Nightlife and Entertainment Spots Near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Nightlife And Entertainment

Downtown Carmel offers an incredible backdrop for all your after-hours adventures. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two followed by drinks with a view or a wild night with a handful of your nearest and dearest, these are our picks for the best Carmel-by-the-Sea nightlife and entertainment spots within steps of the elegant Carmel Green Lantern Inn.

Happy Hour Spots in Carmel

When you're out late, you don't have to miss out on those after-work happy hour specials. Drink deals abound at some of our favorite open-late haunts in Monterey County. Start with Cultura, where you can cozy up all year on the outdoor patio with fire pits and heated seats. This popular bar and restaurant is known for its authentic Mexican fare, from the tame (street tacos) to the innovative (toasted grasshoppers, anyone?). Grab a draft beer for $5 or a margarita for $8.

Yeast of Eden brews inspired five-barrel beers on-site, with indoor and outdoor seating for visitors who want to taste the results of their signature mixed-fermentation process. The brewpub also has a full menu of street fare classics from around the globe.

Bars and Breweries

If you're looking for something to do on a weeknight in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Mulligan Public House offers a Cigars Under the Stars night every Wednesday on the heated, dog-friendly patio. You'll find this classic Irish bar on Dolores. Go hungry, so you can enjoy elevated gastro-pub fare, which spotlights locally sourced ingredients from Kobe sliders to artichoke heart fritters.

Live Music in Carmel and Monterey

To see jazz, funk, and soul bands on the stage every night of the week, head to downtown Monterey and grab a table at Cibo Ristorante Italiano. In fact, it's just a 12-minute drive for guests at the inn. Don't miss the show-stopping Italian fare and casual, refined atmosphere at this local legend.

Barmel is an excellent choice for eclectic late-night music and dancing, and less than half a mile from our front door. This neighborhood favorite serves up retro-flavored cocktails and tasty bar snacks until at least midnight seven days a week.

When you stay at the Carmel Green Lantern Inn, you'll be spending your days relaxing on the beach before dancing and dining the night away in Carmel-by-the-Sea. From our charming accommodations blocks away from the ocean and downtown as well as other Carmel attractions, we offer the perfect spot for a dreamy getaway. Browse our specials and packages, then call 831-624-4392 to book your stay today.

Scenic Drives

The world-renowned scenic drives of Monterey County are legendary. When you stay at Carmel Green Lantern Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, you'll be within minutes of some of the most incredible vistas in the United States. Whether you are looking to spend the day cruising down Highway 1 to Big Sur or a quick spin through Pebble Beach, these scenic drives near Carmel-by-the-Sea will stay with you long after your time on the road is over.

California Highway 1

Known by several different names, such as Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur Coast Highway, California Highway 1 is a historic scenic drive that's among the most famous in the nation and the world. It has been hailed as one of the world's best drives by London's The Sunday Times, Forbes, and Lonely Planet, while National Geographic Traveler named this route "The Drive of a Lifetime." The 45-minute drive to Big Sur from Carmel-by-the-Sea along this route spans about 26 oceanfront miles past sights like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Garrapata State Park.

17-Mile Drive

As the name suggests, this scenic Pebble Beach drive will take you through 17 of the most breathtaking miles in the world. Start your journey at the bottom of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, not even a mile from the Carmel Green Lantern Inn. You will see dream mansions nestled in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the world-renowned golf course and lodge at Pebble Beach, and many coastline splendors like the Del Monte Forest. A fee is required to enter the forest, but if you decide to stop, you'll find that it's worth every penny.

Scenic Drives in Carmel-by-the-Sea

When planning scenic drives during your stay, don't forget those within Carmel itself. This town has its fair share of beautiful sights, and Carmel-by-the-Sea packs a lot into its one square mile. Expect to spend anywhere from a half-hour to two hours exploring the city by car, especially if you're taking in the diverse art and culture in Carmel.

Almost as soon as you step out of Carmel Green Lantern Inn, you can expect to see the jarringly blue Pacific Coast. A block away on Ocean Avenue, you will see the cottages that appear to be plucked from a fairytale. The further you head down the road, the more beaches and ocean vistas you will pass. A few more blocks and you are at the gates of Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the star himself while you're cruising through Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Drive a mile up Highway 1 North, take the Ocean Ave exit, and you're back in Downtown Carmel. A drive like this will surely work up an appetite, so be sure to stop by one of the many restaurants in the area.

For an unforgettable getaway, book your stay at Carmel Green Lantern Inn today by calling 831-624-4392. We look forward to hosting you at our world-class location that's within walking distance of both Carmel Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea's tree-lined downtown.