Laguna’s Renaissance May Revive the Nights

An off-season, evening wander down one of Laguna Beach’s side streets is typically a quiet one. Even Forest Avenue, one of Laguna’s busiest pedestrian thoroughfares by day, is practically desolate by nightfall.

However, if you listen carefully, you may catch the sound of music and laughter emanating from a certain glass and concrete structure nestled inconspicuously between a country store and an import gift shop on Forest. Follow the sounds and discover the Renaissance Cafe.

The Renaissance Cafe is one of the few hangouts in Laguna where you can go late at night for coffee or drinks, to meet with friends and enjoy good conversation to the strains of flamenco guitar, jazz or a bit of the blues. An inviting sidewalk cafe with nouveau flair, it’s reminiscent of cafes found in San Francisco or Paris. Everything from classic guitar to Brazilian instruments can be heard nightly at the Renaissance.

Since its opening last April, the cafe seems to have become the hub of Laguna night life. On the weekends (and sometimes during the week) it’s commonplace to find people standing around waiting for a table or a space at the bar, the crowd often spilling out beyond the patio onto the sidewalk.

The atmosphere borders on the trendy. The decor is minimalist: high-beamed ceilings with fans and track lights, cement floors, art deco furniture and paintings by local artists adorning the otherwise bare brick walls. The overall effect, complete with an all-glass front, is an open, airy feeling that’s cool and comfortable.

Like most Laguna cafes, the Renaissance attracts an eclectic patronage: locals, artists, writers, business associates, tourists, students, drifters. It features an espresso bar and a rather unusual California cuisine menu, which includes intriguing appetizers such as calamari tacos, steamed artichokes and baked Brie with fresh fruit, and such entrees as veggie pasta, orange pepper chicken and chicken Fiorello. Of course, like any good bar, the menu contains an extensive wine and beer list, including such bottled beers as Newcastle, Belhaven, Steinlager and Grolsch.

The Renaissance Cafe, 234 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. Open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday till about 2 a.m., and Sundays till 11:30 p.m. (714) 497-JAVA.