Moe's Alley
Categories: Music Venues, Jazz & Blues, Venues & Event Spaces, Local Flavor, Dance Clubs, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1535 Commercial WaySanta Cruz, CA 95065 (831) 479-1854
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Music: Live
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
11 reviews
Los Gatos, CA
"I was here for a corporate dinner last night. First, the drive to the property is beautiful in and of itself. Despite a rainy foggy day,…" read more »
23 Reviews for Moe's Alley
Intimate venue at which I've gone to see 4 shows thus far, most recently Don Carlos tonight 4/11/08. Drinks are well priced, servers are all cool and down-to-earth. Smallish outdoor area for smokers with minimal bar. Ticket prices fairly reflect the bands that play here, so if you're up for a local band, cover will likely be $5. For a larger musician such as tonight's, cost was $25/ticket plus $3 service fee to order online through the venue. I'm glad I did, because when I arrived to stake out my space at 9:15 p.m., there was a sold out sign adorning the front door.
My only issue is the lack of ventilation. Smoke does come inside from outdoors, as well as people smoking herb en masse during reggae shows stays trapped inside. For some this isn't problematic, but I appreciate not needing to wash my entire outfit and hair upon returning from shows these days.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Finally! A small, local venue to see great shows. No pressure to dress up, no awkwardness if you dress it up a bit either. I felt like I knew everyone there, and felt even more glad to get away from the college town scene downtown.
I caught a fantastic reggae show here recently. The entire audience (which consisted of all kinds of peeps) was so into the music- nobody stopped moving once the music started.The large dance floor was packed and jammin' the entire time.
Even better, this place has live music 6 out of 7 nights a week.
Heads up: It was pretty cold inside even though I was moving to the music the entire evening!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Great music, Great Dancing, Low Key, No Fuss.
Moe's Alley is great.
It's a small-ish venue, and fills up fast for the good local shows. That just means you need to prepare in advance if you know it's going to be a busy night.
That said, the real boon of Moe's Alley isn't so much the venue itself, but the crowd it draws. An eclectic mix of hippies, hipsters, rock-a-billies, and throw in a few bikers and yuppies for good measure and you've got a typical night at Moe's. The floor is usually accommodating enough to allow for people to dance. Chances are if you get into the music, you'll be moving to it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
We went to Moe's to see Samabada. I had never heard of them, and I will never forget them. They are an amazing Brazilian band full of energy and life. The lead singer is a hawty and the female vocalist knows how to shake her groove thang. In fact there was not a person inside not shaking their bon bon.
The venue is sticky and I didn't have the liberty of using the facilities (I am not at liberty to discuss where/how that may or may not have occurred). When we got home everyone showered before crawling into bed...that should give ya some perspective. The stickiness was probably due to lack of ventilation, The dance floor was like a sauna and the perspiration caused stench was reminiscent of the Metro in Paris.
By the way, the margaritas were really good and reasonably priced. I can report no hangover this morning thanks to my friend Cazadores.
We went to the Marc Broussard show here and loved the intimate setting that Moe's provides. I'm not too keen on the columns in the middle of the room, but they are needed to support the beams/roof.
The place is right off the freeway and easy to find. There is plenty of parking in the Toys 'R' Us parking lot across the street.
This is an excellent place to see intimate shows. I have stood directly in front of Sonny Landreth and watched him pick beneath his slide. (It was breathtaking.) This is also a great place to get lost in a crowd dancing. It is a wonderful dancefloor for swing dancing. It is many things to many people. There is absolutely nothing pretentious about this place, not a stitch.
However, for me, what makes this joint stand out is this one female bartender. She makes the most exceptional Sidecar I've had in Santa Cruz county. Not sweet, just tart enough. You can taste the fresh lime and you can taste the brandy. Perfection.
What's not to love about this place? They book great bands, it sounds great, it's intimate but not too cramped, and the staff is friendly... Decent food, and a nice patio too. Best place to see music in Santa Cruz (since Palookaville closed down, RIP...). Much better than the Crapalyst. Usually a great crowd too. Seen a ton of great shows here over the past 5 years or so...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I have seen so many great shows here, let loose and watched others get DOWN. Bartenders are cool, the staff are all great and they book great bands. I have NEVER had a bad experience in Moe's. yep...5 stars! The only advice I do have is do not leave any valuables in your car or put them in the trunk if you park in the Toy's R Us
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Moe's Alley as a venue: 5 stars.
But I got drunk really fast (thanks no dinner) and competed with a 50 year old woman. A RICH 50 year old woman on a harley for the attentions of the guitarist from the opening band.
carelesshearts.com
fuck me. Don't you hate it /slash/ love it when a good friend says "Maybe you should go home now and gargle with bleach."
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
I have serious love for Moe's Alley. Its a tiny venue, with surprisingly good sound.
I've seen many great acts there, from Hamsa Lila to Brett Dennen, great reggae and hip-hop shows for reasonable prices. My real favourite part is that they let Convergence foods set up shop in the back, really quality vegan/veggie food and deserts. I'm not either of those, but they still make BOMB, hearty and healthy foods, and even serve whole baby coconuts with straws if youre not in the mood to drink alcohol :)
The guy at the door is a total a dick if you rub him the wrong way. Parking is no issue cause they have the entire Toys 'R Us lot.
Moe's is a good venue, I'm consistently surprised at the quality of the acts they get to play here considering how small a venue it is.
You can get some snacks from a little kitchen outside, and the line at the bar is never outrageous.
Some shows are a little heavy on the twirlers. They like to get right up in front of the stage and just let lose. Sometimes they bug, but I don't hate because I know it's been hard for them since Jerry died.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Hands down the best place to go dancing in Santa Cruz. They've obviously put the money into their accoustics and equipment because the sound quality far surpasses any bar in the area. Drinks aren't too expensive and there's generally a pretty good vibe going on, ecclectic mix of people. Only bummer is it's location. I left my car in the parking lot there once so I could bike home guilt-free and got pulled over by a cop ON MY BIKE. Nothing came of it, but given when the bus stops running figuring out a designated driver or splitting a cab fare is essential if you're going to hit this place up.
Moe's Alley is the place to see new talent, as well as some tried and true local talent... It's a small venue, but where every seat is a good one. They have a good, comfortable vibe here, and an outdoor area for those of you who smoke. In cooler weather, they have heat lamps set up in the patio area so you don't freeze your tushy off. Drinks are decently priced and not watered down, and there's plenty of parking in the area. All in all, the only problem I ever had with it is that you really can't fit too many people in there, so that when they have a really popular band, it's SUPER crowded and hard to reach the bar. That's my only complaint, though. I like this place a lot!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
This place is dark yet classy, but in a good dive bar way.
I got wasted and the drinks were stiff.
I would not recommend leaving if its sunny out side, unless you want to recreate some scenes from the lost boys or something.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
some of the best graduation parties were here-- fond, fond memories of yester-years. Outside area is chill and nice and toasty...their drinks aren't half bad.. never a probably with parking-- great if you like intimate shows... saw a few good hip hop/reggae shows there.
I've seen some great music here. Blues, rockabilly, swing. Full bar, room to dance. Gotta love it!
This dive bar in the middle of nowhere has some great shows. I went a couple days ago and I saw Karl Denson play. Denson is one of the premier saxophone players around. The band was incredible, and believe it or not the drummer didn't have hands --- craziness. They were one of the best jam bands I've ever seen.
Anyway, at Moe's you'll find a crowd that embodies all the stereo-types associated with Santa Cruz. Lots of kids and middle aged adults smoking pot on the back deck without anyone even raising an eyebrow. The drinks are awesome and really inexpensive.
I really like the atmosphere at Moe's. It's nice and dark and the music is great. The bartenders have a good hand with the drinks. Be warned though, the police are aswarm in the parking lot after the show. Be very very careful. Which you should be anyway, but I'm just sayin....
Moe's is a great club that attracts talent that by far exceeds the confines of the club. So what you get is an intimate setting, good sound, and great views from wherever you are...unless you're vby the bathrooms, but you've got no business back there when there's music going on.
They have a nice heated patio too, smoker.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Anytime the Red Elvises are in the bay area or central coast, this is my choice of venues to see them at!
Drink specials are great, good beer selection, ample seating, AND ample dance-floor space.
Parking can be a little tricky since the lot attached to the club is small and you're "not allowed to park in the lot across the street" ;)
I've seen a couple good shows there over the years. But the atmosphere is very dark, and the crowd that hangs there is pretty dried up and lifeless.
You just need to know what you're looking for. When I went, the music was amazing, sound quality great, and lots of energy. The bartenders were all that one wants--friendly, quick, responsive. But I found the crowd disappointingly heterogeneous--a typical Santa Cruz mix of older hippies, baby boomers, and a few surfers and retro hippies. Where's the diversity?
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Need a Good Time?
Are you down in the dumps? Need a pick-me-up? Here… -
The Santa Cruz Years
I lived in Santa Cruz from 2000-2004 and loved… -
Old School Cocktails
I love Sidecars. Unfortunately for me, the average… -
"Night Life" in Santa…
The Do's, Don'ts and WTFs! Places to go, not…
Hot and New
- Twist Cafe
84 reviews
Campbell, CA
- La Fondue
239 reviews
Saratoga, CA
- Los Gatos Cafe
86 reviews
Los Gatos, CA
- Trevese Restaurant and Lounge
37 reviews
Los Gatos, CA
- Manuel's Custom Tailoring
23 reviews
San Jose, CA
