In some wine regions, it can be challenging to find something to do when you’re finished wine tasting for the day, not so in Temecula. There are lounges and speakeasies in wine country, and countless bars in Old Town that cater to all styles from sophisticated wine bars to breweries to a line dancing joint with a mechanical bull.
There are also countless events happening around town at all times. In the summer and fall, wine country lights up with harvest festivals, farm-to-table dinners, grape stomps, and Halloween masquerades. In the spring and summer, wineries start to stay open later and host concerts and movie nights. Here are some great places to spend your evenings.
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Wine Country Nightlife
The Cellar Bar at Ponte Vineyard Inn
Even “after-hours” events at the wineries end sometime between 8 and 10 pm. The only true late-night place in wine country is The Cellar Bar at Ponte Vineyard Inn (pictured at the top of the page). With live music until 11 pm on weekends, a full bar, and a menu of elevated bar food, The Cellar Bar is always a good time and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you can, grab your table before 7 pm on the weekends. Once the music starts, the bar fills up quickly.
The Cilurzo at Bella Vista Winery
The Cilurzo, named after one of Temecula Valley’s pioneering winery owners, is a new Prohibition-era speakeasy hidden inside Bella Vista Winery. They serve wine cocktails, new Bella Vista wines, and small bites. It’s a very cool space with vintage vibes and live piano music. Open Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 8:30 pm. Call 951-676-5250 to make a reservation.
Oak Mountain Distillery
Oak Mountain Distillery is a unique spot in wine country. They distill their own spirits, and the friendly bartenders will craft a cocktail to suit your taste in the speakeasy-style bar. On the weekends, they usually have live music and serve light bites and full dinners. The distillery is open until 8 pm Thursday through Saturday. Make a reservation ahead of time to secure your spot.
Miramonte Winery
On Friday and Saturday nights, Miramonte Winery stays until 10 pm with live music and dancing for guests over 21. Their bistro also stays open late and offers a menu of great shareables, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, and one or two entrees. See their music lineup here.
Lorimar Winery
Lorimar Winery hosts live music at its restaurant every day, and it’s free for customers. You might also discover a movie night or ticketed concert on their events calendar so check before you head over. On Sundays, things quiet down at most wineries, but Lorimar has live music until 9 pm.
Saturday Bonfire at Longshadow Ranch
Longshadow Ranch has held bonfires with live music and barbecue every Saturday night for twenty years as long as the weather cooperates. It’s free, and tickets aren’t required, but you can reserve a table here to ensure a place to sit.
Peltzer Winery
Peltzer’s tasting room, the Crush House, stays open in the evenings until 9 pm on Fridays and 10 pm on Saturdays with live music and dancing. See their daily calendar of food vendors, music and other events.
Wilson Creek Winery
Wilson Creek Winery has a variety of music, comedy, and food events. Some events require tickets, but the concerts are usually free and open to the public. See their comedy and concert schedule here.
Mount Palomar Winery
Mount Palomar has a vast patio where, on Friday nights, they have salsa lessons starting at 5:30 pm. After the lesson, the “floor” opens to all for dancing until 9 pm. Browse their events page to see what’s happening on Saturday evenings while you’re there, there just might be a live concert going on that you’ll want tickets for.
Vitagliano Vineyards and Winery
Vitagliano Winery offers country line dancing every Friday evening. It’s a gorgeous venue, but entirely outside, so plan your wardrobe accordingly. On Fridays and Saturdays they stay open until 9 pm. See their event page.
Old Town Temecula Nightlife
On Friday and Saturday nights, people from around the Inland Empire pour into the 4×8 block stretch that makes up Old Town Temecula. Casual bars transform into nightclubs on the weekends, especially at the south end of Front Street, where you’ll find a DJ playing outside at Baily’s Restaurant, rooftop cocktails with a view at Luke’s, and line dancing and mechanical bull at The Stampede.
In the center of town, there’s more live music at The Vibe (formerly The Old Town Blues Club), great food and cocktails at 1909, an arcade with a great cocktail bar at Coin-Op. and concerts at Jazz at the Merc. And on the north side of town, you’ll find Quail, a low-key spot where you can grab a beer hang out at a picnic table outside, plus a series of new-ish wine bars.
There’s plenty of action for wine drinkers too. At Humble Somm, you can sample pours from their state of the art wine machines, and at Two Travelers Wine Bar and Merchant, there’s a wine list hand selected by their own sommeliers and delicious food. See our full rundown of Old Town wine bars here »
A unique late-night spot in Old Town is an Old West-themed speakeasy called Thompson and Twain. It’s a cocktail bar with top shelf pours located inside Crush n Brew on Front Street, and is open until midnight on the weekends. Seating is first-come, first-served so arrive early if you can. There’s no cover, but be prepared for the $19 and $20 drink prices. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 28544 Old Town Front Street Temecula CA 92590
