1. Basement Tavern
7.8
2640 Main St (at Ocean Park Blvd.), Santa Monica, CA
Speakeasy · Ocean Park · 62 tips and reviews
FabFitFun: Bartenders in old-time dress serve strong cocktails, a live band plays most nights, and a good time is guaranteed!
Brendan Burnett: Any place with two live bands is cool by me
Tom McKeever: Live music and great cocktails. A large amount of outside porch area to escape the basement if you need to. Nobody dances but the live bands are usually really great.
3. Harvelle's
8.6
1432 4th St (btw Santa Monica Blvd & Broadway), Santa Monica, CA
Bar · Downtown Santa Monica · 41 tips and reviews
Bryan Calabrese: One of the coolest cats in town has got to be Toledo Diamond of the speakeasy jazz band The Toledo Show. The music is top notch and the show truly must be experienced. Read more.
Adib Kadir: Wednesdays is #houseofvibes great live music spanning Rap, R&B, and Reggae. DJ plays mostly hip hop. Rare for a Wednesday in Santa Monica.
Katrina: Live music and drinks. Great combo!
5. Shutters on the Beach
8.9
1 Pico Blvd (at Appian Way), Santa Monica, CA
Resort · Downtown Santa Monica · 115 tips and reviews
Kathryn Stuart: When Trevor lived in Santa Monica, this was our place. A great, calm setting with soft, live music right on the beach. Relax in the comfy seating and sip on some great wine!
Lydia Ammosova: The lobby (with sofas to melt into & saucy live jazz piano music after dark) still remains one of the best places for a romantical rendezvous in this town. Toast with a Kir Royal~they do it gorgeous!
Jen Stolp: Very friendly staff and excellent service at the bar. Live music at sunset in the lobby.
6. Pacific Park
8.4
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
Amusement Park · Downtown Santa Monica · 44 tips and reviews
KCRW: Make your KCRW Concert Series experience a full day by using your Fringe Benefits Card at Pacific Park! Ride all day and dance all night! Fun!
Pacific Park: What's better than a free concert, especially when it's on the beach at sunset? The concerts will be every Thursday night, starting July 5 and ending Sept. 6. Read more.
Erik Rowley: The only amusement park on the entire West Coast located on a pier. The roller coaster and Ferris wheel are must rides, sunset and at night when everything lights up are best times to visit.
7. McCabe's
8.4
3101 Pico Blvd (at 30th), Santa Monica, CA
Music Store · 11 tips and reviews
John Mattson: buy a ukulele. $25. concerts also.
Heather Knight: See a show here. Great, small intimate venue.
Chris Testa: My personal favorite music shop in Southern California, particularly for acoustic instruments. Check out the excellent performances they have year round: great acts in an intimate setting.
Henie Reisinger: Fresh flowers and live music!
Michele Christensen: This is a beautiful farmers market that features live music on Sundays. In addition to produce, Main St shops also sell their wares. Prepared food options include tamales, raw, salad and noodles.
Kelly Bone: The sandwiches are Bean & Thyme are the best in the prepared food section. They also serve perfectly cooked custardy eggs.
11. Wine Expo
8.5
2933 Santa Monica Blvd (at Stanford St), Santa Monica, CA
Wine Store · 8 tips and reviews
Jacqueline L.: Happy hour: Tue-Wed/Fri-Sat 5PM-7PM & all night Sun (except live music): 50% off drinks, 10% off store. Mon/Thu 20 wines for $20.
James Redner: There a really great tasting room at the Wine Expo. And it's not super busy. Great for a weeknight. Plus, they have a really unique and super wine selection in the store. It's a must go.
Tulani: Go in, tell them what you're serving and they'll match it perfectly in any budget! It has zero extras, but they are 100% on the money every time.
Jade Thomas: I come here to study, my normal is yogurt, an ice blended mocha, and a cranberry juice. Cute hipster place. Live music. Cool hangout. Nice people.
Eve Landis: AA meeting every morning! Place is eclectic for me!
Lucy Drummond: Must visit gem in Southern California!