DRINKS London Bridge Pub Local beers from English Ales (naturally) on tap, as well as a selection of craft beers and wines. The weekday happy hour runs from 3-6pm. 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. 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. 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 mezcalbased cocktails are a good start. But there’s also a good list of classics 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 paradise between the lobby and restaurant of the same name in the Monterey Hyatt Regency. The happy hour offers one of the best deals on the Peninsula. 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey. (831) 6576675, hyatt.com 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 Turn 12 Bar & Grill This love letter to Laguna Seca styles a 50-foot pewter bar top and a grid of vintage photos to go with a lineup of draft beers and drinks. 400 Tyler St., Monterey. (831) 3728876, turn12barandgrill.com Woody’s at the Airport That locals frequent the airport bar tells you everything you need to know. It’s not just for travelers, but a destination for a drink or a meal, and a place to watch a game—or planes taking off. Inside Monterey Regional Airport, 200 Fred Kane Drive, Monterey. (831) 3731232, woodysmontereyairport.com Breweries Alvarado Street Brewery The mix of chef, brewmaster and design give it the feel of a big-city trendsetter, but it also features a beer garden out back. The beer menu is ever-changing, but always includes gold medal-winners, and the easy-drinking lager Monterey Beer. 426 Alvarado St., Monterey, (831) 655-2337, asb.beer Dust Bowl Brewing Company The long benches on the back patio invite groups big or small to sample a range of beers, order from the adjacent taco truck if it’s on hand or try your hand at cornhole. Doggie friends welcome in the outdoor area, as well. 290 Figueroa St. (adjacent to Rec Trail), Monterey. (831) 641-7002, dustbowlbrewing. com Fieldwork Brewing Company This outdoor-only beer garden is a locals gathering place that’s particularly nice on a sunny afternoon, or post up next to a fire pit on a chilly night. The beer list is always changing, and tasters are available if you want to try them all. 560 Munras Ave., Monterey. (831) 324-0658, fieldworkbrewing.com/monterey 60 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 Estéban Restaurant
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