The owners of the three-year-old Lito’s Lounge, housed in the historic Five Mile House in Corralitos, have always envisioned a place where people could gather, socialize and listen to live music into the evening hours.
That vision got closer to reality recently when the business got its liquor license, allowing the sale of beer and wine, and more importantly, later hours.
That was the idea behind “Equinox Nights,” designed as a community gathering that highlights local artists, musicians, and small businesses from Santa Cruz County with the goal “of creating a welcoming cultural space in Corralitos where people can connect through art, music, and local creativity.”
The next event will be March 21 from 6 to 10pm at 2904 Freedom Blvd..
During that event, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture will stage a ribbon cutting ceremony to ring in the new endeavor.
Event organizer Merry Alanis said Lito’s Lounge—which features indoor and outdoor seating—just got their liquor licence and can now sell beer and wine, opening the doors for the celebration to launch their new evening hours.
“Until now, the space has been open primarily for café hours, and we recently received our alcohol license, allowing us to begin opening the lounge in the evenings for community art and music events,” she said.
The business’s website states: “We wanted to build a space that felt like home for this community—somewhere you could come in, slow down, and feel welcome, no matter who you are.”
Because the event takes place on the Spring Equinox, the evening will follow the Equinox Nights theme “inspired by the idea of seasonal transition, balance, and celebration of the changing season.”
The evening will also feature a community raffle with prizes donated by Santa Cruz County vendors to support local businesses and artists.Featured artists include:
• Tim Sterling—Marine and plein air oil paintings;
• Andrea Anaya—contemporary visual art exploring movement and emotional color;
• Holly Ann Schirrmacher—mixed media works exploring sacred color and cosmic symbolism.
