On many Friday and Saturday nights Caffé Mela (17 N. Wenatchee Ave., 509/888-0374, www.caffemela.com [1], 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat.) hosts a parade of talented locals on its intimate stage, keeping the doors open until at least 10 p.m. Some nights are free, while there’s a cover on others; visit the website for a schedule. Mela is a fun, airy space when the lights are off and stage isn’t set up. Vibrant local art hangs from the walls, and resident artists pour out their own brand of beauty right into your cup—expect to see deliciously creamy patterns of flowers, leaves, and other coffee art adorning your latte.
Prepare to be serenaded en Espanol at Grizzly’s Lounge (1225 N. Wenatchee Ave., 509/663-0711, 4–11 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 4 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Fri.–Sat.), which hosts an array of musicians on Friday nights, focusing especially on Spanish music.
A DJ spins rock and pop music most nights at the Wenatchee Roaster & Ale House (201 N. Wenatchee Ave., 509/662-1234). Situated inside the Wenatchee Center Hotel, the Roaster is a lively place to take a date for a late-night bite to eat in the lounge, where the kitchen is open until midnight. Music plays 9 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday and 9 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Friday–Saturday.
For a casual game of pool and a bit of flirty conversation, head over to Willie’s Sports Bar (921 Valley Mall Pkwy., 509/884-7917) in East Wenatchee [2]. Outfitted with big-screen TVs and big pitchers of brew, this is a bustling spot for the just-turned-21 set.
Or for a classier evening, sip and swirl local vintages at the mood-lit lounge in Shakti’s (218 N Mission St., 509/662-3321, 4:30–8:30 p.m. daily), which also serves a mean martini and lots of inventive appetizers.
Links:
[1] http://www.caffemela.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/columbia-gorge-and-wine-country/wenatchee