Nightlife - Tender is the Night
Where to go when the sun goes down
Photo by Jupiter Images
Schedules are subject to change. Please call to confirm.
A LITTLE ROMANCE
• Roy’s
The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
(831) 647-7500
The haunting music of a bagpiper strolling the links at Spanish Bay every evening at sunset is one of many enjoyable features of Roy’s. Adding to the ambiance is a large outdoor terrace with open-pit fireplaces, spectacular ocean views, delicious appetizers, and a full bar with tropical drinks.
COMEDY CLUBS
• Planet Gemini
625 Cannery Row, Monterey
(831) 373-1449
The nightclub features national headlining comedians. George Lopez has been known to show up unannounced and do a few minutes. Celebrities visiting the area slip in and out knowing that the kind of crowd that hangs here wouldn’t think of bothering them. Planet Gemini doubles as a dance club, offering salsa music on Sunday nights and old-school hip-hop and R&B Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
JAZZ CLUBS
• Cibo Ristorante Italiano
301 Alvarado St., Monterey
(831) 649-8151
The carefully arranged live music menu brings you an exciting, danceable mix of jazz, R&B, funk, reggae, and Latin beats, six nights a week. Dinner and full bar.
• Cypress Inn
Lincoln Street at Seventh Avenue, Carmel
(831) 624-3871
Start your evening in this beautifully remodeled hotel at Terry’s Lounge, where dogs are welcome and “Yappy Hour” starts around 5 o’clock every day. Or, repair to the cozy comfort of the “living room” with its fireplace and listen to soft jazz music Thursday through Sunday, 6-9 p.m. Full bar. Appetizer proportioned meals.
• Hyatt Regency Monterey
1 Old Golf Course Rd., Monterey
(831) 372-1234
Enjoy elegant seating around the lobby fireplace or in the spectacular outdoor cabaret area overlooking the 17th green of the Pebble Beach Company’s Del Monte Golf Course. Afternoon light-fare menu and great appetizers. Live jazz or jazz jams on most weekends.
• The Jazz and Blues Company
San Carlos near Sixth Avenue, Carmel
(831) 624-6431
KRML Radio (1410 AM) presents live jazz performances on most weekends in its studio in the Eastwood Building. This is a small but intimate venue if you like jazz and/or want to know more about radio, media, and recording. And yes, Clint has been known to take in a performance here from time to time.
• Lobby Lounge
The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
(831) 647-7423
Get your Jobim on with Brazilian jazz Thursday through Sunday and jazz piano Tuesday and Wednesday. A warm, comfortable lobby lounge with a large fireplace and breathtaking views of The Links at Spanish Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It doesn’t get any better than this.
• Los Laureles Lodge
313 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley
(831) 659-2233
Jazz and swing Friday and Saturday nights.
• Sandals Lobby Lounge
Monterey Beach Resort (Best Western)
2600 Sand Dunes Dr., Monterey
(831) 394-3321
Jazz and R&B, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
• Terrace Lounge
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
(831) 624-3811
Enjoy Jan Deneau jazz Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; Dino Vera and David Kempton jazz/R&B Monday through Wednesday in this beautifully remodeled lounge overlooking the 18th green of Pebble Beach Golf Links and Carmel Bay.
LATE-NIGHT COFFEEHOUSES
• The Works
667 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove
(831) 372-2242
A variety of live music on Saturday nights at this coffeehouse/bookstore.
• Juice ’n’ Java
599 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove
(831) 373-8652
Jazz on the weekends, with open mike night on Fridays.
LIVE MUSIC
• Baja Cantina
7166 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel
(831) 625-2252
This lively place features automobile memorabilia covering every inch of the walls. Enjoy gourmet Mexican cuisine and, during the summer months, dine on the huge outdoor patio. Stay to hear live classic rock on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in the summer. A local hangout for years.
• Embassy Suites’ Cypress Lounge
1441 Canyon Del Ray Blvd., Monterey
(831) 393-1115
After enjoying a great buffet in the Pacifica Café restaurant, listen to the sounds of great jazz or R&B. Friday, features Grammy-nominated Dennis Murphy, and Saturday features Neal Banks.
• Monterey Live
414 Alvarado St., Monterey
(831) 646-1415
A new, state-of-the-art performing arts venue in the heart of Monterey features live music, theater, dance, and comedy, seven days a week. Enjoy the excitement of “big city” theater-style club. Only 100 tickets are sold each night on a first-come, first-served basis. Full bar and appetizers available.
• The Forge in the Forest
Junipero at Fifth Avenue, Carmel,
(831) 624-2233
Relax on a heated patio and enjoy cocktails with the music of local combos, Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner and full bar. Dogs are not only welcome — they are worshipped here.
• Anton & Michel
Mission between Ocean & Seventh avenues Carmel,
(831) 624-2406
Friday and Saturday nights enjoy cocktails and listen to the classical guitar of Peter Evans. Celebrity sightings are common here in this upscale-casual venue.
• Jack London’s Bar & Grill
West side of Dolores between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Carmel
(831) 624-2336
Enter Su Vecino Court and follow your nose to this Carmel “institution” where, on Friday from 5-7 p.m., you can enjoy live “soulful blues” music. The only place in Carmel serving dinner after midnight every night. A favorite with the locals.
PIANO BAR
• Mission Ranch
26270 Dolores St., Carmel
(831) 625-9040
The historical Mission Ranch, owned and restored by Clint Eastwood, is a popular meeting place for professional singles. Three fireplaces and panoramic views in a bucolic setting give it a special ambiance. The piano bar has nightly entertainment from 8-11:30 p.m.
POOL PALACES
• Easy Street Billiards
511 Tyler St., Monterey
(831) 333-0825
Twelve tournament-sized tables will unleash the devil pool player in you. A finely selected group of tap and imported beers. Weekly pool tournaments. Familyfriendly atmosphere.
PUBS
• Mucky Duck
479 Alvarado St., Monterey
(831) 655-3031
Popular club offering DJ dance music, with alternate karaoke, classic rock, and trivia nights. Offers dozens of international beers on tap and 30 bottled beers. Pub menu includes British favorites. The locals couldn’t live without this place.
• Tap Room
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
(831) 625-8535
Golfers, the Pebble Beach equestrian crowd, tourists, celebrities. and locals mix here. Casual but classy, offering a generous selection of microbrewery beers and an extensive wine list. Famous for the incomparable Tap Room burgers, roasted prime rib, and other hearty fare. Great for dinner or a late-night supper.
SPORTS BARS
• Characters Sports Bar & Grill
Monterey Marriott Hotel
350 Calle Principal, Monterey
(831) 649-4234, ext. 1116
TV screens abound in this classic sports bar, where the drinks are cold and the atmosphere is lively. 16 beers on tap and an extensive menu will get you through that sudden death overtime, and then some.
• Knuckles Historical Sports Bar
Hyatt Regency Monterey
1 Old Golf Course Rd., Monterey
(831) 372-1234
State-of-the-art satellite TV system supported by centerpiece big screen and 16 color monitors. Two-fisted burgers, freshly made pizza, sandwiches, and salads. Open early during football season and special events. Pool tables and video games, and always free popcorn and peanuts.
