50 Best Cocktail Bars near Manhattan Beach

“The food is absolutely brilliant, the parking is okay, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is great“

“Beautiful little restaraunt by Manhattan Beach Pier. I’m there every year end of Aug.“

“I had the warmest experience at The Arthur J, from the hostess at the front door, the wait staff and the manager. I had recently lost my husband prior to my reservation and was determined to enjoy our anniversary dinner. Not only was a the food delicious, but the overall experience was beyond memorable. Thank you…. thank you. Can’t wait until I return for his birthday.“

“Great food and service (Amanda did a great job), I love their double r 20 oz cowboy’s rib eye and I like the ambiance it is very cozy.“

“Mercado Manhattan Beach: A Review That’s 90% Enthusiasm, 10% Queso Coma

I walked into Mercado Manhattan Beach expecting solid tacos and left questioning whether I’d just experienced peak human achievement or simply overdosed on crema. The answer, it turns out, is both.

Let’s start with the star of the show: the Al Pastor Tacos. These little corn-tortilla miracles arrive looking like they’ve been drizzled by a hyperactive Jackson Pollock who only owns green paint and a grudge against restraint. The pork is shaved so thin it’s basically prosciutto’s tropical cousin, caramelized toueto edges that taste like someone figured out how to bottle campfire. Then they hit it with pineapple that somehow manages to be both sweet and aggressively tangy—like if piña colada grew up and started doing CrossFit. Topped with onions, cilantro, and enough green sauce to power a small salsa cartel. One bite and I actually whispered “dios mío” unironically. My dining companion heard me and nodded solemnly, as if we’d just witnessed a religious event.

Up next: the Queso Fundido, which should come with a warning label and a waiver. This is not “cheese dip.” This is molten queso Oaxaca doing its best impersonation of a lava flow in a cute little bowl. Chorizo chunks bob around like spicy little life rafts. You will attempt to be civilized with the provided tortillas. You will fail. You will resort to spoon. You will consider bathing in it. The waiter will pretend not to notice when you guard the bowl like Gollum with the One Ring.

And then, because apparently we hate ourselves, we ordered the Flautas de Pollo. Picture taquito’s fancy older sister who went to culinary school in Guadalajara and came back with strong opinions about presentation. Perfectly rolled, fried to a shattering crisp, then piled so high with lettuce, crema, queso fresco, and pico that it looks like a edible Jenga tower. One wrong move and you’re wearing half of it. Worth it.

Service was the kind of attentive that makes you feel mildly famous—like the staff genuinely wants you to have the best night of your life, and they’re willing to sprint for extra limes to make it happen. Cocktails are dangerously good (the mezcal situation is reckless), and the patio is prime South Bay people-watching real estate.

Only complaint: portions are aggressively generous, which feels like a trap. I left in what can only be described as a full-body food hug, waddling to my car while mentally drafting my will to leave everything to Mercado.

10/10, would sell my soul for more of that green sauce. Bring stretchy pants and zero shame.“

“Hook & Plow has a great menu that appeals to almost everyone and all the locations have awesome staff and service. The sandwiches and burgers are always popular and their raw bar elevates the menu. The steak sandwich is so tender and flavorful and the burgers are equally delicious. The lobster roll is loaded and super tender.. really good quality. The salads are very popular and can be ordered with yummy salmon that makes for a healthy low carb meal option. They also have lunch combinations which are a great value and don't forget about happy hour!“

“I’ve had breakfast the last two mornings at the restaurant and experienced the most amazing service. The food was yummy (breakfast burrito) and honestly really good coffee. The hostess Claudia was a consummate professional and I was so impressed that she remembered my name and my preferred table from the day before. My waiter Antonio was the same, incredible service, remembered every single specific thing about my order, including my allergies and preference for sweetener. When you travel a lot you know bad , good and outstanding service and both Claudia and Antonio were beyond outstanding. I recommend the restaurant/hotel clone them immediately … no joke.“

“We had a wonderful first time experiencell. All three dishes were wonderful. Our server was exceptional.  polite, knowledgeable, attentive. I wish I got his name. He was a young man with dark hair. The only negative was unfortunately there was a party of six young ladies who were very loud. Normally that wouldn't bother us, but my mom is 99 and it was a lot for her. we will certainly be back.“

“Yummylicious and good enough for a dinner , affordable, you going to love it 🥰“

“Love this spot! Bartender was great and atmosphere is upscale, classy and sophisticated-great when you wanna stay in Hermosa but get away from the Pier!“

“Wonderful food! I got the salmon with my salad and it was delicious! Get the June salad for lunch!“

“Absolutely delicious food. Chulita Bowl was fantastic, hibiscus mimosa and latte were so good. Friendly staff too! Thanks for the wonderful brunch. 🙏🧜🏽‍♀️“

“For Venice this was 5* for me. Attentive staff, good cocktail/wine list, and most marvelous sausage/rabe orecchiette pasta. Loved the meatballs, okay pizza (mostly because all LA pizzas taste the same, soggy in the middle, yeasty fluffy crust and whatever else on the middle), but the pasta...it was a little chewy, a little doughy (all in the best way possible), perfectly saucy, spiced to perfection. The Nebbiolo they source washes down splendidly after all the protein/carb intake. Servers are attentive, knowledgeable, non-intrusive but always around and quick.“

“Great atmosphere friendly staff and amazing food 😎“

“If you want to go to a bar with perfect seating, great airflow, excellent drinks, flawless service l, a fantastic DJ, a parking lot, a nyc vibe, no one rushes you and you can even reserve a table for drinks…go to the Chestnut Club. My favorite new bar. 14th & Santa Monica Blvd @TheChestnutClub same owners as scopa and black market liquor!“

“Great Bartenders with good service. A good local bar...also there's shuffleboard,pinball & pool.“

“The food is both eclectic and delicious. The location is both artsy and industrial with warm and inviting staff. I highly recommend this place for a date, business, family, or anything because it’s fabulous.“

“Good food in casual friendly local restaurant & nice bar hangout ⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“killer blues this saturday night w/ BLUE SHADOWS“

“Always a good time there!“

“Margarita flights are ‘da bomb!“

“They call it a nightclub, I think of it more of a great dive bar. It is clean inside and there are places to sit and they have pool tables and a dance floor. They always have a cool DJ. It is not quiet so be ready for that. Everyone is just having a great time.

The customers are nice and I have never seen an issue there. The staff is super great and they have enough people so you are not waiting at the bar for 20 minutes to get a drink. Their prices are fair and we are always able to find parking, usually on the street.

You can't miss the place, it has a huge green horse on the roof. They have the best tacos and we love taco Tuesday.

Now, it may get a little crowded on the weekend so we tend to go on weekdays.

They make the best drinks. When we go with a group I never drink because I am the one driving. Sometimes they give me my coke for free.

It is just a great locals place, but they love tourists and get them as well.

You will love this little hangout.“

“For it being u first timing dining out for Thanksgiving I was worried that the nostalgic feeling of a family gathering would be missing but I was definitely wrong. Everyone in the restaurant was having a great time and you could feel all the love and energy in the air. Started with some sourdough and truffle butter and some mezcal cocktails. Both were amazing. Dinner consisted of a 3 course menu and between our party, we were able to cover all items offered. The appetizers were a choice of scallops, crab cake, or pumpkin ravioli. All 3 were so delicious that we wish we don't want to share haha. The main courses were turkey, osso-bucco, or aJohn Dory fish plate. Again, all 3 were so delectable but the turkey and osso bucco were stars because they came with heaping sides. We paired our dinner with a couple bottles of Pinot noir from France. Dessert had a pumpkin pie, French applie pie, or a dark chocolate ganache tart. The pumpkin pie was probably the best I've had. The apple pie was also very good. The ganache tart was decent but very strong chocolate and orange flavors which I wasn't quite ready for. Service was excellent from all staff members and the decor gave you this feeling like you were at home. I will definitely be coming back to have a regular dinner because everything was on point.“

“Delicious food and drinks!“

“This bar is awesome! We heard that it was the smallest bar in LA and expected to be greeted by regulars who resented our presence. We experienced the complete opposite. The bartender Pete immediately recognized my Midwest accent and engaged myself and my 2 adult children in conversation. The locals at the bar were also very engaging. Many reviews I have read described it as a dive. I completely disagree with that assessment. It is a local bar that is very welcoming to any patron. Keep in mind it is cash only! Looking forward to going back!“

“I performed a Blues concert there this week in their large music hall & library with bar which adjoins a very busy bar room playing old school
recorded R&B. It's a lively and fun place to hang. There's cocktails, beer, music and pool tables. A diverse friendly crowd. They let you Postmate or bring food. There's even an outdoor patio.“

“Everything great“

“For me, this is a restaurant where you should take family and family-friends. Easy valet parking, cozy location on the marina, sleek seating with maritime decor, classic (and strong) drinks, and a quiet ambience -- all make it a standout in LA, where oftentimes the quality of the food outstrips all the other aspects of the dining experience. As for food: we liked all the seafood options we tried (sea bass, bouillabaise, sand daps), and the burger was thick and juicy. Remarkably, we spent three hours talking and enjoying our three-course meal, and the servers were friendly the whole time and didn't rush us. We will be back!“

“Our server Sean was amazing!“

“Service,drinks.food,ambiance.staff,etc.“

“While They Don’t Serve Food Here It Doesn’t Stop The Immaculate Service. The Staff Is Always Kind And Treat You With Respect!! Love This Place Good For A Friend Group On Weekends Or A Little Solo Date Night Or Enjoying The Company Of Another“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“Don't let the unassuming neon glow of the strip mall fool you. Once inside you'll be transported to a dive bar tiki paradise full of welcoming locals, cheap beer and limited distractions.
A throw back to simpler time when you were not overwhelmed with menu options or craft beer choices.
This is truly a slice of island paradise in an urban jungle“

“The Washington is one of those spots that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto a hidden gem. It's got that cozy, intimate vibe that makes it perfect for date night or just catching up with a friend over a drink. The cocktails are excellent- thoughtful, creative, and made with care (not just thrown together like you find at so many places). Our bartender treated that drink like a piece of art!

It's very much a locals' bar, and that's what makes it special. You can actually have a conversation without shouting over the music, and the staff makes you feel right at home. It's the kind of place you want to keep coming back to.

If you're looking for a laid-back atmosphere with top-notch cocktails, this is it. Cheers to The Washington!“

“The food and the atmosphere are AMAZING“

“Great asian fusion food. Awesome for happy hour!!“

“Great KJ, great bartenders and great customers! What more does one need?!“

“Great customer service, very good espresso, tasty fresh pastries.“

“Best duck taco I've ever had. Came in for the Karaage but they were out, so decided to go with duck and it did not disappoint. I also met and talked to the owner, and he was incredibly generous and kind. I didn't eat there but the vibe was cool, would definitely dine in too.“

“So fun! Great tropical vibes. Stellar cocktails, food hit the spot. Killer burger. Came for football, a DJ played after the games... I stayed all night!“

“Always a great experience and meal at Orto, strongly recommended!“

“The service is amazing but the food is okay and the drinks are strong but basic.

Parking: Huge commercial and hotel parking lot

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly

Wheelchair accessibility: Totally accessible“

“One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Los Angeles!“

“Calo K's ceviche is delicious.“

“11/10 experience at Juliet! The food was absolutely perfect and staff was lovely! Our server, Hannah was instrumental in helping me pick the right wine. The food was beautifully prepared and the atmosphere was perfect for date night. Highly recommend!“

“Small bars usually offer a casual yet friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
• Staff Attitude: Most small bar staff are warm and welcoming. Unlike fine dining restaurants, they tend to be more engaging, often chatting with guests, recommending drinks, and even remembering regular customers’ preferences.
• Serving Speed: Since the main focus of a bar is alcoholic beverages, the food may take longer to be served compared to a regular restaurant. However, most bars offer quick-prep bar snacks to complement the drinks.
• Personalized Service: Some small bars provide customized cocktails based on customers’ tastes or offer hidden menu options to enhance the experience.“

“Love this place!! They always have live music and the vibe is amazing! They also have the best bartender around Priscilla! She always gets me nice and toasty! Cheers girl Merry Christmas! I’ll be in there later! Love the lighthouse it’s a Hermosa Beach staple! I can’t comment on the food cuz I’ve never eaten there lol“

“Booked a 7:15 reservation. There were (4) of us. We were all late driving from different parts of town on a Friday evening after work. Called in to say we were running late. The staff was kind, understanding and kept our table. Our waitress was super nice, friendly and accommodating. The food and drinks were delicious. We even got a sample drink from the bartender requesting that we rate it. It was tasty. The music (live DJ) was good, the atmosphere was nice and we had a great time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“