The Best Bars In Monterey, California

A cornerstone of Alvarado Street nightlife, The Brit – as it is affectionately called by its patrons – is a corner pub and sports bar by day and an entertainment center by night. With friendly wait and bar staff, a menu of classic pub grub, and a kitchen that stays open until 11PM, you might be surprised to see this place transform into a trivia hall, karaoke bar, or dance floor when the sun goes down. Whether its trivia, sports, dancing, food, or karaoke, Britannia Arms of Monterey has got you covered.

The Bull and Bear boasts indoor and outdoor bars, a back patio for live music and a fire pit, this is a fun place to grab a drink and unwind, or to come out and dance. Located on Alvarado Street, as many of these bars are, the Bull and Bear is a real gem in the heart of Downtown Monterey.

A downtown British pub, Crown & Anchor neighbors the Bull and Bear and Britannia Arms on nearby Franklin Street. With walls covered in nautical themed memorabilia, the Crown offers an underground central bar, surrounded by barstools and booths, with additional outdoor seating. Grab a bite to eat, or a delicious drink.

My Attic is one part bar, one part lounge. This dimly lit bar offers a unique ambiance. Large, ornate couches line the walls, and giant armchairs surround fancy ottomans.

Duffy’s is just outside the gate of the Presidio of Monterey which housed the Defense Language institute. Pick a tune on the jukebox, sit at the bar, or order some food and sit at one of the many tables or booths.

Do you ever feel like you just need a vacation? Hula’s has got you covered. Located on Lighthouse Avenue, just a few blocks up from Cannery Row, Hula’s makes some of the best cocktails on the Monterey Peninsula. Hula’s boasts an indoor tiki bar and dining room as well as a patio out back with a fire pit and additional lounge seating and tables.

Alvarado Street Brewery brews some of the most unique, tasty beers around. This bar is in a large warehouse: they serve wine and mixed drinks, but the main attraction here is definitely the beer.

Bulldog Pub is a classic British pub: pick some tunes on the jukebox, dance with your friends, play a round of darts, or hang out at the bar. Another feature of the Bulldog is that it has a small cafe next door.

Peter B’s is often the starting point for an Alvarado Street pub crawl. Part of the Portola Hotel & Spa located in the Portola Plaza, Peter B’s offers a flight of beers that includes amber, blonde, and wheat ales, as well as an IPA and porter. Order the flight and try all five, or share with a friend. Pick and choose your favorite. This bar is a great place to grab some grub, drink some beer, and watch the game.