Hunting for a decent drink in Monterey: not always a breeze. Cocktails can be mortgage-payment pricey, the vibe can be painfully pretentious, and there’s usually some tourist loudly debating the merits of sour mix. And if you’re trying to impress a date? The pressure is real. But fear not—we’ve braved the scene so you don’t have to.
Pearl Hour
$ | (831) 657-9447 | WEBSITE
Settle into the modern lounge at Pearl Hour’s intimate space, where guests can gather at sleek tables under moody lighting for several rounds of expertly crafted cocktails. Enjoy the fantastic menu that changes with the month and horoscope before soaking in the live jazz, frequent DJs, bands, dancers, and monthly drag shows. They also feature wonderful service, and the friendly staff like David—who was awesome at his drinks—makes the atmosphere enjoyable.
The cushioned seating inside is a perfect spot for groups to experience the unique drinking experience, with different bands performing and the modern love always hitting the spot.
Sly McFly’s
$$ | (831) 649-8050 | WEBSITE
When you want that perfect Monterey nightlife vibe where everyone from tourists to locals seems to converge, head to Sly McFly’s. It’s a lively spot inside with that always-Poppin atmosphere, but what really shines are those moments at the bar where you can unwind with a white linen cocktail. The place has this fun, energetic feel under the new management, with friendly staff like Jason making sure your Hennessey Sidecar arrives just right.
You’ll find yourself relaxing with delicious fish and chips or a clam chowder bread bowl while the night unfolds around you—it’s that special kind of place where the care in the menu and the great drinks create exactly the experience you’re craving.
Sandbar & Grill
$$ | (831) 373-2818 | WEBSITE
Trying to not spend $100 a person on fancy drinks and a kind-of-average piece of halibut you don’t really want anyway? Head to Sandbar & Grill for coastal and casual Monterey Bay classics including the delicious Louis Salad with crab, halibut with mushroom sauce, crab cocktail, and beautifully garnished margaritas.
There’s dockside seating right on the water, with killer harbor views that make this tiny spot perfect for sunset drinks—before the old-school Monterey Bay atmosphere really comes alive, of course. The warm complimentary bread is a nice touch also.
Alfredo’s Cantina
$ | (831) 238-3082 | WEBSITE
Locals grabbing a quick drink, tourists winding down after a day exploring Monterey, friends meeting up for an epic night out—you’ll find them all at Alfredo’s Cantina on a busy evening. This is a lively bar with the benefit of being right on ground level, making it accessible for everyone. If your plan is to head to some other packed spot in town, but would like to have a civilized drink in a welcoming atmosphere beforehand, do it here.
The art-deco designed space with lower lighting is cozy, if you can handle the cash-only policy (though there’s an ATM inside), or just skip to the fantastic bartender who provides swift service, the owner’s son sharing stories, and the friendly crowd that makes newcomers feel right at home.
Stokes Adobe restaurant
$$$ | (831) 264-8775 | WEBSITE
A Monterey favorite for years, this cozy spot is always buzzing with locals and visitors enjoying wood-fired pizzas and dishes like the must-try Chicken Milanese with its perfect marriage of chicken and lightly flavored pasta. Come for cocktails and a menu that seamlessly merges fresh starters like yellowtail crudo with divine mains such as steak in lemon cream sauce. Reservations are simple for groups up to 12, and larger parties can book the beautiful Hattie room for a more private gathering.
The patio is pet-friendly and equipped with fire pits and heaters, so expect a relaxed crowd that’s eager to get after some wagyu strip and carbonara.
Sea Root
$$ | (831) 657-6588 | WEBSITE
This hotel restaurant in Monterey offers both breakfast and dinner with views of the golf course. The breakfast buffet, priced at $28-$32, includes a fresh fruit juice bar, pastries, fruit, and hot food, with standout items like avocado toast and steak eggs. The dinner menu features a sizable steak and delicious flatbread or pizza, plus a bar with amazing cocktails. The ambiance is nice and convenient for hotel guests, with attentive service from staff like Michael and the bartender.
Guests praise the variety of menu items, including halibut and burgers, and memorable dining experiences for special occasions like birthdays.
LindaRose Rooftop Bar & Grill at Hotel 1110
$$ | (831) 655-0515 | WEBSITE
The elegant rooftop and adjacent spectacular sunset view make LindaRose the place to unwind during the evening. They serve delicious food and exceptional cocktails, plus creative spirit-forward drinks like their renowned Northern Lights cocktail with bourbon, bitters, and citrus. The Small Charcuterie board is perfect for sharing, featuring cheese, nuts, and dried fruit, while the tender steak fries make a satisfying main.
With plenty of heaters for comfort on cooler nights and friendly, attentive staff ensuring a pleasant visit, it’s a truly special dining experience where reservations are highly recommended to secure a table.
Monterey Cookhouse
$$ | (831) 642-9900 | WEBSITE
With reasonable prices and a location in a cozy Monterey neighborhood, Monterey Cookhouse isn’t the place for a flashy night out. Despite the straightforward menu, the food here is absolutely delicious. Go for things like surf and turf, tasty chicken skewers, and the bread, soup, and salad that are all good. There are plenty of comfortable tables that are great for groups or families, plus a pet-friendly atmosphere.
This place is enjoyable, but it’s best suited for an evening when you just want some wonderful food and exceptional service.
Segovia’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge
$$ | (831) 718-8932 | WEBSITE
Segovia’s may always be remembered as an extremely low-key, strong-cocktails-with-no-food sort of situation, but has been a local favorite for years, and is now the kind of place where people order creative custom drinks and play bar games before a nightcap on the patio. You still get fast, attentive service from friendly bartenders who’ll make you what you want, though, so the result is something between a chill dive bar and cocktail lounge chic, but with a West Coast vibe.
They don’t serve food, so come for the drinks and atmosphere.
Whaling Station Steakhouse
$$$ | (831) 373-3778 | WEBSITE
Just off the main drag in Monterey, Whaling Station Steakhouse is a reliable steakhouse to have in your back pocket when your foodie friends are all debating dinner options and need some substantial sustenance to stop the endless Yelping. Know this is a sit-down-for-a-proper-meal-and-enjoy-attentive-service situation and not a quick-bite-before-a-night-out destination.
However, you can start with their famous French onion soup and camp out at your table for a celebratory gathering with complimentary desserts. Whaling Station also offers memorable steaks like the Creekstone ribeye and New York strip, and with some Irish coffee or Pavlova to finish, you can settle in for a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience.
alejandro’s
$$ | (831) 717-4781 | WEBSITE
For a coastal town, there are surprisingly few spots in Monterey that truly capture that modern Mexican elegance. You can at Alejandro’s. It’s admittedly not right on the water, but the Tulum-inspired interior with its open kitchen and beautiful decor gives you that vacation vibe nonetheless. Come for margaritas at dinner, and snag one of the cute sitting booths if you can. If you can’t or it’s a busy weekend, the regular tables are perfectly lovely too.
They do a la carte dining with most entrees hovering around $25–$35, with standout dishes including the mole tacos, camarones al mojo de ajo, and those fluffy, warm churros.
