Scott R.
Yelp
Five Glorious Stars for The Hangar Inn!
I moved to Manhattan Beach when I was 11 years old, and like most locals, I remember that plane. You know the one -- the unmistakable tail of a Cessna poking through the roof, like some mysterious relic of a daredevil stunt. I asked my parents about it and was immediately told, "That's just a bar. Not for you." So for 50 years, I walked or drove past The Hangar Inn without ever stepping inside.
Fast forward to now -- my wife and I decided to stop in for a quick beer before a visit to my parents (you know, one of those visits that practically requires a little liquid courage). And just like that, I was smitten. My only regret? That I hadn't discovered this place decades ago.
The Hangar Inn is not trying to impress you with fake dive aesthetics or corporate-manufactured charm. This place has earned its patina honestly -- over 60 years of character baked into every inch of its walls. No windows, no nonsense, just a good old-fashioned beer-and-wine bar that's as real as they come. The patio -- born out of necessity during the pandemic -- has become a perfect little oasis out front.
Now let's talk about what really surprised me: the food.
This humble little kitchen tucked at the end of the bar churns out some of the best damn food in the South Bay. I'm talking hand-cut chips, beautifully grilled quesadillas, and hot dogs loaded with perfectly blistered peppers and onions. The cooks aren't flashy -- they're talented. I'd put their work up against any trendy gastropub, and they'd win hands-down on flavor and heart.
Since that first visit, my wife and I have become regulars. We've never had a bad experience. The Hangar Inn feels like home -- the kind of place you hope still exists in a world of polished trends and Instagrammable nonsense. It's not a speakeasy, it's not a concept bar, and thank God for that. It's just The Hangar -- real, unpretentious, and absolutely awesome.
If you're in South Orange County, good luck finding something this authentic. Trust me, I've looked.