Santa Cruz Nightlife Tips by MDH

Nightlife Spot: The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular clubs in town, and caters to a straight and gay audience. There's a bar here, and also live music from DJs, who often have theme nights ('80s Night, Hip-Hop Night, House/Trance Night, Disco Night, Goth Night, etc)

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: The dress code is usually kept casual, but nothing too risky or anything.
Phone: 831-423-7117
Address: 923 Pacific Ave.
Directions: The Blue Lagoon is located on the lower end of Pacific Avenue--the main downtown street. It sits side by side to side stores, apartments, and is located near the Catalyst and Streetlight Records.
Website: http://www.thebluelagoon.com/

Nightlife Spot: The Catalyst

The most popular music club in town. It caters to variety of local and sometimes international acts (Neil Young, Papa Roach, Emmylou Harris, Ice T, Nirvana, and Alanis Morissette have all played here), but for most of the time, it pays attention to the local scene.

The most popular music among Santa Cruz's youth is punk, without a doubt. Sorry dance music folks, but this isn't your town. You're bound to hear some sort of punk music if you're in town. Other really popular forms played at the Catalyst are reggae, surf rock, and ska, another big favorite. A burgeoning local hip-hop movement is starting in Santa Cruz at the moment, and you can catch a lot of their new talent start here.
Older fans will appreciate many classic rock and blues legend often try to stop by at the Catalyst.
A bar is also inside for over-21 guests.

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Theme: Concert
Dress Code: Casual clothes, but expect to find a lot of Hawaiian shirts and gas station jackets with the younger crowds. It's also very common for giant mosh pits to break out on the floor with local punk shows.
Phone: 831-423-1336
Address: 1011 Pacific Ave
Directions: Located on the lower end of Pacific Ave.
Website: http://www.catalystclub.com/

Nightlife Spot: Santa Cruz 9

This relatively new cinema complex in Santa Cruz is great with evening shows. It charges usually $8.50 a pop and has the most current selections. It's also a great place to people watch if you're ever stuck in line.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: Anything really.
Phone: 831-460-2599
Address: 1405 Pacific Avenue
Directions: Located in the heart of Pacific Ave.
Website: http://www.signaturetheatres.com/santacruz/cinema/