Conventional wisdom says Goleta rolls up its sidewalks at 8 p.m., but friends, I’m here to tell you that conventional wisdom is often wrong: Goleta has nightlife—if you know where, and when, to look for it.

Like various things in the Goleta Valley, nighttime entertainment can be brash and in-your-face or elusive, changeable, even subtle. Think of the following as microclimates for different moods.

Goletans willing to explore local neighborhoods as well as the main drags of Hollister and Calle Real can discover nocturnal activities to suit a variety of tastes. An admittedly limited personal survey turned up vocalists and piano bars, rock and ranchero bands, deejays of various persuasions (usually lording over tiny dance floors attached to bars), bowling and arcade games, and even a feisty bingo night with hundreds of dollars in awards. Some of these enterprises stay open until 2 a.m.

Before sampling the possibilities, a few ground rules: No bars will be mentioned unless they have some activity on the premises other than drinking booze. Performance venues should have regularly scheduled entertainment. Readers would be wise to check for scheduling and other changes; contacts provided.

To dispense with the obvious first, the University of California, Santa Barbara campus offers many intellectual and performing pleasures including lectures, films, dance—some of these programs are free, particularly at the MultiCultural Center (893-8411). As well, adjacent Isla Vista has late-night attractions. I.V. Theater (islavista-arts.org) provides eclectic film programming and low prices ($4), while the area’s only indigenous improv comedy team cavorts in Embarcadero Hall on Friday nights during the school year.

Western Goleta boasts some surprises: For the price of a drink, anyone can listen to a singer and pianist render oldies but goodies on Fridays and Saturdays at Bacara Resort’s comfortable, if expensive, bar between 8 and 10:30 p.m., the concierge (968-0100) tells me. At least, that’s the present setup for guests and the public.

Across Highway 101, the historic Timbers Restaurant (968-2222) closes at 8 p.m., but allows promoters to use the premises for live music and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 p.m. till late. The Latin Night programs are a big draw in the Spanish-speaking community; other nights have been for country music lovers. The restaurant kitchen sells snacks and finger foods, and runs a bar, says Hadi, the Timbers’ owner. These events have been presented for a year now, but their future is not guaranteed.

Located next to the Camino Real Marketplace movie multiplex, the café in Border’s book and music store (968-1370) provides a quiet spot to read, nibble, and meet friends until closing at 10 p.m., every night except Sundays.

Of special interest to younger Goletans is Zodo’s Bowling and Beyond (967-0128) on Calle Real in central Goleta. While the bowling lanes and two pool tables draw most of the activity, an adjacent room packed with ticket-spewing arcade games is another allure. Tickets can be exchanged for prizes. The Tap House and Grill serves diners until 11 p.m. most nights. Tuesday is Karaoke night from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and a deejay spins classic rock 'n’ roll on Thursdays until midnight.

If you feel lucky, continue down Calle Real to 150 N. Kellogg where the Goleta Elks Club has sponsored Thursday night charity bingo (964-6858) since the mid-1970s. Doors open at 5 p.m. but play begins at 6:30 for the early birds. Not your church’s traditional game, for $20 you get 12 sheets (one for each game in the series) with six bingo squares. Cash prizes range from $125 to $250 in a regular game, depending on the number of people playing. Door prizes and special, quick games alter the pace of what is usually a three-hour marathon. The Elks run a snack bar, but veteran players usually bring their own food and drink.

Woody, who has overseen bingo night for the last two decades, reports that the bingo net profits “go only to local charities.” Last year, the Goleta Elks donated between $10,000 and $15,000, he estimates, and that is “about average.”

In Old Town, on the south side of the 101, readers may note The Back Door (aka Bak Dor) bar at 320 S. Kellogg (964-7062), with two pool tables. It is open till 2 a.m. daily, bartender Kevin tells me. He also claims the bar’s juke box is “the best in town.”

Old Town Tavern bartender Michele, who says her establishment has an iTunes juke that can access 180,000 songs, challenges that claim. In addition, the tavern (967-2403), at 261 Orange Ave., has a small dance floor and two pool tables. Karaoke is performed three nights a week, and the bar closes at 2 a.m.

The granddaddy of Old Town watering holes is the Mercury (967-0907) at 5871 Hollister Ave. This lounge with a lived-in feeling boasts live music on Thursdays, usually local bands, says bartender Chuck. It sometimes gets out-of-town groups on Saturdays. While the Mercury closes at 2 a.m. daily, it does not open until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and not till 7 p.m. on the weekends.

Woody’s BBQ (967-3775) occupies a prominent corner of the Magnolia Shopping Center, 5112 Hollister. It has video games, and occasional live music, but is mostly renowned for its funky Western and sawdust décor. Woody’s closes at 9 on weeknights and 10 on weekends. If you want something harder than beer, next door is Monty Sportsbar with two pool tables, which closes at 2 a.m.

Last on our incomplete list is the Creekside Inn (964-5118) at 4444 Hollister. It hosts local bands on Saturdays, which play “a variety of music,” says hostess Amber. A deejay plays something called “Crazy Country Music” on Wednesdays, with dance lessons that begin at 7 p.m. The inn has a modest dance floor and a pool table; it opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and closes its doors at 2 a.m. daily.

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