Firstly, I enjoy how the entry is very speakeasy vibes; where you try to find it and you start to…read morefeel unsure if this is the entry nicely done. The ambiance of the wooden tables and the total feel was cozy and welcoming. Once seated at the bar, we were greeted immediately by a very awesome Mixologist/Bartender! Amazing banter A+++++ Service The drinks : My Whiskey Sour was delicious, it had the perfect balance of sweet to sour notes. We also had the old fashion yes. May I have another, soo good. And, this place has a couple games to play and on some nights entertainment, which is pretty cool but on this night I only partake playing some pool. Overall, the drinks were crafted wonderfully, and I would recommend this lovely joint!

I like and dislike things about The Blind Donkey so I'm giving them 3 stars. It has a really cool…read morelocation downstairs like some old - timey basement bar. The bartenders and security/bouncers are super friendly and really chill. We never fought for service or waited long to get a drink. However, it's DUSTY AF in there and you can see the thick layers of it in the dark. I ordered a classic extra dirty gin martini with 3 olives and it was less than subpar. It's definitely not like other bars in the area so it makes for a experience but it's one I probably only need once.

The atmosphere is what you are here for and the service and atmosphere was great! We were able to…read moregrab a drink outside at the tiki pop up first and it was altogether just a fun night! Everyone was friendly and cocktails had booze More

False Advertising and Total Failure of a "Speakeasy"…read more This place should not call itself a speakeasy. According to their website, they are strict about dress code, reservations, and no large parties. None of that was enforced. People arrived wearing sports clothes, tennis shoes, and flip-flops, and a group of more than 10 people was allowed in. That group was loud, drunk, and screaming, completely destroying any speakeasy ambiance. We had a reservation booked one week in advance for 2 tables of six, yet by 8:30 pm, we were told no food was available, despite the bar being almost empty. The water was already on the table when we arrived and tasted strongly of chlorine, with no ice. The waitress was clearly new, untrained, and unprepared. She did not know the menu, didn't know how to take an order properly, and provided no guidance whatsoever. There was one bartender Ricardo, who took over an hour to prepare cocktails and showed no sense of urgency or care. The dramatic cocktail descriptions sounded impressive, but the drinks did not match the descriptions at all. Because of the delays, we were never even able to properly toast or celebrate our friend. The charcuterie board took forever and arrived with an absurd amount of cheese and only six pieces of bread. To make things worse, part of the food we ordered never arrived at all. The live jazz band advertised and promised never showed up. When asked, the staff responded with: "I don't know, they were supposed to be here. I don't have their phone number." That level of disorganization is unacceptable. At the end of the night, we were shocked to receive a check close to $600 for two tables, despite each person only having one cocktail and shared food. The bartender, Ricardo, approached us and said: "Well, sorry, we really tried tonight! It wasn't the best, but we tried." Honestly, that comment made the experience even more frustrating. I can't imagine how bad it would have been if they hadn't "tried."That statement perfectly summarizes the problem -- trying is not enough when everything fails. I would not recommend this place for a speakeasy experience. This is not a speakeasy. It's a poorly run bar hiding behind a concept it does not deliver. Do not recommend.

The decor is absolutely beautiful. Its like being in a fairy tale. I vibe with this place…read moreincredibly well. The intention for the decor is noticed and I love it. They have minimal food, but done very well. The pretzel and olives are well worth getting. The drinks are great. Very well done. Ill be back for jazz night. People have to see this place and there is a patio upstairs! Beautifully done. Well intentioned. Absolutely love it!

My sister and I took my mom to Sunday tea for her birthday…read more Cute place and the food and tea were delicious. But sadly my mom could not hear us, due to the music being so loud, we did ask twice if they would turn it down a little to no avail. That is too much money to spend, to not be able to hear each other. We had to hurry out because she was getting frustrated.

ALTER EGO wasn't even on my radar until tonight, and now I'm wondering how on earth did I miss this…read morelittle slice of date‑night gold? HELLOW! This hidden gem lives inside the newly renovated Fairmont Breakers in Long Beach, and for all my Fairmont regulars: relax, you're in good hands, their world-renowned elegance remains intact. PARKING Valet is only $10, which in Southern California basically qualifies as a love language. (Note to Fairmont Breakers Management: Listen up, my friends! Please keep it that way, gas is $5.97/gallon and my wallet is already in therapy.) I handed the valet a $5 tip before I even stepped out of my car, just so I could glide into the lobby feeling like a full‑blown princess making her grand entrance. Before you leave, you simply pay the valet in cash or card and they'll have your car right there before you can even blink. AMBIANCE Walk in and boom! A towering, beautifully decorated Christmas tree greets you like it's auditioning for a holiday movie. Check out my photos; the whole lobby whispers one word: sophisticated. Oooh, I love that tree! Hang a right, stroll to the end of the hall, and you'll find ALTER EGO, a dark, cozy lounge that feels like the perfect hideaway for a date where you actually want to hear each other talk. Live music starts at 7 PM, the bar closes at 10, and honestly... that's ideal for those of us over 50 who consider 10 PM the witching hour for pajamas. Rob Fontana was performing tonight, and his music was so good I found myself time‑traveling back to the good old days. Every song hit, Rob. Good job! SERVICE Our server, Nia, was a star. Attentive, sharp memory, and smooth service all the way through. Zero notes. FOOD The menu is small, so if you show up ravenous, pace yourself or plan to Uber home after a cocktail‑heavy evening. I'm allergic to cheese, so I had to double‑check ingredients, but the Mushroom Flatbread was outstanding, flavor was superb and the best part was they did not skimp on the mushrooms! A+ for that. I also tried the Prosciutto di Parma with melon, which is a strange combo for a California girl... but hey, I never said I wasn't a weirdo. Drinks are not my thing since I enjoy company without alcohol's help, so I can't help you with that. DATE‑WORTHY OR NOT? Absolutely. Alter Ego gets a double thumbs‑up from me and a strong recommendation for your next Silver Singles date. It's easy to find, the seating is comfortable (even for those of us with backs that like to complain), and they even offer tube pillows for extra support. Tell me that's not romance.

Went there for girlfriend time! Nice ambiance…read more I ordered the mushroom flatbread and thy used the nice mushrooms,not the white button mushrooms. Service was good, we had a great server. The only thing I wish is they have a little bigger menu.

Should give only 4 stars because service was not really good, servers were not paying attention to…read moreour table, we had to ask for her help Overhaul it was an excellent dinner.

I always know that I am going to get a good meal at Saint & Second. I ate there this week with 2…read morefriends, and we were treated to exceptional service by our server, C. As I look at some of the other reviews, I see that others have had a similar experience with C as their server. Because I deal in customer service, I can be a little hard to please. C made our dining experience the BEST! She was attentive and so engaging. And FUNNY! Quite simply, she made us happy. Loved the food, but loved C even more. She is an asset to the restaurant.

This has become my home bar. It's a great spot for locals to hang and make friends, but also I've…read moremet lots of people who drove from LA to have a Long Beach day, which is fun. Definitely worth it! The vibes are unmatched. It's a unique blend of "top notch cocktail crafting" and "beer and a hot pretzel after work." You can dress up, you can dress down, it's very 'just be yourself' which I love. I've literally had caviar AND hot dogs there in the same night at an event. They know how to blend high/low. Incredible knowledge and ingredients but not snooty patootie. Super inclusive and fun, with cool popups and events happening all the time. It's a full bar so you can get any cocktail you would normally order if you're keeping it simple, or beer, wine, boilermakers, etc. There's a span of offerings and price points, so something for everyone. (Also really good N/A cocktails!) The menu is super inventive and creative! And the cocktail menu changes out every so often so there are new things to try. This area is vintage vibes and Baby Gee speaks it fluently. Really cool decor, curated by the owners who design everything from the playlist to the cocktails to the invention of never-before-seen flavors and shapes of jello shots. Try the Baby Gee appletini while you're there. Mezcal, tequila, sake appletini you ask?? Yes. Trust. And get a hot dog. Do it.

I really wanted to love this place. The vibe was fantastic...great music, a stylish ambiance, and…read morean impressive selection of specialty craft cocktails. It's clear the owners put a lot of thought and creativity into making their cocktails the centerpiece of the experience. That said, the execution didn't live up to the concept. The menu appears to rotate regularly, and while the drinks were certainly unique, most of the cocktails we tried were hit or miss. At roughly $22 per drink, I expected more balance and refinement. One cocktail started with flavors reminiscent of an Old Fashioned, but after the initial sip, the combination of bitters and fruit syrups created an unpleasant cough syrup like finish. We tried a mocktail as well, and it was mostly ice and soda water, with what seemed like a collection of syrups doing most of the heavy lifting. The drinks were creative, but many of the flavor profiles felt disjointed rather than intentional. The biggest issue, however, was the bar service and sanitation practices. I watched a bartender place a cucumber garnish into a glass using his bare hands, touching the entire garnish in the process. He then continued to take credit cards, cash, and other items before stuffing ice into additional drinks with his bare hands. Whether or not this technically violates health code standards, it certainly wasn't appetizing to watch and left a poor impression. Parking is another challenge. There is no dedicated parking, and unless you get lucky, expect to park several blocks away and walk. Overall, the atmosphere is a lot of fun and the cocktail menu is ambitious, but the drinks didn't justify the price point, and the sanitation concerns were hard to overlook. I wouldn't rush back, especially given the cost and parking difficulties.

Port City Tavern in Long Beach is one of those spots that always has something going on. There's…read morealmost always an event or gathering happening out in their parking area, which gives it a really fun, lively vibe. What I really appreciate is that sometimes it's even kid-friendly, which makes it a great option if you're not just going out solo or with friends. I've been coming around since back when it was Iguana Kelly's, and it's been cool to see how the place has evolved while still keeping that local, neighborhood feel. The location is super easy to find, right next to a donut shop and a mechanic, and across the street you've got a 7-Eleven, Subway, and a few other small spots. Plus, Tommy's Burgers and an Arco are right nearby, so everything you might need is within reach. I tried both the cucumber mixed drink and the mango mixed drink, both were really good, but I personally preferred the cucumber one. It's less sweet and way more refreshing, especially if you're not into overly sugary drinks. We also had a BBQ chicken pizza that they cook in a fire oven (I think it's called a wood-fired pizza), and it was really good, definitely worth trying if you go. Service was good During the outdoor event, they had things set up really well, including a sign that read "21 and over beyond this point only," which helped keep things organized. They also had jumpers outside for the little ones to enjoy, along with tables and chairs so everyone could hang out comfortably. Parking can be a bit tight in their lot, but there's always street parking if you take a minute to read the signs. Overall, it's a great hangout spot with a welcoming atmosphere and something happening more often than not. Definitely worth checking out.

Great experience finally checking out Port City Tavern! Nice laid back ambiance, friendly and…read moreprofessional bartenders, and delicious drinks. It's decorated right now for the winter holidays, and was so cozy and fun! Now that I've been here once, I can't wait to come again.

Good food, but as a Canadian I think poutine needs the real unpasteurized cheese curds. Their…read moreGorgonzola version with mushroomswS pretty good. I give it a solid 8/10. It did make me miss the greasy spoons in Montreal. Service was beyond exceptional. I highly recommend coming here for a drink, some appetizers or a meal. What a treat!!! Ambience is classy but also casual. The most important part was that its dog friendly. Definitely come by because places like this are RARE.

Went here for a friends birthday and could not believe how good the food was. Very bustling and…read morewelcoming atmosphere with extremely nice staff. The happy hour is pretty good for drinks and appetizers. The Paloma and Mai Tai were delicious and cannot go wrong with the Pork and Beef meatballs. The Maple Glazed Double Pork Chop was so delicious, make sure to get it butterfly if you want the cut to be thinner. The Prime is so worth the money if you go on the weekend as the steak was thick and juicy.