Nightlife in Beach Cities

The three beach cities in the South Bay area – Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach – all come alive at night, with bars and clubs filling up with locals and people from all over L.A. out to party and just have a good time. Here’s a quick guide on what you’ll find here:

Manhattan Beach

High-end living and laidback beach culture blend well here. Manhattan Beach is home to many celebrities and professional athletes, and you might just see one of them in any of this city’s well-known hotspots. Nightlife is vibrant in the El Porto and downtown areas by the renowned Manhattan Beach Pier, where scenes shift from casual to sophisticated. Pancho’s is a beach cantina with live music on the weekends, and right by the pier is the Shellback Tavern or “The Shell” as others call it, a rustic pub with a party crowd. Nearby is Simmzy’s, a gastropub with a beer and wine bar, while Sharkeez has its Happy Hour and DJ music. For a more swanky and glamorous setting, head to Zinc at the Shade Hotel, where the specialty is a “subzero” martini served in a glass made of ice.

Hermosa Beach

Dancing and partying are the order of the night in Hermosa Beach, with bars and clubs that are frequented by a younger crowd in the areas around the intersection of Pier and Hermosa Avenues. Most of the places are small and fill up rather quickly, so don’t be surprised to see lines, especially during weekends. The original party place in Hermosa Beach is Sharkeez, which has multiple branches within the South Bay beach cities and is famous for its lively Happy Hour. Nearby is Patrick Molloy’s, a sports bar with plenty of video screens where you can watch your favorite game or catch the live music performances. Live music is also the main draw in places like the Lighthouse Cafe and Saint Rocke, while Watermans and Ocean Bar offer places to chill and just soak up that Hermosa Beach atmosphere.

Redondo Beach

Quieter than any of the South Bay beach cities, nightlife in Redondo Beach is more centered on drinking than dancing, but the city has its share of the party scene with a diverse selection of bars, taverns, clubs, and hotspots located mostly in South Redondo, near the Marina, Harbor and Redondo Beach Pier areas. Naja’s Place by the pier offers about 100 beers on tap with live band performances, while Gasser Lounge has a Johnny Cash shrine and is frequented by bikers and rockabillies. If you prefer live music and dancing, try Mickey Finnz, and for that pub atmosphere with great food, you can’t go wrong with Hudson House and Hennessey’s Tavern. For a more subdued and upscale setting to go with your drinks, check out Sophie’s Place and Splash Bistro.