Sunday coming up and I want to do the classic slow beach day, walk the sand, then post up somewhere with a cold drink and not move for hours.
Problem is half the spots near the boardwalk are just tourist traps now. Overpriced, packed with people taking photos, kind of soulless. I want the one that actual locals still go to, where you can sit outside, hear the ocean, and nobody is rushing you out for a table.
Where do you all go?
Hinano is the answer and it is not close!! That place on Washington right by the pier, sawdust floors, cold beer, the burger is a legend. Zero pretension, actual locals, no one bugging you to leave. I have killed entire Sunday afternoons in there lol. Just cash-friendly and it gets loud when a band plays, but that is half the fun.
The Brig on Abbot Kinney is my move. Not on the sand but a short walk, good patio, food trucks pull up out front, and it is more neighborhood than tourist. If you want actual sand-adjacent, Hinano like she said. Both real, neither trying too hard.
Let me be captain obvious, most of the actual beachfront bars in Venice and Santa Monica are tourist money machines.
The trick is to go one block back. Hinano is the exception right on the water, been there since the sixties and still real. If you drift toward Santa Monica the Galley on Main is old-school and locals-heavy, been open forever, low key. Skip anything with a sign advertising happy hour to the boardwalk.
My idea of a lazy Sunday is a couch, but the one time friends drag me to the beach we end up at Hinano and I have zero complaints. Cheap, dark, unbothered. You order a beer, you exist, nobody performs at you.
If you are open to the Marina side, Killer Shrimp on the water in MDR is a solid slow Sunday, patio right on the channel, watch the boats, order a bucket and take your time. Not a beach bar exactly but the same do-nothing-for-hours energy without the boardwalk circus. For pure Venice though, Hinano, si. It is the one that never sold out.
Haha this is my whole Sunday personality. xD
Everyone already named Hinano, but if you want the quieter version, go a little north to the Santa Monica side and do the Galley on Main like William said, or just grab something and sit on the grass at Palisades Park with the ocean right below you. Not a bar, but the most locals-only lazy Sunday there is. Back on the Beach Cafe Is also nice and not overran. Good to grab some beer and tasty food.
Adding Hinano back into the rotation now, been too long. Way to go picking a real one instead of the photo spots, girl.
The Living Room on Pico Blvd is my choice. It’s far enough from the Pier to meet people who live in the area. The lobby terrace has a beautiful atmosphere. The inside is nice as well, but the outside seating is what makes this place different. It lets you enjoy the real LA beach vibe.
Service is always friendly and attentive.
Almost forgot about that pace, it certainly meets the criteria she asked for. One of the places that give you more peace and the possibility to hear your own voice. Went there twice years ago.
Tough one if you wanna stay in the Venice / Santa Monica area. I mostly drive with 1-2 friends to Manhattan Beach. There are plenty of good bars close to the beach (not directly at the beach).
Sometimes we even drive to Hermosa Beach and grab some drinks at The Deck. Uber operates between Los Angeles and Hermosa Beach. Not too expensive once you split the fare.
Haven’t been there for a while. I like the laid back atmosphere over there. Uber is around 40-50 bucks one way. Doable if you split between 3-4 people. Still too much of a hassle for me right now. The Living Room is more doable at the moment.
Yeah, I feel you. I live in West Hollywood so it’s even more time of a hassle. 
Thank you for all your recommendations and input. Really appreciated. 
