Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe
1615 Ocean Front
Santa Monica, CA
Submitted by Adam Z.
About the bar (from official website) : Sun, Fun, Great Food, Beer, Wine, Music , Sports TV, Outdoor Patios and reasonable prices is what you will find at the world famous Big Dean's Cafe on the Santa Monica Boardwalk. Where nostalgia surrounds you while you relax and sip a beer or have a burger. Bring the children, they are always welcome!
In 1902 Big Dean's Cafe was known as Laring's Lunch Room and was a landmark for years. In 1970's, Big Dean's took over the popular cafe, lifeguards, body builders, bicyclist, jugglers and celebrities such as Cary Grant, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, George C. Scott, Wilt Chamberlain, Evel Knievel and California's governor Jerry Brown, not to mention former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Adam's nomination : What do you get when you mix a gorgeous southern CA beach, the world famous Santa Monica pier, LA's best burger and an equally family and bikini clad women oriented bar? I know this isn't Jeopardy, but the answer is Big Dean's under the Santa Monica pier. Friendly, non LA typical staff. TVs on a back patio to watch while getting a tan. Joggers, bikers, locals, tourists, pretty people scantily dressed and families of all shapes and sizes. Great burgers and fries. Beer and lots if it. This isn't your chic LA or NY sports bar, but a dive bar in the world's greatest location. Fun, friendly, beachy good ol' American fun. There will be prettier bars with better food but you cannot beat the beach, beer and friendly atmosphere here. One visit and you ate hooked for life. I've been to sports bars in NYC, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney and all over Southern CA and there is no place I would rather be on Sunday (and every other sporting day) than Big Dean's.