10 nightspots worth checking out

A worthy start if you’re looking for a nightclub to groove at, join the social scene, grab a drink, or just chill.

Epic Social Bar & Lounge
This lounge is your social network for real face time. They’re serving up drinks like The Social Network (blue and white cocktail make with vodka) and the Pop Star (martini drink with pop rocks and a margarita spiked with serrano chilis), and have teamed with next-door neighbor Thai Time to offer munchies divine. Sunday-Tuesday is the acoustic lounge, rest of the week is a mix of Top 40 and DJ sets to get your groove on. Happy hour is 3-6pm daily, with a reverse happy hour from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.
404 Mendocino Ave #D, Santa Rosa

Christy’s on the Square
A place to unwind for the 30+ crowd. Serving up ambient jazz, blues and chill-worthy live entertainment, the renovated lounge will have a “turn of the century, Prohibition-era” vibe, according to bar manager Justin Pigeon. “Lots of leather and suede with a vintage feel,” he added. The bar will also include small plates and tapas (inspired by an on-site chef), fresh-squeezed cocktails and wine in the $6 to $14 range.
96 Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa

Toad in the Hole Pub
British Pub to get your Bangers & Mash on while sipping a frothy ale. Small joint, though intimate enough for live music on the weekends. And on TV in the corner? Champions League Football. That’s soccer, for all you American chaps.
116 5th St, Santa Rosa

Bear Republic Brewing
Head over for a pint or two of Wine Country Wheat, a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen that’s on the lighter side and is mighty refreshing. For something completely different, order a Nectarine Grizz, the brewery’s bold barrel-aged sour Belgian-style brown ale fermented with Dry Creek Valley nectarines.
345 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg

Tradewinds
A staple in the “Cotati Crawl”, the infamous bar is a Mecca for local talent. Most nights are set to the soundtrack of live bands that bump the house – from blues, to jazz, to good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll set apart by a harmonica and a hefty pair of lungs. Beer is on tap, and they even serve a potent shot of Absinthe to set your mind on fire.
8210 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati

La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge
40+ boutique wines served from local and international wineries, with later hours Friday & Saturday nights for twilight sipping. Enjoy with gourmet appetizers, pizza, or one of their specialty soups. They host various game and movie nights, and chill evenings of live music.
151 Petaluma Blvd Ste 117, Petaluma

Hopmonk Tavern
This Sebastopol bar is infamous for its choices in live music, as well as the scene. Worth checking out is the beer garden, tasty small plates, extensive ales, and even their non-beer beverages. The music lounge contains excellent acoustics for hearing some pretty ragin’ bands perform for your dancing pleasures. And the venue hosts eclectic events throughout the year in true Sebastopolian style. For those on the other side of the county, they have another location in Sonoma (691 Broadway) with a more East County feel to match the locale.
230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol

Doc Holliday’s Saloon
If you’re searching for that one place to grab some liquid courage and then belt out a tune, this is the place to do it.  With multiple karaoke nights each week, a great menu, and tribute bands rocking the stage, Doc Holliday’s Saloon has become a great place to let your hair down and have a great time.
138 Calistoga Rd, Santa Rosa.

Aubergine
This club is like three places in one.  They’re rocking a vintage emporium holding some of the choicest threads of current and recycled fashions.  They have a cafe with some of the best food in West County.  And at night, the lights hit the stage for everything from acoustic folk to dubstep to heavy afrobeat, and even lingerie fashion shows and themed dance parties.
755 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol

Society: Culture House
A nightclub and art gallery fusion of huge proportions.  They promote the talented but starving artists of Sonoma County while creating a really cool place to dance it out – complete with house DJs, Top 40, 80′s nights, Salsa nights, reggae dance parties, and a scene like no other.
528 Seventh St., Santa Rosa

What did we miss?  Tell us your favorite place to hang out at night!