Popular Sports Bar Goes to Full Pricing During ‘Big Games’ like the LA Kings
I like Shark’s Cove.
The downtown Manhattan Beach bar – located just up the pier in a cool spot formerly known as Manhattan Coolers, for you long-time locals – is a clean sports bar that transforms itself into a fun nightspot later in the evening, often with bands. It’s a perfect kick-back place for the kicked-back beach lifestyle of the South Bay.
The staff is good and the bartenders always hand drinks over the counter with a smile.
It also attracts a pretty good (and good-looking) crowd. Especially for LA Kings games. I was in there for the dramatic and exciting end to Game 3, an overtime win that saw the place erupt in celebration.
But Shark’s Cove needs to spend some time in the penalty box for this move: It does not honor its Happy Hour during Kings weekday games. I had planned to watch the potential Stanley Cup-clinching Game 4 on a Wednesday there with a few friends. But after paying $6 for a Longboard Lager instead of the $4 Happy Hour price, I sent out a “relocating” text.
We wound up next door at Hennessey’s ($6.75 for a jumbo Stella and just $2.75 for a 14-ounce Bud Light during Happy Hour, 4-7), which was comfortable but hardly as lively as Shark’s Cove.
“We don’t do Happy Hour for big games,” manager Chris explained, “like the Super Bowl, and this is a one of those big games.”
Well okay, Chris, but the Super Bowl is on a Sunday. Not during the week as was this game. And just because people have filled up your bar, you’re going to yank the discount drink rug out from under them? You’ve got a great opportunity to get these people into your bar as regular customers when things are not busy, to build some bar loyalty, but you’re running the risk of being penalized by locals for high-sticking (prices).
One of the great advantages to being on the West Coast for playoff games and big sporting events is that they usually start at 5 p.m., and end about 8, and that falls right into Happy Hour at most places.
But not, apparently, at Shark’s Cove.
You don’t see this “big game” policy at Sharkeez. It’s 2-for-1 until 7, regardless of what is on the screens. Not only that, the managers practically chase you down offering incentives to bring you into the place. Marty in Hermosa did that to me for this year’s BCS National Championship, giving us a table, two big platters of appetizers and even a bottle of champagne. Ironically, I had planned on going to Shark’s Cove for that game.
Is it little wonder why there are always people Sharkeez, regardless of the day or the event.
I’m not mad at Shark’s Cove. I’ll be back. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a fun place, especially at night when they put bands in the tiny place. I’m not a frequent customer, but certainly a regular one.
I just won’t go there for any “big” games during the week.
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