Hermosa Beach's #1 Dive Bar
Poop Deck Remains Unchanged On The Strand

Located on the Strand, the Poop Deck is a classic dive bar in Hermosa Beach.

Dive bars are making a comeback.

And that's good, because PubClub.com feels that they've not really gone anywhere over the years. And frankly that is what makes them dive bars in the first place. They ignore time, they ignore progress and they ignore trends.

They just go about their business, which is serving beers and simple drinks in the most basic of atmospheres.

In Hermosa Beach, CA, no finer example of a dive bar exists than the Poop Deck.

The Poop Desk is as basic as a bar gets, as simple as drinking a draft beer.

The Poop Deck doormen welcome in thirsty drinkers from the Strand.

Fish swim behind a bar that serves only the King of Beers on tap.

It has all the elements of a true dive bar: Neon beer signs on the walls, small pool table, foosball table, a legendary tale – did adult film star Tracy Lords really drink here between making movies!? – old-time bartenders and biker-looking guys at the door (don't worry, they're really friendly!). The only thing missing is greasy chili in a small black kettle pot behind the bar, but it does have a desirable bratwurst.

Everyone on the Strand knows this front of the Poop Deck.

It even has an aquarium of sorts, a glass case holding big fish too big for their confines behind the bar.

The Poop Deck also serves one – and only one – beer on draught. Budweiser. That's right, the King.

The Poop Deck is one of the few bars right on the Strand, where the only thing blocking a view of the Pacific Ocean is girls rollerblading by the big windows in bikinis, people cruising on bikes and beach volleyball games on the sand.

Flip cup is a favorite activity out on the Poop Deck's deck.

The race is on – a flip cup competition is underway on the patio.

Out on the patio of the Poop Deck in Hermosa Beach.

It is a one- or two-beer stop for thirsty beach goers before heading to the more popular places on the Pier. Except during the summer beach volleyball tournaments and early Friday evenings.

The latter is when the bar sells 32-ounce Bud drafts for $1 until the keg blows. It starts at 8 and people start lining up inside at 7:30. Most grab two Buds, then head out to the back patio (no ocean view) for flip cup and socializing.

And that flip cup and back patio socializing is the essence of the Poop Deck experience.

At sunset, the Poop Deck provides a nice view out its big windows.

So the Poop Deck is indeed a classic, but it won't last forever. The large L-shaped property on which it has sat for more than 50 years (which also includes another long-time dive, The Mermaid) has been sold to a developer.

Eventually – which could be the next couple of years or much further down the road – this location will become condos, an upscale hotel or (gasp) high-end retail shops. But for now, it's the Poop Deck, and it's a classic dive bar in Hermosa Beach.

The Poop Deck is located at 1272 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA. It's one block north of the Pier and the bars and restaurants of Pier. Ave.