Best of the Beach 2010: Drinks

Best Bartender – Rico De’Alba, Shellback Tavern
Rico De’Alba, 32, has been working for Shellback Tavern owner Bob Beverly since he was 12 years old. Over the 20-year stint he has become one of the most well-known faces in the South Bay bar biz. He says he gets great joy from making every customer feel like part of the family. Recently a woman who had been here on vacation called after she got home to North Carolina to tell the owner what a great employee Rico is, that he made her and her daughter feel welcome so far from home. When asked about something people don’t know about him, he says, “Probably that I am married with two young daughters, because I am here working all the time!” His goal is to some day own his own bar so he can spend more time with his family – by having them work there too.
Rico De’Alba: Shellback Tavern, 116 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. 310-376-7857. www.shellbacktavern.com
Runner-up: Ron Ciulei, North End, HB.

Happy Hour
Shellback Tavern – Where better to find the best happy hour than at the best neighborhood bar with the best bartender in the South Bay? From 3-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, munch on half-priced appetizers (those famous beer battered chicken tenders and hot wings are the most popular), and wash it down with $2.75 domestic bottled beers, $3.23 well drinks, $4 domestic draught beers and $5.50 import draughts. Drink specials continue until 7 p.m. Watch the sunset over the sea and feel like a local even if you aren’t one.
Shellback Tavern: 116 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. 310-376-7857. www.shellbacktavern.com
Runner-up: Sharkeez, 3801 Highland Ave., MB. 310-545-6563. 52 Pier Ave., HB. 310-318-0004. Sharkeez.net

Neighborhood Bar
Shellback TavernThe Shellback Surf Tavern has been a locals’ neighborhood hangout since the ‘20s. Originally located on the pier and known as the Silver Spray Café, the bar later moved to its current location as the Knothole. Though the name and owners have changed over the years, it has remained a South Bay tradition. The Shellback is owned and operated by lifelong Manhattan Beach resident Bob Beverly with the assistance of longtime manager Rico De’Alba. With a friendly staff made up of local residents and a classic collection of beach people as its clientele, the Shellback has endured while the world around it changes.
Shellback Tavern: 116 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. 310-376-7857. www.shellbacktavern.com
Runner-up: North End, 2626 Hermosa Ave., HB. 310-379-5379.

Best Margarita/Tequila bar
Mucho Ultima Mexicana – Since opening in November 2007, Mucho Ultima Mexicana has amassed over 185 different tequilas to suite all taste and levels of tequila drinkers. The margarita menu offers several varieties like the “Traditional” made with Herradura Silver and fresh lime juice just like at cantinas in Mexico. “The Mucho Margarita” and “El Dorado Classico” are made with Mucho’s homemade margarita mix. For those who like to experiment with their tequila, try the “El Fuego” made with muddled jalapeno to give it a little heat or the “Fresco Pepino” made with English Hothouse Cucumber which is cool and refreshing. If you prefer fruity margaritas, Mucho offers Passion Fruit, Pineapple, and Pomegranate all made with fresh fruits and purees. Cinco de Mucho happy hour has great appetizers like BBQ Shrimp Tacos, Chicken Quesadilla, Carnitas Sliders, Mucho Margarita, house wines, bottle and draught beer for $5 at 5 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and runs until 6:30pm. No matter your flavor, Mucho will provide you with a margarita to match.
Mucho Ultima: 903 Manhattan Ave., MB. (310) 374-4422. www.muchomb.com
Runner up: Pancho’s, 3615 Highland Ave., MB. (310) 545-6670.

Tequila bar
Mucho Ultima Mexican – If you like tequila, there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the South Bay that have a few – and the bartender will probably toss your choice into a Margarita. If you really appreciate fine tequila, though, you’ll drink it straight, and you’ll probably drink it at Mucho. This Manhattan Beach hotspot has boutique tequilas like Cazadores Anejo and Tequila Oro First Vintage that most people have never heard of, the ones that are hand-crafted and carefully aged. Bar manager Jim Martel compares tequilas to wines in their aging characteristics, and is happy to initiate newcomers in the art of tequila. There are excellent options at all price ranges, from El Tesoro and Don Eduardo $10 a shot to rarities like Don Julio Real at $50. Those who really know tequila, or really want to, will find that both the selection and the knowledge of the staff here are second to none.
Mucho Ultima Mexicana: 903 Manhattan Ave., MB. (310) 374-4422.
Runner up: Ortega 120, 1800 Pac. Coast. Hwy., (310) 792-4120.

Shade's Sub Zero martini features an ice shell. Photo by Brent Broza

Best Martini

Shade HotelZinc Lounge at Shade Hotel is a fusion of coastal living with LA nightlife. Cool, hip, comfortable, inviting with neo-modular furniture designed by Christopher Lowell. Zinc has perhaps the longest bar in the South Bay. One of the coolest features is the Sub Zero Martini served from a glass of ice; it’s truly the best way to enjoy a chilled martini. For happy hour, Get Your Fix for Six: Monday – Thursday, 4-7 p.m. $6 selected drinks and small plates. Benefit from no corkage fee on “Cellar Sundays” by bringing your treasured cellar wines to pair with the decadent small plates menu.
Zinc Lounge: Shade Hotel, 1221 N. Valley Dr., MB. (310) 546-4995. www.shadehotel.com
Runner up: Zane’s, 1150 Hermosa Ave. (at Pier), HB. (310) 374-7488.

Best Sports Bar
Shark’s CoveAlthough it’s a Pittsburgh Steelers bar, fans of the black and gold aren’t the only ones who flock to the warm atmosphere of Shark’s Cove and its 70-plus TV screens.
“On any given Sunday there will be more than 100 Steelers fans in here, but we can show about 17 different games at a time,” said bartender-manager Nick Ortega.
The crowds show up for college football and basketball, NBA games and other sports events as well.
“Another thing we pride ourselves on is being the Cheers of the South Bay, appealing to the locals,” Ortega said.
Owner Shane McColgan keeps the local touch in mind when he hires staff members, nurturing the “where everybody knows your name” vibe.
The Shark’s Cove in Manhattan, at 309 Manhattan Beach Blvd., boasts tons of TVs showing tons of sports as well.
Shark’s Cove: 1220 Hermosa Ave., HB. 310-798-3932
Runner-up: Sharkeez, 52 Pier Ave., Hermosa, 310-318-0004; and 3801 Highland Ave., Manhattan, 310-545-6563.
sharkeez.net.

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