Hinano Cafe in Venice Beach is a long-standing dive bar and community hub, first opened in 1962 and located steps from the Venice Pier. The establishment is widely recognized for its casual atmosphere, characterized by sawdust-covered floors, pool tables, jukeboxes, sports broadcasts, and live music on weekends. Known as a no-frills venue, it attracts both locals and tourists with its laid-back, beach-town spirit. The menu highlights its “World Famous” cheeseburger, frequently cited as one of Los Angeles’ best, alongside classic bar offerings such as breakfast burritos, omelets, cheesesteaks, chili, and sandwiches, served daily from morning until late night. Customers often pair meals with draft beer or bar snacks like chips and free popcorn. Hinano Cafe has also gained cultural significance as a gathering place, having been associated with figures such as Jim Morrison, and has been described as the “Cheers of Venice” for its welcoming, multi-generational crowd. The bar operates daily from 8 AM to 2 AM, remains cash-only, and emphasizes a consistent, unpretentious atmosphere that has endured for over six decades.
My housemate 📝Taylor Montague works at Hinano’s and, for many years, was the first new hire they had brought on in quite some time.