The Reef Bar

120 Union St, Santa Cruz - 95060
140 reviews
Bar & Grill American Pubs
(831) 215-3384

Cool spot near Downtown Santa Cruz where you can sometimes catch live local gigs. Nothing real special about the drinks I suppose, though the consensus among my company was that the mixed drinks were kinda weak on the alcoholic side. They also got a cool outdoor seating area which is nice. Would recommend checking out sometime if you're in the area.

Been wanting to come here since the reopening.Came by myself tonight and was stoked. Welcomed by kitchen staff upon arrival and grabbed a bar seat where I was greeted quickly also. Ordered a beer and burger and was really glad to have done that.. Drinking Sierra Nevada watching sports center and having a perfectly cooked burger brought to me.... Priceless.Will be returning

I ordered three vodka tonics. They were all different and all wrong. The Shirley temple and water were also gross. The food was delicious. Although I ordered a salad and wasn't asked what kind of dressing I wanted. When my salad arrived the bartender said they didn't give me dressing and finally asked what dressing I wanted. Our bartender/waiter Quincy was super awkward the whole time. The live music was great. Considering the fact that they're a bar, they definitely can't make a drink, even just water. We'd still go back for the food, but it was definitely a weird experience.

Cool spot near Downtown Santa Cruz where you can sometimes catch live local gigs. Nothing real special about the drinks I suppose, though the consensus among my company was that the mixed drinks were kinda weak on the alcoholic side. They also got a cool outdoor seating area which is nice. Would recommend checking out sometime if you're in the area.

Went there to see some friends play. Food and drinks were fine and it's cool big, old open spce. But, it was a chilly night, there was absolutely no heat in the place and a huge draft from one side of the building. Was like hanging out in a meat locker and the crowd thinned out pretty quick, prolly because of that....

Great little place. Will be back to try out a longer stay with some cocktails. Fun little place.

5 stars for the food. Service was good but I incredibly slow. Waited over 40 minutes for cocktails and over an hour for poutine. Cocktails came out warm/room temperature, not really sure what the hold up was, it didnt seem *that* busy but I know a lot of places are short staffed so it is what is. Great place to watch football, lots of outdoor seating. They’re dog friendly too!

My wife and I went here on a Saturday night after looking for someplace to eat downtown. We sat outside on their back patio which was really nice. They weren't as busy as other locations so we had the patio almost to ourselves. The food was good and happy hour went until 7pm on Saturday night which was a nice surprise. Get the pork belly if you are looking for a rich appetizer. It was good! They also had live music and he was a great musician. Will definitely come back.

Stopped by for a simple dinner so we can watch the Warriors game. It was fairly quiet for a Saturday but we got to sit at the bar and request to see the game. I opted in for their reef burger with fries and it was solid. The waitress at the bar was friendly and helpful as well. Solid burgers but not impressionable.

Exceptionally slow service. Chile verde nachos came without scrambled eggs during brunch. Cocktails were warm. Waited over an hour for poutine that never came. Great food and loads of potential but terrible execution.