(310) 828-9988

3001 Wilshire Blvd (Stanford Avenue)
Santa Monica, CA 90403 34.0398 -118.4728

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Neighborhoods: Northeast, West LA

southsantamonica.com

Hours:

Daily 11am-2am

Last updated 8.10.11

Category:

Restaurants, Sports Bars, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Bar Menu

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About SOUTH

Featured Review

Maggie Flynn

Contributor

In Short – Whether you think you've got game or simply want to see the big game, this Santa Monica newcomer is where the action is. Frat boys, sorority girls, surfers and after-work professionals strike up conversations at the long wood bar or on the outdoor patio overlooking Wilshire Boulevard. Flat screens flash the latest sporting events while a DJ plays an eclectic mix of pop and Southern rock. Though it's much more about the scene than the food, there is a menu: New Orleans fare (crawfish etouffee and jambalaya) balance out broader Southern favorites like fried okra, barbecued…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Sorry, kids: After 9pm, it's 21 and over. Avoid waiting in (a really, really long) line by arriving before 10pm on weekends.
Save Money:
Happy hour takes place from 3pm to 8pm every day and features $3 drafts, $5 well drinks, $10 pitchers and half off selected appetizers.
Look Good:
While there's no dress code, this is definitely a hook-up scene. Don't arrive in flip flops if you're on the prowl.
The Extras:
A late night menu, heavy on fried items, is offered until midnight.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “want this place to be fun.”
drinks
70.0% positive
  1. “do not mind paying good mooney for a good drink but when it is bad then they are just trying to rip people off.”
  2. “The DJ isn't the best, and must feel obligated to play "Sweet Home Alabama each night as a tribute to the restaurant / bar's moniker.”
  3. “happy hour had some good deals on well drinks and beer, but again, the signature drinks were $10-$15 (should have been a discount during HH).”
  4. “The staff is cute and nice, the food is solid, you're in good hands at the bar, I'm a fan of the DJ & it's just a good scene.”
  5. “The drinks are great, and very reasonable.”
  6. “staff is not exactly friendly and the food is dangerous so stick with drinks only.”
  7. “would only go back if it is happy hour and stick with beer because the bartenders are not good.”
  8. “The bar is a little lackluster in my opinion, but it draws a good crowd on weekends and during any major sporting event that isn't golf.”
  9. “The place seems relatively new, tons of flat screens, cute waitresses and a pretty large venue, but the appetizers were sub-par and the signature drinks alittle pricy.”
  10. “The drinks are good, the patrons represents a good cross-section of west-side people: young people, recent college grads, business professionals who work in the area.”
food quality
50.0% positive
  1. “The staff is cute and nice, the food is solid, you're in good hands at the bar, I'm a fan of the DJ & it's just a good scene.”
  2. “It was not authentic food, and since we ordered cajun dishes we expected them to be spicy.”
  3. “The nachos are below average (served luke warm, horrible cheese sauce, weak chips and rubber chicken), the french fries were ruined by the olive tepanade they top them off with and the chicken and waffle sliders were marginal (they could have had somethin”
  4. “staff is not exactly friendly and the food is dangerous so stick with drinks only.”
  5. “The food is amazing, and my friends and i have sworn we will eat everything on the menu.”
  6. “The menu features Southern inspired fare, not too friendly to the waistline (i.e. a plethora of deep fried items, nachos (which are a fav) and massive burgers and sandwiches).”
  7. “It's a breath of fresh air (literally) the way they've set up the windows & patio to feel so open.”
  8. “like the food, and it never gave me the mud butt, but it seems others have had dissimilar experiences.”
  9. “Nice Bar but absolutely horrible food, went there for my buddies birthday because he was visiting from Louisiana and I herd this place had good southern style food.”
  10. “Two of the guys got sick from the food, yes the food because the two guys that got sick don?”
menu variety
58.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The nachos are below average (served luke warm, horrible cheese sauce, weak chips and rubber chicken), the french fries were ruined by the olive tepanade they top them off with and the chicken and waffle sliders were marginal (they could have had somethin”
  2. “Trust me, I consider myself to have a "sophisticated pallete" (I enjoy 5 course tasting menus), and enjoyed every last bite.”
  3. “The menu features Southern inspired fare, not too friendly to the waistline (i.e. a plethora of deep fried items, nachos (which are a fav) and massive burgers and sandwiches).”
  4. “have tried pretty much everything on the menu here and nothing has disappointed me.”
  5. “The food is amazing, and my friends and i have sworn we will eat everything on the menu.”
  6. “There is a very good variety of items and the prices are reasonable.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “South is a great place to catch a game.”
  2. “South is a great place to meet singles.”
  3. “The place opens around noon so this is a very good place for business lunches or client meetings as well.”
  4. “It is a great place to go for an unpretentious good time.”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “would only go back if it is happy hour and stick with beer because the bartenders are not good.”
service
64.28999900817871% positive
  1. “The staff is cute and nice, the food is solid, you're in good hands at the bar, I'm a fan of the DJ & it's just a good scene.”
  2. “The bartenders are friendly and they know how to make an "18 Dummy.”
  3. “would only go back if it is happy hour and stick with beer because the bartenders are not good.”
  4. “The drinks are good, the patrons represents a good cross-section of west-side people: young people, recent college grads, business professionals who work in the area.”
  5. “bad service, crowded, loud loud music/ tv's.”
  6. “The staff is very friendly, so are the owners (former Q's bartenders).”
  7. “This place was recommended by several people.”
  8. “The menu features Southern inspired fare, not too friendly to the waistline (i.e. a plethora of deep fried items, nachos (which are a fav) and massive burgers and sandwiches).”
  9. “do not mind paying good mooney for a good drink but when it is bad then they are just trying to rip people off.”
  10. “The bartenders are fast, efficent, and approachable.”
  11. “staff is not exactly friendly and the food is dangerous so stick with drinks only.”
  12. “The place seems relatively new, tons of flat screens, cute waitresses and a pretty large venue, but the appetizers were sub-par and the signature drinks alittle pricy.”
  13. “Even then, wait staff are pretty much awesome.”
  14. “Staff is friendly despite the crowd.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “happy hour had some good deals on well drinks and beer, but again, the signature drinks were $10-$15 (should have been a discount during HH).”
  2. “They have over 30 huge flatscreen TV's and they are well placed.”
  3. “Karaoke is a blast on Sundays (2 dollar shots), Honkey Tonk Bingo on Tuesdays (be prepared), and by far the best trivia ive seen in LA on Wed nights.”
  4. “There is a very good variety of items and the prices are reasonable.”
3 Star Rating: Average

12/31/11

South

by olebatB at Citysearch

This place is great for drinks with people from your office or to watch the game with friends

If you are hungry, then you are out of luck, not too many things you can choose from the menu.

They have food but is nothing I would eat

It's loud and fun

Not a place to go for a first date either

too noisy.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/03/09

recession-proof thursdsays!

by annabelle22 at Citysearch

I've found South Bar to be hit or miss since I moved to LA a few months ago, but you'll never be disappointed when you're only paying $3 a beer. That's why I can't believe I'm the first to mention "Recession-Proof Thursdays." $3 draft beer, $2 mystery shots, and $2-$3 sandwiches like sloppy joes, pulled pork, and grilled cheese! Trust me, I consider myself to have a "sophisticated pallete" (I enjoy 5 course tasting menus), and enjoyed every last bite. My bf and I stayed for a game, had two beers each, two shots, and 5 sandwiches between us for unter $30! Staff is friendly despite the crowd...even if one of them is a yankees fan :)

  • Pros: cheap food/drink, young vibe
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/20/09

The New Happy Hour King

by brian_the_knife at Citysearch

2-for-1 every day from 3PM-8PM.

Tuesday nights, 2-for-1 from 9PM to close.

The bar is a little lackluster in my opinion, but it draws a good crowd on weekends and during any major sporting event that isn't golf. I like the food, and it never gave me the mud butt, but it seems others have had dissimilar experiences. Go the safe route and just drink. The bartenders are friendly and they know how to make an "18 Dummy..." in a mason jar, no less!

  • Pros: Firendly staff, best happy hour ever
  • Cons: it gets a little too crowded
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/18/09

Nice Bar....staff is not exactly friendly and the food is dangerous so stick with drinks only.

by sigmaajk at Citysearch

Nice Bar but absolutely horrible food, went there for my buddies birthday because he was visiting from Louisiana and I herd this place had good southern style food. Biggest mistake ever! Two of the guys got sick from the food, yes the food because the two guys that got sick don?t drink. I think the alcohol saved the rest of us. I called to speak with the manager and I am still waiting for a call back?it?s only been 3 or 4 weeks. I know he can?t be that busy because there was hardly anyone in there when we went, and now I know why.

  • Pros: Nice Bar
  • Cons: Everything else
3 Star Rating: Average

12/21/08

Just OK

by babytaz369 at Citysearch

This place was recommended by several people. We decided to try it out. It has a sports bar feel without being too crammed. The tables have a good amount of space between them plus they have a space where you can lounge in some comfy chairs to watch the game. The drinks were the BIGGEST let down. If you let to have good drinks while your out. DONT go here. The pour is terrible. It taste like juice. Not to mention they are $10 plus a drink. I do not mind paying good mooney for a good drink but when it is bad then they are just trying to rip people off. The food was ok. Part of our food came out cold. It was not authentic food, and since we ordered cajun dishes we expected them to be spicy. They were NOT spicy AT ALL!! This is suppose to be cajun food! I was not to thrilled with this place and think that they are way over priced for what they have to offer. I would only go back if it is happy hour and stick with beer because the bartenders are not good.

The Details on SOUTH

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • efficent bartenders
  • good drinks
  • like southern style food
  • pretty much awesome wait staff
  • warm weak chips
  • not authentic food
  • warm rubber chicken
  • warm horrible cheese sauce
  • good scene
  • not perfect whole
  • comfy chairs
  • enjoy course tasting menus
  • horrible cheese sauce
  • disappointed nothing
  • not exactly friendly staff
  • great rooms
  • enjoyed last bite
  • awful mint julep
  • not too friendly fare
  • sick don
  • love sports bars
  • bad service
  • good crowd
  • best dj

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