One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
South in Santa Monica: Good Times
South opened its doors a few weeks ago and already business is booming. I arrived for happy hour at 5pm, quite relieved to see how well they'd filled in the space previously occupied by that hideous dim sum restaurant which was a disgrace to all things Chinese. South looks amazing, with nice clear TVs on every wall, wide open spaces, comfortable seating, and tons of windows. I was rather impressed.
South was opened by four men who you may recognize from Qs: Philip, Adam, Robyn and Chris (those bartenders that the ladies used to lust over at that bar up the street). The owners personally have their roots in the south and decided to open a bar that reflects their southern charm. So besides being incredibly friendly and hospitable, they also serve some impressive southern treats: fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, voodoo shrimp, po' boys, crawfish etouffee, jumbalaya, it's all there waiting to be eaten. And it's damn good (see below).
Of course, what you're all waiting for: was it full of douchebags? As far as I could tell through my mint julep goggles, no it wasn't. There seemed to be a nice mix of professionals, UCLA kids, bratty divas, and random drunkards with cameras like myself. The DJ was spinning some 80's stuff that excited most people there, which leads me to believe the crowd was actually over 24 years old (I didn't hear anyone say, "I don't know this, was this before I was born?"). We had a great time. Everyone was drinking and hugging. Adam and Philip served us well. Some of my friends learned firsthand that they keep their bathroom floors very clean. All in all, a successful night.
(We may hit up South for one of the Lakers playoffs games, iso I will be able to report back to you on the douchebag factor. Stay tuned.)
South
www.southsantamonica.com
3001 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
Sponsored message
Other tidbits: There is valet parking, and lots of taxis around the corner if you've had one too many lynchburg lemonades. There's outdoor seating on a nice patio that has heat lamps. There are private rooms that I will likely never be invited into. Happy hour is Mon-Fri fron 5pm-8pm.
all photos by malingering
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
