Nightlife is Santa Catalina is always hot, even though the climate is Mediterranean. The clubs, theaters and live productions in Santa Catalina and Avalon always keep things sizzling. For starters, you have to go visit the Casino Theater. This theater shows first-run flicks for a low price, though the real attraction will be the theater’s monumental art-deco murals, which have been the talk of the island since the mid 20th century.
Nightclubbing on the island is also very lively. The Channel House Restaurant on Crescent Avenue offers light jazz, seafood and steaks as well as a full bar. The Galleon Restaurant also serves drinks and has a karaoke machine as well as a sidewalk café. Chi-Chi offers dancing and music, as does Luau Larry’s, the loudest joint in town. The Catalina Comedy Club focuses on rising comedians who have already played the Improv and HBO. If you want blues, then head over to The Blue Parrot, which offers live blues music in the summer. The Mardi Gras is an arcade center, (also on Crescent) that offers arcade games and a young urban population. If you enjoy miniature golf, then check out the Golf Gardens site.
In Avalon, you can look for some sweets at joints like the Catalina Cookie Company and the Catalina Ice Cream Parlor. The Avalon Community Theater features amateur and professional performances and live productions. While eating and drinking is fun in their own right, don’t forget about evening cruises. This is a very romantic trip, as you can spend an hour sightseeing along the harbor area. Cruises to look for are the Shore Boat, the Harbor Cruise and the Underwater Gardens, which sends two vessels (the Emerald and Starlight) closer to the water than you have ever been before.
The nightlife in Catalina is alive and well. Just as the aquatic kingdom bubbles forth at night, so do the people of Santa Catalina—always lively and ready for a party.
