Established in 1960's great local dive bar. Very friendly service. Smoking allowed. Cash only

I miss the old school "don't give a f***" bars. Still welcoming but you know this place could have been closed a dozen times over if it wasn't for some lax local enforcement

When we travel to Santa Cruz we come here, good music decent prices friendly locals. Yup smoke at the bar.... Good times relaxing

Live music, come on now. Gotta support the music. Came for a show. Small and loud! Fun spot

DUI classes here are really nice, it's not the cheapest place around probably but I really like their program.

Amazing bartenders, best bloody Mary I've ever had. The regulars are friendly too!

Friendly bartender, tasty pilsner good mexican restaurant you can bring in. I recomend the carnitas taco salad.

Great staff. Chill atmosphere. I recommend the Giant Gofer as the drink to go for.

Beyond expectations in terms of ambiance, the drinks were an excellent pour, and we had a great time!

Just stayed for 2 beers cool vibe

$6 for a tall one! First time here & love this place already, girl at the bar was friendly & stays busy. Came during the day & love how dark it is inside. ATM ready, and a lot of drinks to try. Good music & regulars who come here are just as nice from my experience. I’d come here again & I will.

Go here pretty often, definitely the most elite Santa Cruz bar as a 20 something who can appreciate low budget drinks and good vibes. I come through very often on Fridays and can high key appreciate seeing Paris. She is such a sweet and fun presence! ((We often come on Fridays to see her)) the jury room is my personal favorite bar. Always iconic. I would recommend coming here.

I dropped in 1999 technically I still haven't left yet and you better not be sitting in my chair when I get back with my taco from next door it's my office chair! Best place in Santa Cruz! They let local punk bands play there. We've been doing it for 20 years off and on. Have your a game on the bartender's take no s*** here and the blenders broken always! 6am-2am 365days a year!

Nice place, friendly staff. They have most all your basic bar needs and drinks. Nothing to fancy but prices are good. Snack basics available and a atm inside if you need it, plus music on touch tunes.

This place is a must. One of the best dive bars I've been to on the west coast. Decently priced heavy pours and a wonderful atmosphere to match. Between the history of this place and the excellent staff you'll make this a stop everytime you come to Santa Cruz.

Heidi and Paris are wonderful. Karaoke is very fun

Sophie Evans

Go here pretty often, definitely the most elite Santa Cruz bar as a 20 something who can appreciate low budget drinks and good vibes. I come through very often on Fridays and can high key appreciate seeing Paris. She is such a sweet and fun presence! ((We often come on Fridays to see her)) the jury room is my personal favorite bar. Always iconic. I would recommend coming here.

Ihate Hackers

I dropped in 1999 technically I still haven't left yet and you better not be sitting in my chair when I get back with my taco from next door it's my office chair! Best place in Santa Cruz! They let local punk bands play there. We've been doing it for 20 years off and on. Have your a game on the bartender's take no s*** here and the blenders broken always! 6am-2am 365days a year!

Joe P

Nice place, friendly staff. They have most all your basic bar needs and drinks. Nothing to fancy but prices are good. Snack basics available and a atm inside if you need it, plus music on touch tunes.

LysdexicCow D

This place is a must. One of the best dive bars I've been to on the west coast. Decently priced heavy pours and a wonderful atmosphere to match. Between the history of this place and the excellent staff you'll make this a stop everytime you come to Santa Cruz.

ed greene

Heidi and Paris are wonderful. Karaoke is very fun

Best hand crafted and customized bloody Mary's for the best price. This bar is the only bar that opens at 6am and closes at 2am. Also, low cost entertainment with local metal, thrash, and punk bands as well as karaoke nights and vendor fair events. And they now accept cash and card. Pool table available as well as cable sports channels, tunes machine, and patio in front where you can smoke and also have your drinks outside. Staff is consistent and amazing.

One of last Dive Bars of our time . Super cool place . Great Bloody Mary ! Pet friendly.

Don't let the facade of the bar intimidate you from going in. We're a fun group that like to drink heavy and load up on heavy pours. Just don't let Han take control of the jukebox or your life will be forever doomed by the Backstreet Boys.

Love a good dive bar with reasonable drinks and casual atmosphere. There’s a pool table, good bar and booth seating, and solid drinks. Worth a stop if you’re into punk music and enjoy the vibe

A local dive bar. Bartenders are friendly with fast service. Bloody Marys are really good on Friday and Saturday mornings. A laid-back vibe. Downtown tends to have a lot of college kids so this is a great bar to get away from that just a step over the bridge. There's a pool table and they have live music occasionally.

My friend had a 6am Bloody Mary that was like dinner and a show all in one. The bartender.. Melanie(? Pardon if memory failed me) was a gem and somehow personable at that horrid hour. There were regulars who told tales as charming as the classic movie playing on the TV's. I don't drink (but try a sprite/orange juice yum) and I would definitely frequent the Jury Room for my morning coffee and company.

Love this neighborhood bar. It's got an outside patio, a pool table, reasonable drinks, and amazing bartenders. One of the best dive bars in Santa Cruz.

Megan was an excellent bartender and the vibe is just spot on.

Nicole Andre-Rosales

One of last Dive Bars of our time . Super cool place . Great Bloody Mary ! Pet friendly.

Shaun Murillo

Megan was an excellent bartender and the vibe is just spot on.

Rick Shupiery

We read a lot of negative reviews, we went anyway. Megan and Heidi are the greatest!

Na'ama Barson

Don't let the facade of the bar intimidate you from going in. We're a fun group that like to drink heavy and load up on heavy pours. Just don't let Han take control of the jukebox or your life will be forever doomed by the Backstreet Boys.

Ely Berns

Love this neighborhood bar. It's got an outside patio, a pool table, reasonable drinks, and amazing bartenders. One of the best dive bars in Santa Cruz.

Vikram Haer

Love a good dive bar with reasonable drinks and casual atmosphere. There’s a pool table, good bar and booth seating, and solid drinks. Worth a stop if you’re into punk music and enjoy the vibe

Kristina Kinney

My friend had a 6am Bloody Mary that was like dinner and a show all in one. The bartender.. Melanie(? Pardon if memory failed me) was a gem and somehow personable at that horrid hour. There were regulars who told tales as charming as the classic movie playing on the TV's. I don't drink (but try a sprite/orange juice yum) and I would definitely frequent the Jury Room for my morning coffee and company.

Rachael Smith

A local dive bar. Bartenders are friendly with fast service. Bloody Marys are really good on Friday and Saturday mornings. A laid-back vibe. Downtown tends to have a lot of college kids so this is a great bar to get away from that just a step over the bridge. There's a pool table and they have live music occasionally.

Imjust Passinthru

Went on a Sunday and it just happened to be karaoke night. Very fun. Full crowd participation and everything. I highly recommend it if you wanna be anonymous and sing songs like Love Hurts with a happy crowd.

Neighborhood-bar type of place, complete with a pool table and Christmas lights.

I definitely didn't blend in but it didn't matter because the bar has great chill vibe, the bartender was hella cool, and I had the opportunity to meet kind people.

Great little dive bar. Has pool table.

Good vibes, good music, free pool, decently priced drinks, but too much smoking. For a person who has ASMA, Bring Your Inhalers.

​"The Jury Room has been more than just a bar to me; it was a true sanctuary during a period when I felt isolated and faced unfair treatment elsewhere. In a world that didn't always feel welcoming, this establishment provided a sense of home and a peaceful environment where I could simply be myself without judgment."

Average little dive bar. Drink prices seemed to be on par with other local bars. They had a pool table, other than that not much to say about the place. The bartender was really cool and it had a cool atmosphere.

There's always a point during a visit to the Jury when I wonder how I ended up there. It's across from the courthouse so its name is a stroke of genius. Drinks are dirt cheap. Usually lots of smoke.

Great dive bar. Best bloody Mary's and open at 6am! Cash only. Good locals spot.

Edmund Kemper, serial killer used to drink with his cop mates at this bar, he used to watch, a police story TV series on the TV to get ideas on police investigations and how to commit crimes without getting caught, but already had an IQ of about 160.

Stopped in because of its history with notorious serial killer. Drink options are limited and (cigarette) smoking is still accepted here so skip if you are concerned with second hand smoke.

Angelica Turrieta

Stopped in because of its history with notorious serial killer. Drink options are limited and (cigarette) smoking is still accepted here so skip if you are concerned with second hand smoke.

Dominic Tuminello

Average little dive bar. Drink prices seemed to be on par with other local bars. They had a pool table, other than that not much to say about the place. The bartender was really cool and it had a cool atmosphere.

The place itself was okay, nothing special, men’s bathroom needed some help. The drinks were decent but the service was lacking as the bartender seemed to have a “LoCaLs OnLy” vibe. I wouldn’t bother going back, personally.

Paris was unprofessional, she laughed at my 1 dollar tip and didnt want to serve us no more, when few days ago i was tipping her 3 to 5 dollars everytime she served us....i been there 3 times in the past two weeks and spent about 300 dollars, never again, it was pretty cool the first two times but i dont know what happen...will take my buisness somewhere they will appreciate, lucky to get one star..and it has a smell of urine smell, and had bunch of dogs there...nothing against dogs...but come on now...

The place has a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and if you get hungry there's a jack in the box across the street. Went last night for a misfits tribute band and there was a guy starting a moshpit. Some other gentlemen didnt seem to like it and just pushed him to the ground and was holding him down by force. Never in my life have I've seen such disgusting moshing etiquette. Considering this was an older crowd in a freaking punk show. The guy acting like a jerk was wearing a pentagram shirt. With how uptight he had his panties he should have worn a Jesus Saves shirt. The guy who tried to open up the pit got kicked out mistaken for the one starting a fight. Guy had the right energy. The Jury Room didnt give him Justice. Don't recommend if you like moshing.

Deeply Disappointing Experience – Rude & Unwelcoming Service While visiting San Francisco, we stopped by a bar in Haight-Ashbury and asked the bartender for recommendations in Santa Cruz, as that was our next stop. He enthusiastically suggested The Jury Room, so we made a point to visit the next night. After a long day of hiking, sightseeing, and walking the beach in the rain, we were exhausted and eager to unwind with a couple of drinks. Unfortunately, visiting this establishment turned out to be one of the worst decisions we made on our trip. The bar itself was a typical dive—nothing remarkable, but exactly the kind of low-key spot we were looking for. However, the service was another story entirely. As soon as we approached the bar, it was clear we were not welcome. Two female bartenders were working that Friday night—both brunettes. The shorter one, with uneven choppy bangs, gave a nod in our direction, prompting her coworker to loudly proclaim, “No, thank you!” They both turned their backs on us and continued counting receipts, speaking to each other in hushed tones. No greeting. No acknowledgment. We stood there for several minutes before Choppy Bangs finally turned and tersely asked what we wanted. I ordered a vodka soda with lime, and my friend requested a Maker’s Mark neat. She made both drinks carelessly, never engaging, never offering a simple “hello” or any common courtesy. Her demeanor was openly rude and dismissive. It was so uncomfortable that we left before even finishing our drinks. I rarely write negative reviews because we almost never encounter service this bad. But the contrast between our excitement to visit this recommended spot and the reality of how we were treated was too disappointing to ignore. We’ve visited dive bars all over the country—from Seattle to Montana, Las Vegas to Portland—and never have we encountered bartenders as blatantly unwelcoming as the ones at The Jury Room. It soured our experience, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. If you’re looking for a friendly dive bar in Santa Cruz, I suggest looking elsewhere.

So, me and 2 of my girlfriends went here this last Monday afternoon 10/14/24. We were here on a girls trip. We love dive bars and couldn't wait to hit some of the local bars in Santa Cruz. We drove by "The Jury Room" and thought....we have to go there. From the minute we walked in, the bartender had a huge attitude (his name was Emmitt) He was very cold and abrasive. We asked him his name and he told us "he doesn't do that, he doesn't care who we are and doesn't want to know us." Ok.......then he drops his cash drawer on the floor and flips out! He was so hot & cold, like he was bi-polar or drunk. We have all been in the bar industry for years and know that it is very important to keep a good attitude and welcoming vibe to those visiting your community. He was horrible! Should not be in the service industry EVER! So, we went to another bar (owned by the same owner) and had a fantastic experience! "The Jury Room' is a local "Punk Rock Bar" and don't seem to like outsiders. But "Brady's Yacht Club" was amazing! From the bartender to the locals Hopefully the owner sees this 🫶

Looking for local bar to get a drink but were coerced into paying for live band, very limited on draft beer and snobby patrons

For Ever

The place has a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and if you get hungry there's a jack in the box across the street. Went last night for a misfits tribute band and there was a guy starting a moshpit. Some other gentlemen didnt seem to like it and just pushed him to the ground and was holding him down by force. Never in my life have I've seen such disgusting moshing etiquette. Considering this was an older crowd in a freaking punk show. The guy acting like a jerk was wearing a pentagram shirt. With how uptight he had his panties he should have worn a Jesus Saves shirt. The guy who tried to open up the pit got kicked out mistaken for the one starting a fight. Guy had the right energy. The Jury Room didnt give him Justice. Don't recommend if you like moshing.

Jessica Holland

Looking for local bar to get a drink but were coerced into paying for live band, very limited on draft beer and snobby patrons

Lori Castillo (LoriSaysSo)

Deeply Disappointing Experience – Rude & Unwelcoming Service While visiting San Francisco, we stopped by a bar in Haight-Ashbury and asked the bartender for recommendations in Santa Cruz, as that was our next stop. He enthusiastically suggested The Jury Room, so we made a point to visit the next night. After a long day of hiking, sightseeing, and walking the beach in the rain, we were exhausted and eager to unwind with a couple of drinks. Unfortunately, visiting this establishment turned out to be one of the worst decisions we made on our trip. The bar itself was a typical dive—nothing remarkable, but exactly the kind of low-key spot we were looking for. However, the service was another story entirely. As soon as we approached the bar, it was clear we were not welcome. Two female bartenders were working that Friday night—both brunettes. The shorter one, with uneven choppy bangs, gave a nod in our direction, prompting her coworker to loudly proclaim, “No, thank you!” They both turned their backs on us and continued counting receipts, speaking to each other in hushed tones. No greeting. No acknowledgment. We stood there for several minutes before Choppy Bangs finally turned and tersely asked what we wanted. I ordered a vodka soda with lime, and my friend requested a Maker’s Mark neat. She made both drinks carelessly, never engaging, never offering a simple “hello” or any common courtesy. Her demeanor was openly rude and dismissive. It was so uncomfortable that we left before even finishing our drinks. I rarely write negative reviews because we almost never encounter service this bad. But the contrast between our excitement to visit this recommended spot and the reality of how we were treated was too disappointing to ignore. We’ve visited dive bars all over the country—from Seattle to Montana, Las Vegas to Portland—and never have we encountered bartenders as blatantly unwelcoming as the ones at The Jury Room. It soured our experience, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. If you’re looking for a friendly dive bar in Santa Cruz, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Emily Long

So, me and 2 of my girlfriends went here this last Monday afternoon 10/14/24. We were here on a girls trip. We love dive bars and couldn't wait to hit some of the local bars in Santa Cruz. We drove by "The Jury Room" and thought....we have to go there. From the minute we walked in, the bartender had a huge attitude (his name was Emmitt) He was very cold and abrasive. We asked him his name and he told us "he doesn't do that, he doesn't care who we are and doesn't want to know us." Ok.......then he drops his cash drawer on the floor and flips out! He was so hot & cold, like he was bi-polar or drunk. We have all been in the bar industry for years and know that it is very important to keep a good attitude and welcoming vibe to those visiting your community. He was horrible! Should not be in the service industry EVER! So, we went to another bar (owned by the same owner) and had a fantastic experience! "The Jury Room' is a local "Punk Rock Bar" and don't seem to like outsiders. But "Brady's Yacht Club" was amazing! From the bartender to the locals Hopefully the owner sees this 🫶