30 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof Best Place For Day-Drinking Dust Bowl Brewing Co. 290 Figueroa St., Monterey (831) 641-7002, dustbowlbrewing.com The very name Dust Bowl is evocative of history, and what’s more, the brewing company’s Monterey taproom is located in a former train depot, a reminder of when people traveled around the West via two principal ways—on a train or by horse—and when day-drinking wasn’t frowned upon. Located along the Rec Trail by Monterey’s waterfront, the taproom’s patio basks in sunshine when the fog burns off, and is a prime spot for people-watching, whether it’s tourists strolling the waterfront or locals zipping by on two wheels. Best Dive Bar Alfredo’s Cantina 266 Pearl St., Monterey (831) 238-3082 When one thinks about what makes a good dive bar, there are several metrics to consider. Can you tell what time it is by looking around? The answer should be no. Has the bartender ever been confused for a “mixologist”? Again, no. Is the elbow room tight? Do members of the service industry patronize the bar? These should be yeses. All of these criteria and more are met at Alfredo’s in downtown Monterey. While this dive opened in 1973, one might imagine a heap of prospectors and miners lining the bar in 1849. Bring cash, because they don’t mess around with plastic (or gold dust, for that matter). Best Bar For Darts Bulldog Sports Pub 611 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 658-0686, bulldogsportspub.com Back when vaqueros roamed the dirt streets of Monterey and walked into saloons, they could expect little variety in entertainment. Darts? In the Wild West the thought of patrons throwing sharp projectiles made barkeeps nervous. That’s what makes Bulldog Sports Pub special: They trust their guests to hold sharp throwing projectiles whilst sipping adult beverages from an extensive beer and cocktail menu. They also offer traditional pub fare when it’s time to rest between games of Cricket, 301 or ’Round the World. Best Happy Hour Best Specialty Cocktails Hula’s Island Grill 622 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 655-4852, hulastiki.com Sure, the gruffest of cowboys can find a stiff drink at this island-themed bar. But why have straight bourbon if you can have a Mai Tai? It’s not just the fun cocktails (extra points if it’s served in an eccentric tiki glass) that puts this locals’ favorite over the top, but the friendly service and an array of pupu platters on discount during a famous Happy Hour—and a half. From 4-5:30pm every day (except on Tiki Tuesdays, when it applies all day), wine by the glass, tiki drinks and pupus are $8 a pop. That’s a steal even the most vigilant sheriffs can get behind. Best Pub Crown and Anchor 150 W. Franklin St., Monterey (831) 649-6496, crownandanchor.net In the Buddy Van Horn film Any Which Way You Can, there’s a scene in which Jack Wilson (played by William Smith) walks into a bar to meet Philo Beddoe (Clint Eastwood) to chat before a bar fight erupts. Now, envision that lively downstairs scene (pre-fight) featuring the horseshoe bar and the dining tables all around with people chattering, but make it British and add a nautical flare. And what do you have? Crown and Anchor, in good ol’ Old Monterey. Serving up pints, fish and chips and a sense of Old World comfort, which is a lot nicer than Old West comfort. Best Place for Karaoke | Britannia Arms
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