Rusty's Surf Ranch

Doesn't Recommend

magazinequeen00

Joined 5 years ago

Avoid At All Costs!. This place is a complete joke. Not only does it serve the worst drinks I've ever had, but their chicken made me sick. It's dirty, cramped, and its open mic night was painfully boring and disorganized. Mitch of "my name is in lights" pseudo fame is a crude, unprofessional moron with zero talent and a severely over-inflated identity. Sadly, the owner/manager actually thinks he has a good thing going. Stay away from this glorified hole in the wall at all costs.

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kiercemartin

Joined 5 years ago

Cool Dive, Decent Music. This place is definitely a beach shack of a bar, but it's shabby nature definitely adds to the appeal. Has a full bar and pretty decent acts that come through on the weekends. If you're around the pier it's worth stopping it to see what's going on, especially if you're looking for more of a chill night. Gets pretty crowded depending on the act, but so does everywhere.

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ThomasWest

Joined 5 years ago

Incredible live Music....great food! Not too expensive drinks. Normally I do not write reviews for restaurants, especially anywhere near Los Angeles...however I had a great time at Rusty's this past Friday night. A few friends and I were out on the pier to grab some food, decided to try Rusty's out. Asked to pay a cover (only $7) since there were bands performing, so we asked if we ordered dinner if we had to pay the cover...they politely agreed, so we decided to do dinner there!

LEt's talk about the music! normally the music at these types of places is below average...however friday must have been our lucky night. we had three great music acts (the last one we didn't stay for..) the one I remember was this maroon5 esque rock group One Year Yesterday. Wow! These guys looked really young, but played for over an hour and had at least fifty or more people singing along to their songs. I obviously had never heard them before, but after hearing their incredible set I went and picked up a cd.. really good music! All that to say, would've paid the $7 happily to hear these guys perform and the acts befre them were really good too...one was a girl named sara haze. Whoever is bringing in these bands is doing a great job, very entertaining. Cheers, and I will definitely come back to Rusty's!

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cabowaborat

Joined 6 years ago

Enjoy the food, drink and surf at Rusty's.. If your in Santa Monica, you gotta go to Rusty's. Great Menu, Giant Cowabunga Burgers with every topping you like. Lobster Bisque, shrimp cocktail, calamari, and clams, all their seafood is fresh and delicious. Have a huge frozen margarita made with Cabo Wabo tequila or other premium liquors, or an ice cold beer. Get a seat outside on the pier to view the surf. Glass walls surround you with no ceiling. The service is always fast, and the staff is always accomodating. After lunch or dinner, walk around the pier or take a stroll down the Santa Monica boardwalk to Venice Beach and walk off the meal, while enjoying the sights and sounds of the California surf. Lunch or dinner for two, with drinks and tips is around 50-75 dollars. See ya at Rusty's.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Waves break and hips shake at this Santa Monica Pier restaurant and bar.. The Scene
Nestled at the end of the Santa Monica Pier, in the shadow of its signature Ferris wheel, Rusty's Surf Ranch is as Southern California as it gets. An impressive collection of surfboards, many of them '60s-era longboards, line the walls and ceiling. The entertainment is eclectic, with a musical bent that includes rock, blues and folk.

The Draw
All ages are welcome because Rusty's is as much a full-service restaurant as it is a music venue. Souvenir hunters may stop in for a quick bite and an earful of the featured act, while bronzed beachgoers take a break from the heat. Out-of-towners are sure to enjoy the upbeat beach-bum atmosphere.

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hapgoodnew

Joined 6 years ago

Overpriced and mediocre food - good live music and friendly staff. Rusty's is typical of any restaurant located in a touristy area - overpriced with okay American food. I've tried several things on the menu and have yet to find anything to write home about. That said, if you're a bloody mary fan, they make a delicious drink! The bar scene at Rusty's in general fairs better than the food. Offering live music and karaoke at night, as well as pool, the bar can be a fun place to spend an evening. During the Pier's Twilight Dance Series, Rusty's is THE place to go for a drink. Stand out on the patio and enjoy a drink with the live concert in the background or go inside for some more live music and dancing. Just be prepared for a crowd.

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restaurantlover123

Joined 6 years ago

Great Surf Decor. Not a typical theme restaurant that you would expect on the pier... This place has amazing food! We sat on the front patio and watched the sun set. I recommend the crab cakes and the ceviche. I stuck to the seafood and my date had the burger and we were both impressed by how good everything was. We found out that they have bands there on Friday and Saturday nights so we'll definitely be back to check that out with friends. Actually, I've got some friends visiting from Paris next month and I'm going to bring them here for the ultimate California experience (and to hang out with the locals too).

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ilovelafood

Joined 7 years ago

Great Service!!. This place is always fun to go to for dinner. And it has the best location right on the pier. Also, I must say I have had the same waitress a couple times and she inspires us to want to come back again and again!! The waitress's name is Aimee and you should request her if you go.

Doesn't Recommend

jtully

Joined 7 years ago

What a Joke. I was with a group of about 5 people and we went to Rusty's for dinner. As we were finishing, a band was setting up. The bouncers came to our table and asked if we wanted to hear the band and we said sure as we ordered another round of drinks. He then proceeded to tell us that if we wanted to stay we each had to pay $5. Keep in mind that this place was almost empty. We were all offended that after $400 in food and drinks that they asked us to pay $5 to stay. So ridiculous!

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MauraYork_Citysearch

Joined 11 years ago

Great people-watching. Spent a Saturday afternoon with a friend of mine on Rusty's patio and had a lovely time. We were literally there for hours, watching folks stroll the pier, listening to the good singer and, eventually, watching the sun go down. Drinks were good and service was friendly. I'd recommend Rusty's for a break from the beach.