Saint Rocke, Standing Room & The Legendary Lighthouse Cafe Feature Local & National Bands
There are several great local bands – Pennywise is from Hermosa – that play here and also regional and national touring bands. Here’s a rundown of where you can hear them play, all within a block or so from the beach.
• LIGHTHOUSE CAFE, HERMOSA PIER PLAZA
The Lighthouse is a legendary Los Angeles live music venue. Back in the 40s, 50s and 60s, it was recognized as one of the top jazz bars on the West Coast. It looks as if little has changed inside since them – it’s pretty dated – but it does have live music nearly every night of the week.
It gets primarily local bands; two favorites are Angry Monkey and Barley, which plays a “California” mix of soft rock and reggae and has a regular gig the first Saturday of each month from 4-8 p.m.
Cover Charges: Free to $10.
Address: Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach Pier
• SAINT ROCKE, PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
The most “professional” of the venues, Saint Rocke books touring regional and national bands, while also occasionally mixing in local acts and fun “theme” bands like Graceband (a 12-piece Elvis show band) and a Rolling Stones vs. Beatles show. The Spazmatics, a party-fun 80s cover band, is also frequently on stage.
In addition to the bar, Saint Rocke also provides the bands for the Hermosa Beach Summer Concert Series, free music on the beach each Sunday in August.
It also has a good Happy Hour ($5 drinks and appetizers under $10) with live acoustic music M-F until 6 p.m. There is no cover charge for Happy Hour.
Cover Charges: $10-25
Address: 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach, CA
Website W/Lineup & Cover Prices: www.saintrocke.com
• STANDING ROOM, HERMOSA AVE.
Barley, Graceband, long-time locals’ favorite party band Joe’s Band, Shari “El” Puorto with her awesome original blend of rock and blues songs, Angry Monkey and many other local South Bay and Los Angeles bands play Friday and Saturday nights at Standing Room.
The place has a good, beach-casual crowd of late 20s-early 40s that fills up but never gets elbow-to-elbow crowded. There’s rarely a line and never a cover, so if you want to go hear live music without worrying about having to get tickets in advance and just showing up and having a great time, this is the place for you.
The problem is that it doesn’t publish a calendar so you never really know who is playing, The upshot, tho, is the band will probably be good and you’ll wind up having fun. Due to Hermosa Beach bar rules, the band must (sadly) quit playing at midnight.
Cover Charges: None. Ever
Address: 1320 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA
MORE LIVE MUSIC BARS IN HERMOSA BEACH
There is also acoustic music– such as local favorite Jeremy Buck who comes here without his full band – on Friday and Saturday nights at Hennessey’s Tavern.
Sundays evenings into the nights, one of the most popular places in the area is Patrick Molloy’s on Pier Plaza. There’s a one-man band who plays reggae-style music on a near non-stop basis for several hours. This is enhanced by Happy Hour prices on drinks – $4 beers and cocktails. Starts at 5 p.m.
Inland from the beach (but not too far), is Suzy’s Bar & Grill, which has small-crowd local bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Suzy’s is a cozy, neighborhood somewhat dive-ish bar with good burgers.
There is no cover at any of these bars.
Suzie’s Bar Address: 1141 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Beach, CA
Suzy’s Bar FB Page: www.facebook.com/pg/Suzys-Bar-Grill-Hermosa-Beach
Leave a Reply