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Farm-Fresh Cocktails and Dive-Bar Drinks

Over at Segovia’s, arguably the most iconic dive bar in Monterey County, one of the bartenders is so into crafty cocktails that he brings his own mint in to mix.

But Porter’s the exception to the rule. When you need an antidote to the $15 unbelievable-but-unaffordable luxury drink—which the Weekly detailed in the special glossy Wine & Dine foodie magazine, out earlier this month—here’s some of the places to prioritize.

Call them the area's swan dives, often dark, rarely boring, and always full of character(s).

1. Shadowbox in Seaside (394-3242): Greyhounds, cubre libres and lots of beers can all be had with minimal cash. All well drinks are $4.25 and even the more blue-blood brands are generally a buck or two cheaper than a typical Monterey tourist spot. Throw in karaoke, a silicon-sprinkled shuffleboard and pool and you got a real good time on the real cheap.

2. Alfredo’s Cantina in downtown Monterey (375-0655) is a legend for a reason. Make that several reasons, including dice cups, a juke box, weathered-and-gruff bartenders and drinks to knock your eyes back in your head.

3. Ever wondered what it’d be like to drink glass cleaner? The King’s Den in Salinas (422-1116) is the place to indulge your curiosity. According to the semi-shnockered bartender the Windex ($7) consists of “all the whites in the well, some blue stuff and a few secret ingredients.” Clean, but if that’s still too steep all the wells and 16-ounce aluminum beers are just $4.

4. Buzz and Lee’s in Marina (384-6502), formerly known as Mortimer’s, is keeping it cheap with $3 happy hour beers 4-7 daily and $4.50 wells all the damn time.

5. Ody’s in Carmel (626-6821) boasts a stripper pole, Wii with a big-screen TV and darts. Newcastle, Harp, Bass, Shock Top, Guinness, Big Sur Golden Ale and Fat Lip are all on tap for a five-spot (with the price dropping to $3 during the Monday through Friday afternoon happy hour). If you’re feeling desperate, try one of their signature kamikaze shots ($6.50).

6. Monterey Lanes in Monterey (373-1553) is the spot for bowling and beers—domestic bottles($4.30), on-tap Stella ($6.95) and much more. Or cheap well drinks ($4.55) and good company.

7. Running Iron in Carmel Valley (659-4633). Drinking amid baby-overall dressed windows and countless cowboy boots dangling from the ceiling is reason enough to make the trip to what some locals lovingly refer to as “Blazing Saddles.” Another reason is, of course, cheap alcohol—including signature margaritas.

8. Sadie’s in Carmel (624-0787) has been doing it simple since 1926. Cheap, straightforward wells ($6.50) and beers ($4 domestic, 5$ import) are the staple here. But—what with the new millenium and all—even a place as iconic as this has spice things up every now and then with a weekly signature drink. And, if you feel like taking the crowbar to your wallet and ironing yourself out after last night’s escapades, indulge in a signature Bloody Mary ($7.50) to cure those Sunday morning aches.

9. Segovia’s in New Monterey (646-3154) is a Monterey staple among dive-drinking circles. Mixed drinks and beers ($5-$8) are poured with a strong hand and a smile.

10. Cuz’s Sportsman in Seaside (394-2666) is the place for the sporting sipper. Nascar fans pack in for race days, football junkies flock to the Monday Night Football “Chef of the Week” shindig—where one culinary patron cooks for the whole bar—and those looking for the random baseball or hockey game can enjoy reasonably-priced well drinks ($5) and affordable domestic ($3) and imported ($4) beers.