Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileElli's | Great American Restaurant
Salinas, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Elli's runs a broad, accessible beverage program with a 20+ item Happy Hour cocktail list, 18 draft beers, 11 wines by the glass, and a dedicated zero-proof section. Cocktails are uniformly priced at $10-$12 during Happy Hour, beers at $8-$8.50 for 16oz, and wines at $9-$12. The spirits list sticks to six well categories at $6. It's a reliable spot for a straightforward drink without premium ambitions.
- What should I order?
- Start with a Happy Hour cocktail such as the Buenos Dias or French Pear at $10. For beer, the 805 blonde ale at $8 or Lagunitas IPA at $8.50 are solid picks. Wine drinkers can try the Daou Cab Sauv at $12 or Morgan Chardonnay at $10. The Nojito at $6.99 is a good zero-proof option.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone seeking a wide, affordable drink selection in a casual setting. Groups with mixed preferences will find something across cocktails, beer, wine, and nonalcoholic options. Those looking for rare spirits or high-end wine should look elsewhere.
- When should I go?
- Happy Hour is the best time to visit for the $10-$12 cocktail pricing and $6 well drinks. The full menu is available otherwise, but the Happy Hour sections offer the most value.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy Hour cocktails are $10-$12, well drinks $6, shots $7-$8, draft beers $8-$8.50 for 16oz, wines by the glass $9-$12, and nonalcoholic cocktails $4.99-$6.99. Expect moderate prices across the board.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The breadth of the beverage program stands out: over 20 cocktails, 18 draft beers with ABV/IBU details, 11 wines by the glass, and a dedicated zero-proof section. Pricing is uniform and accessible, especially during Happy Hour.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A 20+ item Happy Hour cocktail list split into two sections, with classics like Moscow Mule, Paloma, and Old Fashion alongside house creations such as Buenos Dias and Guava Tini. Pricing is uniform at $10-$12. Two shot options are also listed.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive named cocktail list with 20+ options across two Happy Hour sections.
- — Cocktail pricing is uniform and accessible at $10.00-$12.00 during Happy Hour.
- — Venue homepage describes 'handcrafted cocktails' as part of its beverage selection.
Standout selections
- — Buenos Dias; French Pear; Guava Tini; Long Island Iced Tea
Pricing: $10.00 for Happy Hour cocktails; $12.00 for 'Vacations' cocktails; shots $7.00-$8.00.
Wine
Eleven wines by the glass, with four reds and seven whites/rosé. The list leans heavily on Central Coast and California producers, including several from Santa Lucia Highlands. Prices range from $9 to $12.
Menu strengths
- — Wine list emphasizes local Central Coast and California producers.
- — Wine by the glass ranges from $9.00 to $12.00.
- — Venue homepage references a 'local wine selection' as part of its beverage offerings.
Standout selections
- — Daou Cab Sauv; Puma Road 2017; Morgan Chardonnay
Pricing: $9.00-$12.00 by the glass.
Beer
Eighteen draft beers available in 16oz and 22oz pours. The selection spans lagers, IPAs, stouts, wheats, and ciders, with many listings including ABV and IBU details. Prices are $8.00-$8.50 for 16oz.
Menu strengths
- — Draft beer menu lists 16oz pours of 18 beers.
- — Beer list includes ABV and IBU details for many selections.
- — Broad draft selection spanning lagers, IPAs, stouts, wheats, and ciders.
Standout selections
- — 805 — $8.00 (16oz) — American blonde ale, 4.7% ABV, 20 IBUs, Mexico
Pricing: $8.00-$8.50 for 16oz pours; 22oz pours at higher prices.
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated 'No Alcohol, Yes Flavor' section offers mocktails like Nojito, Virgin Mary, and Virgin Margarita, plus Pomegranate Limeade. Sodas, juices, teas, and energy drinks round out the range. Prices are $4.99-$6.99 for mocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated 'No Alcohol, Yes Flavor' section with multiple zero-proof cocktail options.
- — Broad NA beverage range including sodas, juices, teas, mocktails, and energy drinks.
Standout selections
- — Nojito; Pomegranate Limeade; Virgin Mary; Fever Ginger Beer
Pricing: $4.99-$6.99 for non-alcoholic cocktails; sodas and teas $3.99; juices $3.99-$7.99.
Spirits
The spirits program is limited to Happy Hour well drinks covering vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, and bourbon, all at $6.00. Two shot selections are listed: Crown Royal BB Creme Shots at $8.00 and Santa Cruz Kamikaze Shots at $7.00.
Menu strengths
- — Well drink program covers six spirit categories at uniform $6.00 pricing.
- — Happy Hour well drinks list Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Whiskey, and Bourbon at $6.00 each.
- — Crown Royal BB Creme Shots are listed at $8.00.
Standout selections
- — Crown Royal BB Creme Shots; Santa Cruz Kamikaze Shots
Pricing: $6.00 for well drinks; $7.00-$8.00 for shots.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.