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South Bay Top 10 Iconic All-Time Best Bars

October 13, 2015 by kevinwilkerson 218 Comments

Hermosa, Manhattan & Redondo Beach Drinking Landmarks

Original Sharkeez Manhattan Beach
The PubClub.com party crew gathers at the original Sharkeez before a Jimmy Buffett concert.

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

Best Manhattan Beach Bars Sharkeez
The party at Sharkeez, one of the all-time top bars in the Beach Cities.
Manhattan Beach original Sharkeez
Lively bartenders helped make the original Sharkeez a favorite spot for locals.

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

Best Manhattan Beach Bars 12th Street
The locals pack in and go crazy to Joe’s Band at 12th Street.

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

Best Manhattan Beach Bars Harry O's
Harry O’s was a legendary party nightclub in the South Bay.

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

Best Manhattan Beach Bars Beaches
Trish the dishy bartender, severs up margaritas as Beaches.

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

Shellback Tavern Manhattan Beach top bars
Owner Bob Beverly (center, back) makes sure people have a great time at Shellback.

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

Chillers vintage Redondo Beach bars
The patio at Chillers was the 90s place to be on Sundays in the South Bay.

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

Pancho & Wongs classic Redondo Beach bars
Pancho & Wongs held bikini contests, a summertime highlight.

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

Todd Sucherman Styx drummer Pancho's Manhattan Beach bars
Todd Sucherman of Styx is on of the many rock starts who play at 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).

Filed Under: Homepage South Bay, South Bay Tagged With: Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, singles bars, South Bay Top Bars

Comments

  1. Eric says

    October 25, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Blue Moon Saloon. Summer Sunday afternoons with the John Brown Band .

    Reply
    • Chuck says

      December 5, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Yeah! John Brown! Great band.

      Reply
      • Noreen Clark says

        November 19, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        I worked for John Brown as his admin assistant in 1999 in his home. Great guy

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          November 19, 2021 at 4:35 pm

          Oh how COOL!

          Reply
        • Dermot J Crotty says

          January 25, 2022 at 6:41 am

          No Way. Pier 52 Hermosa Beach forever. The Automatics, Zola and Barry and drummer and bass. And owner and staff. I know.

          Reply
          • TB says

            April 4, 2022 at 4:09 pm

            Barry the guitar player? I got a lesson from him like …in 1992 or something.

          • kevinwilkerson says

            April 4, 2022 at 4:12 pm

            Ha. He’ll be happy to hear that I’m sure! – PubClub.com

          • sharona Kaye says

            May 24, 2022 at 11:44 pm

            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”.

    • RoyL says

      October 31, 2017 at 6:49 pm

      JB is still playin’—saw him at the Lobster fest a coupla years ago!!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        November 1, 2017 at 9:13 am

        Right on!

        Reply
    • Dave says

      February 1, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Sweetwater cafe and the Fleetwood in Redondo Beach

      Reply
      • Jstn says

        January 15, 2020 at 2:21 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Dave R says

          August 24, 2020 at 8:38 pm

          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 ?

          Reply
          • kevinwilkerson says

            August 24, 2020 at 10:57 pm

            Van Halen played at the Proud Bird!?!?

    • Tee says

      February 28, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      Absolutely! Right after Beach Bum Bert’s on Sundays.

      Reply
  2. Gary says

    October 26, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Sports center and surf city!!!!

    Reply
  3. Roger says

    October 26, 2015 at 10:52 pm

    what about summers sports bar ?!

    Reply
    • Ryan says

      July 22, 2018 at 11:09 am

      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

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        July 22, 2018 at 3:39 pm

        Cool!

        Reply
    • Derrick says

      February 7, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      The bar club called Cassidy was located or PCH and what? Across the street from Porsche dealership?

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        February 7, 2019 at 5:09 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • richie says

          February 13, 2019 at 3:45 pm

          Also where north Manhattan fish bar is….The Rusty pelican….

          Reply
      • Class says

        May 25, 2019 at 11:46 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Elise says

          January 14, 2022 at 1:08 am

          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…..)

          Reply
  4. Ro says

    October 27, 2015 at 12:04 am

    Sweet Water and The Fleetwood?

    Reply
  5. socal2323 says

    October 28, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    In the 90’s – Houlihan’s Old Place @ Del Amo was the biggest melting pot on Fridays. . Saint Patty’s Day was Epic..!!

    Reply
    • Noleen Jenkins says

      February 28, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      I worked right across the street there from 1988-1997. I would be at Houlihan’s every weekend!

      Reply
  6. Eric says

    October 30, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • pubclub says

      October 30, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      Great comments – spot on!

      Reply
  7. mike says

    November 6, 2015 at 6:47 am

    how about the buccaneer??????? and the greeks

    Reply
    • Paulo says

      April 19, 2016 at 11:38 am

      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?
      .

      Reply
      • pubclub says

        April 19, 2016 at 12:24 pm

        That’s about all a guy could possibly want, absolutely!

        Reply
  8. mike says

    November 6, 2015 at 6:48 am

    there were 2 greats buccaneer and la paz, i owned them bothy

    Reply
    • Hunter says

      April 19, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      must be Mike G, I tended bar there for Bob Wiggins

      Reply
  9. mike says

    November 6, 2015 at 6:51 am

    open your eyes above

    Reply
  10. Sonny Monioz says

    February 5, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    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

    Reply
    • pubclub says

      February 5, 2016 at 5:03 pm

      Excellent. Thanks, Sonny, for adding this insight and history to the article!

      Reply
    • Danny says

      January 27, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      What about Annabelle’s? That place was a lock every time.

      Reply
  11. Matthew Reiser says

    April 17, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    Great memories! MB and HB 1997-2008. Now in the Palisades.

    Reply
  12. Mike says

    April 17, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Does anyone remember the Blue Book in El Porto? Mike

    Reply
    • Larry Meistrell says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:25 am

      One of my favorites along with the Players Bar. La Paz could never be recreated with the laws that we have now.

      Reply
      • Tracie says

        August 2, 2020 at 2:24 am

        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.

        Reply
    • Cheri says

      April 18, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      Grew up in El Porto lived right around corner…..Behind the old Hut…..Crest & 40th st

      Reply
      • Ryan says

        July 22, 2018 at 11:07 am

        Ditto! I lived right next door to El Tarasco’s on Rosecrans in El Porto from ’92-’99, then moved down to Shell St.

        Reply
        • Cynthia Abney says

          March 7, 2023 at 11:55 am

          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?

          Reply
      • Donna Duncan says

        March 17, 2021 at 7:48 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Neil Larson says

          July 16, 2021 at 7:32 am

          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 ?

          Reply
    • Richard Carr says

      October 7, 2017 at 12:30 am

      Yeah, Grejanich…….I remember……….You remember, your buddy, “Hollywood”………….?

      Reply
    • Ron says

      December 1, 2018 at 1:50 am

      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.

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        December 1, 2018 at 8:51 am

        Man there were some cool bars back then – a train that ran through a fish tank!?

        Reply
      • Janna Schneider says

        January 13, 2020 at 5:41 pm

        One there that opened after hours

        Reply
    • Richie says

      February 13, 2019 at 3:48 pm

      Used to see Lance Carson there…one of the greatest noseriders of the sixty’s

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        February 13, 2019 at 5:11 pm

        Now THAT’S cool! — PubClub.com

        Reply
    • Judy Hoffman says

      June 23, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      Yes, met my husband of 55 years there!

      Reply
      • Cynthia Abney says

        March 7, 2023 at 11:58 am

        We met at Pork Chop Browns in 1989!

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          March 7, 2023 at 2:11 pm

          That became Harry O’s and is now the location of the relocated (from a couple blocks away) Sharkeez.

          Reply
    • joe says

      October 14, 2021 at 11:13 am

      way beyond great!!!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        October 14, 2021 at 11:52 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
  13. Eddie says

    April 17, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Robert Boren says

      April 23, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        April 25, 2022 at 1:12 pm

        Well that’s interesting about the person thought chairs would break like in a movie. Nope!

        Reply
  14. LD says

    April 18, 2016 at 6:43 am

    What about Moose’s?

    Reply
  15. ARt Splawn says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:40 am

    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.

    Reply
  16. Dolores Galvin Ward says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • pubclub says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Wow, fantastic! Share more; any photos anyone!?

      Reply
    • George says

      March 28, 2018 at 10:35 pm

      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……

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        March 28, 2018 at 11:06 pm

        What a great tale you told. Wow! Awesome. And thanks!

        Reply
      • Stacy Wadman says

        April 27, 2018 at 8:27 am

        My dad Tom Wadman owned The Hatch Cover. I used to feed Sick’em.

        Reply
        • Edmund Purcell says

          July 9, 2021 at 4:41 pm

          Any chance you have anything with the old logo on it?

          Reply
      • Greg D. Cull says

        December 24, 2018 at 10:54 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          December 25, 2018 at 8:01 am

          Wow; great flashbacks and comment – thanks!

          Reply
        • ladySilverWings says

          August 19, 2019 at 1:16 am

          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!

          Reply
          • kevinwilkerson says

            August 19, 2019 at 9:48 am

            Do you mean Chuck Schumacker?

          • Chuck Schumacher says

            January 31, 2021 at 9:05 pm

            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

          • kevinwilkerson says

            January 31, 2021 at 9:13 pm

            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/

        • Jinx says

          January 17, 2020 at 11:12 pm

          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.”

          Reply
        • Shelly says

          January 11, 2021 at 10:44 pm

          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.

          Reply
          • kevinwilkerson says

            January 11, 2021 at 10:51 pm

            So glad this article warmed your heart. That makes the effort to put it together all worth it. Thanks.

          • Shelly says

            January 11, 2021 at 11:21 pm

            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.

        • Sir William Martin says

          August 3, 2021 at 4:08 pm

          You bet your sweet ass I am!

          Reply
      • Rachel says

        July 24, 2021 at 5:32 pm

        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!

        Reply
    • Jeanne Drury says

      June 23, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Does anyone remember Cji Chi’s? I watch the first moon landing from the bar with friends

      Reply
      • Jeanne says

        June 23, 2020 at 12:49 pm

        sorry–typo…Chi Chi’s

        Reply
  17. Cheri says

    April 22, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    California Beach (Sushi-Music-Singles) 80’s Hermosa Beach

    Reply
    • pubclub says

      April 22, 2016 at 9:29 pm

      Oh yes – many good times in Cal Beach Sushi. Good addition!

      Reply
  18. bp says

    May 31, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    The hermosa saloon was the place for booze and snow for a lone time

    Reply
  19. Bazoo says

    June 8, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    One you guys forgot…….How about Cassidy’s Pub in Manhatten!?!?! Stand on the Patio and suck down some drinks..

    Reply
    • Class says

      May 25, 2019 at 11:58 pm

      Mentioned earlier…my friends dived it “catch a disease “

      Reply
      • JAY LLOYD says

        November 14, 2020 at 3:16 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          November 14, 2020 at 3:23 pm

          Nice story and thanks for the contribution to this post, Jay!

          Reply
  20. B-Dog says

    July 8, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    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?!??

    Reply
    • Janna Schneider says

      January 13, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      I worked at Pier 52

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        January 13, 2020 at 10:38 pm

        Cool – were you a bartender?

        Reply
        • Rockrgrrl says

          March 5, 2020 at 9:42 am

          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!

          Reply
    • Jstn says

      January 15, 2020 at 2:41 am

      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.

      Reply
  21. Uncl Don says

    July 24, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    R.I.P., The Poop Deck .. possibly the VERY best little dive bar in South Bay .. there will never, ever be another like it …

    Reply
    • pubclub says

      July 24, 2016 at 2:02 pm

      The Poop Deck is still there, now called The Deck. Yes, they’ve taken the “Poop” out of the Poop Deck! — PubClub.com

      Reply
    • ladySilverWings says

      August 19, 2019 at 12:51 am

      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!

      Reply
  22. Ozzie says

    July 25, 2016 at 12:53 am

    Dirty Sally’s next to Red Onion and Beach Bum’s.

    Reply
    • Neil Larson says

      July 16, 2021 at 7:45 am

      Red Onion !!! I enjoyed their music ,back in 1980 we got to hear live Blues AwardWinningsinger/songwriter Doug “DUBB” MacLeod at The Red Onion….

      Reply
  23. Neil says

    August 4, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    Anyone remember The Flying Jib?? I think it was on the border between Hermosa and Torrance???

    Reply
    • Otto says

      March 18, 2017 at 7:47 am

      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.

      Reply
  24. bob says

    December 4, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    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

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      December 4, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Awesome! Thanks for sharing. LOVED the Fox!

      Reply
    • Class says

      May 26, 2019 at 12:08 am

      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!!!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        May 26, 2019 at 7:58 am

        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

        Reply
  25. Jim says

    December 5, 2016 at 9:00 am

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      December 5, 2016 at 9:26 am

      All, the post-Chiller rollerblade crash – a common happening in those great South Bay days!

      Reply
  26. Robert DeLuca says

    December 8, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    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

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      December 8, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Awesome!

      Reply
    • ladySilverWings says

      August 19, 2019 at 12:54 am

      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

      Reply
    • Pat Jara Bruce says

      September 16, 2021 at 2:03 pm

      Best cheeseburgers at FFFF

      Reply
  27. Bob says

    March 15, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • DianeM says

      July 11, 2017 at 10:22 pm

      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 🙂 🙂

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        July 12, 2017 at 10:15 am

        Fantastic! There was a bar UNDER the Redondo Beach Pier!? How cool! Great comments! Cheers!

        Reply
      • Roger C. says

        April 27, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          April 27, 2020 at 12:49 pm

          Oh yeah, that train on top of Tequila Willies! — PubClub.com

          Reply
  28. BillH says

    March 28, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    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

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      March 28, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      Is that really true about Toe’s Tavern? How cool! Remember The beer-guzzling Fox!?

      Reply
      • ladySilverWings says

        August 19, 2019 at 12:59 am

        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

        Reply
    • Alex says

      August 22, 2020 at 6:25 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Neil Larson says

        July 16, 2021 at 7:11 am

        The goose, The Wild Goose on Aviation Blvd., “The House that Ralph built.” … now it is multi unit apartment megaplex…

        Reply
  29. William says

    April 18, 2017 at 9:03 am

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      April 18, 2017 at 9:26 am

      Ahh, “the Black Hole,” we called it. You nailed it on your three points – well done!

      Reply
  30. Brian Liggins says

    April 18, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    What about Baxters?

    Reply
    • Liz says

      April 16, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      Used to cocktail waitress there at night and work at Coco’s next door during the day!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        April 16, 2020 at 6:11 pm

        Cool. Got any pics of yourself there and then!? Will post!

        Reply
      • DesignerTJP says

        May 11, 2020 at 4:37 pm

        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?

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          May 11, 2020 at 4:47 pm

          What drink is your speciality?? Cheers!

          Reply
        • Skip says

          February 26, 2021 at 6:15 pm

          I waited tabled at Baxter’s in 83

          Reply
    • RalphS says

      October 16, 2020 at 8:57 pm

      Worked the door and photographed the bikini contest 1986-87ish.

      Reply
    • Carol says

      January 15, 2023 at 12:56 pm

      Thank you. Couldn’t remember the name. Great drinks & dancing!

      Reply
  31. Kris says

    April 20, 2017 at 4:12 am

    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….

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:50 am

      The Bull Pen is still going strong today!

      Reply
  32. Ted says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:37 am

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:49 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Jim says

        October 15, 2022 at 1:37 pm

        Hermit Crab races at Brennan’s Manhattan. Turtle races at MDR

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          October 16, 2022 at 1:50 am

          Oh that’s going WAY back!

          Reply
    • Kelly says

      February 6, 2020 at 6:15 am

      Texas Looseys. Still there today!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        February 6, 2020 at 11:42 am

        It is!?

        Reply
    • Scott Tabickman says

      July 7, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      Texas Lucy’s Chili Bordello!

      Reply
  33. Ted says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Just remembered it was Texas Loosey’s

    Reply
  34. Bill Spillman says

    April 28, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      April 28, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      How cool!

      Reply
  35. Sean R says

    November 6, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      November 6, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Jose says

        October 10, 2020 at 5:25 am

        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).

        Reply
      • Donna M Duncan says

        March 17, 2021 at 8:08 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Neil Larson says

          July 16, 2021 at 7:54 am

          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!

          Reply
        • TB says

          April 4, 2022 at 4:21 pm

          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.

          Reply
          • TDY says

            September 15, 2022 at 6:49 am

            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.

          • kevinwilkerson says

            September 15, 2022 at 11:18 am

            That’s awesome. Thanks for the comment!

  36. Noleen says

    December 22, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Cassidy’s, Mooses, Chillers, Calihans, National Sports Bar, Red Onion,…so many fond memories of the early 90s!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      December 22, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      Ah yes, Chillers. Forgot about National Sports Bar!

      Reply
  37. MichaelC says

    December 29, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      December 29, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      Excellent; thanks!

      Reply
    • Camp says

      January 1, 2020 at 11:22 pm

      Do you know what happened to the flagship?

      Reply
  38. Sue says

    May 22, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      May 22, 2018 at 11:15 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        July 24, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        The RainTree was opened by a guy who had bartended at Pier 52 can’t remember his name, big and blond..

        Reply
        • Dermot J Crotty says

          January 25, 2022 at 6:59 am

          Pie 52 was awesome 1981-1983, The Automatics, Zola and Barry. And forever.

          Reply
    • ladySilverWings says

      August 19, 2019 at 1:08 am

      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!

      Reply
    • Dennis E. Cheshire says

      April 17, 2020 at 10:18 am

      A band named EMPEROR was at the Raintree for a long time. They were awesome.

      Reply
  39. Joel Plimmer says

    June 14, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    There was _another_ club under the Redondo pier – (can’t remember the name!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      June 14, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      Under the pier!?

      Reply
      • Joel Plimmer says

        June 19, 2018 at 11:37 am

        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.

        Reply
      • Chuck says

        January 31, 2021 at 9:12 pm

        Concerts by the Sea. Jazz club.

        Reply
    • Lori says

      July 24, 2020 at 11:09 pm

      There were two clubs, Under The Pier and Concerts By The Sea. I lived down the street from the pier 1974/75–great jazz!

      Reply
  40. sean heinlein says

    July 24, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    BEACHCLUB . AND ORIGINAL PITCHERHOUSE !!!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      July 24, 2018 at 7:23 pm

      I saw Dick Dale at the original Pitcher House!

      Reply
  41. Caren Cameron says

    September 24, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jinx says

      January 17, 2020 at 11:32 pm

      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.

      Reply
    • Judy Hoffman says

      June 23, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      Met my husband of 55 years at the Blue Book in 1965. Loved dancing on tables there!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        June 24, 2021 at 12:34 am

        Dancing on the tables in the South Bay!? That must have been a while ago!

        Reply
      • D.R. says

        July 28, 2021 at 6:24 pm

        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.

        Reply
  42. Jimmy Ray says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    The Happy Clam with Dan and Craig playing great country music, Jimmy the bartender, and great food .

    Reply
    • Jstn says

      January 15, 2020 at 2:15 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Jstn says

        January 16, 2020 at 12:33 am

        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.

        Reply
        • kevinwilkerson says

          January 16, 2020 at 4:32 pm

          Glad to be of assistance!

          Reply
  43. Steve Fotiou says

    March 28, 2019 at 9:54 am

    My Dad ran the buccaneer in Manhattan Beach down by the Pier 1946 or 7.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      March 28, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      That’s awesome! Thanks for your contribution. PubClub.com loves all these comments. Have any photos!?

      Reply
  44. mike says

    June 11, 2019 at 4:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      June 11, 2019 at 5:02 pm

      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!

      Reply
    • ladySilverWings says

      August 19, 2019 at 1:13 am

      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!

      Reply
  45. Jstn says

    January 15, 2020 at 2:25 am

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      January 15, 2020 at 9:22 am

      What!? Yeah, that’s definitely something to kick yourself about, no doubt!

      Reply
  46. kerry says

    January 18, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    how about TOE’S tavern? in manhattan beach.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      January 19, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      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!

      Reply
  47. TODD GLICK says

    June 4, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      June 4, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      So sorry for your loss! But glad you have happy memories with her – starting at the Red Onion. In the parking lot? Hmmm. Interesting!

      Reply
      • Gordy Ross says

        May 29, 2022 at 8:21 pm

        Parking lots worked for me, especially the one where the PRINCESS LOUISE was docked…that was one huge parking lot.

        Reply
  48. Freda says

    June 28, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Gordy Ross says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      Got a cross street of Sepulveda?
      I remember the RainTree also, just not where it was.

      Reply
  49. Gary Dalton says

    September 14, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Gordy Ross says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:23 pm

      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.

      Reply
  50. Jeff says

    January 20, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    No mention of the Mermaid? I wasn’t out there long, but had some great times there.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      January 20, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      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.

      Reply
  51. Skip says

    February 26, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      February 26, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      Man, you were at a lot of places! Mahalo for the comments.

      Reply
    • Gordy Ross says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      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.

      Reply
  52. Donna M Duncan says

    March 17, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    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!

    Reply
  53. Carol says

    June 28, 2021 at 5:35 am

    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😂

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      June 28, 2021 at 9:57 am

      Oh yeah, it’s where Sharkeez is now on the pier. Ha, only 17 and a bartender.

      Reply
  54. Renee says

    August 30, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      August 30, 2021 at 7:23 pm

      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.

      Reply
  55. Sean says

    October 26, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      October 26, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      Been there, done all that Sean!

      Reply
  56. Cap.RandyZ says

    April 12, 2022 at 2:54 am

    Critters, Grunions, Hennessey’s, FFFF, Pier 52, The Pitcher House, Hermosa Saloon… great memories from the early ’80s.

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      April 12, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Gordy Ross says

        May 29, 2022 at 8:17 pm

        FFFF, gawwwwd did we have great time at Wendy Fenners place. What a gal, what a place.

        Reply
    • Gordy Ross says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:19 pm

      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?

      Reply
    • Scott says

      March 6, 2023 at 11:45 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        March 7, 2023 at 2:10 pm

        Great story!

        Reply
  57. Gordy Ross says

    May 29, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
  58. chris rob brown THE TWINS says

    July 19, 2022 at 8:29 pm

    what about cj barrymores el segundo worth a mention

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      July 19, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      It was certainly THE spot but not for the longevity for this article. Thanks for bringing it out here!

      Reply
  59. Dana says

    March 4, 2023 at 8:10 pm

    1989, 1990 was Bentley’s on Rosecrans in El Segundo and CJ Barrymore’s along with Red Onion

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      March 4, 2023 at 10:17 pm

      All awesome places.

      Reply

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