New Santa Cruz Bar
The Hotel (a Bar) just debuted upstairs in the historic former Santa Cruz Hotel, opening a radiant bar with polished wood accents and Old World pane windows (ediblemontereybay.com). Its focus on craft spirits and storytelling makes it a notable new stop for Bay Area food-and-drink explorers heading south of the city (ediblemontereybay.com).
The Hotel opened quietly on March 12, 2026, in the upstairs space above The Redroom at 1003 Cedar St. (goodtimes.sc ) Co-owners Doug Millan and Zac Crandell led the involved makeover of the long-closed upstairs room, while manager Sloan Cipa runs front-of-house and Sam Wallace is listed as lead bartender. (ediblemontereybay.com goodtimes.sc ) The cocktail program lists eight signature drinks priced at $14 each, with standouts named Do Not Disturb, White Lotus, The Grand Budapest and Madonna Inn. (goodtimes.sc ) Botanical-forward spirit-free options are priced $6–$12, and the bar is pouring craft beers on tap at $8–$12, including offerings like Blind Pig, St. Bernardus Tokyo and Brother Thelonious. (ediblemontereybay.com ) A modest food menu was promised shortly after opening, with listed items including $4 empanadas, $5 snacks (micro baked potatoes, bacon-wrapped dates), $23 rotating charcuterie boards, an $18 French dip with fries and a $16 double cheeseburger. (goodtimes.sc ) The space occupies the building that originally housed Surf City’s first hotel circa 1877, stretches nearly half a block upstairs, and reopened without advance publicity—relying on word of mouth after the March 12 soft opening. (goodtimes.sc ediblemontereybay.com )
