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Brett Keating
Sep 3, 2022
We’re lucky enough to live in a city where, when it’s too hot to think, you can just decide to drive west until you hit sand. For a lot of people, that will mean heading straight to Santa Monica. Which is a great choice. But on the hottest weekends – especially holiday ones – the Promenade and the Pier are going to be elbow-to-elbow tourists fighting over reservations at Shutters. You know better. That’s why, when you’re drinking this weekend, stay a few blocks inland, where it’s less crowded, you’re still under the magic, cooling, sea clouds, and, well, the beer is better.
1018 Montana Ave | Santa Monica
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If there’s one thing to know about Father’s Office, the 70-year-old bar on Montana, it’s that it’s one of the best places to drink craft beer in all of Southern California. They’ve got more than 40 taps of the really good stuff; their list reads like a Hall Of Fame ballot for breweries from the region: right now, they’re sporting Enegren, Green Cheek, Highland Park, Beachwood, North Park, Radiant, Bottle Logic, and MadeWest – among many others. All of these will go well with LA’s most controversial burgers – and one of my personal favorites – the always ketchup-less FO Burger.
Photo: @k8plusate
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1920 Colorado Ave, Suite C | Santa Monica
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If you haven’t visited Santa Monica Brew Works lately, it’s time to get yourself there. The only brewery born and built in Santa Monica has been putting out some fantastic beers lately, including Loquat Wit, a witbier with local stone fruit that is beautifully tart and bready. They’ve also ramped up production of their high-ABV and barrel-aged options, which are definitely worth an order. Plus, Emmy Squared – one of NYC’s best pizza and burger spots – just opened a location right next door. What more could you need?
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2615 Wilshire Blvd, , CA | Santa Monica
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Looking for a place to drink outside and watch college football this weekend? There might be no better sports bar in LA than Sonny McLean’s, the incredible Santa Monica spot two miles from the beach on Wilshire. Sure, it’s not your typical craft beer joint, but their giant parking lot patio has a bunch of TVs, all the wings and nachos you can handle, and pitchers from lots of Socal-bred breweries like Firestone Walker, Stone, and, of course, some more Santa Monica Brew Works.
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Father’s Office is one of LA’s original craft beer gastropubs and its Santa Monica...
Santa Monica Brew Works is a craft brewery producing a variety of styles, each...
Sonny McLean's is an Irish pub and sports bar in the heart of Santa...
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