Meet Santa Monica at The Bungalow, an iconic lounge-in-a-cottage by the sea. 

Yes, The Bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar is a charming 1947 casita decked out in Baja-surf style. But it’s more a state of mind. Locals and visitors alike flock to the best bar in Santa Monica to nosh on lounge bites, drink hand-crafted margaritas, play pool or ping-pong, toast a special occasion, and watch the sun melt into the Pacific and paint the sky in pastel hues.

Los Angeles nightlife mastermind Brent Bolthouse created the retro-groovy feel of this homey beach bungalow at the corner of Wilshire and Ocean. Think: Mexican blankets and Moroccan tile, surfboard and stag horns, mismatched couches and quirky So Cal kitsch. Meet and mingle in inviting conversation nooks inside the cottage or out on the brick garden patio. Always buzzing, the spacious patio is outfitted with comfy sofas and chairs, an al fresco bar and firepit, illuminated by mood lanterns hanging from the trees. There’s The Study for business meetings by the fireplace; the rustic, high-ceiling main bar with a cozy wood-burning stove; the State Room opening onto an intimate garden that’s great for parties; the Billiards Room; East Garden for private dining groups; and popular wooden deck overlooking the ocean.