Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe
Bar & grill · Santa Monica
1615 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Highlights
Classic beach sports bar with patios, pub grub & draft beers
Classic beach sports bar with patios, pub grub & draft beers
"There are only so many Trents in pastel khaki shorts you can meet before your mind goes into freefall. Avoid them at Big Dean’s. This classic outdoor dive on the Santa Monica boardwalk across from the pier might be in the heart of the tourist zone, but we’ve never seen a tourist here. Instead, you’ll find mostly regulars who are not being primed to take over Dad’s consulting business in Manhattan Beach in three years. Drinks are cheap (it’s beer and wine only), the bar food is solid (get the chili cheese fries), and it’s a great place to watch a game." - brant cox
"Big Dean’s has been in operation since the 1970s and is a flat-out Santa Monica institution. Situated right on the boardwalk below the pier, its touristy location might not inspire much confidence, but Big Dean’s always seems to attract a perfect mix of locals, out-of-towners, and laid-back people who just want to drink by the ocean all day. Try to snag a table on the back patio, and don’t leave without ordering one of the most underrated burgers on the Westside." - brant cox
"It might not be fair to judge a book by its cover—but in the case of Big Dean’s, what you see is what you get. And that’s why we like it so much. Because even though this beachside sports bar is basically underneath the pier, it’s one of the few places where you’ll find actual Santa Monica locals hanging out this close to the tourists. Grab an excellent burger (an underrated LA classic) and a pitcher of beer, then head to their turf patio to watch whatever game is happening." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"This Westside institution at the end of the Santa Monica Boardwalk is so close to the beach, you can walk up barefoot. Big Dean’s has been around since the 1970s and offers spacious front and back patios, TVs playing sports, and a fantastic chheseburger. It's not fancy—two perfectly greasy patties, lettuce, tomato, and house special sauce— but it’s exactly what you need after a long day of being thrashed in the waves." - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder, cathy park
"If California ever designates a historic district for mediocre sports bars, downtown Santa Monica will be where it happens. That said, there are a few of them worth going to, such as Big Dean’s. The classic bar right on the Santa Monica boardwalk is one of those places that, on paper, couldn’t possibly be a good time, but somehow always ends up being exactly what you want. The crowd is mostly local, there are two patios perfect for sprawling out and getting some sun, and their burger is our favorite on the beach." - brant cox
