Subscribe for a FREE Daily Dose of greer's OC
FacebookTwitterRSSYouTubeFollow Me on Pinterest

Dining

Former Social Distortion Drummer Dishes at his Rockin’ Long Beach Restaurant Featuring Live Music

07.29.21

The Pike Restaurant & Bar, the iconic Long Beach dining destination and watering hole owned by Chris Reece, former drummer for Social Distortion, is rockin’ the city once again with its line-up of good food, creative cocktails, and live entertainment.  

“It’s like the band is back together,” said Reece, who in 2002 transformed a rundown diner into a sought-after restaurant and music venue. “Most of my staff, many of whom have been here for years, are back working at The Pike. The kitchen is humming, the bar is abuzz and we’re continuing to fill the calendar with nightly entertainment. Things are headed in the right direction.” 

The Pike’s menu is inspired by Reece’s travels both near and far. The fish tacos are a result of trips enjoyed in Baja, California, while the fish and chips recall time spent in London. Other favorites include salads, sandwiches, burgers and seafood. 

Classic cocktails are infused with contemporary twists, such as an Old Fashioned made with lavender bitters or a Paloma with hints of rosemary and jalapeno. Nothin’ But a Gin Thang pays homage to Long Beach’s most famous rapper and is made with Snoop Dogg’s Indoggo Gin. There are also a handful of beers on taps and by the bottle, which are served in pint glasses adorned with the unmistakable Social D logo – a hat-wearing skeleton with a cigarette in one hand and a martini in the other. 

By day, The Pike is the go-to place for lunch and dinner but come evening it’s all about the live entertainment.  In addition to local acts that include high-energy DJs and indie bands, The Pike also attracts solo artists and touring bands. Reece himself takes to the stage Sunday afternoons to jam with JP McDermott, a rockabilly band, as well as jazz and blues combo Smith & Malone.

For many years, the 4th Street location was known as Chipper’s Corner. Reece purchased the building in 2002 and began transforming the space from an old-school diner to a local hangout with a retro vibe.  

The restaurant’s moniker pays homage to the city’s once-popular Coney Island-like seaside boardwalk that was raised in the late 1970s as part of downtown’s redevelopment. The restaurant’s interior is a mix of nostalgia and grit with a long bar lined with vintage vinyl stools, communal tables and an elevated banquette running along the back wall and designed so guests watch the performers from their vantage point. 

Walls are punctuated with old posters and photographs depicting Long Beach’s history coupled with Social Distortion logos and memorabilia.  A back parking lot has been recently replaced with a new outdoor patio and custom tiki bar. 

The restaurant, located on Retro Row at 1836 E. 4th Street, is now open daily from noon to 2 a.m. with food served until 10 p.m. 

562.437.4453 or visit online at pikelongbeach.com.

Share

Legendary Thai Cuisine Lives on at Spicy Sugar in Long Beach

07.27.21

Spicy Sugar, a favorite Thai dining destination located in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood of Long Beach, is now open Tuesday through Sunday for in-person dining with lunch offered from 11 a.m - 3 p.m. and dinner served 4 -11 p.m.  Guests can also order take-out and delivery. 

Located in an unassuming storefront on Broadway Avenue, Chef-owner Sugar Sungkamee and her staff offer an array of authentic Thai dishes made with fresh ingredients from family recipes that her father, the legendary Chef Suthiporn “Tui” Sungkamee, brought with him when he immigrated to the United States.

Among Spicy Sugar’s signature dishes are Tom Kha Soup, galangal coconut soup punctuated with mushrooms and tomatoes; Pineapple Fried Rice prepared with chunks of pineapple, cashews, and raisins; and Yellow Curry, featuring roasted curry with coconut cream. Most dishes from the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan.  Spicy Sugar also recently started serving Thai Singha Beer and sake.  

Spicy Sugar is located at 1538 E. Broadway just west of Falcon Avenue and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. for lunch and 4-11 p.m. for dinner. 

For more information, call 562.983.3900, or to place an order online for takeout or delivery visit spicysugarlongbeach.com. 

Share

‹ First  < 23 24 25 26 27 >  Last ›

More Daily Doses

Follow Greer on Pinterest

Subscribe to Greer's OC

from the blog

More Daily Doses