Nightlife in Sonoma County if You're 20-Something

Sonoma County offers some great nightlife for folks in their 20s, whether for enjoying a craft drink (or two) and some bar games after a day of hiking in Armstrong Redwoods, or a night of dancing and live music after an afternoon of adventure on the Sonoma Coast. 

It can be hard to decide, though, which Sonoma County nightlife spots are worth a visit, since some of the best are the local dive bars and small pubs scattered throughout the county.

So please, allow us to help: Here are a few of the best nightlife places in Sonoma County if you're 21+!

Beer, Glorious Beer

 Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom, Santa Rosa

Another fun Fourth Street choice for weekend drinks is the Belly Left Coast Kitchen & Taproom, where you can enjoy beer, wine (no hard liquor), and some delicious food—including their must-have tacos. 

Brewster's Beer Garden, Petaluma

Brewster's is a great stop on a night out in Petaluma. They've always got something going on, and you can also find quite a bit of live music here, as well. Check out the calendar for what's happening soon here.

 Cooperage Brewing Company, Santa Rosa

This awesome Portland-vibe warehouse brewery is a local favorite gathering spot for Sonoma County-made craft beer. The casual atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, and Cooperage's collaborative art shows bring the local artist and brewery communities together.

 Fogbelt Brewing Company, Santa Rosa

Naming each beer after a prominent coastal redwood tree only found in the fogbelt isn't the only interesting thing that Fogbelt incorporates into their brewery. They're well known for their unique beer and food tastings (bacon and beer, anyone?) and bar games nights, including Trivia Nights and Comedy Shows. See the Fogbelt event schedule. 

Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa & Windsor

In the heart of downtown Santa Rosa, the original Russian River Brewing Company is generally packed with people 'til 12 a.m. closing on weekend nights, so you'd best get there early if you want to claim a seat. For a lot more elbow room, head a bit north to the 195-seat Russian River Brewing Company in the town of Windsor.

Pubs-a-palooza

Murphy's Irish Pub, Sonoma

Talk about an Irish pub! From the music to decor and, of course, the beer, a visit to Murphy's can make you feel like you're in the heart of Grafton Street in Dublin. Check out their Trivia Nights, Cheer & Beer Pairings, Comedy Night, and more. For details, check out Murphy's calendar of events.

The Publican Windsor, Windsor

 For a Mexican Vacation without a Plane

El Barrio, Guerneville

This lesser-known Mexican cocktail bar in Guerneville was started by the same team behind boon hotel + spa as well as boon eat + drink. The Baja-themed interior feels like you've stepped into a Mexican vacation, and with their focus on tequila and mezcal, the creative cocktails complete the picture. Check out El Barrio's unique menu at elbarriobar.com. 

Lupe's Diner & Agave Room includes a lovely little tequileria (tequila bar) that makes you feel as if you've just stepped into Baja California.

To Enjoy Live Music

Lagunitas Petaluma TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary

The famous Lagunitas Brewing Company—known for brews like their Lagunitas IPA and the Little Sumpin' Ale—is located in Petaluma. Their dog-friendly beer garden is a popular local hangout, and often hosts live music that ranges from folk to indie, rock, and jazz. Check out the Lagunitas music calendar at lagunitas.com.

McNear's Saloon & The Mystic Theater, Petaluma

The McNear's Saloon & Dining House is a Petaluma staple, easily spotted from Main Street for its towering arched windows and warmly lit front bar. 

Catch a few great-priced cocktails at McNear's before you head next door to a show at the Mystic Theater, which features a gorgeous vintage marquee and attracts top-notch artists, both emerging and established, throughout the year. See the current Mystic Theatre lineup.

Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol & Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma

Well known as a spot for delicious beer and top-notch live music,  Hopmonk Tavern has locations in both Sebastopol and Sonoma. At the Sebastopol outpost, in particular, the charming, stone-walled beer garden vibes like you've stepped back in time to a 19th-century countryside tavern—albeit one with a great sound system. See the live music schedule for Hopmonk Tavern Sebastopol and the full event schedule for Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma.  

SOMO Concerts at SOMO Village, Rohnert Park

Although it's not an every-weekend event (we wish it was!), the SOMO Concerts team brings great artists almost monthly to entertain at the SOMO Village, where they create mini "pop-up festivals" with the help of some huge name artists (past artists have included The Dirty Heads, Pepper, Tribal Seeds, and The Green). We're always waiting to hear what the next show is in Rohnert Park. Find out about upcoming performances at somoconcerts.com. 

TAPS Petaluma

TAPS Petaluma is a friendly, casual bar and grill where you can enjoy a few drinks and some good food overlooking the Petaluma River. Local musical acts generally perform here between 6 and 8:30 p.m.

To Play Bar Games

Buffalo Billiards, Petaluma

Buffalo Billiards is a movie-perfect pool hall to enjoy on a Friday or Saturday night (or any night for that matter). They have ping pong, foosball, pinball, air hockey, darts … you name it. This bar is for those looking to play all night!  

Gary's at the Belvedere, Santa Rosa

Better known here as "The Belv," this Santa Rosa staple is an old Victorian home transformed into a dive bar. Like a big family under one roof for the night, you'll find all types of people here enjoying pool, air hockey, and jello shots. 

7Ten Social at the Epicenter, Santa Rosa

More upscale than the average bowling alley and pool hall, the 7Ten Social and Victory House Bar inside of the Epicenter sports complex is a lounge is full of beautiful lanes, pristine pool tables, large screen TVs, a full bar, and fun music for late nights. 

Jamison's Roaring Donkey, Petaluma

Better Known as the "Roaring Donkey," this joint is hard to categorize, because it has it all: a great cocktail menu (including almost a dozen different Moscow Mules), game nights with trivia, live music with open mic nights, and a DIY Bloody Mary BUFFET every Sunday morning. You could also just throw some darts or play some pool, late into the night. 

John & Zeke's Bar, Healdsburg

John & Zeke's is a local favorite in Healdsburg for its fairly priced drinks and laid-back, fun atmosphere. It's an ideal place to hang out for hours, having a few drinks, meeting new folks, and playing rounds of pool 'til 2 o'clock in the morning.

Whiskey Tip, Santa Rosa

Whiskey Tip in Santa Rosa is a unique little dive bar that has a great atmosphere and fun bartenders that can make just about any drink you'd like, on the fly. They've also got a huge outdoor patio when they host live music, events, and even have outdoor games—including a life-size Jenga!

To Party All Night Long

Duke's Spirited Cocktails, Healdsburg

It's not often that you find an upscale cocktail bar that also knows how to party, which is why we love Duke's Spirited Cocktails, set beside the plaza in downtown Healdsburg. Any given Saturday night, you'll find a mix of locals and visitors, from friends catching up to wedding parties making memories. The creative drinks—both made-to-order and batch-crafted—are truly amazing, and the staff is a fun young group who know how to foster a good time. 

Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park

The bustling scene at Graton Resort & Casino, a mix of neon and sleek design,  could easily be mistaken for downtown Las Vegas. And just like Vegas, you can spend the whole night here, playing the slots, putting a hand down in blackjack, Baccarat or poker, enjoying a great meal, and even dancing to some live music. 

The Cotati Bar Crawl

If you're a local, you've probably heard of the infamous Thursday night Cotati Crawl, or have probably even done it yourself. It consists of several dive bars and pubs in downtown Cotati, including local hotspots like The 8 Ball, Tradewinds, and Spancky's Bar.

Each stop along the crawl has its own unique personality, giving you a quick feel for Cotati's Old West-style, small town atmosphere. It's a great opportunity to meet some local college students and take advantage of some truly cheap drink deals. 

During your big night out on the town, be sure to hydrate and fuel up at one of the late night eats in Sonoma County. You'll thank yourself the next morning for some A+ adulting!