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child dancing in front of live blues

Live Blues
& Barbeque

Slow-smoked meats, cold beer, and live blues by the coast

Hours
Every day

7 am

‘til

9 pm

or sold out

Closed Thanksgiving
& Christmas
Address

8059

Aptos St.

Aptos, CA


95003

Game day starts here


The Tailgate Pack is built for watching the game, yelling at the TV, and feeding the whole crew. It feeds five with hearty portions of your choice of two smoked meats and three sides.

Quantities included if selected
🏈 2 lb pulled pork
🏈 3 half chickens
🏈 1 rack ribs
🏈 1 lb brisket
🏈 1 lb tri-tip
🏈 6 pack hotlinks
🏈 Sides: 1 pint or 1 loaf

Order Online

Meaty Beef Back Ribs

These ribs have a habit of disappearing fast. When they show up, they don’t stick around—get your name on a rack and preorder ahead.

Beef Rib Meal, $27 – 3 Meaty beef back ribs, choice of 2 sides & bread

Small Family Pack,  $65 – 1 Rack meaty beef back ribs, 2 pints of sides, 1/2 loaf garlic bread

Large Family Pack, $115 – 2 Racks meaty beef back ribs, 3 pints of sides, loaf of garlic bread

You’re Gonna Need a Napkin

Smoked turkey stacked thick with melted provolone, garlic herb aioli, and a little red onion. It’s the kind of sandwich you eat slow, lick your fingers after, and start planning when you’re coming back to order it again.

Smiling bartender

FUNDRAISING WITH BBQ

Throughout the year we partner with local schools, clubs, youth sports teams, and PTAs to help give back to our community. Fundraisers are easy to set up, fun to attend, and stocked with delicious BBQ for everyone to enjoy.

Learn More

Good Vibes and soulful blues

We’re more than just your go to spot for the best BBQ in Santa Cruz county.  We’ve got live blues 7 nights a week and a seat at the table waiting for you.  So come grab a beer, or a whole BBQ spread, and join us for some soulful blues and good times.

Introducing Real Smoked Rewards

Award winning BBQ with perks, what’s not to love? Surprise birthday gifts, first dibs on holiday preorders, smokin’ deals and so much more.

Learn more & Sign up

It’s another great day to be together

When the beer is cold and the pits are hot, people tend to gather. That’s a truth as old as time, and one that’s near and dear to our hearts. Grab a friend, a beer, and a seat, and join us in celebrating the power of fire and time in the most authentic way possible.

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Awards & Best Of's

best of santa cruz county award

Good Times

award from wedding wire for 2020

Wedding Wire

business insider logo

Business Insider

Fab food with such a chilled vibe. Got the kids soccer team here..sat outside. Loved the pulled pork. The kids devoured the ribs. All the meats are great. The beer variety was awesome. We'll be back.

Aparma G.

June 23'

Not too many bbq joints outside Texas tend to impress me with their brisket...well Aptos St BBQ breaks that rule!! Perfectly done and served on a beautifully grilled piece of bread. The potato salad was on point and the little pile of pickled onions and jalapeños was perfect!!

Bobby M.

March 23'

Stopped here on a whim on our trip from Georgia. We have had a lot of bbq in the south. This is some of the best bbq we have ever eaten!

Paige H.

June 23'

A fantastic spot for barbecue in the Aptos area. Whether you're looking for a lively outdoor seating or a cool live band to jam to while you enjoy your bbq, there's something here for everyone. The selection is awesome.

Sandra N.

June 23'

For date night we decided to go to Aptos St. BBQ and let me just say, BOMBBBBBB... Perfect summer evening! Also the beer bar had a really good selection, a lot of different beers on tap! I even got to have options on sours which usually never happens! We forsure will be going back!!

Sandra R.

June 22'

Oh, mama. It was a meat bonanza, each item with its own special flavor and appeal. The ribs were meaty and juicy, bronzed with sauce. The tri-tip, tender but with a bit of chew, was cooked just right. And I loved the fall-apart pulled pork and its ridges of crackling-rich crust.

Ann Parker

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The tri-tip, in particular, is delicious. The first time I had it—fat slices piled into a split bun like ciabatta—its flavor, juice retention, and the elastic pull of its grain astonished me.

John & Chris May

Chowhound

This restaurant is a real gem, and definitely worth making a special trip to experience.

Sebastian Frey

Aptos Community News

The meat was cooked to perfection, almost melting into the fresh garlic roll. I could go on and on, relying on metaphors and analogies to get my point across to you; but instead I will say this: go get it.

Staff Writer

Santa Cruz Waves