AmericanBeach bar$ocean-avenueMon 12:00-19:00; Tue-Thu 11:00-20:00; Fri 11:00-21:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-20:00
Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe has anchored the boardwalk below the Santa Monica Pier since 1902 as Loring's Lunchroom, burgers and buckets on two patios.
Signature drink: Bucket of beers on the boardwalk
Food: Bar menu
Tip: It became Big Dean's in the 1970s; grab a patio rail seat, order the burger and watch the boardwalk crowds.
Cocktail barLounge$$$ocean-avenueWed-Thu 17:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-01:00; Sun 17:00-22:00; closed Mon-Tue
The Bungalow sprawls through a beach-house maze at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, cocktails, DJs and pool tables with ocean air off the bluff.
Signature drink: Spicy margarita
Food: Bar menu
Tip: Dress code loosens early; go at 17:00 for a patio sofa because the queue after 21:00 on weekends is real.
AmericanHotel bar$$$downtownBreakfast daily 07:00-11:00; lunch Mon-Fri 11:00-14:30; brunch Sat-Sun 11:00-14:30; dinner nightly 17:00-21:30; bar to 01:00 Fri-Sat
The Penthouse floats on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, white banquettes and coastline views from breakfast through late cocktails.
Signature drink: Sunset cocktail on the 18th floor
Food: Bar menu
Tip: Happy hour runs 16:00-18:00 on weekdays; sunset window tables go to whoever books earliest on OpenTable.
SteakhouseHotel bar$$$$ocean-avenueWed 17:00-22:00; Thu 17:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00; Sun 17:00-21:00
The Georgian Room, in the 1933 Georgian Hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, pairs Tuscan chophouse cooking with live jazz around a Steinway grand.
Signature drink: Martini beside the Steinway
Food: Bar menu
Tip: Friday and Saturday it runs to 02:00 with live music; Spaghetti Sunday closes the week with a set menu.
ItalianRooftop bar$$$downtownMon-Thu 10:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 09:00-01:00; Sun 09:00-00:00
Elephante stacks a coastal Italian kitchen onto a 2nd Street rooftop in Santa Monica, whipped eggplant, pizzas and pasta with the ocean over the rail.
Signature drink: Aperol spritz at golden hour
Food: Bar menu
Tip: Go before sunset for the light and stay for the DJ; weekend mornings it runs ricotta pancakes from 09:00.
MediterraneanRooftop bar$$$downtownLunch Mon-Fri 12:00-16:00; brunch Sat-Sun 11:00-15:00; dinner daily 17:00-22:00
Calabra spreads Mediterranean-Californian plates across the Santa Monica Proper Hotel rooftop, a circular bar and garden terrace with Pacific views.
Signature drink: Proper Hour seasonal cocktail
Food: Bar menu
Tip: Proper Hour runs 16:00-17:00 weekdays and 15:00-17:00 weekends; the poolside alcoves take groups up to twelve.