Reggae was the order of the day on a recent visit to the Hermosa Beach pier. Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast highway to be exact. On a beautiful Spring Sunday afternoon my little band of revelers and I set out for some live music, specialty cocktails and unrivaled people watching in one of thee best beach cities in LA county. The plan was simple: Hit the legendary ‘Lighthouse Café’ for some nowhere-near-sad, mid thirty-ish ass shaking and imbibing. We were to hang out just long enough to experience that delicious euphoria caused by the perfect combination of root-down music and rum, hopefully meet some cool and attractive locals, and make it back to my buddies nearby apartment in time for ‘Entourage'.

Our plan went directly out the large front patio windows the moment we got an earful of the live reggae provided by ‘The Soul Shakers’ and an eyeful of the sick party vibe they initiated within the walls of this original Hermosa Beach jazz spot. Jazz music is what made The Lighthouse famous, famous enough to have had the likes of Miles Davis grace their stage on more than one occasion. The pictures on the walls tell the story of decades of an amazing live musical yield. If you wandered into the joint without knowing beforehand what type of establishment you’d just entered, the red tables and lights, dark wood interior, and slow moving ceiling fans might tell you: “Jazz music is played here.” The music wasn’t the only thing keeping us from making it an early night, the giant painted drink menu which boasts half a dozen or so jazz inspired house specials could not be resisted. From the damn-near fishbowl full of ‘The Dizzy’ (This is to be shared) to the rum infused tribute to the aforementioned ‘Miles Davis’, The Lighthouse offers enough party ingredients to keep even the most experienced bar-fly satiated.

Before the 80’s band took the stage at nine-thirty, our unofficial Hermosa Beach tour guide, (My friend Danny, who is a local) suggested we take our leave of The Lighthouse and walk across Pier Plaza to one of his favorite haunts, ‘Fat Face Fenners Fishshack’. The first thing that brings a smile to my face as I belly up to the bar at FFFF is the shiny white and blue tap mixed in with all the traditional and trendy beer taps that reads: Pabst Blue Ribbon. Two words cross my mind-Hell Yeah! Fat Faces’ is a short stair climb up from plaza level, giving the patio seats a terrific second story view of the surrounding shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s also a haven for So.Cal. Boston Red Sox devotees. When you go to FFFF to watch Big Papi and co., make sure to order one of bartender Juan Guerrero’s Juan-Bombs. It’ll make the win that much sweeter. And God forbid the Sox should lose, well it’ll help ease the pain of that too.

The last stop on our proverbial bar-crawl was ‘The Shore’. Not officially part of Pier Plaza, The Shore is a mere two minute walk up PCH. This place is a bona fide nightclub. True Hollywood style in the south bay. We get there right before the late night rush and are able to secure a prime booth. The booths, walls, and drapes are clean and white (Now I’m getting a South Beach vibe!). Our very accommodating cocktail waitress Kristina fields all my questions with a smile and is prompt with the drink orders, bonus! People are steadily shuffling in, filling the booths and sitting on the backless couches that run through the center of the club. The live Brazilian/tropical sounds of ‘New Cycle’ permeate the room, fueled by the re-donkulous percussion of Sandro Feliciano. I’m told that ‘The Shore’ hosts live bands from Sun.-Wed. and DJ music on the weekends. With an abundance of cool spots so close to one and other, it’s pretty difficult to pick just one. So come out early on Sunday, sample as much as you can of what Hermosa Beaches’ Pier Plaza has to offer, and catch the replay of Entourage on Monday.

The Lighthouse Café is at 30 Pier Ave Hermosa Beach 90254

By Edward Basil