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SteakhouseHotel barOcean Avenue
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.
DrinkMartini beside the Steinway
FoodBar menu
TipFriday and Saturday it runs to 02:00 with live music; Spaghetti Sunday closes the week with a set menu.
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ItalianRooftop barDowntown
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.
DrinkAperol spritz at golden hour
FoodBar menu
TipGo before sunset for the light and stay for the DJ; weekend mornings it runs ricotta pancakes from 09:00.
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MediterraneanRooftop barDowntown
Calabra spreads Mediterranean-Californian plates across the Santa Monica Proper Hotel rooftop, a circular bar and garden terrace with Pacific views.
DrinkProper Hour seasonal cocktail
FoodBar menu
TipProper Hour runs 16:00-17:00 weekdays and 15:00-17:00 weekends; the poolside alcoves take groups up to twelve.
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Cocktail barCocktail barMain Street
Not No Bar plays throwback Euro disco over wood-fired pizza on Main Street in Santa Monica, bar director Kent Thompson's cocktails until 01:00.
DrinkSoy Del Rancho
FoodBar menu
TipFriday and Saturday are fully walk-in; the patio never takes bookings and the room goes 21-plus after 22:00.
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GastropubCraft beer barMain Street
Library Alehouse has poured independent craft beer on Main Street in Santa Monica since 1995, California gastropub plates and a wood-lined back patio.
DrinkBlack Manhattan or a Mayberry IPA
FoodBar menu
TipThe back patio hides from the Main Street noise; pair the Mayberry IPA with whatever burger special is running.
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BreweryBrewery taproomMid City
Santa Monica Brew Works pours ten house taps in its Colorado Avenue taproom, 310 Blonde to PCH Porter, with Emmy Squared pizza serving till late.
Drink310 Blonde Ale
FoodBar menu
TipMonday is all-day happy hour; the Emmy Squared after-hours menu runs Friday and Saturday from 21:00.