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Santa Monica nightlife guide to upscale bars, beachside pubs, rooftop views and sexy lounges

From surf shacks near the famous Santa Monica Pier to pubs along Main Street and trendy bars on the Third Avenue Promenade, this upscale neighborhood features an eclectic nightlife scene. Visit rooftop venues with beautiful views or grab a beer by the beach in Santa Monica, a thriving urban area with great happy hour specials and killer sunsets.

4 /5

Hip

5 /5

Upscale

4 /5

Tourists

3 /5

Ocean Views

Neighborhood

Santa Monica

Situated along a spectacular stretch of coastline and featuring an iconic pier, Santa Monica is a premier destination for nightlife, dining and entertainment. Full of young professionals, surfers and students, this upscale urban neighborhood offers a diverse selection of music venues, bars and hangouts. With some of the most expensive real estate in the world, this affluent area has drink prices to match - but you can still find great happy hour deals at various pubs and bars.

Many of the venues are situated near the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, a popular attraction for tourists and locals with more movie credits than most actors. Alongside the beach you'll find surf shacks and dive bars, many open late. Head to the nearby Third Street Promenade for a fun selection of bars and clubs, along with awesome street performers and late-night dining. Nearby Main Street is better known for shopping than for parties, but it still offers numerous taverns, bars and Irish pubs.

All over Santa Monica and especially along the coastline, you'll find ritzy rooftop bars and poolside lounges serving refreshing cocktails so that you can enjoy an evening of breathtaking views, beautiful people and a laid-back beachside atmosphere. - Shilo Urban

Featured

Venues

Sports Bar

Rusty's Surf Ranch

  • 256 Santa Monica Pier

With a prime location right on the Santa Monica Pier, this casual beach bar and grill is a top destination for fresh seafood and classic pub grub. Surfboards decorate the laid-back space, and live bands perform on the weekends.

Irish Pub

Sonny McLeans

  • 2615 Wilshire Blvd

Clover-colored, casual hangout that is often full of sports fans, this Irish tavern and gastro pub serves classic Irish favorites and traditional New England cuisine with California flair. Play darts or a round of pool with your friends, try the karaoke,

Bar

Big Dean's Cafe

  • 1615 Ocean Front Walk

Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe, a quintessential beach bar right off the Santa Monica Pier is the best place to be for year round sunshine and beachside fun with a side of fish and chips.

English Pub

The Britannia Pub

  • 318 Santa Monica Blvd

If you're looking to grab some brews with some cool Brits, the Britannia has got you and your friends covered this weekend.

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Bar

Irish Pub

O'Brien's

  • 2226 Wilshire Blvd
    Santa Monica CA 90403

A lovely and lively Irish pub, this joint features Irish breakfast all day long, and is a go-to for lunch, sports, and a hearty dinner.

Hotel Bar

The Penthouse

  • 1111 2nd Street
    Santa Monica CA 90403

When you're on the roof at the Penthouse in the Huntley, that's when you know you've really made it to the top in L.A.

Gastropub

The Brixton

  • 2827 Pico Blvd
    Santa Monica CA 90405

Gastropub

Library Alehouse

  • 2911 Main St
    Santa Monica CA 90405

Library Alehouse is a vibrant and spirited hangout in Santa Monica, where beer enthusiasts can indulge in a lively atmosphere filled with laughter, craft brews, and good times.

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Lounge

Lounge

Circle Bar

  • 2926 Main St
    Santa Monica CA 90405

Dark and divey, this hip hop hotspot has a tiny dance floor that gets packed with students, hipsters and the young-and-beautiful. Make your way through the crowd and get down to mainstream rap hits.

Lounge

Terrazza

  • 1910 Ocean Way
    Santa Monica CA 90405

Lounge

1212 Santa Monica

  • 1212 3rd St Promenade
    Santa Monica CA 90401

Lounge

Elephante

  • 1332 2nd St
    Santa Monica CA 90401

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Restaurant

American Restaurant

The Backyard at Chez Jays

  • 1657 Ocean Ave
    Santa Monica CA 90401

French Restaurant

Melisse

  • 1104 Wilshire Blvd
    Santa Monica CA 90401

French Restaurant

Loulou

  • 395 Santa Monica Pl
    Santa Monica CA 90401

French Restaurant

Massilia

  • 1445 4th St
    Santa Monica CA 90401

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Live Music Venue

Jazz Club

Harvelle's

  • 1432 4th St
    Santa Monica CA 90401

Since 1931, this classic club has been a go-to nightlife spot for locals. Listen to live blues and rock music, watch burlesque dancers, and kick back with a cold one in a relaxed environment.

Live Music Venue

The Craftsman

  • 119 Broadway
    Santa Monica CA 90401

Boasting one of the longest happy hours in Santa Monica (from 4 pm to 8 pm every day), this bar hosts live bands almost every night of the week – including the house band, The Old Fashioned, every Friday.

Live Music Venue

TRIP

  • 2101 Lincoln Blvd
    Santa Monica CA 90405

Live music is the focus of this neighborhood venue, which features performances seven nights a week. You'll also find burlesque dancing, trivia games, jazz nights and daily food specials.

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Santa Monica Nightlife

Interesting Facts

The iconic Santa Monica Pier hosts a weekly series of free twilight concerts in the summer from July through September. Listen to contemporary and classical music while enjoying a spectacular view of the coast at these popular events, an LA summer tradition.

Tips

While free parking in Santa Monica is a pipe dream, many of the swankiest rooftop bars and pools charge no cover. Visit the poolside lounge and rooftop bar of the Hotel Shangri-La, the Penthouse on the top floor of the Huntley, and the Copa d'Oro.

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