Moe's Alley

Moe's Alley, located in Santa Cruz, California, is a 21+ live music venue with a full bar and outdoor patio. The venue opened its doors in 1991, taking over a space that previously housed the old Galaxy Club. It was initially envisioned as a classic blues roadhouse by founders Phil Lewis and Bill Welch. Over the years, Moe's Alley has evolved to embrace a wider range of music genres, including reggae, Latin, and R&B, while still maintaining blues as its backbone.

The venue has a rich history of hosting a variety of artists and bands. Notable events include a 25th-anniversary blues party featuring Tommy Castro and “Mighty Mike” Schermer, who reconstituted the Soul Drivers, the club’s unofficial house band in its early days. More recently, the venue has hosted artists such as True Loves, a Seattle-based funk & soul group, and Paula Fuga, a Hawaiian artist.

Moe's Alley also hosts a special event called "Western Wednesday" every month, which celebrates country music and has been a hit with the local community. The venue has changed ownership in recent years, with former owner Bill Welch passing the torch to Lisa Norelli and Brian Ziel in 2021. Despite the change in ownership, the new owners have committed to maintaining the venue's unique character and connection to the local music scene.