The Salty Seal Brewpub and Sports Bar: A Hidden Gem on Cannery Row

I LOVE GOING TO SALTY SEAL ! The new owners Jade and Ian are really turning the place around ! I was there before they took over and I’ve never seen the place so vibrant and full of life! Since new ownership they have had countless themed dj nights, burlesque shows, open mic nights, etc. I absolutely respect that they also take the time to listen to their customers suggestions on themed nights by doing polls on their social media. By far my favorite part of Salty Seal is is its employees who constantly take care of their customers. Chris,Kyle and Arie are my FAVORITE people to see behind the bar! They make my drinks beautiful and tasty , and are always recommending me delicious foods! FRANK ON DJ NIGHTS ALWAYS KILLS IT WITH HIS AMAZING SETS !

This was a really fun place to hang out! I have to admit initially I was a bit skeptical about going to Cannery Row on a Friday night, as I'm more interested in where the locals go than tourists. But my friend and I met up with her friend she knew that lives in the area, and it was where he suggested we meet up. I was glad that we did. I accidentally left my phone in the car, so I walked back by myself to go get it and felt perfectly safe walking alone without a phone or protection (until of course I had my phone in case of an emergency, which of course I didn't). When I got back, I asked the waitress (sadly, I could not recall her name, but she was very helpful and attentive. Sweet blonde young lady) what she recommended for my one drink, as did my friend I was visiting with. I decided on one of her recommendations, the prickly pear margarita. It was delicious! It's not the strongest drink I ever had, but it's definitely worth mentioning. I also ordered a virgin one, as I was driving. To be fair, I really could have had a second one, as I ate quite a bit, and like I mentioned, the drink wasn't very strong. I also let my friend try my drink as I tried hers as well. I can't recall exactly what she had, but it was blue and I believe had vodka in it. It was the drink listed next to mine on the menu. It was also good. But personally, I'm a margarita girl, so it's not one I would normally order. The guy we met up with (my friends friend, I just met that night) had a rum and coke. I didn't try it, as for one, I've had them before and more so, I didn't know him. So I can not say as to his drink. But it looked good. I had the cod chowder specially made by them with their original recipe and a grilled cheese sandwich. It was very tasty! Not at all what I expected. But it's definitely worth ordering again. My friend said she had been there before and tried it and didn't like it when she had it a few years back. So you never know. I knew going in that it was tomato based and not cream based, which was why she didn't care for it. She had the pork belly and fries along with clam chowder. I didn't try her clam chowder, but it looked good. The pork belly and fries were probably my favorite thing I ate. Next time, it's definitely going to be my order! The BBQ sauce alone was noteworthy! The other person we were with had a grilled cheese sandwich, so I'd say it was probably pretty good. I then had to have dessert, because that's become kinda my thing. And I had the cheesecake after asking the waitress what she recommended. That was HEAVENLY! It was nice and rich and completely delicious! Another item I'm definitely ordering again! There was live music on the patio along with what looked like a fire pit. A bunch of people playing pool in another section and all in all a great atmosphere. It's certainly somewhere I will go back to when I'm back in Monterey!

Cute sports bar with really good food! Service was a little on the slower side, but overall a really good experience. We got the fish tacos and barbecue pork belly and garlic fries! We also got a prickly pear cocktail and I forget the other name of the drink but a cocktail with rum.