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Cocktail barKaraoke diveMid City
The Gaslite has held its Wilshire Boulevard corner in Santa Monica since 1962, a come-as-you-are karaoke dive open 06:00 to 02:00 with free popcorn.
DrinkWell drink with free popcorn
FoodBar menu
TipIt bills itself as Southern California's longest-running karaoke; sign up early because the nightly list fills by 21:00.
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Cocktail barLive music barDowntown
Harvelle's books blues, burlesque and soul into a low-lit 4th Street room in downtown Santa Monica, one of the Westside's longest-running music bars.
DrinkWhisky cocktail at the stage
FoodBar menu
TipTickets go through Seat Engine on the venue site; the long-running Toledo Show jazz and burlesque revue owns Sunday nights.
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Cocktail barSpeakeasyMain Street
Basement Tavern hides under the 1890s Victorian on Main Street in Santa Monica, a candlelit whiskey bar with live bands packed in most nights.
DrinkOld fashioned
FoodBar menu
TipEnter down the side stairs of the Victorian; it gets shoulder-to-shoulder after 21:00 when the band starts.
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AmericanBeach barOcean Avenue
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.
DrinkBucket of beers on the boardwalk
FoodBar menu
TipIt became Big Dean's in the 1970s; grab a patio rail seat, order the burger and watch the boardwalk crowds.
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Cocktail barLoungeOcean Avenue
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.
DrinkSpicy margarita
FoodBar menu
TipDress code loosens early; go at 17:00 for a patio sofa because the queue after 21:00 on weekends is real.
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AmericanHotel barDowntown
The Penthouse floats on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, white banquettes and coastline views from breakfast through late cocktails.
DrinkSunset cocktail on the 18th floor
FoodBar menu
TipHappy hour runs 16:00-18:00 on weekdays; sunset window tables go to whoever books earliest on OpenTable.