Features, Features

BEST OF: NIGHTLIFE & LIBATIONS

The District WeeklyWed. October 15
 

College drinking, bear bar, martinis, a cellar and more


PHOTO by CHERYL GROFF

BEST WATERING HOLES FOR WASTING TUITION LOANS: ANY BAR ON SECOND STREET First stop: Legends (5236 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.5743). Hands down the rowdiest sports bar during a game—and the largest bar on Second—Legends is good for big groups (just leave Mike Ruehle at home!). Once you’ve got a good buzz going, head over to “Station” (aka Belmont Station, 5300 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.3907) for some cocktails and dancing—but only on Thursdays, the one night there’s a big crowd and no cover charge. For those who need some liquid courage to get on the dance floor, try the cherry bomb for $4 (tell them we sent you!). If you don’t stay at Station long enough to hear “Happy Trails” (their last-call anthem), make your way across the street to “Shannon’s” (aka Shannon’s Bay Shore Saloon, 5335 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.5901). Shannon’s is the Cheers of Long Beach, where everybody knows your name. And if they don’t? Give it an hour: It’s got the strongest drinks for the best prices. Now, on a busy weekend, you can avoid the long lines of these popular places and opt for “A.I.” (aka Acapulco Inn, 5283 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.439.3517), where there’s $9 pitchers, pool and a jukebox (tell them we sent you!). But your last stop should be “The Dirty Bird,” aka Crow’s (5728 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.8936), a salty dive that’s more cruise ship discotheque than cocktail lounge. Keep drinking. You’ll thank us in the morning.

BEST BEAR HUG: BEAR BAR You’re a man who’s into men who look like James Gandolfini, you’re into Top 40 dance remixes, and you find mainstream gay culture (made-for-television guys with fabulous, model-quality bodies, a baby’s hairless backside and a fascination with anything by Tom Ford)—you find that kind of gay culture a drag. Welcome, friend, to Bear Bar at Ripples, on the second Saturday of every month. It’s like the high school quest for quarterback and cheerleader, only with bellies and back hair. Even if you’re a woman or straight or more conventionally gay (Jake Gyllenhaal!), this is one of the best nights out. All are welcome, in part at least because the emphasis on the condition of your abs is, like, Midwestern low, the emphasis on fun correlatively high. But arrive early: the line forms literally around the block. At the door, whatever your sexuality, you’ll be greeted with a friendly bear hug. 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach 90803. 562.433.0357; clubripples.com

BEST HEAD-CLEARING KICK: BONO’S GINGER LYCHEE MARTINI With a comfortable and spacious bar—there’s plenty of room between the back of the barstools and the dining area—Bono’s is a treat. And the ginger lychee martini—made with Ketel One—is cold, sweet and fragrant; smooth on the way down, but it’s the dash of fresh-ground black pepper sprinkled on top just before it’s served that gives a savory balance and keeps the infusion of ginger and lychee liqueurs from taking you into Candy Land. The pepper also delivers a nice, pungent, nose-tickling, head-clearing kick, and readies your palate for adventures (flavor and otherwise) to come. 4901 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.434.9501

BEST PLACE CONNECTED TO A PLACE THAT’S BELOW ANOTHER PLACE: THE CELLAR The Cellar is, of course, based on the legendary series of Texas clubs where—pick one—ZZ Top was the house band; members of the Secret Service stayed up drinking the night before John F. Kennedy was assassinated; and where ladies (back in the ’60s) might unburden themselves of their blouses, should the feeling be right. This being 2008 Long Beach, though, its first year in business has proceeded quietly and methodically—and that’s just fine. This place is already an excellent nightspot (as the turn out to the late Chris Gaffney’s April memorial show proved). Booker Vince Jordan (a founder of the Blue Café next door) seems to have every bluesman’s number in his iPhone/Rolodex, and the future looks pretty bright for what now must be one of the few places left in Long Beach to hear the blues regularly. Also? It makes a really rad day bar—all quiet and dark and inviting. (And when you get hungry, there’s Quenton’s, the Southern food restaurant above.) Just think—if you lived in the Insurance Exchange Building, you’d be home now. 201 E. Broadway, Long 90802. 562.495.9000; quentonsandthecellar.com

BEST LOBBYIST: CLANCY’S WASHINGTON APPLE Things go better with whiskey, and DeKuyper’s Sour Apple Pucker is no exception. There your drink sits, about an ounce short of full Pucker (a Wash. Apple is equal parts Crown Royal Canadian whiskey, Pucker and cranberry juice) and that’s okay. Because, while the Pucker gives you the apple part, the whiskey somehow gives you the Washington: slows the whole thing down in your mouth, makes it infinitely less obnoxious than an Appletini (also made with Pucker), makes this a drink that’s really more D.C. than Washington state. Belt one of these—they’re delicious!—and your inflated sense of self-esteem comes crawling up on the stool next to you like a sewer-dwelling D.C. lobbyist. Yay! Drink two and you’re a lobbyist—or so you say. Three, and your tongue feels like it’s wearing a pinstriped double-breasted. But two—two is fine. 803 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90802. 562.437.1836

BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY: JOE’S CRAB SHACK’S CAPTAIN’S DREAMSCICLE Has it really come to this? Sitting in Joe’s Crab Shack, drinking a tropical beverage and channeling Sammy Hagar on a Saturday afternoon? Yes. Yes it has. Actually, Cabo Wabo ambiance aside, the outside patio at this joint is a little afternoon treasure with one of the best views of the Alamitos Bay Marina and some great seats to catch the rays, bro. Relax at the Shack with a Captain’s Dreamscicle—an OJ, Captain Morgan and piña colada mix delight, garnished with a pineapple wedge, orange slice and cherry, topped by a pipe cleaner palm tree. The skewer rests festively on the side of the glass, watching you—that’s a .09 BAC, it seems to say. Aye, Captain! No matter: The drink is fruity and smooth—you can down it as though it is a 7-Eleven Slurpee and you’re hiding evidence from the slushie police. 6550 Marina Dr., Long Beach 90803. 562.594.6551

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE: LONG BEACH LOOP If we could write a massive epistle of love to every single bar owner, bartender, bar back, band and Big Red Bus driver who’s been involved with the Long Beach Loop thus far, it would read something like this: Thank you. Thank you Pike, thank you Prospector, thank you Alex’s Bar, thank you Big Red Bus operator Peter Joseph (and especially thank you Big Red Bus operator Peter Joseph’s kilt—wink!) for thinking of us, your loyal patrons who are often forced to split loyalties when it comes to our nighttime activities. Now, once a month—the first Thursday of the month—we can enjoy the best of all worlds with three great shows at three great bars and one low price and bus ride connecting them all. There’s nothing quite like stumbling out of the Pike and climbing on the bus, opening your face to the wind as you ride down Fourth and then Junipero to the Prospector—or maybe there is. It’s like a carnival ride, only drunker. But anyway, mostly, yeah: Thanks guys for being awesome dudes and dudettes who know how to throw a good party. You’re what makes Long Beach special. myspace.com/thelongbeachloop

BEST BIG CITY BINGE: THE MADISON’S GIMLET This isn’t a Gents-with-a-capital-G-only drink—knowledge of shrimp forks and compote spoons not required—but it’s not your frat favorite Bud Light, either. You can throw back a few rounds, sure, but respect the drink. It’s old, like gramps (or maybe pa), and descends from simpler times (you know, hats and fitted shirts and lean ties) when cocktails would signal the end of the work day, not welcome the wee hours of today. So drink it slow and keep it cool, baby—taste as the sweet citrus renders the gin even more clean and crisp, leaving faint traces of breezy booze long after you catch a cab home. Yes, a cab: This is Long Beach, not Mad Men, sure, but maybe your brain won’t be the wiser. Your taste buds sure won’t. 110 Pine Ave., Long Beach 90802. 562.628.8866

BEST WAY TO PRETEND THE ECONOMY IS SOUND: NICO’S BOILERMAKER A boilermaker at Nico’s costs $13.50, and all you get is a shot of whiskey and a beer—because that’s what a boilermaker is. But let’s be honest: you can order that anywhere. You come here because it’s Nico’s: a plush little cabin of a place where wine is the usual drink, Frank Sinatra is the soundtrack, and where a boilermaker makes you look like Jim Thompson (or Mickey Thompson). Definitely not some guy who used to be a loan officer. You’ll want to keep that to yourself. 5760 E. Second St., Long Beach 90803. 562.434.4479

BEST CURE FOR WHAT AILS YOU: PUKA BAR’S WITCH DOCTOR You need some healing, fast, and you find it in the bottom of a glass at the Puka Bar. Unapologetic for being the least tiki of the beverages on the Puka Bar’s menu—surrounded by an army of mai tais, sea foam and zombies—the Witch Doctor doesn’t have the good courtesy to taste fruity like its compatriots. Instead, this drink is here to help you forget your woes, forget where you are and forget you’re drinking a glass of rum, lime juice and crème de menthe (topped off with splash of pina colada to give it all a nice creamy sickly green color). The first drink is smooth and crisp, thanks to the mint; the second, well, who cares; by the third, you are wondering where this drink has been your whole life. Damn thing done saved our lives. 710 Willow St., Long Beach 90806. 562.997.6896

BEST EX SEX: THE RED ROOM ’Scuse us, ’scuse us, sorry, ’scuse us: the Red Room might need a trap door for that pool table—we’re thinking of Scooby Doo—but it remains the best questionable decision you’ll make all night. When you have to have that one last drink, when you have to “reconnect” with that ex of yours from four years ago, when you have to feel all weird and creepy because everyone seems so much younger now, the Red Room is your destination. There’s whiskey. There’s skateboards. There’s tight pants and someone trying to sweet talk you out of them. You’ll walk away feeling great about yourself—Keep drinking! Don’t let it fade!—until the morning, when you’ll vow never again. But you always do. Some things just feel right. And the Red Room always does. 1227 E. Fourth St., Long Beach 90802. 562.432.4241; redroomrocks.com

BEST NIGHT OUT WITH THE GALS: THE SKY LOUNGE’S SKY FLIRTINI The Sky Room Bar is a gorgeous, teensy Spanish-style bar with a 360-degree view of the Long Beach skyline that sits 30 steps up a narrow staircase above the Sky Room. If ever Charlotte and Samantha were to cruise through Long Beach, I imagine this is where they’d end up. Listed on the menu—among drinks with names like the Vanilla MarTino, the 007 and the Frankly Grape—is the Sky Flirtini, with Absolut Peach, vanilla vodka, Grand Marnier, champagne, cranberry juice and strawberry sauce. A bit tart at first, after a few sips the Flirtini flavors begin to mingle quite nicely—it’s fruity, but there’s some density here, too. Of course, you feel a little silly ordering the drink—really, try saying “I’ll take a Flirtini” with a straight face—but there is something to the name: two of these and you’ll be making friends with everybody in sight. 40 S. Locust Ave., Long Beach 90802. 562.983.2703

BEST VARIETY ACT: QUE SERA Here’s a short list of things you can do inside the next two weeks at Que Sera: Call Sick on Friday with the Valley Arena and Deep Sea Goes; Drop It, presented by Cold Cuts, a girls dance club; Sucka Free Sunday with Seasons and DJ Elle Jay; an open mic night; perennial ’80s dance club Mannequin; DJs spinning goth/shoegaze/post-punk; Psycho Trailer Park with Ravens Moreland and DJs spinning psychobilly; Sucka Free Sunday with the lovely Lexi Lee; and—perfect—Release the Bats (a “hard-drinkin’, in yer face American gothic dance club”) on Halloween. And that’s not counting what already went on earlier this month (Good Foot! Rx Club!). We’re no mathematical whizzes or anything, but something tells us the possible combinations of what you can do at Que Sera any given month hover around like 783, which is to say that whatever you’re craving—Duran Duran to Dead Meadow—Que Sera can deliver it. Just pay cash! 1923 E. Seventh St., Long Beach 90813. 562.599.6170; thequesera.com

Tags: , , , , , ,

Viewing 12 Comments

    • ^
    • v
    The District Weekly (TDW) published a one-sided anonymous letter on October 8th about me. This was the same letter taken from the comment section of two different articles published on-line by TDW. I responded back to both on-line posts, defending myself. As always, I used my name rather than hide behind an anonymous name. However, neither rebuttal was published, only the one-sided anonymous letter was published on-line and hardcopy in the letters section. Then, on October 15th, TDW’s feature listed 2nd street bars with an on-line and hardcopy comment, “just leave Mike Ruehle at home!” Subsequently, an October 16th article references a link to the LB Report where I am described as preventing Terry Jensen from speaking before the Belmont Shore Residents Association meeting immediately following Mayor Fosters Measure I presentation. I suspect there were other resident organizations in the city that did not allow Mr. Jensen to speak at their meeting.

    I admit to being a frequent complainer about certain politically connected people who receive preferential treatment and are allowed to circumvent municipal codes. For that, I expect reporting of my name that is not always flattering. However, there appears to have been an interesting turn of events at TDW. All of this occurred immediately following the September 29th TDW on-line article titled “Belmont station joins AD Boycott aimed at the Paper You Are Reading Right Now,” which was not printed hardcopy.

    Has the TDW now been forced to cross over to the dark side? Is TDW now controlled by these same politically connected people who also direct a large part of their Ad revenue stream? Are they going the watered down way of the PT and the Grunion Gazette? If so, it is a loss for residents in Long Beach. After all, it wasn’t me who cancelled advertisements with TDW in order to change their behavior.
    • ^
    • v
    Pretty sure it's a joke. At least I thought it was funny. Lighten up.

    I don't think TDW is covertly cuddling up to the Satan of Second Street.
    • ^
    • v
    Andy: You're absolutely right. I think it's funny, too.

    Mike: I wrote that a joke, meant to reference the ongoing events (see also: "Tell them we sent you!"). If anything, Legends patrons who have not yet heard the lowdown might do a little research after seeing your name printed and get filled in on what's going on, too.
    • ^
    • v
    Welcome to being a public figure. The old saying "Those who throw stones shouldn't live in a glass house" appears to be very appropriate. Instead of worrying about what people are writing and saying about you, please take the high ground and not jump into every mud puddle for the sake of ego. Your letter stating the Mayor hates you was funny. I bet the Mayor hasn't given much thought about you and certainly doesn't know you well enough to hate you, but keep rattling swords at every windmill and you will surely be correct in time. For the sake of Belmont Shore, please stop the games namely: video taping people while voting (what happened to my rights), harrassing neighbors about the way they voted, calling the press (Joe Segura) to create news and actually do something to help your neighborhood. I wish you the best because we deserve better.
    • ^
    • v
    Everybody: Mike Ruehle is clearly joking. Nobody would take seriously a joke in which we tell our readers to go to bars that are part of an effort to boycott the District--and then encourage those readers to tell the bar owners we sent them. It's funny. Mike gets that. That's why he wrote this very tongue-in-cheek response pretending not to have a sense of humor. Seriously. I'm crying. Because it's all so funny.
    • ^
    • v
    This is the problem with the written word versus an in person conversation--it is difficult to read the intended irony at times-- where as in person, the listener would gain many verbal and non-verbal clues as to the true intent of the speaker.
    I must admit, I missed Mike's irony, but it is rather obvious when placed in the overall context of the post.
    • ^
    • v
    I think Will is the one joking here. This is all so confusing now.
    • ^
    • v
    Andy, I really wish you'd quit the irony. :]
    • ^
    • v
    Perhaps M.Rhule enjoys bottles ,opening and emptying them. Myself and many many other local homeowners wish he would go away.
    • ^
    • v
    Hello Mr. Toothless,

    Or should I say Tree guy? I believe you are the person who frequently expounds upon the virtues of the Parking Commission and it’s Chairman Kurt Schneiter, aren’t you? Is there any accuracy to your statements, or do you like to just make things up?

    When I was elected to the Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA) a year ago, there were barely 100 members. Today, there are over 400 members, with new members joining weekly. I began emailing a monthly newsletter a year ago, informing residents of what is going on in the neighborhood, both positive and negative sides. Unfortunately, your favorite Parking Commissioners make up the majority of the negative side. Despite your claims, the newsletter readership is approaching 600 people and is growing faster than the BSRA membership.

    I don’t doubt your claim that there are many homeowners that wish I would go away. However, based upon last month’s election, there appear to be more people who are OK with my attempts to represent residents. I can tell you are not one of them. I wonder why that is. Are you so enamored by these commercial property owner Commissioners because they allow you to plant trees, that you don’t see how they are turning our community into an entertainment district for their benefit? While I commend you in your tree planting activities, I respectfully choose to rate the concerns of my neighbors and community at a higher level. I believe its called being able to see the forest through the trees, so to speak.
    • ^
    • v
    Quien es mas ironico?
    • ^
    • v
    My head just exploded with the sound and fury of off-topic self-referential angst.
 
close Reblog this comment
Powered by Disqus · Learn more
blog comments powered by Disqus
 

© 2007-2008 Seven Days Publishing LLC.