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).
kevinwilkerson says
So glad this article warmed your heart. That makes the effort to put it together all worth it. Thanks.
Shelly says
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.
kevinwilkerson says
Nice story and thanks for the contribution to this post, Jay!
JAY LLOYD says
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!
RalphS says
Worked the door and photographed the bikini contest 1986-87ish.
Jose says
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).
Gary Dalton says
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
kevinwilkerson says
Van Halen played at the Proud Bird!?!?
Dave R says
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 ?
Alex says
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!
Tracie says
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.
Lori says
There were two clubs, Under The Pier and Concerts By The Sea. I lived down the street from the pier 1974/75–great jazz!
Scott Tabickman says
Texas Lucy’s Chili Bordello!
Freda says
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
Jeanne says
sorry–typo…Chi Chi’s
Jeanne Drury says
Does anyone remember Cji Chi’s? I watch the first moon landing from the bar with friends
kevinwilkerson says
So sorry for your loss! But glad you have happy memories with her – starting at the Red Onion. In the parking lot? Hmmm. Interesting!
TODD GLICK says
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.
kevinwilkerson says
What drink is your speciality?? Cheers!
DesignerTJP says
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?
kevinwilkerson says
Oh yeah, that train on top of Tequila Willies! — PubClub.com
Roger C. says
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.
Dennis E. Cheshire says
A band named EMPEROR was at the Raintree for a long time. They were awesome.
kevinwilkerson says
Cool. Got any pics of yourself there and then!? Will post!
Liz says
Used to cocktail waitress there at night and work at Coco’s next door during the day!
Rockrgrrl says
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!
kevinwilkerson says
It is!?
Kelly says
Texas Looseys. Still there today!
kevinwilkerson says
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!
kerry says
how about TOE’S tavern? in manhattan beach.
Jinx says
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.
Jinx says
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.”
kevinwilkerson says
Glad to be of assistance!
Jstn says
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.
kevinwilkerson says
What!? Yeah, that’s definitely something to kick yourself about, no doubt!
Jstn says
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.
Jstn says
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.
Jstn says
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.
Jstn says
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.
kevinwilkerson says
Cool – were you a bartender?
Janna Schneider says
I worked at Pier 52
Janna Schneider says
One there that opened after hours
Camp says
Do you know what happened to the flagship?
kevinwilkerson says
Do you mean Chuck Schumacker?
ladySilverWings says
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!
ladySilverWings says
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!
ladySilverWings says
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!
ladySilverWings says
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
ladySilverWings says
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
ladySilverWings says
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!