DRINKS the house’s barrel-aged concoctions served to guests at the polished stone bar. The atrium patio adds to the seating options. Portola Hotel, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey. (831) 6497830, jacksatportola.com Kona Steak & Seafood The popular restaurant’s equally popular bar (“the zen den”) makes tiki drinks, cocktails like The Big Kahuna, truly fun—and enjoyable. But here’s the cool bit: It’s not a bar that falls prey to a theme, it’s just a really great bar with an island vibe. 1200 Del Monte Place, Monterey. (831) 920-2911, konamonterey.com London Bridge Pub Outside, sit on the heated patio and take in the sea air. Inside, select from beers on tap, pub fare (or both). Yeah, you can do that inside, too. At Municipal Wharf #2. 256 Figueroa St., Monterey. (831) 372-0581, lbpmonterey.com Melville Tavern A casual tavern atmosphere with plenty of beer and wine (and better-than-pub fare) makes this a locals’ favorite. 484 Washington St., Monterey. (831) 643-9525, melvilletav. com Monterey Cookhouse Given the name and location, you might not expect Monterey Cookhouse to house a smart cocktail bar. But it does. There’s also a dogfriendly patio and a diverse food menu. 2149 N. Fremont St., Monterey. (831) 642-9900, montereycookhouse.com Montrio Yes, it’s a busy restaurant with a tiny bar. But if you can score a seat…well, let’s just say they make some of the area’s most original and worthy cocktails. The mixologist values balance, with each flavor playing a role. 414 Calle Principal, Monterey. (831) 648-8880, montrio. com Pearl Hour One of the Monterey Peninsula’s hottest cocktail bars, Pearl Hour serves up a menu of creative, hand-crafted cocktails on a cozy back patio setting in New Monterey or indoors next to a stage that hosts some high-energy live acts, mixed in with dance performances, jazz and DJs. 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. (831) 657-9447, pearlhour.com Rockfish Harbor Grill Daily drink specials plus flights of tequila and mezcal are a good start. But there’s also a good list of classic cocktails and specialty drinks. Beer and wine, too. Fisherman’s Wharf #1, Monterey. (831) 324-4375, rockfishmonterey.com Sardine Factory This historic landmark, with couches, cozy corners and piano bar has a separate bar menu to go with classic cocktails or one of the strongest wine cellars on the Central Coast. This is a place to order a martini. Old-school cool. 701 Wave St., Monterey. (831) 373-3775, sardinefactory.com Schooners The hotel restaurant also features a cocktail bar that almost demands a crystal martini or classic sipper be placed in front of you. Great views, but you might be focused on the cocktail. Inside Monterey Plaza Hotel. 400 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 372-2628, schoonersmonterey.com Sea Root Sea Root’s bar is a cocktail island paradise between the lobby and restaurant of the same name in the Monterey Hyatt Regency. The mixologist here is clever and the happy hour offers one of the best deals on the Peninsula. 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. (831) 6576675, hyatt.com Segovia’s Monterey’s last dive bar standing doesn’t have any windows, there’s a private smoking patio out back and the bartenders don’t take credit cards. Or guff. 650 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. (831) 718-8932 Sly’s Refueling Station There’s no other spot in Monterey, or the Central Coast, that has delivered free nightly music as long as Sly’s. Look for signs reading Sly McFly’s. 700-A Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 649-8050, slymcflys.com Stokes Adobe The restaurant devotes a comfortable space for a stand-alone bar that is one of the city’s best, thanks to a team of creative mixologists. It is set in a historic adobe built in 1833 and a past so sketchy there are said to be ghosts. There’s also a great patio. 500 Hartnell St., Monterey. (831) 264-8775, stokesadobe.com Tarpy’s Roadhouse This is a lunch and dinner destination that just happens to have a hangout-worthy bar, with cool cocktails to boot. Sit at the bar or at a row of high tables and toast the evening. Patio seating, as well. 2999 Highway 68, Monterey. (831) 647-1444, tarpys.com The C Restaurant + Bar It’s what you get when an upscale bar meets priceless waterfront views, enjoyed from both indoor and outdoor seating. One of the few spots with a list of breakfast cocktails to get your day going. Valet parking available. In the InterContinental The Clement hotel. 750 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 375-4800, thecrestaurant-monterey.com The Whisky Club The front room of this dual-purpose paean to whiskey features a bar pouring craft cocktails prepared with, well, you guessed it. You can shop for bottles in the back room (see below). 425 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 241-6713, twc11.com 60 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2024-2025 SAN SABA VINEYARD 4 Decades of Great Wines 2021 Wrath Pinot Noir San Saba Vineyard BEST OF CLASS S.F. Chronicle Wine Competition 2021 Wrath Fermata Chardonnay DOUBLE GOLD S.F. Chronicle Wine Competition 831.620.1909 Carmel Tasting Room 831.678.2212 Winery Tasting Room Wrath_1-3v_VG24_dg.indd 1 6/7/24 1:32 PM
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