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BreweryCalifornian core lineup, ten tapsMid 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.
TipMonday is all-day happy hour; the Emmy Squared after-hours menu runs Friday and Saturday from 21:00.
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BreweryCraft beer bar pouring independent California brewersMain 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.
TipThe back patio hides from the Main Street noise; pair the Mayberry IPA with whatever burger special is running.
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Cocktail barRotating craft taps beside the whisky wallPico
The Daily Pint stocks more than 500 whiskies behind a Pico Boulevard dive-bar front in Santa Monica, with sharp rotating taps, pool and shuffleboard.
TipAsk the bartender to steer a whisky flight; the beer list turns over constantly and skews serious.
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Brewery36 curated craft taps with the Office BurgerMontana Avenue
Father's Office on Montana Avenue is the Santa Monica gastropub where Sang Yoon's no-substitutions Office Burger was born, backed by 36 craft taps.
TipNo ketchup, no substitutions, 21-plus only; the burger comes one way and the bar means it.
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BritishBritish ales and imported draughtDowntown
Ye Olde King's Head has poured pints a block from the Santa Monica Pier since the mid-1970s, the British pub whose fish and chips built its name.
TipAfternoon tea is served Monday to Saturday until 16:00 in the tea room; the gift shop bakery sells sausage rolls to go.