Hermosa, Manhattan & Redondo Beach Drinking Landmarks
After personal experiences, consulting with several others – over drinks, of course – and running down memory lane, PubClub.com has assembled a list of the Top 10 iconic bars of all time in the South Bay Beach Cities.
This is the best of the best in Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo Beach. This list went through many changes and placement adjustments, but this is what our team of South Bay experts – veterans of the bars – deemed to be the most worthy establishments.
They are the wildest, most fun, best pickup places and best hangouts in the history of the South Bay.
This is the first of many stories on historical drinking landmarks in the South Bay. Future articles will be on the Top 10 Sunday Bars and Best Current Bars, Top Bars With Speciality Drinks and whatever else we can think of to celebrate the rich history of nightlife in the Beach Cities.
The Top 10 List
1.). La Paz, Manhattan Beach
Probably the wildest of them all, this was a dark dive bar six days a week. But on the seventh, its upstairs patio was full of sunshine and every single person who was smart enough to get there before 3, Sundays at La Paz was a weekly ritual. It pretty much only served beer but that was enough to get people buzzed, often until well into Monday.
It was located where the upscale Strand House now sits, quite the contrast! Its prime time was from the 70s, thru the 80s and into the very early 90s.
2.) Beach Bum Burt’s, Redondo Beach
Located where the Cheesecake Factory is now, Beach Bum Burt’s was a nice and classy Hawaiian restaurant and bar. It had excellent coconut shrimp & mahi mahi.
But on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, the singles swarmed in and it turned into one of the South Bay’s all-time great pick-up bars. The roof opened up and there was a catwalk around the top where you could look down on the action, then go dive in it yourself.
Long-time locals fondly remember Beach Bum Burt’s bar. It was at its peak in the early mid 80s.
3). The Original Sharkeez, Manhattan Beach
To many, the original Sharkeez (where FishBar is now) was not just a great locals’ watering hole, it was a drinking landmark. Sharkeez had everything – great music, sports, those awesome surf videos, fantastic food and strong, creative drinks served in big plastic buckets.
Most importantly, it had the crowd. It was such a good-looking crowd, someone visiting from out of town stood at the door with his mouth open for several minutes and them remarked, “my gosh, it looks like a beer commercial in here.”
Yet it was better than any beer commercial could even create, a real-life one-stop-for-everything fun bar with Mexican tropical decor and a crowd that was all South Bay singles. In its time, Sharkeez was the #1 spot for Friday Happy Hour and Friday night, for sporting events and as a singles bar.
Sharkeez was at its best in the early to mid 2000s.
4). 12th St, Manhattan Beach
Soon after LaPaz went away – Sunsets never captured the same Sunday magic outside of AVP weekends – a local fun guy named Pat opened a bar on 12th Street at Highland. Right off the bat he put in Joe’s Band, the South Bay’s all-time party band, and the party was on again in the South Bay.
12th Street was the Sunday evening bar that turned into Sunday nights, a blur of dancing, drinking and hooking up with singles. Eventually, 12th Street became a tag-team partner of a bar that opened up right behind it, H2O. This awesome run f fun lasted pretty much through the 90s.
5). Red Onion, Redondo Beach
In its heyday, the Red Onion was the notorious singles party bar with locations throughout Southern California. The one in Redondo Beach had the reputation all over the city being the best of them all.
Locals went there for super cheap food and big drinks and used that as fuel to make sure the place lived up to every bit of its singles reputation. It must be noted that the Red Onion operators are the ones who created Sharkeez.
The 80s was the prime time for the Spread, er Red, Onion.
6). Tequila Willies, Manhattan Beach
Tequila Willies, located in the Manhattan Village Mall, was what the South Bay does not have not now– a must go-to Happy Hour Friday bar. There was no discussion about where to go then because everyone went to Tequila Willies every Friday.
It had a large bar with margaritas flowing out as fast as the bartenders could make them and a train running above the bar. There was a patio outside but the real action was inside by that big bar. The South Bay really needs a Tequila Willies again for those Friday Happy Hours.
It faced out and eventually disappeared – Islands burgers is there now – in the mid 90s.
7). Harry O’s, Manhattan Beach
This was Cisco’s, once owned by one of the Smothers Brothers, then became Brennans and, eventually one of the legendary nightclubs in the Beach Cities.
Harry O’s had bands – frequently it was Joe’s Band – crammed onto its tiny stage, a packed dance floor and singles would lean in and around that big rectangular bar. It was the bar of the LA Kings and visiting hockey players and was once even shown in Sports Illustrated.
This was the easiest pick-up bar in the history of the South Bay; the girls would tell the guys right up front whether or not they were interested and if they weren’t, there were plenty of other choices.
WIth bands like the M-80s and Pine Mountain Logs, it’s where everyone who did not get laid on the weekend went on Sunday nights, earning it the nickname of “The Last Chance Saloon.”
From its prime in the mid 90s to early 2000s, Harry O’s eventually became several other places and is now Sharkeez Manhattan.
8.). Sunsets/Beaches, Manhattan Beach
Eventually – over several decades – the owners of La Paz wanted to make money more than one day a week, so they went somewhat upscale and created a restaurant and bar called Sunsets. Later to be called Beaches (and, for old time’s sake, La Paz, and then back to Sunsets).
Anyway, the locals took over the downstairs bar and with the dish of a bartender named Trish dishing out wildly-strong Cadillac margaritas the place was suddenly one of the most packed places in town.
Friday nights were the best times on a weekly basis but the craziest times were during the Manhattan Open when the AVP was at its peak in the 90s and 2000s.
9). Shellback Tavern, Manhattan Beach
The dive just up from the pier still thrives today. “The Shell” is the off-the-beach-bar that brings in sweaty volleyball players who buy beers by the pitchers, and then the place gets hot and steamy at night as it’s swarmed by 20s and 30s South Bay singles.
There’s nothing much to it, just a good, kicked back bar serving drinks in a beach casual environment, making it a true South Bay classic.
10.) Chillers, Redondo Beach
Some locals still carry the scars from this bar. They would get hammered on those frozen drinks – the rum-heavy Passion Punch was a PubClub favorite – then attempt to bike or rollerblade home and get “party fouls.”
The large side patio was THE Sunday afternoon destination after 12th Street went away, and it stayed that way for many years until neighbors complained about the noise and an undesirable crowd began to take over from the locals.
In it’s prime, which was in the 90s, it was a prime place indeed. Nothing has made it in this location since, despite being in a prime place next to Ruby’s in the King Harbor parking lot.
Honorable Mention Best All-Times Bars
Australian Bistro, California Beach Rock ‘n Roll Sushi, Cassidy’s, C.J. Brett’s, Critters/North End, Ercoles, H2O, Orville & Wilbur’s, Pancho & Wongs (held the Miss Michelob Light bikini contests and had bands at night), Sharkeez Hermosa, Hennesseys Manhattan (dollar beer Thursday’s), Pancho & Wongs, Sangria (after AVP tournaments), Toe’s Tavern (especially when The Fox played), HBYC (Hermosa Beach Yacht Club, a classic dive still around today).
Current Honorable Mention Best Bar: Pancho’s
This bar has been around forever. The cantina is packed every weekend night with a rock-n-roll Hall of Fame series of musicians that make up the band – the sax player toured with Kenny Loggins, the bass player with Fleetwood Mac the drummer could be from any band from Styx to Alice Cooper.
Still More Classic Bars Of The Bygone Era
Cisco’s (dirty dancing night, then Brennan’s; co-owners were Clint Eastwood and the Smothers Brothers), The Flying Jib (60s & 70s one of the all-time wild ones in the South Bay; dirty dancing contest the ones got their clothes off the fastest won; where Body Glove is now located), First National Food & Beverage (where El Porto Liquor is now; locales called it the “First National Food & Drug Co,” and it was also Jimmer’s, and several other names), The Hole In The Wall, The Frigate (the place for stewardesses, where FishBar is now), The Strand Bar (right on The Strand at Rosecrans).
Blue Moon Saloon. Summer Sunday afternoons with the John Brown Band .
Yeah! John Brown! Great band.
I worked for John Brown as his admin assistant in 1999 in his home. Great guy
Oh how COOL!
No Way. Pier 52 Hermosa Beach forever. The Automatics, Zola and Barry and drummer and bass. And owner and staff. I know.
Barry the guitar player? I got a lesson from him like …in 1992 or something.
Ha. He’ll be happy to hear that I’m sure! – PubClub.com
I lived in Hermosa in the late 70’s & most of the 80’s and Pier 52 was definitely a great place to hear & dance to rock bands. If I remember right ( lots & lots of alcohol), I saw Dokkan there before they gained a lot of fame. Also, I used to roller skate into Hennesey’s just down the street and listen to some live mello folk music. So miss that town back “in the day”.
JB is still playin’—saw him at the Lobster fest a coupla years ago!!
Right on!
Sweetwater cafe and the Fleetwood in Redondo Beach
I lived a couple of blocks from there. I even helped install the giant overhead speakers. In The Sweetwater. (at least the one that worked LOL)
Can’t believe I didn’t go see Van Halen at The Fleertwood before they were famous. Still kicking myself over that.
Saw a few unsigned bands at both the Sweetwater and the Fleetwood. I didn’t know Van Halen played the Fleetwood. But I did see Van Halen, before they were signed, at The Proud Bird restaurant on Aviation. They were on the bill with other bands that day. Did you catch them there ?
Van Halen played at the Proud Bird!?!?
Absolutely! Right after Beach Bum Bert’s on Sundays.
Sports center and surf city!!!!
what about summers sports bar ?!
TOTALLY!!! I lived right across the street from Summer’s and even played pool league pool for them. Mary and her husband were awesome cool owners and people in general
Cool!
The bar club called Cassidy was located or PCH and what? Across the street from Porsche dealership?
So funny you mentioned Cassidy’s. I just drove by that spot today on PCH and though it was a lot more fun location then rather than now. It was on about 1st Street, right on the Hermosa/Manhattan border.
Also where north Manhattan fish bar is….The Rusty pelican….
We used to call it “catch a disease” because there were prostitutes one night propositioning some of our friends in the late 80’s!!! Haha
HAHAHAHAHAH!!! I’d never heard that about Cassidy’s “Catch-a-disease”… too funny!!
Also, right across on the western side of PCH there C.J. Brett’s (owned by George’s pop…..)
Sweet Water and The Fleetwood?
In the 90’s – Houlihan’s Old Place @ Del Amo was the biggest melting pot on Fridays. . Saint Patty’s Day was Epic..!!
I worked right across the street there from 1988-1997. I would be at Houlihan’s every weekend!
MB Sharkeez was at its best in the mid 90’s, when we all flocked there to watch The Simpsons & Friends on Thursday nights. The OG HB Sharkeez carried the torch in the late 90’s-early 2000’s, before it burned down. We called it the “Black Hole” because you couldn’t walk by it without getting pulled in by its gravity and not coming out for 8 hours. You had no qualms about walking in alone, because you knew you were going to know everyone there. The typical Sunday schedule went as follows: afternoons at Chillers, after-sunset migration to HB Sharkeez, followed by yet another migration to H2O for Joe’s Band.
Great comments – spot on!
how about the buccaneer??????? and the greeks
Yes, the Buccaneer – right across the street from La Paz. The ritual was walking back and forth, scouting for talent. The Bucc had a band, beer and drinks, La Paz hade beer, pool an chicks. What more could you want?
.
That’s about all a guy could possibly want, absolutely!
there were 2 greats buccaneer and la paz, i owned them bothy
must be Mike G, I tended bar there for Bob Wiggins
open your eyes above
Ciscos owners were Clint Eastwood Dickey Smothers Jack Ging Claude Hall Bill Haines Radio Dj Bill Thompson and two other silent partners..Bouncer Big Mike McConell sorta of ran the place…
Sonny Monioz Ciscos Monday night dance contest M/C
Excellent. Thanks, Sonny, for adding this insight and history to the article!
What about Annabelle’s? That place was a lock every time.
Great memories! MB and HB 1997-2008. Now in the Palisades.
Does anyone remember the Blue Book in El Porto? Mike
One of my favorites along with the Players Bar. La Paz could never be recreated with the laws that we have now.
So true. A mini skirt and a great pair of legs won’t get you in today if you’re underage. 😉
Good times at La Paz.
Grew up in El Porto lived right around corner…..Behind the old Hut…..Crest & 40th st
Ditto! I lived right next door to El Tarasco’s on Rosecrans in El Porto from ’92-’99, then moved down to Shell St.
We are trying to remember the name of the bar where we met – I am calling it John Bull Pub, hubby calling it Pork Chop Browns – do either of those names ring a bell?
I used to live at Crest and 38th St. and we had a business on the corner of 38th and Highland called Public Pay Phone, Inc. Orville and Wilbur’s was on Rosecrans just east of Highland. They had dancing and even held Flashdance contests during the early 80’s. When Brennans changed ownership to be Pork Chop Brown’s, that place rocked! Live music and dancing every night.
Orville & Wilbur’s Steak House ( built by the Chuck’s/Scotch & Sirloin franchise) I worked there when they opened in 1972…Many celebs would drop in back then : Dave Draper, Dick Somthers, Glen Frye & Don Henley, Craig Bredlove , Dick Butkis,
Steve Jakobson was Manager ( he later owned Tequila Willey’s)
Music was live The Jimmy Dutch Trio, Jimmy later Managed that club down on the west side of Highland (?) Ithink it was the Great American Food Company ?
Yeah, Grejanich…….I remember……….You remember, your buddy, “Hollywood”………….?
My soon to be wife at the time used to be there as much as possible. I came home from VIETNAM for thirty days and we partied hard! Also the Flying Jib was another great place. Came home again from the second tour for thirty days and continued the party. How about the Picture House that had the doors that looked they were boarded up, maybe on PCH? Another bar was under the Redondo Pier, it had a train that ran thru a fish tank, tap beer out of a London phone booth and a giant chess game with huge pieces. Can’t remember the name.
Man there were some cool bars back then – a train that ran through a fish tank!?
One there that opened after hours
Used to see Lance Carson there…one of the greatest noseriders of the sixty’s
Now THAT’S cool! — PubClub.com
Yes, met my husband of 55 years there!
We met at Pork Chop Browns in 1989!
That became Harry O’s and is now the location of the relocated (from a couple blocks away) Sharkeez.
way beyond great!!!
Thank you so much!
Obviously you guys weren’t around or actually probably not invited…Pier 52 in the late 70s to like 81 was where is was at…but yeah the red onion, critters, besties, henneseys, the flagship, and a couple more I can’t remember
Yeah, loved Critters and Pier 52. Used to go to Fenner’s too. And of course the best of them all IMHO, the Red Onion. My mom was on jury duty for a case about a brawl in the Red Onion where somebody thought the chairs would just break on people like the in westerns. Haha. After that they changed the layout from round tables around the dance floor to the booths and more segregated space.
Well that’s interesting about the person thought chairs would break like in a movie. Nope!
What about Moose’s?
What about The Flagship at 22 Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach. From the time it opened in 1974 it was the #1 Bar on the Beach. With it great Happy Hours and Promotions, it was the place to be. Featuring “The Super Well” with great prices, The Flagship, with a occupancy rating of 299 people, was packed with a line of people waiting to get in from Wed through Sat. On Wednesday Nights you could shoot a cannon through most Beach Bars, but The Flagship was packed.
The Knot Hole was a beer bar at the foot of the Manhattan Beach pier in the late 1940’s until it was torn down for a parking lot. It was owned by Eddie Jamison.. We would party there and sometimes we would jump off the pier and catch a wave in. I was in my early 20’s then and now almost 90. I loved fishing on the pier. The Doughtery family ran the concession at the end of the pier. I was also the accountant for Cisco’s. It is also interesting that Ercoles is the oldest liquor license in Manhattan Beach. It is owned by a guy that was a bartender at Ciscos. I have lived in Pacific Beach (San Diego) for more than 40 years. Wonder if there any of my old friends still around.
Wow, fantastic! Share more; any photos anyone!?
Wow- you pre date me. I’m 78 and on a cold January morning in 1960 I left The University of Wisconsin in my Chevrolet to find myself in California..A week later I topped the rise on Rosecrantz,saw the Pacific, parked at the bottom, and walked into The Strand Bar where I started tending bar a few days later with guys like Rich Henry. Three years later I was headed for the Nam, but not before spending all my off nights in Panchos, Cisco’s, the Plush Donkey curbside after hours hot dog joint next to Cisco’s and The Hatchcover bar where they had fish tanks and every night they threw a couple of goldfish into the tank with Sickem the Phirana and let nature take it’s course..Took me until ‘79 to get back to LA and spent 10 more years on the beach happy to see that Ponchos had survived and ran into a few ladies from the ‘60’s. In many many ways my beach years were the best of my life. Hard to see The Strand Bar as a beach front condo……
What a great tale you told. Wow! Awesome. And thanks!
My dad Tom Wadman owned The Hatch Cover. I used to feed Sick’em.
Any chance you have anything with the old logo on it?
The Beach Cities offered up GREAT bars and eateries, over the years…I knew and drank in most of them. Lots of fun and memories, of course. Even managed and bartended a few, in the early to mid 70’s and even repaired & serviced the plumbing in a number of them, as well.
They were the greatest of times for so many of us, now in our late 60’s and 70’s now and likely older. Here’s one, someone should get….Does anyone remember that Restaurant/Niteclub, which was part of the ‘ol Pen & Quill Hotel called the Turtle Club? Do U remember what line U had to say, to get in the place…when asked.. Are U a Turtle?.. Yes, there was Sausalito South & Joannes Chili Bordello, the ‘Raiders’ favorites, in Manhattan, and there was Annabelles, in Redondo and so many more, Hope All your memories of these Great places for dining, drink and friendship were good ones.
Wow; great flashbacks and comment – thanks!
The band during those years was “Legend”. Chuck on sax, Ed Tree with his green guitar and I seem to remember I was mesmerized by his knees. Mai Tais with a floater…. who knows!
Do you mean Chuck Schumacker?
Thanks for remembering. Those were great times! Chuck S.
I’ve had this band for 16 years now in Nashville.
http://www.beaker streetbluesbsnd.com
And Chuck, here’s another historic South Bay nightlife article – best bands. You were in one of them! https://www.pubclub.com/destinations/usa/california/los-angeles/south-bay/south-bay-top-10-iconic-all-time-best-bands-musicians/
OMG you jogged my memory! I remember going to The Turtle Club. When asked if you were a turtle you had to answer, “You bet your sweet ass I am.”
I do remember All of these places! Went to many myself but now the Pen & Quill and The Turtle Club!!! Awww when I was in middle school My mother used to go there with 2 of my Aunts on the weekends and dance the night away! Thank you SO much for mentioning this one. I lost my Mama a year ago, This really warmed my heart.
So glad this article warmed your heart. That makes the effort to put it together all worth it. Thanks.
I meant Jr. High! Nobody called it middle school lol! Remembering all of these places from in my 20’s, then that one being mentioned brought back such sweet memories. The Best of Times. They just fly by Way Too Quickly 🙁
Thanks again, for the memories.
You bet your sweet ass I am!
George: I arrived in MB in 1962 and my first beach look was The Strand..Do you remember little John Robinson? I met my husband at The Hatch Cover and later worked at Pancho’s, Cisco’s with Garry Moore and Claude Hall and met Clint Eastwood who would come and stand at the door when he had nothing better to do on a Saturday night. I love your comments about the
Hatch Cover…I think any one who could pull a tap could bar tend there. I know the 60, 70, 80’s were the best years of my life in MB.
The 60’s and 70’s MB was the stomping grounds of the airline crowds..and each and every bar had it’s own great formula!
Does anyone remember Cji Chi’s? I watch the first moon landing from the bar with friends
sorry–typo…Chi Chi’s
California Beach (Sushi-Music-Singles) 80’s Hermosa Beach
Oh yes – many good times in Cal Beach Sushi. Good addition!
The hermosa saloon was the place for booze and snow for a lone time
One you guys forgot…….How about Cassidy’s Pub in Manhatten!?!?! Stand on the Patio and suck down some drinks..
Mentioned earlier…my friends dived it “catch a disease “
Just found this site looking up an address near current Grumman…former TRW site…where I was Mgr of “The Right Way” program 1967-70. Just a kid in college @ 26! OK…do the math! Having to be a “social animal” for my job, I spent a LOT of time at THE TURTLE CLUB in the old Pen & Quill Hotel…now a “senior home” I hear. The Customer Service Director at TRW sub-leased (?) and re-named the bar at P&Q…hence the connection to the well-known pilots’ drinking group “Turtle Club”. With TRW’s heavy involvement in the NASA “Apollo” mission…AND Western Airlines’ (remember them?) student-stewardesses, housed at the P&Q it was a natural! Cute Stewardesses & hard-drinking Astronauts…together in the TURTLE CLUB…attached to a hotel! What could possibly go wrong!? (anything you guess, is probably correct!)
It was likely the best job a guy could have, attending college at night.
BTW…wife grad Hawthorne HS…me, Westchester HS. Now, SF-Bay Area.
Happy to make your acquaintances. I’ll check back occasionally!
Nice story and thanks for the contribution to this post, Jay!
Ha!! Great memories! I remember being at Pier 52 or Endzone when they had $2.00 pitchers. One day when we were there, our cocktail gal dropped off a pitcher at our table and we said, bring two more please. She said, “I can’t bring more until you finish that one.” OK, sure whatever. So I chugged the pitcher myself. Then we said, “just keep bringing us as many pitchers as you can. As soon as you drop them off, go back for more and we’ll keep up with you…and tip you well!” After about 3 laps she got annoyed with us…we were drinking the pitchers faster than she could possibly keep up…and we were tipping like crazy. My memory is fuzzy, but one of my buddies spilled beer on someone at a table next to ours, and an all-out brawl erupted! Super fun (really). They threw out about 10 people including my friends and me, but we just wiped off the blood and went to the next spot!
…good times in the “old” South Bay!!
See you at…?Shade? tonight?? WTF?!??
I worked at Pier 52
Cool – were you a bartender?
Pier 52 was one of my favorite places to go. I walked there and danced while drinking all night. I met the love of my life there. He was drinking pitchers of beer too, Lol!
I saw more great local bands than I could count at Pier 52. Osirus was my favorite. 3 piece band with the best ZZ Top covers.
I was often there when The late great artist Denny Dent used to do a painting in the time it took to play two songs by the musician he was painting. Still see his paintings on Pawn Stars, btw.
Great times.
R.I.P., The Poop Deck .. possibly the VERY best little dive bar in South Bay .. there will never, ever be another like it …
The Poop Deck is still there, now called The Deck. Yes, they’ve taken the “Poop” out of the Poop Deck! — PubClub.com
I watched many a sunset out the greasy front windows. My first place away from home was 1530 the Strand…a 2 story duplex. Me and 3 friends each paid $97.50/mo including util!!! 1975 Life was soooo good!
Dirty Sally’s next to Red Onion and Beach Bum’s.
Red Onion !!! I enjoyed their music ,back in 1980 we got to hear live Blues AwardWinningsinger/songwriter Doug “DUBB” MacLeod at The Red Onion….
Anyone remember The Flying Jib?? I think it was on the border between Hermosa and Torrance???
The Flying Jib, my hang-out 1968 til closing. Great dancing and “chiks”. Also owner of Leather Shop 14 & Hermosa Ave 1969-75. Worked Pier 52 1974-75. Moved to Washington State 1976.
Bill “The Fox” Foster, the fastest Beer Chugger In The West ! Remember Him at his place at the Fox Inn in Santa Monica and or when he hit the bars in the South Bay click on video to see him chug an sing dirty songs (Jimmy Kimmel hired him for the Man Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-XgsgTI_Lw
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. LOVED the Fox!
He saw my brother chug a beer really fast in the 80’s so ”the Fox” stood on his head &chugged a beer faster…my brother’s response….He poured his next beer on his own head! The crowd went wild! Then the fox bought a round for the entire bar!!!
Ahh yes, the Fox. Unique, fun entertainment! Just thought about him the other day when drove by the old Toe’s Tavern. Cheer to the Fox! — PubClub.com
I lived on Ave C and the Esplanade and one Sunday went roller blading with a couple of friends up yo Marina Del Rey. On the way back Someone said lets go to Chillers. I said whats a Chillers? We went in and it was great. There was a one man band playing some great music. A gorgeous crowd, and frozen drinks. We were there for two hours. I had two suicides in that time. We left and I hit a speed bump on my blades, fell and broke my wrist. But we did not miss a sunday the rest of the year.
All, the post-Chiller rollerblade crash – a common happening in those great South Bay days!
My brother’s band rented a house on Monterey in Hermosa mid 70’s. All the hippies flopped there. Always hit the Poop Deck and has anyone mentioned Fat Face Fenner’s Falloon? Hermosa used to be “the poor beach”.
Torrance Resident…1967-1988. Torrance High ’79
Awesome!
Fenner’s had the best Cheese Chips on the planet – to this day! With 2 sides each of Guac and sour cream. Loved that place
Best cheeseburgers at FFFF
Anyone remember Brothers Two? A great nightclub with a very good house band. Red Onion in Redondo was awesome. The band Liquid Blue was unbelievable.
I remember Liquid Blue… they were awesome 🙂 My girlfriends and I rented a house on 30th St in Hermosa… but we lived at The Red Onion! LOL So much fun. Our fav band back then was “Tobacco Road.” 🙂 Loved going to Dirty Sally’s too and playing backgammon. Then when everything closed at 2:00 AM we would go to Kahuna’s/Under The Pier in Redondo, an after hours club. We hit up Tequilla Willie’s every Friday for happy hour on the way home from work in El Segundo, and had many liquid lunches there as well ha! Well, not in the South Bay, but we also loved going to The Starwood, in West Hollywood, in the mid to late 70’s, they had a disco room, and also a rock room. We’d go in there, nobody in there sometimes but us, and we’d lean on the stage, watching Van Halen rocking out, before they got famous. Ahhh good times 🙂 🙂
Fantastic! There was a bar UNDER the Redondo Beach Pier!? How cool! Great comments! Cheers!
The Red Onion had $1 Long Island Teas on Monday night. That place was a HOOK-UP central. Wednesday at Annabelles was solid. That was the old Plush Horse for those who do not recall. Nothing and I mean nothing was like happy hour at Tequilla Willies on Fridays. They were famous for their Apple Margarita. The train on top of the bar, and the amount of people made that place. Sunday afternoon belonged to Beach Bum Burts. As far as Hollywood goes, the Starwood, had great gigs for cheap money. I saw big bands play there as they became famous.
Oh yeah, that train on top of Tequila Willies! — PubClub.com
Others I might mention
Pitcher House – crazy dive bar on 2nd & PCH in HB
Toes Tavern – allegedly the inspiration for Moes Tavern on The Simpson’s
Naja’s: 77 beers on tap and 777 in bottles
Is that really true about Toe’s Tavern? How cool! Remember The beer-guzzling Fox!?
It makes sense….Matt Groenig had a strip in the Hermosa Beach paper called Life in Hell with Simpson-ish characters in it in the 70’s. Long before the Simpsons, but unmistakably what Bart and his family evolved from
The Pitcher House at the original location (2nd & PCH) was a great place to shoot pool. Four tables, and on good nights I could play most of the evening on just my first quarter. A giant pinup nude photo above the bar, probably dating to the 1940s, and license plates all over the walls. Best dive bar.
Not so cool on the night in 1983 when my friend Hart M. got run over and killed on PCH when leaving the Pitcher House.
Another favorite was the Wild Goose in El Segundo, R.I.P. Get loose at the Goose!
The goose, The Wild Goose on Aviation Blvd., “The House that Ralph built.” … now it is multi unit apartment megaplex…
Manhattan Sharkeez was good, but they didn’t perfect the model until Hermosa. We used to go for breakfast and I would joke with my friends “it’s going to be dark soon”… and next thing you know they’re closing. I spent so much time there I started to analyze why it was so successful. Good / cheap booze, music, surf videos? Those are all too generic and can be found almost anywhere. I narrowed it down to three keep aspects.
1) All the seating is elevated. If you want to meet someone and they are sitting down, there becomes this weird situation where you are standing and they are sitting that always feels awkward but sitting down next to them seems awkward too. At Sharkeez everyone is at eye level so you can walk up next to a table, start a conversation and stand there as long as you want without feeling awkward.
2) No table service. This causes constant movement as people are constantly moving from there seat to the bar and back which combined with 1 makes the perfect place to meat someone.
3) The change in atmosphere from beach bar during the day to beach club at night. You go there at happy hour, 1 & 2 above have made it easy to meet someone, then the lights go dim, the music goes up, they open the dance floor and someone is halfway to a walk-of-shame in the morning.
Ahh, “the Black Hole,” we called it. You nailed it on your three points – well done!
What about Baxters?
Used to cocktail waitress there at night and work at Coco’s next door during the day!
Cool. Got any pics of yourself there and then!? Will post!
Hi Liz!
What time period were you there? I’m the superfast black bartender who was there for a brief moment in 1983. Remember the rain storms that almost flooded out Reuben’s Redondo down the way? I used to enjoy building Cocktails, for my Customers, Food Waitresses, and Cocktail Girls while simulteaneously enjoying the Bartender Competition from Tequila & Willy’s sitting right in front of me watching my hands move at hyperspeed.
I’m an Artist these days and will get bac to dancin’ after this Covid19 crap subsides. Let’s shake a leg together sometime! Can I get you a Cocktail?
What drink is your speciality?? Cheers!
I waited tabled at Baxter’s in 83
Worked the door and photographed the bikini contest 1986-87ish.
Thank you. Couldn’t remember the name. Great drinks & dancing!
What about The Bull Pen in Redondo Beach – I lived on The Esplanade & C Street and walked there most Friday Nights.
I never had to worry about DUI’s because I didn’t drive there – so I could party as much as I wanted – it was my favorite spot.
Great crowd – a lot of dancing to really good bands – and always a fun night!
Too many awesome memories….
The Bull Pen is still going strong today!
Favorite places (mid 80s- early 90s)
Fenners – great burgers.
Larson’ S Hole in the wall ( had a basketball machine)
Pork Chop Browns
Manhattan Coolers
Cal Beach
The Lighthouse (reggae on Sunday’s)
Poop Deck
CJ Brett’s (best place to watch football)
In redondo there was a bar with a western cowboy theme but can’t remember the name. Waitresses dressed up like cowgirls.
Oh good flashback – Pork Chop Browns! It was Brennan’s prior to that and they had the Thursday nite turtle races (which they still do at the Marina del Rey location). And Cal Beach sushi – had some wild and fun times in that place! The Hole in the Wall (not a small expensive restaurant) and of course CJ Brett’s now, sadly, a chain pizza place.
Hermit Crab races at Brennan’s Manhattan. Turtle races at MDR
Oh that’s going WAY back!
Texas Looseys. Still there today!
It is!?
Texas Lucy’s Chili Bordello!
Just remembered it was Texas Loosey’s
All good times! I got to see a lot of these clubs like the Players, Blue Book, Cisco’s, Poncho’s, The Flying Jib and others from the stage. I used to play Drums in local bands. I can’t even describe what the times were like back in the 60’s and 70’s it was so wild! In the early 2000’s, I was working for a company and was sitting down at lunch talking to a Salesman about the “good ol’ days’ and he turned out to be the former owner of the “Flying Jib” back then ….. small world!
Thanks to all of you for the memories!
How cool!
C. J. Barrymore’s on the corner of Continental and Grand in El Segundo was one of the best nightclubs in the early 1990’s. I remember meeting some of the hottest women there back in the day. The entrance was pretty cool as it was a huge outside elevator that took you to the top level of a commercial building which is where the club was located. Randy and Sinjin’s Side Out Restaurant and Bar in Manhattan Beach also had a great scene with the hottest girls from all around the South Bay and Los Angeles.. However, to be technical, Side Out was located in the city of El Segundo on the north side of Rosecrans Ave. between Aviation and Sepulveda. I had the best times at both places in the early 1990s.
Yes, definitely remember CJ Barrymore’s but had to drive there and had to watch the drinking. Side Out was owned by Sinjin and was good but for a very short time. Love these comments and memories! – PubClub.com
Radio D.J. Joe Savantes (“The Boomer”) from ‘Power 106’ (KPWR 105.9 FM) would host weekly cool events at “C.J. Barrymore’s“ that brought in big night-scene dancing crowds. And “Side Out” was previously “Bentley’s“ that had a nice bar and dancing scene.. ..literally had a Bentley car parked inside behind the front-side’s big glass window (also had a Long Beach location).
Yes I remember CJ Barrymore’s dancing on top of these giant wooden boxes above the crowds (sort of reminded me of the go=go cages from the 60’s) that was so much fun! And I remember Side Out, we used to do there printing for them and we would go there and dance our butts off. They had surfboards for tables there. It was very cool! And Bentleys’…I had some very wiid times there!
We got into C.J.Barrymore’s for a “TUBES” Concert sat directly behind the drummer, with invite to go back stage in the green room , the TUBES …What Do You Want From Life?
What a hoot!
I actually danced on those boxes by myself a few times. Hard to believe I did. I went there EVERY Friday night for a long time. I think I was there when Tyson got beat by Buster Douglas. That place was my favorite. It was upscale and had amazing people. And the dancing was non-stop. Loud as f***. I couldn’t ever talk to anyone.
Moved there from Detroit to help open CJ Barrymores and then bartended there.
What an absolute blast to work there. Tips were outrageous and yes, we danced on the bars, sometimes with customers. incredible place to work at for a while! Basically getting paid to party. Some of the best times of my life.
That’s awesome. Thanks for the comment!
Cassidy’s, Mooses, Chillers, Calihans, National Sports Bar, Red Onion,…so many fond memories of the early 90s!
Ah yes, Chillers. Forgot about National Sports Bar!
Hermosa Beach – my favorite bars, 74 – 80, in no particular order – Hermosa Saloon, Flagship, Poop Deck, Critters. Friday and Saturday nights in these bars were let-it-all-hang-out barstool heaven!!
Excellent; thanks!
Do you know what happened to the flagship?
Chillers was great! Especially when they had “all you could eat crab legs” for only $2. Also, there was the Rain Tree in Torrance with all the rock bands.
All those times at Chillers and now just hearing about $2 crab legs? The Rain Tree is definitely a new one. Thanks for the comments and cheers!
The RainTree was opened by a guy who had bartended at Pier 52 can’t remember his name, big and blond..
Pie 52 was awesome 1981-1983, The Automatics, Zola and Barry. And forever.
The Raintree rocked! In the mid 80’s we spent a lot of Saturday nights bouncing between there, Poncho and Wongs, and the Blue Moon Saloon on our bikes. One night a drunk chick pulled my Harley over on the sidewalk where we always parked, and it took the bouncer and 2 of the guys we rode with to hold me back from tearing her face off and eating it! The best times!
A band named EMPEROR was at the Raintree for a long time. They were awesome.
There was _another_ club under the Redondo pier – (can’t remember the name!
Under the pier!?
Yes! I just found out the name of a friend of mine who used to work there – it was called Concerts By the Sea….owned by Howard Rumsey.
Concerts by the Sea. Jazz club.
There were two clubs, Under The Pier and Concerts By The Sea. I lived down the street from the pier 1974/75–great jazz!
BEACHCLUB . AND ORIGINAL PITCHERHOUSE !!!
I saw Dick Dale at the original Pitcher House!
I am trying to remember the name of the restaurant at the corner of Highland and 41st Street, in El Porto, which was a very popular watering hole in the 60’s and early 70’s. It has since been torn down. Help me, Rhonda!
It was The Blue Book, Caren. I went there in 67-68.
Corner of Rosecrans and Highland was a pharmacy and behind the pharmacy was a grocery store.
Sweeney’s Hardware was on the corner of Rosecrans and Highland. Nearby was The Frigate, Pancho’s and Cisco’s.
On the corner of 42nd and Ocean is where Mike Love of The Beach Boys lived.
Met my husband of 55 years at the Blue Book in 1965. Loved dancing on tables there!
Dancing on the tables in the South Bay!? That must have been a while ago!
I do! Lived there….can’t remember my street address, but we walked there as it was only about a block. I can’t remember the liquor serving bar next door………was that Cisco’s.? Players? Great memories from all………..it is a wonder I survived it. Ladies got in at 18……g;uys at 21 in l966. I hung at the Blue Book constantly and always had a blast. Good times.
The Happy Clam with Dan and Craig playing great country music, Jimmy the bartender, and great food .
Dan and Craig are old friends from back in The Llama Room (Torrance Blvd) days. Found this while searching for them.
Great memories here. I remember most of these clubs and bands.
Even played in a couple of them in an earlier life.. Thanks.
Inspired by this comment section, I went on a hunt for Dan Peddicord and found him today, after 35 years. We had an awesome reunion visit. Craig is apparently living in San Diego now, btw.
Also Dan gave me a couple of copies of a CD he’d made. So not only did I get to hear his amazing voice again, but my wife became an instant fan. Thanks for the inspiration Jimmy Ray and Kevin.
Glad to be of assistance!
My Dad ran the buccaneer in Manhattan Beach down by the Pier 1946 or 7.
That’s awesome! Thanks for your contribution. PubClub.com loves all these comments. Have any photos!?
I just found this website after searching for beach bum burts as I was telling a friend about this place.In credible on Sunday afternoon with the Mai Tais and you got to keep the glass and the women were everywhere.On a hot day,a great band,the roof would open,the coke was flying,At 59 years young now those were great times.Living on the Esplanade in Redondo a bike was the means of transportation.Also the red onion was also awsome at nights with a great dance floor and DJ.
Notable mention,fat face fenners faloon fro the burgers.
Glad you found this PubClub.com article and that you had a nice flashback! Check out more of our articles in the Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach sections. Cheers!
The band during those years was “Legend”. Chuck on sax, Ed Tree with his green guitar and I seem to remember I was mesmerized by his knees. Mai Tais with a floater…. who knows!
I lived a couple of blocks from there. I even helped install the giant overhead speakers. In The Sweetwater. (at least the one that worked LOL)
Can’t believe I didn’t go see Van Halen at The Fleertwood before they were famous. Still kicking myself over that.
What!? Yeah, that’s definitely something to kick yourself about, no doubt!
how about TOE’S tavern? in manhattan beach.
Toe’s Tavern, good one! It was in Playa del Rey, tho, and one opened up in Redondo Beach next to the VFW. The latter had the beer-drinking Fox in on occasion and that was a blast!
THE RED ONION PARKING LOT IS WHERE I MET MY WIFE OF 22 YEARS, SADLEY I LOST THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND MY BEST FRIEND 2 DAY’S AGO. I WILL NEVER FORGET MEETING HER THERE, WE WERE TOGETHER FOR 15 YEARS BEFORE WE GOT MARRIED. REST IN PEACE SWEET HEART.
So sorry for your loss! But glad you have happy memories with her – starting at the Red Onion. In the parking lot? Hmmm. Interesting!
Parking lots worked for me, especially the one where the PRINCESS LOUISE was docked…that was one huge parking lot.
Anyone remember a small bar, o Sepulveda (west side) catty corner from Seafarers, a small brick building… opened at 6:00.am….worked the Raintree in 70 and 80’s… we would get off at 2:00am, wait for it to open and go play pool and drink
Driving me crazy trying to remember
Got a cross street of Sepulveda?
I remember the RainTree also, just not where it was.
If anyone was at Cisco’s in 1971 and remembers the house band “Boone’s Farm”… contact me on Facebook… hope somebody out there still exists …lol… thanks Gary Dalton
Don’t know about the band, but sure got blasted on their wine … who needed a bar when the girlfriend would drink cheap Boones Farm -and- Annie Green Springs. LOL.
No mention of the Mermaid? I wasn’t out there long, but had some great times there.
Great point! PubClub loved the Mermaid – the sauteed mushrooms were “orgasmic” one girl said – and in its later years the $5 “Drink of the Week” made by the beautiful bartenders were a thing of beauty.
I worked at Baxter’s in 83 then worked the door at Hennessy’s Redondo and Hermosa and The Lighthouse from 84 till 91 when I moved to Hawaii. Also would pick up door shifts at other Pier Ave bars during those years. Great times! Over the years I think often of the places and people I knew.
Man, you were at a lot of places! Mahalo for the comments.
Sorry ’bout my behavior at Baxters during that time. Blame it on the music (LOL). My favorite go-to place for many a years in the mid 80’s. When did that finally close? What replaced it?
Asking for a friend.
Yes I remember CJ Barrymore’s dancing on top of these giant wooden boxes above the crowds (sort of reminded me of the go=go cages from the 60’s) that was so much fun! And I remember Side Out, we used to do there printing for them and we would go there and dance our butts off. They had surfboards for tables there. It was very cool! And Bentleys’…I had some very wiid times there!
Does anyone remember Pier 52? In Hermosa Beach, I was a bartender there in 1979, they were next to the Lighthouse on pier ave. A band called The Twisters played there, I was only 17, they never asked me for my ID and trained me how to tend bar😂
Oh yeah, it’s where Sharkeez is now on the pier. Ha, only 17 and a bartender.
I wish I could get my hands on some old photos and video of the 1986 Ms.Michalob Swimsuit Competition at Poncho & Wongs in Redondo beach. I was in it and won the spot for the Jerry Louis Telethon on TV.
Anyone else remember those contest or have any photos? Fun times back then.
You were!? I actually do have a couple photos of one of the contests from the Michelob rep at the time. I’ll get ’em posted! And congratulations.
I bar tended at Chillers for a couple years (Gary, Sean, Angie, Angela, Angelique, Monique, Vanessa,). Met my wife at MB Sharkeez… got hamlished at Poop, HYBC, shellback, Najas, HarryOs… let’s face it…. all of them. So many great memories. Will be at Shellback this Saturday!!
Been there, done all that Sean!
Critters, Grunions, Hennessey’s, FFFF, Pier 52, The Pitcher House, Hermosa Saloon… great memories from the early ’80s.
Critters is still there – it’s now called North End as in the north end of Hermosa. So, too, is Hermosa Saloon. FFFF is now a really cool beach lounge called Tower 12, which is home to PubClub’s livestream video podcast, PubClub LIVE!
FFFF, gawwwwd did we have great time at Wendy Fenners place. What a gal, what a place.
3 or so doors EAST (same side of street) of The Lighthouse was a great bar. It never picked up until later at night, but once it got rockin’ that house was boppin’.
What the H was the name of that place?
My grandparents owned The Pitcher House. I had Pitcher House t-shirts for xmas my entire life :). They always had Laurel and Hardy because my grandfather loved them. He sold it in the mid 90s since he was starting to get dementia. The family dirt is that his partner at the time took advantage and ripped him off. He ran it for at least 20 years though. I can’t remember what night it was – Thursday’s maybe? – but he would have spaghetti night. My mom would bring us over and as long as we didn’t go out front we could stay in the back and have some of that bomb ass spaghetti!
Great story!
REf your: 6). Tequila Willies, Manhattan Beach
Tequila Willies, located in the Manhattan Village Mall, was what the South Bay does not have not now– a must go-to Happy Hour Friday bar. There was no discussion about where to go then because everyone went to Tequila Willies every Friday.
Actually, not true. BAXTERS started becoming the GO TO place and a lot of the toads I used to drink with at T.W.’s moved to Baxters as well. Great dance floor, great atmosphere, great …. umm, yeah, great after effects.
Baxters was the IT place.
what about cj barrymores el segundo worth a mention
It was certainly THE spot but not for the longevity for this article. Thanks for bringing it out here!
1989, 1990 was Bentley’s on Rosecrans in El Segundo and CJ Barrymore’s along with Red Onion
All awesome places.