Spotlight on: Sharkeez in Hermosa Beach

(Credit: Josh Reiss)

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Two years ago, Sharkeez in Hermosa Beach caught fire in the dark of night. The 80-year-old building burned to the ground, and by morning Hermosa Beach’s most famous bar was reduced to ashes.

But last month, the new and improved Sharkeez reopened after a $2 million rebuild. While keeping the same basic layout as the original, the beachside bar has undergone some serious upgrades. What was once beach-shack casual has turned pirate chic. Sharkeez now also offers a full food menu seven days a week, during all business hours. Add to that spiffy new LED lighting, a top-of-the-line DJ system and a disco ball. Luckily, Sharkeez has managed to keep the Cabo-like laid-back party atmosphere alive.

On opening weekend, the Pier Plaza property was packed with its staple crowd of 20-somethings clad in bikinis and baseball hats. A lot of the old staff, who had been commuting to other Sharkeez locations during the rebuild, are back, so there’s none of that anxiety you get when you’re pretty sure the training bartender has no idea how to make a real margarita.

Swanky new design: The bar is lit up like a Macy’s window display, highlighting some of Sharkeez’s most precious bottles. A 40-foot-long table extends the length of the room, and strangers can sit elbow-to-elbow to meet new friends. The seats are red-brown leather and the walls are lined with red velvet, but fear not—the place is still decked out with surfing memorabilia, dozens of flat-screen TVs and authentic Mexican embellishments.

You know what they say about long straws: Big drinks! The revamped drink menu features plenty of old favorites plus a few new perks, and there are four frozen-drink machines at the ready. Anyone with a sweet tooth should try the tangy watermelon margarita. Since sharing and getting to know your neighbors seems to be the theme here, spring for one of those communal party bowls with uncommonly long straws. Whatever happens at Sharkeez…

Eat, eat, eat: It’s still mesquite-Mex and reasonably priced, with flame-grilled fajitas and tri-tip tacos sizzling up the place. The lobster quesadilla (one of the most expensive items on the menu at $11.99) is filled with generous slices of avocado, chunks of succulent lobster and a touch of fire. On Saturdays and Sundays, brunch includes an hour of unlimited complimentary mimosas to nurse your weekend woes.

Meet you in the bathroom: The women’s bathroom (where the fire started two years ago) and the men’s room now have communal sinks. While some may prefer primping in private, it’s a fun way to keep the social environment alive even in an unlikely place.

Working out the kinks: Because there’s no table service inside, it’s a wrestling match to get to a bartender to order. And sometimes when the food runners can’t find your table, they resort to auctioning off the food with phrases like, “Breakfast burrito, please raise your hand.” With such an impressive upgrade, the management might want to consider bumping up the service too.

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