The Reef Bar

120 Union St, Santa Cruz
(831) 215-3384

Recent Reviews

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Emily Mak

I really love the garlic fries!!!! The fish is pretty good too. Not like your typical beer batter.

L B

Service was amazing! The bartender and cook did the job of a full staff with just them two. Visited on 7/31 630ish and would recommend. Drinks were good and food was delicious!

Stephen Rendon

5/19/22. joint was good. got a typical bar food, fries. bar area was dope. i came in probably at a good time, wasnt busy around 3 or 4pm on a thursday. i also got the belly bombs, just chop chucks of pork. pretty good on their made sauce and spicy sauce on the side. overall, joint was pretty coo.

Howard Finfer

Been wanting to come here since the reopening.Came by myself tonight and was stoked. Welcomed by kitchen staff upon arrival and grabbed a bar seat where I was greeted quickly also. Ordered a beer and burger and was really glad to have done that.. Drinking Sierra Nevada watching sports center and having a perfectly cooked burger brought to me.... Priceless.Will be returning

Jessica Laws

I ordered three vodka tonics. They were all different and all wrong. The Shirley temple and water were also gross. The food was delicious. Although I ordered a salad and wasn't asked what kind of dressing I wanted. When my salad arrived the bartender said they didn't give me dressing and finally asked what dressing I wanted. Our bartender/waiter Quincy was super awkward the whole time. The live music was great. Considering the fact that they're a bar, they definitely can't make a drink, even just water. We'd still go back for the food, but it was definitely a weird experience.

Jesus Prudente Barajas

Cool spot near Downtown Santa Cruz where you can sometimes catch live local gigs. Nothing real special about the drinks I suppose, though the consensus among my company was that the mixed drinks were kinda weak on the alcoholic side. They also got a cool outdoor seating area which is nice. Would recommend checking out sometime if you're in the area.

Mike Gendimenico

Went there to see some friends play. Food and drinks were fine and it's cool big, old open spce. But, it was a chilly night, there was absolutely no heat in the place and a huge draft from one side of the building. Was like hanging out in a meat locker and the crowd thinned out pretty quick, prolly because of that....

Briana Ottinger

5 stars for the food. Service was good but I incredibly slow. Waited over 40 minutes for cocktails and over an hour for poutine. Cocktails came out warm/room temperature, not really sure what the hold up was, it didnt seem *that* busy but I know a lot of places are short staffed so it is what is. Great place to watch football, lots of outdoor seating. They’re dog friendly too!

Mike B.

My wife and I went here on a Saturday night after looking for someplace to eat downtown. We sat outside on their back patio which was really nice. They weren't as busy as other locations so we had the patio almost to ourselves. The food was good and happy hour went until 7pm on Saturday night which was a nice surprise. Get the pork belly if you are looking for a rich appetizer. It was good! They also had live music and he was a great musician. Will definitely come back.

Amanda Cheung

Stopped by for a simple dinner so we can watch the Warriors game. It was fairly quiet for a Saturday but we got to sit at the bar and request to see the game. I opted in for their reef burger with fries and it was solid. The waitress at the bar was friendly and helpful as well. Solid burgers but not impressionable.

BrianaO

Exceptionally slow service. Chile verde nachos came without scrambled eggs during brunch. Cocktails were warm. Waited over an hour for poutine that never came. Great food and loads of potential but terrible execution.

Ordered the shrimp skewers, poke bowl, and bbq short ribs. My question is why did everything have a slight hint of cinnamon? Cole slaw was dry and flavorless. The potatoes had an odd slight taste of cinnamon and the shrimp skewers too. BBQ short ribs tasted good though. Poke bowl was okay. Water was never refilled. Literally 2 other tables and myself got up to pay our tab at the front because the waitress took forever to come back to grab our check. Guess she was too distracted when her friends came in. Restaurant Decor was cool but I wouldn't recommend this place.

Kevin Cannon

Best casual dining in downtown Santa Cruz, Chef Vincent is only putting out winning plates, everything is good!

Denise Edington

My husband and I decided to take a day while in the Bay area to drive down the coast on Hwy 1 after viewing the Golden Gate Bridge. I found this place on Google maps. The reviews were good so we tried it. We agree. It was a relax atmosphere for a bar and grill. The food was really good and the prices were reasonable for CA. I definitely recommend.

Benamo White

Don't waste your time. Have waited literally ,30 mins for a drink.

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