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Culturally endowed though it is, Santa Fe has a pretty mellow nightlife scene; its key strength is live music, which is presented at numerous bars, hotel lounges, and restaurants. Regionally renowned blues, jazz, folk, country and other acts wander into town, and members of blockbuster bands have been known to perform unannounced at small clubs while vacationing in the area. But on most nights your best bet might be quiet cocktails beside the flickering embers of a piñon fire or under the stars out on the patio.
This rollicking barbecue, burger, and Southwestern soul food joint is one of the most popular places in town for live blues, country, rock, folk, and even karaoke. The bar is friendly and reasonable drink prices provide bang for your buck. The kids' patio out back keeps little ones entertained, and the fun pool hall and central outdoor patio can get wild as the night gets late.
This hybrid family fun center/date night/sports bar/bowling alley in DeVargas Center truly has something for everyone. Both food and bar service are available throughout the facility, whether you're knocking down pins on the 12-lane bowling alley, cracking some bocce balls on one of two indoor courts, or chalking up your cue stick at one of the various pool tables. A couple of shuffleboard tables and some arcade games round out the experience. It's a great option for families taking a break from sightseeing or a little indoor fun on a rainy day, but it's also a lot of fun at night when things really get hopping.
A bit off the beaten path, about a 20-minute drive south of the Plaza right where the Turquoise Trail intersects with Interstate 25, the state's oldest brewery serves fine ales at its two-story flagship location, the Beer Hall at HQ. Food is sometimes available via an outdoor shipping container kitchen. Across the parking lot, the outdoor music venue, the Bridge, hosts live bands. Santa Fe Brewing Company also has a small downtown tasting room called the Brakeroom tucked into a historic building on Galisteo Street.
The Railyard location of this local brewpub is especially popular thanks to the easy walking distance from Downtown hotels. There's great live music (usually rock or folk) or DJs most nights along with a rotating selection of terrific beers. A substantial food menu includes good burgers and pub favorites.
The lively taproom of local favorite Second Street Brewery is located in a 20,000-square-foot building that houses a production brewery and canning line. Popular for its live music line-up, it offers an extensive pub food menu (including everything from tater tots to ramen), and has a large, dog-friendly deck. Located near Meow Wolf and other arts-focused start-ups and nonprofits, it's one of the best places to rub elbows with Santa Fe's hippest locals.
Within this large industrial building in a quiet neighborhood south of town, you'll find a lively gathering place that hosts regular live music acts, DJs, and more. Families can take advantage of the large outdoor area for kids to play and there is plenty of space for large groups inside the building. Also inside you'll find some of the region's best scratch-made beers and spirits, from Juicy IPA and Honey Hibiscus Wheat to gin and whiskey crafted with local ingredients. Pub fare is available from the on-site kitchen as well as several food trucks that rotate regularly. On busy weekends, it can get pretty crowded and the line for a drink can have you waiting a while so arrive early to enjoy a cocktail before the place starts jumping.
