A More Refined Sharkeez On Pier Plaza
Created by the masterminds of bar designs from Sharkeez, Tower 12 is like beach bungalow’s living room, giving the place a warm, relaxing feeling that’s far less “whoop it up” than its sister spot across Pier Plaza.
Instead, it’s more like a kick-back-in-the-sandals place, as soothing as a Hermosa Beach sunset.
Tower 12, opening in late February, it is located mid-Pier Plaza above Cafe Bonaparte, also owned by the Sharkeez Southern California “empire.” It’s in the spot formerly occupied by Fat Face Fenner’s Faloon. The name comes from the fact it kind of looks like a big lifeguard stand and the location at the pier is at what would be 12th Street in Hermosa Beach if there was a 12th Street in Hermosa Beach.
It is also the only Hermosa pier bar that is on the second level (okay, Hennessey’s has a small balcony overlooking The Strand but it’s more sit down than move around), providing patrons with an elevated view of the entire plaza. This is also one of the largest bar spaces in the South Bay, with a bar to the right and a bar to the left when you go up the stairs.
To the right is the bar area facing Pier Plaza, with open windows looking down on the action, as well as a small patio area on a walkway.
To the left is a larger back bar area that, in its Fenner’s days, had live music.
Together, they make for a nice combination of almost two bars in one.
The dress, as is the case with all bars in the South Bay, is casual. Especially in the afternoon for recreational beach volleyball players and suntanners coming off the sand and people riding their bikes along The Strand. But you may want to step it up a notch at night, for while this is not quite an upscale setting, it is one that’s a bit more refined than Sharkeez.
Fenner’s was also a big Boston bar and big celebrations were held when the Patriots and Red Sox won world championships. The Deck has been serving as home for transplanted New Englanders since Fenner’s closed and it remains to be seen if Tower 12 will become their future home.
Location: Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza
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