32 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2026 montereycountynow.com/bestof Arts & Entertainment room. Indeed, it’s probably impossible to find a seat from which you can’t catch a game. Plus there is a rotating lineup of craft beers from their ringmaster…brewmaster, sorry…a solid menu and a pretty good happy hour, as well. BEST TASTING ROOM Scheid Vineyards 518 7th Ave., Carmel (831) 626-9463, scheidvineyards.com 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield (831) 386-0316, scheidvineyards.com One of the most famous circus acts was General Tom Thumb. His real name was Charles Sherwood Stratton and he was best known for impersonating military leaders like Napoleon. Scheid Vineyards was not a big player when the family started making wine. But now it is one of the most recognized, with award-winning wines under several labels and two popular tasting rooms. Go sleek and urban in Carmel or open and more rustic in Greenfield. You win, either way. BEST WINERY TO VISIT Folktale Winery 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com Our voters have a recommendation for which winery is a must-visit. Folktale Winery is like a fairytale castle among the grapevines, but with live music, comedy and just a little bit of whimsy to boot. For fall 2026, they are in the process of renovating the venue, but in the meantime you can still sip wine at their temporary setup on the property, with all of the talent and showmanship. BEST ARCADE Oscar’s Playground 685 Cannery Row, Third Floor, Monterey (831) 241-6616, oscarsplayground.com Every good circus needs carnival games. But all good games don’t necessarily need a carnival. They can all be found at Oscar’s Playground, sans the circus performers. This arcade is filled wall-to-wall with the hottest new games—think Minecraft Dungeons and Cruis’n Blast—as well as classics such as skeeball and a collection of pinball machines. The beeps, boops, bells and blasts that fill the air make it every arcade lover’s dream. Whether you plan a party or go solo, there’s no wrong way to play. BEST PLACE FOR KARAOKE King’s Den 22 W. Alisal St., Salinas (831) 422-1116, thekingsden.com Come one come all—that’s the spirit at King’s Den in Salinas. The humble bar boasts cheap beer, sports and what Monterey County voters would call the main event: karaoke every Thursday and Friday night. Maybe take the stage and belt out Britney Spears’ “Circus” or Bruce Springsteen’s “Wild Billy’s Circus Story.” And with affordable drinks, there is plenty of liquid courage should you need it before stepping up to the microphone. BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING BEST CLUB/PARTY DJ Compact Disco Kenny Summit 420 Tyler St., Monterey (831) 920-2518, compactdisco.org. Bruce Springsteen put it in vivid terms: “The circus boy dances like a monkey on barbed wire.” Fortunately, at Compact Disco, nobody really cares if you are a good dancer. They are there for a good time. Different DJs bring their vibe and playlists, including house and disco. It’s a micro-club that brings much-needed nightlife to downtown Monterey. It’s small and cozy and people can find fellow music lovers and do some dancing. If you are into disco and house music, you know Kenny Summit. A top New York DJ with an international following, he set up in Monterey, turning a little spot— appropriately named Compact Disco— into a big top draw. This is like Cirque du Soleil coming to a small town like, well, Monterey. Best Arcade | Oscar’s Playground
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