The Nightlife Experience
Paso Robles really sparkles at night, when local venues roll out memorable experiences to match every mood. Here in the heart of wine country, you’ll find both lively release parties and quiet candlelight tastings. Sip made-to-order cocktails in a secluded speakeasy. Dance to a top DJ’s playlist. Belt out karaoke tunes with friends, or sample seasonal pints at a renowned craft brewery. For an especially spectacular evening, marvel at acres of illuminated landscapes across four Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio installations.
Whatever your vibe, you’ll find something fitting here. Start planning your next evening out with this guide to Paso Robles nightlife.
Downtown After Dark
With dining, dancing, bars and hotels set nearby, within a pedestrian-friendly footprint, Paso’s Downtown City Park doubles as a great meeting point for a night out. Several downtown venues host live jazz ensembles, classical acts, cover bands and up-and-coming musicians, along with karaoke nights, comedians and pool matches. There’s wine tasting, of course, plus historic pubs and late-night street food. Park Cinemas also anchors one corner of the park, and it’s a date-night favorite.
Each summer, bands set up in the Downtown City Park gazebo during the Paso Robles Concerts in the Park series. The nonprofit Studios on the Park also hosts Art After Dark festivities on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Free events feature exhibits, artist meet-and-greets, live music and local wines available for purchase.
Tin City After Dark
Like downtown, Tin City positions diverse, dynamic Paso Robles night life options in a conveniently walkable district. The region’s most innovative makers of wine, beer, cider and spirits operate out of industrial-style buildings here, alongside dining standouts ranging from food trucks to Michelin-starred gems. Tin City’s venues and warehouse patios stay busy year-round with festivals, concerts and other special events.
Live acts often swing by Tin City to play. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. regularly hosts musicians, dance lessons, game nights and other large events at its outdoor amphitheater. Hubba Wines and La Perdignus are among other Tin City producers that hold seasonal concerts, comedy nights, painting parties and more.
Cocktails & Brew
1122
This stylish, 30-seat speakeasy promises an intimate Paso Robles nightlife experience, and it’s widely considered one of the region’s best for cocktails. To enter 1122, cross the back patio of Pappy McGregor's, turn left, and press the bell. Inside, the flickering candles, a shimmery chandelier and a marble bar top create a Gatsby-style scene. Classic and seasonal cocktails star here, and there's also wine, bubbles, beer and one of central California's best whiskey and scotch menus. Reservations are welcome during the week. It’s walk-in access on Fridays and Saturdays, though you can skip the line by purchasing one of 12 exclusive backdoor passes on the 1122 website.
The Remedy
The Remedy brings a swanky, reservations-only cocktail experience to downtown Paso. Tucked within The Alchemists' Garden, a buzzy eatery just off Downtown City Park, this 10-seat lounge puts a modern spin on classic recipes. It’s all about artistry, with a roving cocktail cart and engaging mixologists who craft flawless drinks while chatting about their process and spirits selection. The Remedy opens from 6 to 10 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays.
Cane Tiki Room
Wood carvings, fire and water features, and a palapa-style ceiling set the stage for tropical cocktails at Cane Tiki Room. This island-inspired hideaway a block off the downtown square pours a wide-ranging rum selection (including flights), along with tiki classics, frozen drinks and sharable punch bowls. The menu features Polynesian and Hawaiian pupu plates, as well.
Tetto Rooftop Bar
Paso’s only rooftop bar overlooks the tree-lined lanes of downtown and beyond. Tetto Rooftop Bar offers indoor or open-air seating, with fire pit options for chilly nights. There’s a wide selection of seasonal cocktails and time-tested favorites, local wines, and beer by local producers, plus salads, charcuterie and desserts. Tetto is located atop The Piccolo, a chic boutique hotel steps from Downtown City Park.
Even More Craft Beverages
While Paso Robles is known for bold reds and flavorful whites, wine is not the area’s only highlight. Talented brewers and distillers also hone their craft here. One of the most widely known is Firestone Walker, which offers tours and tastings at its impressive brewing facility between downtown Paso and Tin City. Barrelhouse Brewing, Tin City Cider Co. and Tin City Distillery all pour samples at the pedestrian-friendly Tin City complex, and you’ll find other producers throughout the Paso Robles region.
Wine Tasting
Downtown Tasting
Paso Robles has an array of wine tasting options, including many that are conveniently clustered right in the heart of the community. About 20 producers line the Downtown Winery Trail, and they showcase wines from across 11 Paso Robles AVAs. The trail offers a low-key – and completely walkable – alternative to the traditional bar-hopping experience.
Paso’s downtown wineries vary in style and specialty. JUSTIN Downtown pairs wines with decadent chocolates and small plates in a sleek setting. LXV Wine Lounge does creative wine and spice tastings in cellar-style and garden seating areas, while Cloak & Dagger’s moody, mysterious tasting room is in a historic municipal bathhouse overlooking Downtown City Park. Look for more surprises along Paso’s Downtown Winery Trail.
Wine Trails
Vibrant wineries with both daytime tastings and unexpected evening events dot the hills and valleys surrounding Paso Robles. Nine distinct wine trails make it easy to explore. Nightlife experiences hosted by wine trail producers range from to seasonal release parties to multi-course dinners featuring celebrity chefs to concerts headlined by legendary local musicians.
For example, Tooth & Nail Winery holds a Friday night dinner series and summer concerts at its 46 West Wine Trail venue. Sculpterra hosts winemaker dinners that spotlight Backroads Wine Trail producers. Adelaida Vineyards welcomes guests for pairing dinners, pickup parties, fundraising galas and other Adelaida Road Wine Trail events. For a unique happy hour option, head to Field Recordings in Tin City for live music. That’s just the start of what you’ll find along the wine trails of Paso Robles.
Live Music
Pappy McGregor’s
Pappy McGregor's is synonymous with nightlife in Paso Robles. This spirited downtown pub hosts DJ-led dance parties on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., complete with late-night street tacos and a light dress code to keep things stylish. Other highlights include big-screen sports viewing and late-night happy hour specials (including free pretzels and mustard) offered Sunday through Thursday, from 9 to 11 p.m.
Pine St. Saloon
One of the oldest and longest-running downtown Paso establishments is also one of its liveliest. The Pine Street Saloon building dates back to the city’s late-1800s stagecoach days, when street dances and horse races commonly set up on Pine Street. Today, singers pack the two-story redwood structure for karaoke on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday nights starting at 9 p.m. Open mic events kick off at 8 p.m. on Mondays, and the saloon often hosts live music, too.
Other Live Music Events
From downtown clubs to vineyard patios with sunset views, Paso Robles venues create unforgettable nightlife experiences by pairing live music with local wines, beers and snacks. With both Los Angeles and San Francisco within a few hours’ drive, the destination is a frequent stop for rising stars and well-established acts. Explore more of the live shows and music festivals that have put Paso Robles on the map.
Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio
No Paso Robles night life experience is more magical than Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio. Four exhibits in this mesmerizing installation wash the landscape in subtle, spellbinding color. Gone Fishing, which opened in 2023, brings to life the contemplative act of standing by a stream. Fireflies, also new in 2023, takes inspiration from its namesake and incorporates nearly 10,000 twinkling lights. Light Towers sets to music the shifting hues of more than 17,000 illuminated wine bottles stacked into towers. Field of Light, the original, multi-acre installation, dazzles with 100,000 glowing spheres set across rolling hills.
Sensorio ranked sixth on the New York Times' “50 Places to Visit” list. On-site amenities create an even more spectacular outing. The venue invites local artists to perform live music in the exhibition's main lawn area, where purveyors also serve American and Mexican food. Nearby, an Airstream bar pours local wine, beer and spirits, as well as non-alcoholic options. Upgrade to the exclusive Terrace Experience for a more comfortable visit. It packages private terrace seating overlooking the exhibits, fireside table and heater access, and a drink ticket good at the Airstream bar. The Terrace Experience + Platter package also adds a charcuterie or crudité plate.
