The Shorebar: Santa Monica's Latest Drinking Port of Call
All hands on deck as Shorebar, the new nautical themed watering hole, is open for your drinking pleasure. Taking over the former Hideout spot, this is the first West Side venture from John Terzian and Adam Koral of the H.wood. Group. Since it’s located beachfront between Santa Monica and Malibu, Terzian wanted to make sure that Shorebar was tailored toward the locals by making it an inviting place to enjoy fresh handcrafted cocktails.
"We want Shorebar to be a local’s hangout as they take precedent over people who would come from say Hollywood or the east side, so we geared the place for them," says Terzian.
Terzian and Jonn Sofio designed the whole space along with help from designer Rosetta Getty, who contributed with some ideas. They drew inspiration from local seaside haunts such as Jonathan Beach Club and Shutters Hotel, giving The Shorebar a Nantucket chic décor with just a touch of a nostalgic beachy vibe. Everything from the artwork to the colorful life preservers on the walls is all vintage taken from the local area. Each booth has its own personality based on the décor — Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Catalina Island —and can be identified by a map and photo on the wall place just above the booth. There’s even an exclusive VIP room upstairs equipped with its own bar that you have to be a member just to gain access.
As for the cocktail menu, Terizian recruited one of LA's master mixologists, Vincenzo Marianella from Copa D' Ora, to create the drink menu and train the bar staff.
"Being that it’s by the beach, I wanted to create cocktails that were enjoyable and refreshing to drinks as well easy to make when the bar is busy,” says Marianella.
Marianella divided the menu into three basic groups: sours, aromatics, and classic cocktails, which all complements the theme of the bar. Standing on the Shore, better known as the bar's signature sours are drinks that are refreshing and easy to drink. Under the Boardwalk, the signature aromatics are for those who really need something a little bit stronger. And last, but not least are the classics as you really can't go wrong with classic cocktails. Marinanella wanted the classic to be somewhat familiar and obscure at the same time.
"I tried to juggle as I wanted drinks that were well-known and easy to recognize, but obscure at the same time. I went for drinks that were easy to re-create," adds Marianella
So with the balmy summer months now upon us, spend your nights living up the good life at this port of call, sipping on the tasty cocktail,” the Good Life” (Buffalo Trace bourbon, crème the cassis fresh blackberries, lemon juice, mint, and ginger beer) and all your problems will seem to fade away.
Shorebar, 112 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402
