James' Beach

Bar / Restaurant
James' Beach A Venice institution, James' Beach is where sandal-footed TV producers grab a beer, Porsche-driving surfers snack on seafood, and wealthy beach bums throw back mojitos with pretty ladies and their prettier moms. Los Angeles United States 33.984665 -118.470296
3.12 10
James' Beach - Bar | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
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6 User Reviews
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Ratings:
Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review A Venice institution, James’ Beach is where sandal-footed TV producers grab a beer, Porsche-driving surfers snack on seafood, and wealthy beach bums throw back mojitos with pretty ladies and their prettier moms. Board... ... read full review

  • Hours:

    Lunch W–F 11:30am–3pm, Sa–Su 11am–3pm; Dinner/Bar M–W, Su 6–10:30pm, Th–Sa 6pm–1am

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot
    • Night Spot

Party Earth James' Beach Review

The Scene

A Venice institution, James' Beach is where sandal-footed TV producers grab a beer, Porsche-driving surfers snack on seafood, and wealthy beach bums throw back mojitos with pretty ladies and their prettier moms.

Venice, Los Angeles –

A Venice institution, James’ Beach is where sandal-footed TV producers grab a beer, Porsche-driving surfers snack on seafood, and wealthy beach bums throw back mojitos with pretty ladies and their prettier moms.

Board shorts hanging from the large tented patio speak to the joint’s beach vibe, while white-clothed tables and booths set under the myriad palm trees offer a perfect place to spend at least one of SoCal’s 310 days of annual sun.

Inside, the main dining room is split by a two-sided bar, where local yuppies sidle up to feast on the signature fish tacos made famous in Judd Apatow’s movie I Love You, Man, as oenophiles begin the hard work of sipping their way through the wines on the restaurant’s extensive list.

As the evening picks up and patrons have had a few rounds, shirts come untucked, drinks get spilled on dresses, and the flirting between manscaped studs and tipsy girls takes on a sense of urgency.

Those who want to get even closer can head upstairs to the Club House, where more revelers pack in around the bar and pool table, getting served lots of Top 40 to go with that libido.

From a grilled mahi mahi dinner to a meatmarket of epic, beat-throbbing proportions, James’ Beach shells out a hard-partying night sure to make everyone love you, man.

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Tip from Lucas:

The bar downstairs gets packed, so unless you get one of the seats, you’re gonna be waiting a while. Head upstairs to the Club House where there’s another bar and a shorter wait.

  • Crowd

    Bros, flirty young professionals, Westside yuppies, post-grads, gaggles of party girls, and scattered cougars, mid-20s to mid-30s.

  • Entertainment / Music

    Playlist of Top 40 and hip-hop favorites after 10pm Thursdays through Saturdays.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    American comfort food with a seafood focus, including grilled salmon sandwiches and fish tacos. Prix fixe dinners available until 9pm M, Tu and Su.

  • Prices

    Brunch $7–$15, appetizers $7–$15, entrées $14–$33, three-course prix fixe dinner $25, late-night menu $9–$19. Beer $5–$8, wine $7–$15/glass or $35–$250/bottle, cocktails $7–$14+. Valet $6.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Casual chic: button-downs, slacks, dresses, nice jeans, cute blouses, fedoras, man jewelry.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    Friday and Saturday nights around 11pm for a hopping scene.

  • Close By

    High Rooftop Lounge (1697 Pacific Avenue) combines James' Beach's clientele with an open-air cocktail bar overlooking the beach and a killer sunset view.

Tags:
20s30sBlousesBrunchBurgersButton-downsCougarsDesigner JeansDinnerFlirtyHip-HopLocalsLunchMeat MarketPartyParty GroupsPatioPool (Billiards)Post GradsSandwichesSeafoodSlacksSmart CasualSteakSushiTop 40Valet ParkingWineWine LoversYoung ProfessionalsYupster

James' Beach User Reviews

Average rating:
Fun, Beach Vibe
Kirsten H.
Kirsten H. Nov 30, 2012
Fun bar located in Venice. There is a mix of an older and younger crowd of recently graduated college students. Located right near the beach. One side is a restaurant and the other side is a bar. Great drinks and food, definitely try the truffle fries. Packed on the weekends. The movie "I Love You Man" had a scene filmed in the restaurant. There are a lot of other fun bars in the area as well so it is fun to bar hop. I recommend this place to anyone trying to get away from the "Hollywood" nightlife and have a chill night.
Not the party spot
Maddy L.
Maddy L. Nov 28, 2012
The food menu looks delicious, but coming here for a night out with a group felt awkward. The dining room half was still open, but it made sitting down feel more formal as opposed to sitting down with a group for drinks. The dance floor half that was open was awkwardly spaced and it was difficult to get to the bar to order a drink. I wouldn't make this a destination for a night out, though it's a great stop for a little bit.
Great!
Shannon G.
Shannon G. Nov 13, 2012
James Beach is SUCH a fun venue! It has a pretty good mix of people with just recently graduated college alumni and ones that are a few years out. It's young and fun. It plays Top 40 for the most part with a few throwbacks here and there. On one side of the restaurant is the fun, "beachy" side and on the other the more formal dining room. Both are open at night and I totally recommend the fries! Good food, good drinks! Love that.
Things happen at James' Beach
Dana G.
Dana G. Oct 2, 2012
Most of the hilarious nights I can remember from my 20's happened at James' Beach. The place is always packed on Friday and Saturday nights with good looking people and great tasting cocktails. It's a bit expensive, but that's LA. There's plenty of seating if you're anything like me and you like your cocktails with a side of seat. The people watching is second to none and I almost always leave feeling good about myself and my ability to pick up men at my age (30, ugh!). I recommend taking a taxi not just because parking is impossible anywhere in Venice Beach but because the drinks will knock you on your a**. I've never eaten here though I hear good things (fish tacos aren't my thing) so eat, drink and be merry!
Come for Dinner, Party Elsewhere
Benjamin V.
Benjamin V. Sep 4, 2012
Having heard about James' Beach the way most have, the 2009 film "I Love You, Man," I decided to check the place out for the fish tacos -after all, Jason Segel said they were good. I arrived on a Thursday evening around dinner time and, low and behold, the place was totally dead. The bar was empty, the outside dining area was cleared out, and i wondered if they were even open. Thankfully, the service was amazing and our waitress tended to our every need. The fish tacos were as amazing as promised, and we stayed long enough for thinks to really pick up -but they didn't. You'd think with such notoriety, such a great location, and such an excellent atmosphere and staff, the party would have been legendary. Unfortunately, like most legends, it just didn't exist.
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