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Culturally endowed though it is, Santa Fe has a pretty mellow nightlife scene; its key strength is live music, which is presented at numerous bars, hotel lounges, and restaurants. Regionally renowned blues, jazz, folk, country and other acts wander into town, and members of blockbuster bands have been known to perform unannounced at small clubs while vacationing in the area. But on most nights your best bet might be quiet cocktails beside the flickering embers of a piñon fire or under the stars out on the patio.
This rollicking barbecue, burger, and Southwestern soul food joint is one of the most popular places in town for live blues, country, rock, folk, and even karaoke. The bar is friendly and reasonable drink prices provide bang for your buck. The kids' patio out back keeps little ones entertained, and the fun pool hall and central outdoor patio can get wild as the night gets late.
A bit off the beaten path, about a 20-minute drive south of the Plaza right where the Turquoise Trail intersects with Interstate 25, the state's oldest brewery serves fine ales at its two-story flagship location, the Beer Hall at HQ. Food is sometimes available via an outdoor shipping container kitchen. Across the parking lot, the outdoor music venue, the Bridge, hosts live bands. Santa Fe Brewing Company also has a small downtown tasting room called the Brakeroom tucked into a historic building on Galisteo Street.
The lively taproom of local favorite Second Street Brewery is located in a 20,000-square-foot building that houses a production brewery and canning line. Popular for its live music line-up, it offers an extensive pub food menu (including everything from tater tots to ramen), and has a large, dog-friendly deck. Located near Meow Wolf and other arts-focused start-ups and nonprofits, it's one of the best places to rub elbows with Santa Fe's hippest locals.
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