Hermosa Beach is like an eternal spring break, where beer flows as liberally as it does at a frat party. Come to think of it, the barhoppers along the Strand act like they never wanted college—or at least the parties—to end. As day turns to night, the mellow beach town comes alive with cuties riding their cruisers and drinking games that bring rowdy crowds.
Beach babes (and bums) can swig ‘em back in style now, as Sharkeez had a face-lift!
At this slick Miami-style bar, flip-flops are a no-no, but bare shoulders are encouraged. Sun-soaked scenesters get down on the small dance floor, but if it’s your birthday you can dance on the tabletops in the VIP area.
With a gigantic floating dragon and slick leather booths, this sushi joint is where to go if you want to mack on the hotties you ogled all day by the ocean. The hip-hop beats will loosen you up, as will the strong sake-tinis served by wink-worthy bartenders.
Red Sox fans, take note. Located above the surf and bikini shops, this shack brings a Southie vibe to the SoCal beach. Expect Red Sox paraphernalia, neon beer lights (with matching stale beer stench), fishnets, TVs and tough bouncers.
Mom and dad in town? Bring them here for Bloody Marys and pub grub. The rooftop bar is the best spot in the house, especially since it gives prime view of the action on the Strand.
Deadheads, visitors from the nearby hostel and beach bums can all be spotted busting a move or getting their swerve on at this rockin’ red brick venue. There’s live music every night, from head-bobbing reggae to karaoke.
This bar and lounge may be old, but it's not tired. Loads of locals and beach riff-raff dig the 1960s decor, complete with antique cigarette-vending machines—you know, from when it was still considered cool to smoke.
Located smack in the middle of the pier, Patrick Molloys is a decked-out Irish pub that knows how to get you “buckled” (as the Irish say). The pub stays poppin' at night, but locals know to flock to the booze house for breakfast, when unlimited Mimosas are offered for an hour. Breakfast too early for you? Mimosas remain $2 until 2 p.m.
As you may have guessed from the giggle-inducing name, this beachside dive is where to get away from trendy cocktails and the dressed-up folks that come with them. Open for more than 50 years, Poop Deck is practically a Hermosa institution. It’s known for cheap drinks, a Budweiser-only tap and bathrooms that live up the bar’s name.
Beach bunnies, volleyball dudes, dance-floor divas and Torrance club kids all line up to get into this Mexi-Cali restaurant that morphs into a dance club at night. There are always a few skeezies, but you won’t notice them after a few glasses of the house drink.
Ladies: if you're fishing for a fellow, this is the pond for you. The tricked-out sports bar is laden with phat TV screens, pool tables, video games and, most importantly, guys watching the game.
Locals shun this upscale club for trying to be like Vegas, mainly because it enforces a strict dress code and charges a cover Friday and Saturday. But the Shore’s elegant lounge is still one of the most popular places to boogie in town. The jaw-dropping decor includes a gigantic red jellyfish light fixture, a blue-lit bar, plasma TVs and pearl-colored shell chandeliers.
Hottie alert! It seems Hermosa's most attractive locals all end up at this casual bar, where they watch the game on TV, play pool and take part in flip-cup. The pitchers and drinks are reasonable here, which is why everyone is a little more sloshed than at the other Hermosa watering holes. (Wait, is that why they all seem so good-looking?)
This multilevel upscale cowboy club attracts a see-and-be-seen crowd for whiskey drinks and rides on the mechanical bull. Things get even more heated on the rooftop, where there are fire pits. Still not feeling the buzz? Union Cattle brews 17,000 gallons of its own beer annually; we’re fans of the Drunk Beaver brown ale.
Sophia Kercher is a contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
