A Look At the Relocated Popular Bar From A Long-Time Sharkeez Customer
The party has started!
The new Sharkeez – relocated from its original location to the former Harry O’s and Upper Manhattan Lounge – is open. And it’s as grand and spectacular as one would expect.
It’s cool, it’s classy, it’s tasteful and it’s trendy. And best of all, it’s still Sharkeez. Anyone who has spent any amount of time in any of the locations on the California coast know what that means, but for those who may be somewhat new to it all, it simply refers to the fact that it manages to be both casual and hip. It’s a true pub and club (something PubClub.com certainly appreciates).
Its best attribute is the huge windows that look out over Highland Ave. And while you can’t see the ocean a block away, this still provides the kind of open-view atmosphere that is missing from too many places in the South Bay. This is a huge improvement over the previous location, which was somewhat dark inside even on the brightest days (of which there are many in Manhattan Beach).
There are tables against the windows and adequate room between them and the bar.
And the bar is cool; it’s still the long design that’s been there since before even Harry O’s, but it’s framed with the signature Sharkeez thatched roof. TVs are everywhere, so there’s no problem seeing any ballgame (and Sharkeez gets them all, no matter how obscure the network). The decor has some of the cool touches added to the Hermosa Beach location and, thankfully, there’s even a shark hanging from the ceiling.
The stage is in tact but unless there’s live music, it’s used for tables. There are two booths in the back and the area to the side which was used as a sort-of VIP area when it was Upper Manhattan is now open to anyone, which is a friendly touch. And the dance floor is the same as always.
There are booths along the back wall and this leads to PubClub.com’s only design complaint. The bar is either too wide or the booths too thick because when it’s crowded you still have the same problem that has always existed, and that is the walkway becomes too congested. If you’re at the bar – and those chairs are anchored to the floor and swivel but don’t scoot – you get crumpled by people crowding to either stand or walk from one end of the place to the other end. When they lean over to order a drink it’s like a VW squish contest.
Other than that, the place is about as perfect as one could imagine. The drinks are the same, the menu is the same (and as any regular knows, the food at Sharkeez is terrific, bordering on gourmet for a beach/sports bar) and, most importantly, the attitude and atmosphere is the same.
Sharkeez Manhattan Beach is, according to owner Greg Newman, the “flagship” location off all the Sharkeez bars.
Sharkeez Manhattan Beach is located at 3600 Highland Ave. (310) 545-8811.
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