The harbor room

12 18 25 I stopped by a local bar after work to check on a couple I know and to hear the outcome of a court matter involving their grandchild. It has been a difficult situation for them, and I wanted to share in their relief after learning the outcome was positive. During my visit, I asked the name of the bartender and was told it was Rob. Shortly after, he took offense that I did not remember his name from prior visits, despite my being an infrequent patron. He stated that because I didn’t recall his name, he would not serve me. I found this interaction unnecessary and unwelcoming, particularly given the circumstances and the time of year. I’ve previously had a positive conversation with the owner, Scott, which made this experience disappointing. For that reason, I won’t be returning during the shifts when this person serves. Recall this man's name: Jesus. HE is the reason for the season

I do not recommend this place. The owners are terribly rude. The owner had a problem with me recording the interior of the place, and then she served me out of kindness, but I won't lie. She poured a large portion of tequila. The local customer who was sitting at the bar was also not very friendly. He asked if we Europeans record everything we see. I explained to him that Americans also record everything when they visit London or Paris. Unfriendly people. I do not recommend. Besides, the whole of Playa Del Rey is a nest of some jerks. Never again Playa Del Rey

Greatest Neighborhood Bar in town. Historically known as the "smallest" bar in Los Angeles County. But what they lack in square footage they make up for in charm and price/strength of the ol' tipple. The bartenders have been around the block and are not short on wit or sass. Great food options all around this place. Cash only with an ATM conveniently located inside.

Such a fun “dive bar”. Service incredibly AWESOME! Locals there with fun stories about the town… and the best part… 8 minutes to LAX! Without the expensive prices of LAX Bars!!! Go see Cody! He rocks!

This bar is awesome! We heard that it was the smallest bar in LA and expected to be greeted by regulars who resented our presence. We experienced the complete opposite. The bartender Pete immediately recognized my Midwest accent and engaged myself and my 2 adult children in conversation. The locals at the bar were also very engaging. Many reviews I have read described it as a dive. I completely disagree with that assessment. It is a local bar that is very welcoming to any patron. Keep in mind it is cash only! Looking forward to going back!

Tiny bar, stiff drinks and cash only. Nice bartender. She gave me a muffin.

They don't serve food, just drinks and friendly faces

This is "old school" as old school gets. It's not a fancy place and the bartenders are "experienced". The drinks are strong and reasonably priced. It has a feel about it, not drab and stale smelling like some old bars, but like you've stepped back in time for a while. Folks even seem friendlier in there as tight quarters apparently make it hard to stay wrapped in your phone. I like the Harbor room a lot.

Harbor Room gets 5 stars. Third smallest bar in America, cheapest prices on the west side. Whoever the man with the monopoly style moustache is makes one of the best manhattans I've ever had. Best jukebox I've probably seen in my life. Wide selection of rock, soul, you know the classics you either heard in your grandpas 73 Chevelle over the 8track system cutting in and out. Or the music your dad blasted in the garage during the frequent breaks while cutting the lawn. My only complaint is some of the annoying regulars who treat the bar like a library and get a stick up their ass when you start talking. But hey I think they are near their expiration date and I'd be bitter too.

A charming cozy nook to tuck into on a rainy day. A stones throw away from the beach, this curious pub is worth a visit. Jukebox music and comforting decor surround the small bar and exudes a homey sensation. Bonus that bartender Loretta is a doll!

This place has hospitality like no other, the bartenders here are on point. My new favorite spot.

Great dive bar! We love coming here before a dinner at cantalini's. They make a great dirty martini and the bartenders are great. Make sure to bring cash as it's cash only, but drinks are a lot cheaper than many LA bars.

The bartender was really rude and kept asking me if I wanted to share shots with my friend "because they're really large" it made no sense as we were both pretty sober.

Can't believe we haven't been here sooner being 40+ year locals. Have now been here twice in less than a week and we'll be back often. Loretta will make you earn your keep but she's a doll and her drinks are awesome! You can't help but love her and her Manhattan's kick ass! Our new favorite spot.

The best. !! Bartenders super cool. The place is a classic. Great jukebox. And reasonably priced drinks. !

I was excited to take my friend here who had never been. The gray-haired, female bartender was so ridiculously rude to him for no reason. For some reason she just decided she didn't like him. so we left. Won't be back. The best bartender was Pete who I guess isn't there anymore. Goodbye, Harbor Room.

Fantastic service! I really loved meeting the locals that come in at midnight. Loved hearing about the history.

Top notch dive bar. Great drinks, good service, what more do you want?! Don't forget to bring cash!

I witnessed the most racist experience I've ever personally seen in my life here. The bartender observed and contributed to a customer berating my black friend with racist epithets. Totally and completely inappropriate, unwelcoming and despicable. I am disgusted with this behavior and hope this place closes down immediately.

This place is awesome thanks in large part to the bar tender! He makes it a fun spot. A different bar tender it would not be so good. Has a cheers vibe.

Staff is not friendly or welcoming. From the jump seemed like they wanted us to leave immediately. Felt unwelcome right away.

One of the best small bars I have ever been to. I had an 8 hour layover so I took an Uber to this neighborhood and bounced around some great little spots. Sure beats the hell out of getting drunk at LAX.

Such a great find, thanks again Yelp. Seemed a lil small, maybe clicky(like some local bars are), but a nice surprise occurred. Rustic, friendly, great vibe, *good prices, and a bartender who told two men to turn off the sound on their phone cause it was very annoying( so glad to hear a worker do this, wish Lola was with me everywhere to do this). That sealed it GREAT! local bar. *Sierra Nevada, gin and soda, shot of Dickels=$18.

There is the song Shimmy Shimmy Ya by Ol Dirty Bastard, in which he states, "Ooh baby, I like it raw". I have no evidence to back this up, but I firmly believe he was singing about The Harbor Room.

They are very racist here. My fiancé and I came here for a drink after dinner, and we instantly didn't feel welcome. When showing our proof of vaccinations, the bartender didn't look twice at him even though he has an accent. But when showing my proof of vaccination asked me if I was from this country. She then proceeded to ask me where I got vaccinated as well as taking at least 7 min looking over my card and making me pull out my drivers license twice. There were already comments made when we first entered and glares cast our way. We immediately left after and went across to Mo's. Which has great food and drinks for a killer deal during happy hour.

*** 10' x 10' maximum but they serve liquor, burp. (lol) *** I swear this place should have its own movie made for it. It's that quintessential dive bar near the beach, y'know? The one where James Dean would make some kinda convoluted emotional soliloquy just before plunging off a seaside cliff in an old Chevy traveling 60 mph. *** 1 jukebox, 1 bartender, old patrons, drink up! ***

I love this little spot! Always a good crowd and good drinks (shout out the bartender)! And the music on the Juke Box is my favorite. :)

Tiny hole-in-the-wall, cash-only, local regulars' bar with about a dozen stools in the entire place, and eight of those are pulled up to the bar. Besides the bar, there's a juke box and ATM in the space of about 300 square feet. I don't even remember if there's a restroom. We ordered two bottles of beer and listened to some lady tell everyone about how she got 86'ed from another joint for touching some four-eyes with her finger right on his forehead. She used coarse words that began with the letters "B" and "P" and "C" to recount her tale. Just as we were about to escape, the bartender came over to the window where we sat to tell us the history of the place. You could tell that the peeps at the bar were regulars and knew each other really well, which could be good, or very bad depending on circumstances. My phone battery was dead, so I got no pics of this place. You should try it out for yourself, but sit close to the door, and don't let lady-gal at the bar beat you up.

This place is truly a gem! Pretty much the smallest dive bar I have ever walked into, with a cool old bartender who makes amazing stiff drinks for cheap. The atmosphere in here is relaxed, with occasional weirdos, but I dig it. Its proximity to the beach makes it even better. PDR is a cool little area, that's very hidden and undiscovered for many people who have lived in LA/OC all their life. It's unfortunate though, because it seems like these kind of places will be pushed out in maybe 5-10 years to big money invested condos and apartments. I hope that's not the case, but it looks very possible. This little location does have a cool Juke Box in the corner as well, which adds some more character to the small intimate environment. By the way, they ONLY accept cash!

Possibly the best Dive Bar I've ever been to. I'm always looking for a hole in the wall to have a few beers at and chat with the bartender with not too loud of a crowd and this is just that. (Unless it's late night on the weekend when the douche bags come in). Steve, the bartender, has been working there for more than 35 years and he's a fuckin gem. Short and to the point. If he doesn't like you, you'll know. Give him respect and it will be reciprocated. Plus he has a stiff hand so I'd recommend getting on his good side. A lot of locals come here and are on a first name basis which I love. This place is really tiny with only about 8 spots at the bar and some stool seating surrounding. CASH ONLY so ATM is present. Truly authentic and one of the best.

The Harbor Room is just that- a room. It's a small dive bar right by the beach populated by older locals looking for a stiff drink. There's a jukebox with some oldies and not much more. It an unassuming and dingy establishment and that's its charm and character. A great local treasure for a quieter drink. Cash only! The bartender has worked there for years and won't stiff you on your cocktail.

The Harbor Room is just what you'd expect from a great dive bar: dim lighting, boozy, friendly regulars, a charmingly gruff bartender and - most importantly- seriously stiff drinks! My date ordered a makers mark and much to his delight, Steve, the wizened bar man, poured him about a third of the bottle. It is connected to the neighboring Italian restaurant via a small hallway. That's über convenient for those buzzy munchies.

DIVE DIVE DIVE I love this little tiny bar. Its old school, in Playa and a fun place to step in for a sec. Always interesting characters. Cash bar Next to a really great Italian Restaurant Hidden, mellow, interesting. Go here if you like that kind of thing

Ok- my friend Dawn and spent a beach day at Playa Del Rey and decided that Saturday at 12:30 was the perfect time for a Bloody Mary. We went to a local spot called Harbor Room and had one of the best Bloody Mary I've ever had! Loretta the bartender was amazing, cool jukebox and chill atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out;)

True flavor of playa. Local spot that does not disappoint. I love this place and the more times you go...the more accepted you are...haha, sort of. As you walk in you immediatly are struck by the people who turn around and stare at you. Don't stare back. you are the new animal and its their zoo. Just smile and walk up to the bar and sit (if there is a spot with out a glass) and order the best pour in the area. Mind your business and listen.You will hear great stories and feel the frost start to disappear. I wish The Harbor Room was everywhere, authentic and honest. Please don't change..

If you love a good dive bar like I do, look no further if you're in the PDR area! This place in TINY but has great service and strong drinks! Definitely a place for locals but welcoming to all passerbys! Just remember to bring cash or else you'll end up using the ATM and having to pay a service fee! Stop by if you're in the area!

This is the dive bar that dreams are made of... Its teeny and dark, cash only, and you pay as you go. The man behind the bar slings you your drink, takes your cash, and leaves you be. It's perfect. Possibly my favorite place in the state of California.

This place is a cool dive bar, not the average bar you would expect to find in California. Very quaint and great for hanging with locals. I met a cool crowd of locals and got to know some guys and it was a great time! Just be cool when you go!

Best chicken sandwich in town with the fresh made bun and fresh dipped and fried chicken!!!!! Thank you Mariano for the recommendation!!

My wife brought me to this place today because the restaurant its semi attached to Catalina's only has a wine and beer licence. First, the Harbor Room has got to be the smallest bar on earth. It only seats about 15 people max. Standing room is another dozen or so. Second, They have 3 TVs, no ATM and no cards accepted. Having said that, its quite a cool place but a locals only vibe to it. Jon Taffer and his people would change the cash only thing if he were to remodel it. The decor is very old school and so are the bar tenders. So, I decided to give the bar tender a little test...... .....My bar tender's test is simple: I order an old school cocktail (a Godfather which is scotch, Amaretto in a rocks glass with ice and a lemon twist). If I don't have to explain to the bar tender how to make it, they get my stamp of approval. If I do have to explain how to make it, then they don't. I'm happy to say that the nice lady behind the bar today knew her stuff. So got a nice tip out of her knowledge from me. It was worth the walk into this tiny bar just to NOT have to explain how to make my favorite cocktail for the umpteenth time to some twenty something fresh-out-of-bar-tending -school kid like I have so many times in the past. I would keep going there but make sure I've got CASH in my wallet.

Love me a good dive. And this place is laid back and makes stiff drinks. I felt lucky to find both in one place. Had probably walked by here a dozen times and never knew it was a bar. Has a jukebox with great tune options. Some patrons with vulgar mouths but they kind of make the place what it is. Think it's cash only.

I came here randomly as another local bar was closed. This was on a summer weeknight, early evening with a handful of regulars in the bar. It's not a welcoming gem. Upon ordering drinks, I asked if it was a cash bar and was told yes, with an attitude. I gave a drink to the person I was with and suddenly the patrons, starting getting short, stating that I had to pay for my drinks. No kidding, tough guys. I was advised where the ATM was and paid for the drinks. I agree with the racial overtones as someone had previously commented. They were talking about how they chased someone out the weekend before. Uncomfortable side conversation to hear. They starting asking me, where I was from, etc. Again, wannabe tough guy patrons. Ha...I live nearby and I did not feel a welcoming vibe. The owner needs to address the bartender and some of the regulars. Would definitely not roll through this place again. Lame!

Great bar. Great drinks awesome bartender. Love this place for the location and the vibe

The Harbor Room is a very cool, old school bar in Playa del Rey that serves up strong cocktails. it feels like you're stepping into a Speakeasy. Though on the small side, this intimate bar feels like you're sitting with the Cheers crew:) Steve the bartender is legendary and Scott the owner is friendly and a long term business man, as this family owned bar has been around for 30 yrs or so. Great place to stop for a pre dinner or post dinner cocktail.

Awesome little bar. As my lady and I were enjoying a few drinks, a late 70s Cadillac de ville parked across the street in perfect view from where we were standing. For a minute, I felt like I was in some dive bar from Goodfellas. Excellent juke box music which aided in the Goodfellas ambiance. I plan on coming back during the day next time.

SO this is the coolest little dive in town, in fact it is the SMALLEST bar in LA County, and the 3RD smallest in the US by Square Footage. Cheap drinks, not the best house liquors, but definitely worth it for quick cocktails while waiting for a table at the Italian place next door. Bartenders name is Steve and he has been there 35 years. Very Cool, Highly Recommended.

Great neighborhood bar! Drink pours are ample and prices are fair...but sometimes will vary from bartenders. David is my favorite. You'll enjoy the experience.

Be careful when drinking here. Daytime you are fine -- Lola is amazing. Fantastic barkeep and the consummate professional. But at nighttime, watch your cash. I don't trust the evening barkeeps, in my option they try and rip you off, take your $50 and try to give you change as if you gave them a $20, etc. Drink prices also randomly change at night. Just bring exact change and make sure you are aware of what you are being charged.

When Cantalini's next door is open and cracking and people are buying time while waiting for a table, the mean age here is about 50. Between 9am and 6pm and 10pm and midnight, the Harbor Room averages 75. One 67 year-old regular who buys me a drink every 4 out of 5 times I'm there (because that's how many times he's there with me) adoringly refers to this dive as "Heaven's Waiting Room." I have never had more enlightening conversations with strangers at any other bar, even if I'm just being schooled on '62 Thunderbirds. I love this place and I love the OP bartenders, Steve and Dave! A few more cool points: Jukebox, casino game, old photos on the wall, the occasional obituary posting for old-timer locals of Playa, really cool vintage register, cheap drinks, guaranteed horny old men willing to buy you a drink or two, and sometimes they'll even have complimentary bar food in a crock pot. It's like free tapas in Granada except I haven't seen them do it in a while so maybe they don't anymore. Cash only. No tap.

I don't even know how to begin this review. My night started off having a private 5 course dinner with wine pairings, prepared by a personal chef in Beverly Hills, to drinking cheap gin and tonics eating peanuts out of an old tequila bottle, in the tiniest divy~ist old ass bar in a hippie dippie beach community. The patrons are bitter old drunks that don't hide the fact that they either want to kiss or kick your ass. I couldn't quite figure out which they wanted to do with mine. The bartender was a lovely quiet tall white haired man that you know has a treasure of stories... or maybe not. The Harbor is definitely a place to forget memories, not make them. Be aware of the barfly, dear gents. She might be buzzin behind your ear all night. Another perfect Sunny evening.

This place is for the serious drinkers. My cousin and I came here around 10a.m. some random morning to find the regulars enjoying pretty stiff cocktails. This place is definitely one of my favorite dive bars in Playa and the atmosphere is just plain cool. I love that no one really bothers you and you can escape from the rest of the world while being just steps away from the beach. Let's keep this place a secret. 5-STARS

My instinct is to give this place 1-Star and writing a scathing expose about how horrid and worthless it is. Truth is, the only reason I have for that is that I want you all to stay the hell away so that when I want to go in for a drink with the old regulars, you wont be crowding up the joint. To be honest, I am in LOVE with this place. So here it is: This is one of the realest bars I have been to my entire time in LA. The bartender that works at the harbor room has been there for 32 years. THIRTY TWO YEARS!!!! Most of the time in this town I find it hard to believe the stuck-up super-model behind the bar is even old enough to drink, but this guy has been mixing drinks at this bar since before I was a glimmer. Watching him work is enchanting... he literally doesn't even have to look at what he's doing. Know's where every bottle is located by sheer muscle memory. This could have something to do with the unusual (in the best way) strength of the drinks here as well. Along with my friend and I at the bar, we're about 4 regulars... 2 of whom have been fixtures at the bar for at least 10 years. These guys are hilarious, it was like sitting at the bar with an older version of Cliff and Norm from cheers. The younger and less interesting patrons playing the bar video games informed us that the place gets wicked crowded right before last call, as well as Friday and Saturday nights. Guess when you'll never ever catch me at the harbor room...

My degenerate drunk friend loved this place when he came out from Phoenix last summer. I live a few blocks away from the Harbor Room, and he said he was taking a walk before we headed out to the beach. Next thing I know, he was sitting in one of the 5 or so bar stools drinking Citron and Sevens at 10am, surrounded by what seemed to be a crew of ex-sailors who were intent on getting equally sloshed. An hour later, the bartender was begging us to take our friend with us, but he refused, and continued to get served. So I would have to say that if you get kicked out of Mo's or Prince of Wales down the street, hit up the Harbor Room and see if they will serve as your enabler of last resort. From what I understand, this is the smallest bar in LA county.

It is what it is. Everyone else has described it very accurately and if you don't want to be drinking in a dive bar with older locals, don't come here. It's a small, dark hole with an old-school bartender that probably won't be making you anything with cucumber or muddled marionberries. But we asked if we could eat our Shack Burgers at the bar and the nice bartender said no problem so what's not to like? Also, it's just divey enough (but a classy-retro-dive, not brawls-and-meth-in-the -bathroom dive), just intimate enough, just dark enough, CLASSIC jukebox with everything from Cole Porter to Queen.

Came here on a little bar hop, and was pleasantly surprised. Mostly since, as you walk in, you'll see the most appropriate sign: "Open, but don't expect too much." This is an old dive bar in every sense. It's old. The people were old. The bartender was old, and a little surly. Decor is badly dated. The space is very small, but there weren't a whole lot of people in there at 11:30pm on a Saturday night. Pretty sure people were smoking in the bar, and no one seemed to care. And like all dive bars, drinks were cheap with a very generous pour. I got a gin and tonic, and pretty sure there was just a small splash of tonic. My two friends got whisky on the rocks, and $6 got them a really high pour in a rocks glass. Frankly, he seemed surprised that people ordered off the top shelf. Gf probably would've gone with water, but like Mexico, you're probably better off drinking booze or nothing at all. Very chill "lounge", but maybe not the most comfortable seats. Take in all of the pictures, including the signed poster of the World Champion Lakers from the 80s. Good jukebox that was spitting nothing but The Doors that night. If you like dive bars, you'll love this place. If you don't, you'll hate it, and you should lighten up.

I finally made it to the Harbor Room last Saturday nite. It's great when you can walk into a bar on a Saturday nite and have it nearly empty, get a stellarly strong drink and play some good tunes on a jukebox. The crowd is eclectic and friendly and everyone is there to have a good time. I'm not sure that it is actually SMALLER than Tiki Ti, honestly. I think it's just laid out differently (since it's essentially a triangular bar). But, maybe. It's a great dive that's not too far from home and I will be back again and again.

I love this bar. It's a total dive, so if that's your thing, you'll love the harbor room. Cheap STRONG drinks (cash only) My friends and I are by far the youngest crowd to ever be seen in there and it's so much fun. Jukebox has a lot of classics, people are friendly (to us at least) and like I said before...CHEAP and will get you drunk.