SHOREBAR LANDS IN SANTA MONICA

Santa Monica cool just got even cooler with the opening of SHOREbar along Channel Road, a stone’s throw from the sandy beach.

The brainchild of local entrepreneur John Terzian, founder and principal of the h.wood group, whose nightclub portfolio includes h.wood, Tea Room, and Las Palmas, this marks the brand’s first west side venture. Described as “preppy Nantucket meets Malibu beach,” the cozy bar with its nautical theme feels more like a dark comfy lounge that your eyes need to adjust to is nestled on one of the most storied blocks in Santa Monica, and sits in the former infamous Hideout Bar (formerly Friendship Bar) space.

While its location is quite the score for locals, it is sandwiched between Georgio di Baldi and The Hungry Cat, which his great for bar hoppers but may be a tough sell for drinkers who want food or the desire to gander at the Hungry Cat’s breathtaking ocean view.

But this is a bar where it’s all about service and cocktails, and head mixologist Vincenzo Marianella’s sophisticated cocktail menu does not disappoint. His handcrafted cocktails use fresh ingredients that cover cocktail history and cocktail possibilities. The drink menu is divided into Signature Sours (Standing on the Shore), Signature Aromatics (Under the Boardwalk), and Classic Cocktails, think Mai Tai, Manhattan, Moscow Mule, Dark & Stormy, and Pisco Sour, which pay homage to the original gangsters.

Cocktails range from $12 to $16. New favorites include the Campanula Shore made with Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka, St. Germain, fresh lemon juice, mint leaves, and red bell pepper, served up. The presentation is beautiful and so is the taste. The Moondance, made with Partida Blanco Tequila, Soho Lychee Liqueur, fresh watermelon limejuice, agave nectar, fever tree tonic, and basil leaf all over ice is a refreshing drink perfect for summer.

A standout is the Antidote, made with Vida Mezcal, aperol, fresh limejuice, agave nectar, fresh grapefruit juice, and organic egg whites, served up. If you’re looking for a kick in the pants, go for the seriously spicy OK Horal, Rhum Clement, Appleton Extra Jamaican Rum, Velvet Fulernum, passion fruit puree, fresh jalapeño, and organic mango.

For fans of the back in demand Old Fashioned, go for the Brown Sugar, but be forewarned, one of these is all you’ll need as it packs a mighty wallop with its blend of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Appleton Extra Jamaican Rum, sugar cube soaked in Jerry Thomas Btter, Fernet Branca, served on the rocks.

And even though it’s on the Classic Cocktails menu, the Tommy’s Maragarita, a new classic created by Julio Bermejo at his Tommy’s restaurant in San Francisco, is one of the best margaritas you find in town. It’s savory and simple with only Casa Noble Organic Tequila, organic agave nectar, and fresh limejuice. Sometimes simple is the way to go.

There’s even a small second floor private bar reserved for members only. There you can keep a house expense account, order food from local restaurants, have access to your very own locker, as bask at the very important ocean view.

With a knowledgeable and friendly bartending staff, you can always count on SHOREbar for first-rate drinks and a chill atmosphere to find escape from the frenetic pace of L.A. life.

SHOREbar is located at 112 W. Channel Road. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 6pm to 12am; Thursday thru Saturday 6pm to 2am; and Sunday 6pm to 12am. Call 310-429-1851. Web site at www.shorebarsm.com coming soon.

 

 

Top of page Photo by: Alen Lin