Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Sand Bar - Capitola
Capitola, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Sand Bar's beverage program covers a lot of ground: a cocktail list with margarita, mule, and brunch variations, a wine selection that includes local Santa Cruz labels, a deep beer roster with local drafts, and non-alcoholic options beyond the usual soda. Named spirits like Plantation rum and Elijah Craig bourbon anchor the cocktails, and happy hour pricing applies to select drinks. It's a capable, broad program rather than a specialist's list.
- What should I order?
- Start with the OG Mai Tai, made with Plantation aged rum, fresh lime, orgeat, orange triple sec, and a dark rum float. The Sand Bar Old Fashion with Elijah Craig small batch bourbon is another solid choice, and the Pegu Cocktail uses local Venus gin. For beer, try a local draft like Discretion Uncle Dave's Rye IPA.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- People who want a broad drinks list with recognizable spirits, local beer options, and a mix of classic and flavored cocktails. The wine-by-the-glass selection and non-alcoholic beers make it work for groups with different preferences.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the obvious draw for value, with $8 house margaritas, well drinks, and house wine, plus $10 OG Mai Tai or Sand Bar Old Fashion.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $11 to $15, with most named drinks at $13. Wine by the glass is $9 to $14, draft beer $7 to $10, and non-alcoholic beers $6 to $7. Happy hour brings select cocktails and wine to $8 and takes $2 off all beer.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program mixes local Santa Cruz area wine and beer with a cocktail list that includes named spirits like High West rye, Herradura tequila, and local Venus gin. The margarita variations and Fever Tree mules show attention to a few drinks rather than a generic full bar.
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
An extensive cocktail menu with multiple margarita, mule, and brunch variations. Named spirits include Plantation rum, Elijah Craig bourbon, High West rye, Herradura tequila, and local Venus gin. Happy hour pricing applies to select cocktails and well drinks, and the Michelada offers an optional jumbo prawn add-on.
Menu strengths
- — Named spirits include Plantation rum, Elijah Craig bourbon, High West rye, Herradura tequila, and local Venus gin.
- — Happy hour lists $8 House Margaritas and $10 O.G. Mai Tai or Sand Bar Old Fashion.
- — Menu covers margarita, mule, and brunch cocktail variations with prices from $11 to $15.
Standout selections
- — OG Mai Tai — Plantation aged rum, fresh lime, orgeat, simple syrup, orange triple sec, and a dark rum float, $13.
- — Sand Bar Old Fashion — Elijah Craig small batch bourbon with maraschino cherry and orange twist, $13.
- — Pegu Cocktail — local Venus gin, citronge, fresh lime, orange bitters, and angostura bitters, $13.
- — Pomegranate Sour — High West double rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, premium sour mix, and pomegranate juice float, $13.
Pricing: Cocktails $11-$15; happy hour select cocktails $8-$10
Wine
A wine list with red, white, and bubbles by the glass and bottle. Red selections include C.K. Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon, Soquel Vineyards Trinity, Sea Sun Pinot Noir, and E-16 Barbera. White options include Josh Chardonnay and Storrs Chardonnay, with local Santa Cruz area labels represented.
Menu strengths
- — Wine list includes local Santa Cruz area selections such as Soquel Vineyards and Storrs Chardonnay.
- — Bubbles range from $9 for house champagne by the glass to $55 for G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut by the bottle.
Standout selections
- — Soquel Vineyards Trinity — local red wine by the glass, $12.
- — Storrs Chardonnay — Santa Cruz white wine by the glass, $14.
- — G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Champagne — by the bottle, $55.
- — E-16 Barbera — El Dorado red wine by the glass, $14.
Pricing: Red wine by the glass $9-$14; bubbles $9 by the glass to $55 by the bottle
Beer
A deep beer program with draft, local draft, bottled, and canned options. Draft includes Modelo Especial, Lagunitas IPA, Stella Artois, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Scrimshaw Pilsner, Salty Crew Blonde, and Coors Light. Local drafts include Santa Cruz Cider Co. Pomegranate Cider, Discretion Uncle Dave's Rye IPA, and Humble Sea Socks-n-Sandals Foggy IPA.
Menu strengths
- — Local draft beers include Discretion Uncle Dave's Rye IPA and Humble Sea Socks-n-Sandals Foggy IPA.
- — Happy hour offers $2 off all beer.; Includes non-alcoholic beer options such as Heineken 0 and Deschutes Fresh Squeezed N.A. IPA.
Standout selections
- — Discretion Uncle Dave's Rye IPA — local draft beer, $9.
- — Humble Sea Socks-n-Sandals Foggy IPA — local draft beer, $9.
- — Santa Cruz Cider Co. Pomegranate Cider — local draft cider, $10.
Pricing: Draft $7-$10; bottled $7-$9; canned $7-$9; happy hour $2 off all beer
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include juices such as orange, apple, grapefruit, lemonade, guava, pineapple, cranberry, and tomato at $4 each. Non-alcoholic beers include Heineken 0 N.A. At $6 and Deschutes Fresh Squeezed N.A. IPA at $7. A CENTER Sparkling CBD Drink with 30mg CBD is also listed.
Menu strengths
- — Juice options include Orange, Apple, Grapefruit, Lemonade, Guava, Pineapple, Cranberry, and Tomato at $4.00 each.
- — Non-alcoholic beer options include Heineken 0 N.A. At $6 and Deschutes Fresh Squeezed N.A. IPA at $7.
- — CENTER Sparkling CBD Drink 30mg CBD is listed as a canned beverage option.
Standout selections
- — Deschutes Fresh Squeezed N.A. IPA — non-alcoholic IPA, $7.
- — Heineken 0 N.A. — non-alcoholic beer, $6.; CENTER Sparkling CBD Drink 30mg CBD — canned CBD beverage.
Pricing: Juices $4; non-alcoholic beers $6-$7
Spirits
Happy hour lists $8.00 Hornitos, Jameson, and Titos, plus $8.00 well drinks. Cocktails utilize a range of spirits including bourbon, rye, tequila, rum, vodka, gin, and Irish whiskey.
Menu strengths
- — Happy hour lists $8.00 Hornitos, Jameson & Titos.
- — Happy hour lists $8.00 Well Drinks.; Cocktails utilize a range of spirits including bourbon, rye, tequila, rum, vodka, gin, and Irish whiskey.
Standout selections
- — Hornitos — spirit available at happy hour pricing, $8.00.
- — Jameson — spirit available at happy hour pricing, $8.00.
- — Titos — spirit available at happy hour pricing, $8.00.
Pricing: Happy hour spirits $8.00; well drinks $8.00
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