Looking Back At Hermosa, Manhattan & Redondo Beach Drinking Landmarks
Some of these legendary South Bay bars are gone, others have changed and a few remain local favorites. This PubClub Classic remains one of our most-discussed articles because everyone has their own opinion about the South Bay’s greatest bars.
By Kevin Wilkerson, South Bay Nightlife Historian
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. It was also one of the last places that Jay Spel – the original keyboardist for the Jimmy Buffett Corral Reefer Band – played (see above video).
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).
Did PubClub get it right? Which South Bay bars would make your Top 10 list? Join the conversation and leave a comment.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and former South Bay resident who spent years living in Hermosa Beach and covering its nightlife scene. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.
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Just remembered it was Texas Loosey’s
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.
The Bull Pen is still going strong today!
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….
What about Baxters?
Ahh, “the Black Hole,” we called it. You nailed it on your three points – well done!
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.
Is that really true about Toe’s Tavern? How cool! Remember The beer-guzzling Fox!?
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
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.
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.
Awesome!
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
Yeah! John Brown! Great band.
All, the post-Chiller rollerblade crash – a common happening in those great South Bay days!
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.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing. LOVED the Fox!
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
Anyone remember The Flying Jib?? I think it was on the border between Hermosa and Torrance???
Dirty Sally’s next to Red Onion and Beach Bum’s.
The Poop Deck is still there, now called The Deck. Yes, they’ve taken the “Poop” out of the Poop Deck! — PubClub.com
R.I.P., The Poop Deck .. possibly the VERY best little dive bar in South Bay .. there will never, ever be another like it …
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?!??
One you guys forgot…….How about Cassidy’s Pub in Manhatten!?!?! Stand on the Patio and suck down some drinks..
The hermosa saloon was the place for booze and snow for a lone time
Oh yes – many good times in Cal Beach Sushi. Good addition!
California Beach (Sushi-Music-Singles) 80’s Hermosa Beach
That’s about all a guy could possibly want, absolutely!
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?
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Wow, fantastic! Share more; any photos anyone!?
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.
Grew up in El Porto lived right around corner…..Behind the old Hut…..Crest & 40th st
One of my favorites along with the Players Bar. La Paz could never be recreated with the laws that we have now.
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.
What about Moose’s?
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
Does anyone remember the Blue Book in El Porto? Mike
Great memories! MB and HB 1997-2008. Now in the Palisades.
Excellent. Thanks, Sonny, for adding this insight and history to the article!
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
open your eyes above
there were 2 greats buccaneer and la paz, i owned them bothy
how about the buccaneer??????? and the greeks
Great comments – spot on!
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.
In the 90’s – Houlihan’s Old Place @ Del Amo was the biggest melting pot on Fridays. . Saint Patty’s Day was Epic..!!
Sweet Water and The Fleetwood?
what about summers sports bar ?!
Sports center and surf city!!!!
Blue Moon Saloon. Summer Sunday afternoons with the John Brown Band .