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Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
111 reviews for Poet & Patriot Irish Pub
Review Highlights
"They also have a room with darts."
(in 50 reviews)
"Dig the board games (JENGA."
(in 11 reviews)
"beer and wine only, which makes my cocktail loving friends..."
(in 5 reviews)
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111 reviews in English
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Review from Andrea A.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/16/2011
The Poet is a great place to grab a pitcher and hang out for a few hours, playing bridge or board games or watching TV. The dart room is fun, and the bar is a great place to enjoy a pint of Guiness or a glass of mead while you admire all the neat Irish memorabilia. It's low key, usually pretty quiet (at least enough for conversation), and you don't get slews of crazyloud college kids because it's tucked away on Cedar down an alley.
Sundays are great. In the afternoon, around 5, a traditional Celtic band usually has their practice sessions. Think lap harp, drums, and lute. Very relaxing and lovely to listen to. Stick around until 8 on Sunday and you get to participate in trivia night. There are usually around ten teams, and it's four rounds of ten questions each. It's typically post-college folk who participate, but there are some college and older competitors as well. Thomas is a fun host, and the third and fourth rounds as well as the overall have free pitchers as the prize.
Oh, and bring some bills! It's cash only, but there's an ATM there. -
Review from Meghan R.
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm not sure if I should be ashamed to admit this but I have been to many, many pubs in the UK. With that said, if they only had full on booze and food (maybe they do?) this place would be the closest to the real deal I have ever seen in the states. The staff are great, the ceiling seems low and lighting is dim. I already felt mysterioso by entering this place through an alley. Just how I like it.
Being a novice, and already pretty buzzed by the time I went here, the first thing I ask for when I walked in was a couple shots of Jamieson. The woman behind the bar let me know they don't serve liquor, they only serve beer and "light cocktails" (meaning the alcohol content is low enough that they can legally serve it with their license).
So I then asked for a couple pints of something that reminds me of motley crue .. I really want to say it was something like nikki 666.. I went to give her my credit card and she let me know they only accept cash. From the amount of times she must have to inform people of this, she was pretty nice about it. It was at this point I noticed the sign above the bar that says CASH ONLY.
The good news is they have an ATM on site and the fee isn't too insane.
They have clean bathrooms located in the dart room (three dart boards)
We drank a few pints and my hubby tried a light cocktail which he said was pretty good.
They have a ton of boardgames in stock and we settled on scrabble.
We will most certainly be back but I am pretty sure my husband won't let us play scrabble again. -
Review from J.J. P.
Watsonville, CA
11/22/2011
I've been out of college for a while now, but I wish there was a place like the Poet where I went to school. To me, it feels like one of those throwback Ivy league bars that you might find on the East Coast. Sometimes I pretend like I'm in Goodwill Hunting and that all of the friends I'm with are Ben Affleck (yes, ALL of them), which would make me Matt Damon.
The beer selection is great; there's a dart board; plenty of pictures of poets, and probably pictures of patriots depending on what your definition of one is (I did not see Mel Gibson or Tom Brady on the wall). I only wish I could come here with Robin William's characters from Dead Poets Society, and the aforementioned Goodwill Hunting.
This past Saturday night there was a great gypsy band playing and the place was packed. Everyone was signing along, clapping, stomping, and swinging their beers. If you've never been to the Poet, you need to check it out. Just make sure you bring cash. -
Review from tera m.
Monterey, CA
2/8/2012
Good band that was from Oakland playing a kind of gypsy, bluegrass. Packed house. Some good beers on tap. Cool layout of the venue but sucky when you can't get through to watch some tunes because it's so packed and you can't even walk outside and in the other door with your beverage...
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Review from Amanda K.
1/29/2012
How have I not reviewed this place? Absolutely my FAVORITE bar in Santa Cruz. well this and 007. but this was closer to my home. The people who work here are super friendly, the place has a comfy atmosphere and the prices are decent. It's actually one of the most missed places I have from no longer living in Santa Cruz. But when I go back, I always go here!
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Review from Amber Elizabeth M.
San Diego, CA
10/6/2011
I tend to find myself in Irish bars often. They are normally laid back with excellent beer choices; however, if you are searching a party vibe, you're probably not in the right place. P&P is exactly that.
Tables scattered around the room made great for conversations with friends but trickier to get to know others in the bar- unless you're willing to challenge folks to darts games.
Overall, I'd call P&P a "no fuss, no fizzle" bar. Laid back, a friendly place for a social drink, but not really a super poppin' party bar. And if you ask me, that's just what makes this bar a little gem.
Keep in mind: Cash only, and they stop at beer and wine. -
Review from Karl H.
Santa Cruz, CA
10/21/2011
The best Irish Pub in the Area.
I love getting a room temp Guinness here. -
Review from Logan P.
Santa Cruz, CA
12/5/2011
Has the feel of something just a notch up from a dive bar. The drinks are overpriced, but the bartenders are cool, Sunday night trivia is fun, and the dartboards in the back are a nice addition.
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Review from Stephanie B.
South San Francisco, CA
8/10/2011
I kinda wish I came here more when I was a 21 college student. The Poet is definitely low key but a super chill place to hang out and have a good night. There are less people here compared to the Red Room, which makes the social atmosphere even better.
They have a dart room, which is pretty cool. This is a BEER place though - don't expect to get AMFs or anything too hard. But I think it adds to the charm of place. I ordered a cider beer - delicious! If you don't like beer, you'll love their cider.
FYI, hipster kind of place. -
Review from maria g.
Davis, CA
7/18/2011
So I ask the guy to make me a lemon drop. He says that they only have beer and wine here and I don't like either so I ask for a cider. He says they only take cash.
Minus one star for not coming into the twenty first century. I HATE when places don't take credit cards. Seriously.
Minus for one star for making me drink a big ass cider (which got me super full) when I found out they they in fact DO make some mixed drinks, just at a limited amount. The bar tender could have told me that, or offered me something else. -
Review from Reptar R.
Tehachapi, CA
5/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I like to drink socially, with that being said I for the most part hate club-ish type places, sure if I'm in Vegas I'll weave my beard through a myriad of different bar environments and enjoy what each place brings to the table.
Though if you always ask me what type of bar I'd like to start out in, and eventually end up in the poet & the Patriot and places like it are what I'd say each and every time.
To me places like this always tend to attract people like myself, friendly, humorous, warm, and eventually sociable. (I think highly of myself) What I mean by eventually sociable is that you walk in everything has a home like feel to it, the energy is subdued, it isn't a lady gaga thumping bar that comes on as strong as a horny dog humping your leg; You enter, get a pint or two into your system, and after a few moments when you've started to soak in the environment, all the goodness starts. Sure you may call that goodness catching a buzz, and that ain't it, I can do that at home or any beer hole, this place has a character to it (and characters in it as well).
I can't really explain it any better than that, but when I was in S.C. I went here for two pints of Guinness after I got my breakfast bagel, and then I came back later that night.
Stats:
Value:
About average price for a beer, if you super cheap you're after the gas station by your house. It's a good value.
Likes:
Beer and Wine only no hard alcohol; I know this may sound like a bad thing but I actually prefer it this way for the most part, it keeps the angries, and hook up heroes away. Plus if they did have whiskey I'd probably turn angry and try to hook up with everyone so... uh yeah like I said good thing..
Dislikes:
None really.
Closing Statement:
I'll put it like this (and I know I'll get socked in the face for it but whatever) this place as well as most other Irish pubs are like my starbucks I like to sink several hours there reading, entering random conversations, or just drink. I may not be writing a screenplay, or asking for some nonfat extra whip concoction but because of this place I understand how someone could hang out like that. -
Review from Edgar H.
Watsonville, CA
11/5/2011
It's just a great place to get beer, simple as that. I usually like to get a pint or two of Guiness or Murphy's. Probably the better place in Santa Cruz to get a beer other than Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing on Swift. Only knock to this place of course is the large amount of hipsters but you can't really escape them in Santa Cruz.
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Review from Mitchell B.
Santa Cruz, CA
7/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Went somewhat early on a Sunday. It was completely abandoned, but that didn't stop my girlfriend and I from enjoying the sick decor, decent draft beer, and free darts.
Also, ample parking! What a plus in down town SC! -
Review from Evelina E.
Berkeley, CA
7/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Showed up here midday before heading to a midday flick, and the pub was completely empty. Jammed to Joni Mitchell while playing darts, and enjoyed the company of the bartender and my +1. The Poet made for a very relaxing afternoon.
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Review from Sean H.
Pinole, CA
2/21/2011
This is how pubs are supposed to be. Pretty small, with a lively crowd inside, and some damn good beer.
The crowd is what makes this pub great though. I realize that I probably stand out as this 5'6 skinny asian kid surrounded by a bunch of tall drunk white people, but that doesn't stop me from having a good time here. This is one of those bars where everyone is your friend once you walk in. You can join up in a game of darts or you can just hang around the bar and enjoy the occasional live music. The bartenders are also pretty chill. The owner of the place is one of the bartenders and he's the friendliest one.
They also got plenty of beers both on tap and bottled. Not much beats Blue Moon with an orange slice in it. Also, aside from the beer they got both Magners and Wyders, which is some pretty good hard cider. No other place I know has that.
I don't really care that it's cash only also. Makes it more authentic for me. Also, it's good paying cash at bars anyways. Easier to keep track of how much you're spending. If you're paying drunk with card then you never know how much you spend till you get home and look at that atm bill, but if you're paying cash and only have like 30 bucks on you, well then you'll spend 30 bucks.
Whenever I head to Santa Cruz, this is one of the spots I usually have to visit. Always a good time here. -
Review from Amelia M.
Los Altos, CA
11/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Poet and Patriot is easily my favorite bar in Santa Cruz. When I turned 21, it was the first bar I went to, right at midnight. Since then, I've only grown fonder of it.
Because it's not right on Pacific, a lot of the younger college students miss it, and those who do go tend to be more laid back. There are a lot of complaints on Yelp about it being cash only, but I don't mind because it keeps down the crowds.
The Poet hosts various community events (chili cook-offs, open mic nights), but the most popular of these is Trivia Night, every Sunday at 8. The crowd tends to be regulars, mostly in their early to mid twenties, but anyone is welcome. The trivia is challenging and covers any subject you can imagine, and the host, Thomas, is entertaining and usually friendly, though he does tend to get rather drunk. Everyone knows one another, so if you're new, you'll be noticed. Be sure to show up early to get a table.
Larry bartends for trivia, and, to put it simply, he is awesome.
Darts are always free, and the beer is always good. It's a great bar to hang out at on a week night, or as a casual place to chill with a group. Occasionally there will be shows, such as the Wild Rovers, who I definitely recommend seeing.
I could go on for pages about why this bar is awesome, but I won't. To sum up: great place to hang out, and lots of fun entertainment throughout the week. -
Review from Christopher T.
San Jose, CA
2/8/2011
Tiny bar with it's own private lot just a couple blocks walking distance from the heart of downtown Santa Cruz.
Bartender is awesome, has a sense of humor, already recognized me upon my 2nd time coming here in two weeks and the prices are actually QUITE reasonable. 3-4 bucks a beer and 6 for some really good stuff. Full bar of course.
We came here with my female friend and upon hearing she didn't drink beer, he just went in back and just cooked her up something out of random drinks and made it fruity just for her! Thats 5 star if you ask me.
Also they do have a quite serious room for darts in the back.
Live music is what seems to be the case every night I've been here.
Thanks for the cool hangout spot guys!
Chris -
Review from Maxx K.
Felton, CA
11/26/2011
Fun place, very kick back, all the regulars are friendly. Very cool open mic on Saturdays and lots of local live music. Definitely worth visiting.
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Review from Rick B.
San Rafael, CA
7/4/2010
It's an Irish pub with a few irish beers on tap. Not the most dynamic selection of beer, but it was decent.
This place only takes cash, which is a major bummer. What kind of pub only takes cash? The bartender was cool and people were having a good time. So there you have it--3 stars for being A-OK. -
Review from Jeremy W.
Another great find from my trusty iPhone Yelp app!
So, my friend is trying to drag me to Santa Cruz because his lady is going down to visit one of her friends. After two days of begging, I finally cave in and go...
Right when we get into town, she says we are going to meet her friend down on Pacific street, this means nothing to me, but whatever. Turns out this was her way of sneaking in some shopping. WTF? I didn't come to Santa Cruz to go shopping kids!
Bust out the iPhone, Yelp - Nearby - Bars - Poet & Patriot - Done!
Me: Hey I'll be around the corner at the Irish bar, hit me up when your done.
Him: What? Irish bar? Ummm... Babe, we are going to the Irish bar call us when your ready! Hahaha!
Wander over around the corner , stroll in, band is playing, Guinness is flowing (they pour it properly too!), free darts... Yeah, I'm happy! (on a side note I kicked homie's ass at Darts!)
On a side note, I think its cash only... -
Review from Dan D.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/8/2011
This is a genuine irish pub... as is my understanding, of ireland.
Excellent selection of beers, boardgames and the staff is top notch. -
Review from Annie W.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2010
Came here on a Friday night. Chill ass bouncer and bartenders. They were all really nice and kept giving my friend whom was a bit drunk water because she kept screaming for water. Apparently the cider is really good, I will definitely try next time if I'm not driving.
They have darts which was really fun. Not too crowded at the bar area. More so at the darts. You kinda gotta ask around and hope people are nice and will let you play. But you might run into mean people that are like, ooo, I plan to be here for a while. -
Review from Kailey O.
6/7/2009 1 photo
This pub is not on my usual bar crawl so when I come here it's to specifically come to the Poet. The decor is really nice around the place, with pictures of writers and Irish paraphernalia. I've ordered pitchers every time I have come here and immediately walked into the darts room to play some games.
Of course I was playing against my guy friends who are much better than me and have played before. So the whole time I was losing at the game. After a while we were all caught up waiting to get the last bulls eye (well I needed 2 to win, they needed 1). This is where I had my glory moment: 3 bulls eyes in a row!!! I shot one and two sequentially and did a silly glory dance... and then I challenged myself to see if I could get one more. Different stance and different angles, I managed to get the third dart to fit in the little red dot on the dart board. I have never felt happier in my whole life, AND I won the game!!!
Never has this happened to me again and it probably never will, but I will always cherish this place because of that story. So if you are new at darts, drink a pitcher and give it all you got!!Listed in: Santa Cruz College Nightlife
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Review from Rachel H.
El Cerrito, CA
1/4/2009
Aww this place. I had a friend who lived in the awesome house right across the alleyway from this place when i was in college. Talk about stumbling distance!
The Poet is kinda dirty but in a cozy way like the family room at your high school friend's weird family's house. They have tables where you can sit and drink beer with your Creative Writing major friends and be pretentious.
They also have a room with darts. I've never played darts there. I don't think alcohol and sharp objects mix that well.
They only serve wine and beer. Lots of people stumble in here and try to order fancy ass things like gin and tonic. If you do this they will be mean to you and say, "LOOK behind me. Do you SEE any bottles of liquor? No you don't."Listed in: Santa Cruz Memories
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Review from Daddy O.
Long Beach, CA
9/14/2007
I don't see what the hubub is about this place. Maybe I'm out of touch with the wide world of bars, but just because your tenders are trained on the perfect pour of Guinness at room temp does not make you an Authentic Irish Pub. They have less than 10 beers on tap, three of which are good, and they actually have the nerve to serve Budweiser? Their whiskey/bourbon/scotch selection is also abysmal. It's really more of a beer bar. Except for the not having great beer. So that makes it more of a great...nothing bar?
Then there's this little gem: Imagine you want to go out and drink with your buddies until you're shit faced, but don't want to carry a big wad of cash around in case someone's lurking in that dark alley waiting for you to be their personal payday. You bring a credit card instead so you can open a tab. WELL NOT AT THIS BAR. The barkeep points to the sign above the bar. It reads: "Cash only you twat". Well, I added the "you twat" part, but it may as well say that. Where are we, the dark ages? Come on. You make a killing selling booze to alcoholics and recreational imbibers, you can fork over a measly 3% to the credit card companies.
Oh wait, it's Santa Cruz. Credit Card companies = THE ESTABLISHMENT. Ugh.
I don't get it. Sure, the darts are fun, but the place gets so packed sometimes you can't even move, or talk to your buddies. I know there aren't many dart establishments in this town, but to call that the saving grace of this bar is sheer folly. I don't come here unless someone else drags me. And brings cash to buy me drinks so I can forget where I am.
One last note: This is a great bar if the only thing you care about in the world is Guinness. -
Review from Danielle K.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/7/2009
If you're a beer connoisseur, you would probably appreciate a place like this.
It's your typical Irish bar with all sorts of European beers, that you can't find anywhere else downtown. I got my favorite beer, a blue moon of coarse, for only $3.50 about a buck less that anywhere else I go. My boyfriend and his friends got a nice Belgium beer that was around $6 bucks.
The place is small but cute set up. If you go earlier you would probably be able to get one of their tables, but we were stuck standing at the bar, with a group of us. Not always fun.
They don't take paper Id's or passports so if you loose your ID and have a temp driving one, don't plan on getting in this place. Great location and easy parking.
If you like beer or have a passion for beer, you'll love this place. -
Review from Jennifer R.
Santa Cruz, CA
7/29/2007
I think I would have to agree with many of the reviews that this is the best bar in Santa Cruz. I can't really put my finger on it, but this place has a different feel than the other SC bars.
They have darts, excellent if you want to do something other than talk. Just be careful not to sit too close to the line of fire. My friend was stabbed by a dart once. She wasn't that close but we all know what happens when drunk people try to throw stuff.
I love a jukebox and they have one here.
They don't serve hard alcohol, which is probably why the scene here tends to be more mellow.
And who doesn't love an Irish pub. -
Review from Samantha R.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2008
Chillest spot downtown. It is often forgotten especially because its in such a hidden locale...
Dig the board games (JENGA! JENGA!)
Dig the darts...as long as I get in and the toothless hustlers aren't hogging the boards.
Dig the atmosphere (especially when there's live music!)
Basically on any chill night, this is the place to go. Great for groups, fun for everyone~ Kind of the Pergolesi crowd if you know what I mean...thats probably the only downside I can think of.Listed in: Liqour Holes, Best of the Cruz
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Review from Vicky B.
San Francisco, CA
5/1/2007
A great bar with good service and a complete non-college attitude. When I lived in Santa Cruz I liked going here to get away from all the scene and kegger mentality... especially after graduation. It's also the secret (not so much) meeting ground for all the philosophy and politics grad students, so the conversations to be had are some of the best.
This place also rings true to its Irish roots (in comparison to say "Rosie McCann's"). I've been here with my hardcore Irish housemates, and it's a place they felt comfortable in right away.Listed in: Irish Pubs & Bars
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Review from Edward B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/22/2007
Frikkin' GREAT place to come with some buddies...have a couple of brews.....maybe some wine....throw some darts....lick a car's bumper... ... ...
I really enjoy this place because it doesn't have the pretense of mixed drinks and what not. It's simple... Beer and wine. -
Review from Scott R.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/26/2008
IRA paraphernalia on the walls. Several great beers on tap. Guinness pints poured perfectly (cold or room temperature). Low ceilings. Dirty floors. Well used dart boards. Feels like a 3-room basement converted into a gritty Irish bar.
Gets a little crowded with students on the weekends, but the "fragrant", hard core locals at the bar balance it nicely. Its a beer and wine only joint, but the Poet is a damn fine bar. -
Review from Katya J.
Portland, OR
4/15/2007
Thank god this bar isn't part of the SC "scene." It's one of the only places in town with decent atmosphere and bartenders who can actually pour a draft beer. That might sound easy, but just bop on over to the Red Room on Saturday night, find the hottest bartender, and you'll see what I mean.
You can also play darts here, plus they book bands and other entertainment sometimes. It seems like the place is closed for private parties or shows an awful lot, which is odd. But it's still the best bar in town. You can actually have a conversation here, and with people who are worth talking to!Listed in: Booze Central
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Review from Leslie R.
Santa Cruz, CA
4/29/2009
I'll take it as a sad statement on the lack of truly good after-dark-fun in Santa Cruz that this shows up as the #3 nightlife spot. Not that I don't love this town, but does a small, dive-ish bar where multiple reviews reference either pretentious students or men without teeth, that just doesn't sound like *the* place to be, right?
Don't get me wrong, I love a good selection of beer on tap, and if you're into darts I can't think of a better option in Santa Cruz (or even another option?), but three things really annoy me about the Poet:
- cash only
- beer and wine only, which makes my cocktail loving friends whine
- it's the one bar *EVER* that has told me they won't accept a passport, US or otherwise. So international students/ visitors, good luck getting in. Sadly I'm far enough past 21 that I rarely get carded anywhere, yet last night I received a lecture from the bouncer on why a legal document that is proof enough of my identity to fly me almost anywhere in the world doesn't cut it at the Poet. I mean, really?? Apparently military IDs are also a no-go.
So while I rarely suggest a trip here, if friends want to meet for a casual weeknight beer I wouldn't complain... but I'll hope it isn't on a week where I misplaced my drivers license. -
Review from Adam C.
Aptos, CA
4/16/2010
I like this place. But not the doorman. He wouldn't let me in because my license just expired (I didn't know, either did the cop that pulled me over yesterday) and he wouldn't except my old Navy ID either. I'm 32 years old!
Wanted to hang with my buddy (the DJ) but couldn't get in and spend $$$! Thanks, door guy! You just lost a customer. -
Review from Annee T.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/15/2008
So my three friends and I visited the Poet & the Patriot last night, a cold Monday night with the stars over Santa Cruz and us in our sweaters, scarves, and hats (and in one case, long johns.) We came out of the cold and into the pleasant warmth of the P&P, where we sat at a pretty clean wooden table and sipped our pints while surrounded by Irish and Celtic artifacts and doo-dads.
Let me say that I went to the school of the Fighting Irish so I've had my fill of Irish pubs and Americans with Irish fetishes - like, oh God, another Irish pub, another guy in a Dropkick Murphys tee-shirt, how original. What is it about Americans latching on to the Irish? Is it because so many of us are like a teensy bit Irish? Because we really like potatoes? (I prefer mine country-fried.)
I'm not exacty sure, but the Poet managed to win me because there's really no other place like it in Santa Cruz. It's a nice hangout bar where the lights aren't too dim or too light, and the staff is friendly. It's cornered the SC market on respectable, non-divey Irish pubs. Kudos to them.
Plus, they have cider on tap, and it's not Strongbow. Although I appreciate 'bow, my Irish friend says it's what homeless people drink. I guess the P&P owners realize this too.
One caveat: I wasn't so impressed with the supposedly above-average clientele. I kinda thought, from the reviews, this was the kind of place where you could meet some random and start talking James Joyce. But no. Apparently the P&P also doubles as a strip club on Mondays - this girl with saggy boobs and pierced nipples flashed everyone. Niiiice. But not really though. -
Review from Katie T.
1/21/2007
Some of my friends at Santa Cruz had the Poet as their dart team's home bar (do people who throw darts call them "teams"?). I stopped in a few times with them and thoroughly enjoyed it. After moving away I often wished I'd gone more.
It's very mellow, dark, and doesn't have the scene that some of the other Santa Cruz bars have. -
Review from Eric C.
Palo Alto, CA
12/17/2008
Pros:
-Beer.
-Darts.
-Board games.
-Calling a phone number scribbled on one of their Jenga pieces, leaving a retarded voice mail, and finding out the next morning that the number I called actually belonged to my friend's housemate that i'd been trying to holler at. Yikes. At least I don't have to ask her for her number now....right?
Cons:
-Cash only -
Review from Mar E.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2007
This is a great place to get your drink on.
Locals hang in this place, if you can find it, and share in drinks and great conversations.
Best deal is to go with a pitcher of whatever and enjoy the ride, cause it's going to be a long one. -
Review from Mark B.
Santa Cruz, CA
11/16/2007
This has become my favorite bar lately. I'm tired of the hand stamps and the waiting 20 minutes for a drink. I don't want to listen to the drunk girls ask each other the same questions over music with the bass loud enough to change your heart rhythms or the drunk guys eye humping the drunk girls. Sound like any bars you can think of in Santa Cruz? All I want at the end of the day is a cold pint, a few friends and some good conversation.
This is achievable at the poet. They have a decent beer selection and a great jukebox that plays good music at a reasonable volume. It's easy to come down here after a long day and relax with some friends and play some darts, maybe a little jenga (ask them for it, it's there) and have a good time.
Granted this isn't the best place to go if you want to go out dancing or if you're looking for something stronger than mead. I do wish they had some whiskey at the joint but honestly, I'd just get too drunk if there were. The bartenders are friendly and the beer is cheap. Make sure you bring cash if you are coming here. They don't take cards and their ATM charges $1.75. -
Review from Zakk D.
San Jose, CA
2/4/2007
This is the ultimate dive bar. Hidden from the street, there is nothing but regulars running around here. Good beers are always in stock and with three (yeah....THREE!!) dart boards in this place, its a great place for a good pitcher.
We usually get a pitcher of Fat Tire and shoot darts to see who buys the next round.
Probably my 2nd favorite bar in Santa Cruz after 99 bottles.
