Friendship Bar

This shipshape, ship-shaped bar has been a Santa Monica staple with nine lives going back to the 1930s, including a long run as a gay bar and its most recent clubby turn as Shore Bar. Now, with the same team behind Golden Bull down the street, the nautical-themed bar has returned as a neighborhood spot with a nod to the original name: S.S. Friendship Bar. The prominent bow peers out over the sidewalk and functional porthole windows make it impossible to miss—a feat for its unassuming size. 

Inside, the theme continues with alcoved booth seating lit by nautical lanterns, a shiplap bar, a back deck, and even an upstairs lounge for private events. Early on in the evening, the energy is mellow and friendly over $15 classic cocktails like martinis and manhattans. As the night goes on, the bar gets dimmer and more lively, fueled by quicker pours and weekend DJs. Thanks to the new stage, you’re just as likely to find live music at Friendship Bar, from jazz to soulful piano. Don’t let the gorgeous glassware fool you; ultimately, this is a neighborhood spot that seems focused on being as accessible as possible to the community it serves.