South Bay Legend Has Stood The Test Of Time (And Generations)
It has survived the fun patrons from volleyball tournaments taking place right out its door, spirited flip cup games on his back patio, buzzed (and bad) pool players, a Hermosa Beach makeover that saw other dives replaced and weathered heavy winter storms that had ocean water rolling over the beach wall.
And on Saturday, April 20, the Poop Deck turns 56.
The Hermosa Beach icon, as simple a bar as you will ever encounter, is having an anniversary party.
The Poop Deck has survived because it’s not pretentious, is not trendy and provides simple pleasures to its patrons.
It pours but one beer from its tap – Budwieser – and serves up not “specialty cocktails” but the simple things in life.
If you’ve not gathered this by now, the Poop Deck is a dive bar. It has the advantageous location of actually being on the Hermosa Strand, right across from the beach. For that reason, it is most popular during the annual pro beach volleyball tournament when spectators and even players wander in and out during the day.
Dress code: Sandals, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts and bikinis.
While somewhat similar places around the corner from it – Pier 52, the End Zone – were victims when the city built up lower Pier Ave., the Poop Deck survives (Pier 52 is much improved, by the way, it’s now Sharkeez and the End Zone is missed, it’s hard to complain about what is there now, Waterman’s.)
So go grab a few of those large Bud drafts and celebrate the continued life of this South Bay legend.
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• PubClub.com’s Poop Deck Bar Review
At age 83 I’ve been a patron since the beginning, although I’ve only been there a few times since moving back to Texas 14 years ago. I was wearing a Poopdeck t-shirt in Ayre, Scotland, when visiting the Tam O’Shanter inn. Upstairs was hanging the original small oil painting from which the Poopdeck’s artwork on my shirt was copied; the ghost of an old man risen temporarily from the grave, dancing with young maidens (witches). The inn, now a mall museum, was where Robert Burns composed many of his poems. The famous Brig 0′ Doon (bridge over the river Doon) was just down the road. So the Poopdeck artwork on my shirt met the original painting in Scotland. Go figure the odds!
I spent many wonderful hours nursing a brew, watching the beach bunnies (now old women) on the strand from behind the Poopdeck’s windows, perched on a stool. This was even before beach volleyball was invented. Glad to hear it’s still going strong. Don’t change anything. Best wishes.
Excellent! Thanks for the comment. How ironic about the Scotland bar. Cheers!