Events

Next Trivia Night: 12/2
6:00-7:30pm
Hosted by Michael Cahalan

5:30-7:30pm

Matt Hartle teams up with Dan Robbins for this First Thursday show.

As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals.

5:30-7:30pm

Local Honey is a Santa Cruz-based band that drips with honey sweet harmony and hums with tight, inventive musicianship. Local Honey’s repertoire pays homage to some of the the big voices of the last seven decades, including Big Mama Thornton, Rachael Price, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, and Amy Winehouse, among other divas. They seek out feel-good songs with strong vocals and infectious beats and make them their own. Though Local Honey is a new band, all of them are veterans of the Santa Cruz and Monterey music scenes. Members have worked with Honeytone, Ten O’Clock Lunch, Come Together, Backyard Birds, Menage, and Bay Bop. Over the years they’ve played in different combinations at many venues, including Michael’s on Main, Chaminade, Davenport Roadhouse, Hallcrest Vineyards, Joe’s Bar and the Food Lounge.

1:00-5:00pm

Sip beer and shop local this Holiday season! Our Holiday Makers Market is coming up on Saturday 12/6! Browse handcrafted jewelry, pottery, knitted goods, and art! Enjoy live music from The Owls from 3:00-5:00pm

Vendor List/IG Handles:

Najda De Maeseneer
prints
life.soul.canvas

Carrie Beth
jewelry
nautilusandsway 

Rachel Siwajek
pottery
lomapottery

Rochelle Ferro
jewelry
roCreate

Jean Terauds
knitted items
funstuffdesigns

Merideth
greeting cards, notes

Chloe Weinstock
upcycled, sun-printed clothing
backporch_prints

Justin Barrett
jade jewelry
just_in_jade

Selena Zontos
scavenged art, prints/candles
skavenge_art

Carly
botanical skincare, herbal teas, beaded & leather adornments
Sekoyasol

3:00-5:00pm

The Owls are Bob O’Neill—songwriter & founding member of Snail—on vocals & guitar, Craig Owens–bass player and vocalist extraordinaire and Harpin Jonny– virtuoso harmonica player & vocalist in the Larry Hosford band and many others.

This unique trio has come together to create a brilliant balance of blues, R&B, and original tunes. The Owls will take you on a fascinating musical flight!

3:00-5:00pm

The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin’ to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.

We will be closed on Monday 12/8 for our annual taproom tree excursion and holiday party.

Please enjoy Discretion at your favorite local establishment. We’ll be back Tuesday 12/9 – refreshed and ready to serve you!

5:30-7:30pm

Eyes Like Lanterns is an Indie-Folk Rock act originally based out of Chico, CA. Founding member and vocalist/guitarist Joshua Cremer seeks to bring a new sound to the Northern California Folk-Rock scene by blending Indie-Rock influences with Southern Blues styles to create a fresh take on an age-old genre.

5:30-7:30pm

Blue Lemonade is an Americana band based out of Santa Cruz/Santa Barbara playing both originals and covers from bluegrass and folk to blues and southern rock.

3:00-5:00pm

“Jazz with a Twist”

The Jenny O’Leary Quartet is led by the swinging and talented vocalist Jenny O’ Leary. Jenny sings standards, blues, and bossa novas while accompanied by guitar, bass and drums.

Every Monday our brewers select a Keg of Honor, and YOU enjoy $5 pours* until it’s gone!

Movies in the Taproom Every Monday! Pop in for a beer and see what our Beer Bestower selected for the big screen!

5:45pm start time

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

Join us “Twistmas Caroling” with the Trolley Drops.

In the tradition of Dan Hick’s “Christmas Jug Band,” The Trolley Drops have written a whole new cannon of holiday carols, “Twistmas Carols,” taking “standards” from folk, jazz, pop, and rock genres, keeping the melodies and rewriting the lyrics with seasonally themed words. For example, Credence Clearwater’s “Bad Moon Rising” becomes “Reindeers on the Rise.” The Trolley Drops bring “Twistmas Carol” song books with them so the audience can sing along.

5:30-7:30pm

Live music in the Beer Garden from local surfboard crafter, Ashley Lloyd

3:00-5:00pm

Acoustic rock trio, ranging from The Beatles to Chuck Berry to very catchy originals. You may find yourself wanting to get off your bar stool and dance.

Stormin Norman is long time lead singer for Stormin Norman & the Cyclones. Ken Kraft is lead player and singer for the Cyclones, plays with the White Album Ensemble and was formerly with the legendary Snail band. Jo Jo Fox is bass player and singer for the Cyclones and also with Karen Phoenix Band.

5:30-7:30pm

Jazz quartet based in Santa Cruz, CA.

Death And Saxes is:
John Bouwsma – Tenor Saxophone
Harrison Brand – Guitar
Jamie Brudnick – Upright Bass
Ben Sibley – Drums

3:00-5:00pm

Acoustic Beatles and Classic Rock Covers from Liam Gillespie, Pattie Gilbert, and Peter Stroet

3:00-5:00pm

Junebug Bayer is a singer/songwriter from Santa Cruz, California who specializes in folk-fusion fingerstyle guitar, occasionally adding harmonica, tap dance, autoharp, kazoo, ukulele, and banjo into the mix.

5:30-8:00pm
Kick off 2026 with Matt Hartle! (And every 1st Thursday!)

About Matt Hartle:

As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals. Stop by for a “Thursday after work” brew and some hot hartle licks when Matt returns to Discretion Brewing every First Thursday!

5:30-7:30pm

Local Honey is a Santa Cruz-based band that drips with honey sweet harmony and hums with tight, inventive musicianship. Local Honey’s repertoire pays homage to some of the the big voices of the last seven decades, including Big Mama Thornton, Rachael Price, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, and Amy Winehouse, among other divas. They seek out feel-good songs with strong vocals and infectious beats and make them their own. Though Local Honey is a new band, all of them are veterans of the Santa Cruz and Monterey music scenes. Members have worked with Honeytone, Ten O’Clock Lunch, Come Together, Backyard Birds, Menage, and Bay Bop. Over the years they’ve played in different combinations at many venues, including Michael’s on Main, Chaminade, Davenport Roadhouse, Hallcrest Vineyards, Joe’s Bar and the Food Lounge.

3:00-5:00pm

Acoustic, Folk, Rock, Americana

3:00-5:00pm

The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin’ to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.

5:30-7:30pm

THE JAMISSARIES – Featuring Arindam Krishna Das’ originals as well as funked-up versions of music they love by the likes of The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, Donovan, Joe Cocker, David Bowie, Tenacious D and more…

With Arindam on guitar/keys/vocals, Devii Grace DiMarco on violin/vocals, Jonathan Kessler on bass/vocals, Rob Borella on drums/vocals and Alex Bahler on lead guitar, their funky, sweet, sticky, psychedelic Jamz will get your Soul grooving and your body moving!

3:00-5:00pm

“A little jazz, American songbook, and pop tunes for your dancing and listening enjoyment.”

3:00-5:00pm

The Trolley Drops Brass Band will be playing dance music from the 20s and 30s, hokum blues & novelty tunes on banjo, guitar & bass, trombone, clarinet, trumpet & percussion and kazoo, (jug band music without a jug).

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

Redwood Express – Americana Roots rock band with members of The China Cats, Rosebud & Grandpa’s Chili.

5:30-7:30pm

Live music in the Beer Garden from local surfboard crafter, Ashley Lloyd

Photo: Dave Brown

3:00-5:00pm

Faulty Plan is an acoustic cover band out of San Jose playing a wide variety of music including Grateful Dead, Phish, Neil Young, Bowie, Stones, Clapton, The Band, Dylan and much more. Popular and deep cuts.

5:30-7:30pm

Hailing from Aptos, in Santa Cruz County, California, Big Bad Wolf howls with a special off-the-beaten-path brand of tasty and danceable blues-based classic rock from groups and artists like Creedence, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Jon Hiatt, John Fogerty, The Hollies, and many more. A party with The Big Bad Wolf is always a high octane, rip-roaring good time.

3:00-5:00pm

Joel Martin‘s Grateful Zone – Acoustic one man show featuring Joel Martin

Joel Martin is a professionally touring solo performer who has performed over 250 solo shows since the end of 2022! His sets are high energy, featuring an uncommonly large acoustic guitar sound, extremely fun song selections and use of creative looping to add to the grooving. In Los Angeles he leads the Grateful Dead tribute band Grateful To The Core.

3:00-5:00pm

The Owls are Bob O’Neill—songwriter & founding member of Snail—on vocals & guitar, Craig Owens–bass player and vocalist extraordinaire and Harpin Jonny– virtuoso harmonica player & vocalist in the Larry Hosford band and many others.

This unique trio has come together to create a brilliant balance of blues, R&B, and original tunes. The Owls will take you on a fascinating musical flight!

5:30-7:30pm

Santa Cruz’s own Free Elements brings their signature blend of Cali-style lounge rock to the stage, creating a laid-back and irresistibly groovy vibe. Known for generating a good time and a tight sound, they put a fresh spin on classic covers and add some original tunes along the way. The band features Diane Rigoli on guitar/vocals, Aaron Wayne on guitar/accordion/vocals, Ron Beebe on bass/harmonica/vocals and Dag Dascher on drums/congas.

3:00-5:00pm

High energy covers of favorites from all genres and eras

3:00-5:00pm

The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin’ to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.

5:30-8:00pm

As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals. Stop by for a “Thursday after work” brew and some hot hartle licks!

5:30-7:30pm

Local Honey is a Santa Cruz-based band that drips with honey sweet harmony and hums with tight, inventive musicianship. Local Honey’s repertoire pays homage to some of the the big voices of the last seven decades, including Big Mama Thornton, Rachael Price, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, and Amy Winehouse, among other divas. They seek out feel-good songs with strong vocals and infectious beats and make them their own. Though Local Honey is a new band, all of them are veterans of the Santa Cruz and Monterey music scenes. Members have worked with Honeytone, Ten O’Clock Lunch, Come Together, Backyard Birds, Menage, and Bay Bop. Over the years they’ve played in different combinations at many venues, including Michael’s on Main, Chaminade, Davenport Roadhouse, Hallcrest Vineyards, Joe’s Bar and the Food Lounge.

3:00-5:00pm

Redwood Express – Americana Roots rock band with members of The China Cats, Rosebud & Grandpa’s Chili.

3:00-5:00pm

Lefty Rosa was born in Santa Cruz county but has traveled far and wide to perfect its dreamy brand of original Americana music. It features Ezzie DeGiovanni (acoustic guitar/vocals), Joel Murach (Telecaster/vocals/harmonica), Chris Weinress (upright bass), and Tom Murach (drums).

5:30-7:30pm

Junebug Bayer is a singer/songwriter from Santa Cruz, California who specializes in folk-fusion fingerstyle guitar, occasionally adding harmonica, tap dance, autoharp, kazoo, ukulele, and banjo into the mix. Costumes encouraged!

3:00-5:00pm

Santa Cruz’s own Free Elements brings their signature blend of Cali-style lounge rock to the stage, creating a laid-back and irresistibly groovy vibe. Known for generating a good time and a tight sound, they put a fresh spin on classic covers and add some original tunes along the way. The band features Diane Rigoli on guitar/vocals, Aaron Wayne on guitar/accordion/vocals, Ron Beebe on bass/harmonica/vocals and Dag Dascher on drums/congas.

3:00-5:00pm

Moonshine Crossroads plays Rollicking Americana Music – everything from jazz standards and doo-wop classics to outlaw country and classic rock. With strong vocal harmonies and vibrant electric guitar and kanzoo solos, their eclectic repertoire is sure to include a song that is “your” song and will get your toes tapping.

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

Alecia Haselton: Alt-folk/rock a la Jewel, The Cranberries, Alanis Morissette

Singer and musician Alecia Haselton is excited to be back in her hometown for this show, visiting from Nashville where she now sings professionally full time. She plays original music and covers, and is happy to play any song request! Her originals can be found online wherever you listen to music.

3:00-5:00pm

Live music in the Beer Garden from local surfboard crafter, Ashley Lloyd

Photo cred: Dave Brown

3:00-5:00pm

Originals and classic tunes from the great folk, blues and rock piano players.

5:30-7:30pm

If Funkadelic and Thievery Corporation had a bastard love child that grew up listening to Pink Floyd, their new favorite band would be Bionic Squid. With this funky instrumental quartet, every show is a psychedelic dance party. Soaring guitars and keyboards swim through a cascading soundscape over driving grooves from drums and bass. With a mix of original jams and covers, Bionic Squid will take you on a voyage to the depths and keep you dancing like an octopus hailing a taxi.  

Bionic Squid is Pete Novembre, Mike Johnson, Josh Salesin, and Bret Bailey.