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Please note: The information on these pages is a good 10 years old. It was created when I was still living in Monterey and running the gay newspaper.



Monterey Gay Nightlife

Well, I hate to tell you this, but I don't think it exists anymore in Monterey proper. IF YOU HEAR OF A GAY CLUB, please let me know by using the form on my business website I'll do what I can to promote it.

However, in Castroville (a short 15 min drive north), there still...

Franco's Norma Jean
10639 Merritt St., Castroville
831/633-2090
A friendly place celebrating Castroville's first Artichoke Queen, Marilyn Monroe. Mostly Latino. Only open Saturdays. Excellent DJs spinning everything from techno to tajana. Very popular among locals. Pool table, full bar. Open Sat., 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Up in Santa Cruz (45 mins north)...

The Blue Lagoon
923 Pacific Ave in Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831/423-7117
The last time I was here was in 2001, I think. It had grown (almost doubled in size) and had a lot of straight people mixed in. There's a dancefloor in the back and pool tables.


Former Gay Bars

The After Dark on Lighthouse nightclub in New Monterey closed in January, 1999.

The Lighthouse Bar & Grill on Lighthouse in New Monterey (across from the After Dark) closed in 2007.

Title IX on Lighthouse in New Monterey (across from the After Dark) closed in ???.

The Dakota - closed in Aug, 2008
1209 Pacific St. in downtown Santa Cruz.


UPDATED Aug 19, 2008