Chez Jay

Step through the doors of Chez Jay and you’re instantly transported to another era. This nearly 60-year-old nautical-themed watering hole stands as a rare survivor in Santa Monica’s ever-evolving landscape—a place where authenticity hasn’t been polished away by trendiness. With peanut shells crunching underfoot and the faint glow of vintage neon, this is the kind of bar that feels like it has a thousand stories to tell.

The drinks here don’t mess around. Expect cocktails poured with a generous hand, the kind that remind you bartending used to be more about hospitality than precision measurements. But Chez Jay isn’t just about what’s in your glass—the kitchen turns out surprisingly solid bar fare, including a beloved buttered steak that has earned legendary status among regulars and newcomers alike.

The atmosphere is pure character. An old jukebox spins tracks that probably topped the charts before most of its patrons were born, and somewhere on the wall hangs a massive taxidermied fish that seems to follow you with its glassy eyes. It’s eccentric, it’s a little rough around the edges, and that’s exactly why people love it. This isn’t a place trying to be anything other than what it’s always been.

If you’re searching for one of the last genuinely authentic experiences in Santa Monica, Chez Jay delivers. Come for the stiff drinks, stay for the atmosphere, and leave understanding why some places become institutions. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you why dive bars matter.