fun “dive bar” with good beer selection and upscale cocktails but for the love of god PLEASE figure out your bathroom situation.
Not just great service but amazing drinks! If you don't know what you like to drink, or don't really enjoy being able to taste the alcohol in your drink, this is the place to go! They are great at suggesting drinks and they often have premade drinks they create themselves & they'll let you sample those! While mixing their creations they try themselves, & test on their friends and die hard regular patrons before they start selling, by the time we get them, those mixes are amazing! Their "regulars" are friendly and keep the atmosphere low key yet fun! Everyone is smiling & laughing! If not, it doesn't take much to get them going again! As a female, I have always felt comfortable coming here by myself! I feel safe, I'm treated kindly and can join in on conversations with comfort. They call it a dive bar, but this is not a raunchy place! It's a pretty classy dive bar! Filled with working class folks, unwinding or using it as their place for socialization & good ol' fashioned conversations! It's never felt like a "meat market". Of course I am not here after 8pm, I couldn't tell you what it's like after that. But the drinks will still be good! All their bartenders are skilled, friendly & hustle!Cheers! Enjoy!
5 star dive bar.Full service bar and skilled bartenders.Get your whiskey sour with egg white they eat it is supposed to be made.Cheers!
Restaurantji Recommends
This bar supports violence against women, it's disgusting. This is not the watering hole I grew up on, it's very sad. Size 15 clown shoes
I really loved the food. All around fun and yummy experience!
Definitely a local bar. A great place to land after all the breweries close.
It is what it is, a bar. A few years ago the bar changed owners and its name and changed from a place for hard drinking types to a more varied clientele. Now it js a pleasant place to stop for a drink with friends. The bartenders are first rate and won't need to look up how to make your drink on the internet. The owners are friendly folks who treat people well so ot has a good vibe.
Once we found it this place was great! I had to call to get directions and they were super friendly and helpful (assuming this happens often) The owners and bartender were some of the nicest people. This is a great neighborhood hangout bar. Drinks were all great! My aunt wasn't a fan of the absinthe and the bartender made her a different drink out of the absinthe and that she loved! I don't live in state anymore but if I did I would definitely be a regular!