Bull and Bear Whiskey Bar & Taphouse
479 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 655-3031, bullandbearca.com
A top choice for a solo outing and the best spot to grab some friends and scope the singles scene of downtown Monterey sits on Alvarado Street at the Bull & Bear Whiskey Bar and Taphouse. They’ve got a full bar, a robust gastropub menu, live entertainment, and different spaces – the dining room, the patio, the bar and a nook for darts. Ask the bartender to throw on some ’80s music for a throwback Thursday. City officials and the adjacent property owner have tried to quiet this place down, but happy vibes and a loyal clientele keep it lively for mingling and dancing even with music curfews.