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Mon-Fri. 3:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Cute place, great tiki decor, decent prices drinks.
Open to everyone. I mean everyone, you will find 21 year old to 80 years old in here, lol. But it's kinda cool like that.
They have $10 Martini & Manicure nights on Monday which is sweet :)
Just a cute friendly bar, nice people and good prices. :)
What is it about dive bars with friendly bartenders, cheap drinks, and cheesy decor that I just LOVE :P
Purple Orchid is in downtown El Segundo...which I must admit I didn't know existed until last night. Cutesy lil area that reminds me of some of my small town Ohio streets/squares...ya know had it not been for the lovely So Cal weather outside. The inside...definitely cheesy...we'll say a very sharp cheddar :) But the locals are friendly, the game is on, the bartenders are fun and will repour your drinks on the house if you test a fruity one being adventurous (really just order a beer and stay away from the Funky Monkey at all costs...aka banana cough syrup) and then change your mind after a few sips. Pool tables, touch screen, jukebox, the dive bar works :)
So this bar is just a bit too tiki for me, and I am sure some of the locals haven't departed their stool except for bathroom breaks in weeks, but amazingly fun dive bar. If you happen to be in the area check it out! ...And they all had a fun night :)
This is a cool tiki dive bar. You walk into a large bamboo room, and there's a large tiki statue guarding the entrance/exit, blowfish ornaments hanging from the ceilings, and a volcano themed bar. Now that I have the South Seas on my mind, there's a menu of tiki signature drinks, but the pina colada is my favorite.
The best part of the bar is the friendly faces working behind the bar. Vanessa is awesome and will take good care of you. She makes sure you never go thirsty, and she keeps the bar going and lively.
I like the tiki music in the jukebox, but my only complaint is that they are not played enough.
On occasion, there is good live music, and on a good night you'll find the Pineapple Princess at the end of the bar.
Really fun, down-low, out of the way spot. A place where you just be yourself and get crazy. Going back as soon as possible.
I went to this place with my bff for the first time. The decoration was Awesome. I loved the purple light. We went here on a Friday and finding parking was really easy. The bartenders are super friendly. Drinks are not expensive... They have pool tables. There are all sorts of people. This is a really cool place with nice vibe. I spent like 4 hrs here because we had so much to talk about haha and we were super comfortable. I will def go back here again.
TIKI BAR! I love tiki bars!!!!!!!!!!!! I met up with a few girls here last night and only stayed for about an hour or so but I fell in love. And every Elvis-Loving, tattoo having, pomp wearing kid out there will love it too!
The deore is to die for!
Okay, now that I FINALLY discovered that they serve huge bowls of booze (like, six or seven shots per bowl), that they then light on fire with 151 and present to you with foot long straws, I can totally dig it. PS, these giant flaming booze bowls are only $14 each. SWOON.
This is definitely one of those places that makes you say, "Hmm, this would be pretty cool if it… Read more »
This is a terrific and unique neighborhood bar! Love the decor and all the special drinks, especially the Funky Monkey and the (yet to be released, I think) Ginger Bimbo. YUM! I wish we lived closer so that we could go more often ... really a great Tiki bar!
I was gonna go full on balls-to-the-wall one star review for this, but after thinking back, there were a couple good things about this place. But let's start with the bad and build up to that...
We got here at about 8 o'clock. Early, I know, but that's what makes us so awesome. The bartender wasn't busy at all so she came up to us and started telling us about how they're a tiki bar and gave us a rundown of the different "tiki drinks." Having little to no experience with said tiki drinks, we trusted her.
She told us that this one particular drink (the name of which escapes me, but I don't freakin care) was, and I quote, "FUCKING AMAZING." Well hot damn, how could I pass on something that comes with that kind of recommendation? So Calig and I each ordered one "fucking amazing" drink.
It took about 5 minutes for her to concoct these little gems (probably because the pour spouts on the "Fucking" and "Amazing" bottles were too small), which came out in some super cute totem pole glasses. So far so good. We take a sip, and I begin to suspect that it's made from a combination of Pepto Bismol and Dimetapp... and NO alcohol. I didn't even get a buzz from it. Fucking amazing my ass. But later on I noticed her chugging on a bottle of cough syrup, so maybe she just has different taste?
Also, the crowd here was SUPER weird. I mean, my grandparents would fit in here perfectly, and I'm not even exaggerating. I'm 100% sure that a rabbi walked in around 10:30. What is this a rabbi walks into a bar joke? I've never hung out in El Segundo, but if this is what's cruising around the neighborhood at night, then I might have to pass next time. Oh and there were some shelves of alcohol that I think were supposed to be dressed up as hot lava, but it looked more like they had tacked some beef jerky up on the wall...
So here are the good things that at least made this place tolerable. They had a juke box which we used to repeatedly play our new favorite song: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," by Ertha Kitt. Also, they have two pool tables which provided some entertainment. And finally, the bartenders are accommodating (despite their lack of taste): The bus boy threw away my drink that still had a good three sips left in it, and she replaced it for me with a full drink. Score!
Pst... there's another new review from me just before this one. I've noticed if I write two at the same time, only the most recent one gets read. Stop being lazy!!
Purple Orchid is a cute tiki lounge where the El Segundians hang out on Saturdays. I liked the custom curved bar counter top with vintage postcards beneath the glass top. Paper lanterns were suspended from the ceiling beams. The bartender mentioned that non alcoholic drinks were free. Sweet, I got a free coke! Locals played pool while yelpers got stabbed with a stick. Seriously there wasn't room for a pool table and there were 2 tables. bleh.
Bathrooms were confusing. There were two tiki faces on the doors which weren't labeled!! I like going to the right because its the right way? Lucky it was the women's restroom!!! It was super tiny. By code you can't have bathroom door open to the space. Must have a corridor or wall that blocks the view of the restroom. There was a teeny tiny 3' x 5' (ahem closet) space and then a restroom. While i waited for the restroom the lady hit me with door on her way out! How did this get passed??? There wasn't a 5' space for a rotating circle for a wheelchair. FYI It wasn't an ADA restroom. Anyways, the bar was cute, laid back, and quiet for a deep conversation.
So this is a great local bar - the bartenders are ALWAYS cool and welcoming and the vibe is casual. Yes, they have silly tiki drinks if that's your preference, but they also have very nice top shelf booze for those who enjoy a good scotch or whiskey. It's not always crowded; i like to go early on Saturday nights and stay for a couple of hours - play a little pool, have a couple of cocktails - then head for home. There are all sorts of people there - which makes it an attractive place for those of us who like to mix it up (unlike Bradley who apparently doesn't want to have drinks with his grandparents - who do you party with, Brad? Frat boys from USC?) I love it.
My husband a few friends had a great time at the PO last week. This part of El Segundo is cute, charming and quaint. The tiki bar is quite fun with lots to look at while enjoying a drink with an umbrella in it (SPOILER ALERT: all the drinks have umbrellas!) They do not offer food (excepts nuts and chips), but do not despair. They have a phone book-sized menu book that is packed to the gills with menus from most of the restaurants in the area that will deliver your food right to the bar. Very fun place indeed.
Drinks are strong - and make sure you get a tiki bowl.
Coworker and I went on a Friday - and it was your average joe locals crowd. The decor is Tiki - and so are the tiki mugs!
We got this monkey cinnamon bowl, and our straws hit during the process of slupring up the on fire, alcohol goodness. My coworker looked up, and I commented "our swords met...is that cool?"
He laughed and said "im okay if your okay with it."
And I know, thats how it always starts. Good times.
I got a free beer here. No, not from a dude, from the bartender! I was waiting at the bar for a drink, like any ordinary patron would, and after a few minutes she came up to me and took my order for a Coors Light. I handed her my credit card and she waved it off, saying, "Don't worry about it. I made you wait too long."
I was effing BLOWN AWAY. Where in the world would that ever happen?! Well, at the Purple Orchid, my friends. Eff Hollywood and the bartenders making you wait for 20 minutes before charging you $7 for a beer. So I actually tipped her $2, which was only $1 less than the actual beer cost, haha.
This place is rad even if that hadn't happened. Cheap booze, plenty of entertainment (my friend's coworker was performing that night, there are two pool tables and a bunch of tiki-themed crap to look at and admire), and friendly, friendly people. I also think the busboy thought I had a crush on him or was making eyes at him or something because for some reason I kept accidentally making eye contact with him. So when he came over to collect our empty bottles/glasses at our table he would linger and smile at me. Nothing creepy, don't worry.
So it's like half really corny hilarious theme bar and half locals dive bar. I love this place.
Loves the crazy tiki decor! I'm surprised that this area has anything as cool as this bar.
Good drinks, good vibin bartenders and a laid back atmosphere. Shoot some pool while listening to a live band some nights. I will warn you that some bands can PACK the place and up the cover to $15 a person (ridiculous for a El Segundo bar).
There's a parking lot across the street that is great if you decide to bar hop from the Purple Orchid to the Tavern, Vinnys, or Bad Dog's
Overall the PO has definitely been one of my regular spots
Purple Orchid is fabulous for so many reasons.
1. The bartenders are rockstars
2. They have the best fruity martinis at the best prices I have found in LA
3. Plenty of seating
4. 2 pool tables!!!
5. Martinies & manicures on Mondays for $10
6. A fun, themed atmosphere
One of the best places to hangout in El Segundo. If you haven't checked it out you don't know what you're missing.
Parking is also ample :)
I didn't even know El Segundo had a nightlife! My friend and I went last night to check out some bands and were happily surprised.
The Purple Orchid is a great tiki bar with friendly bartenders, cheap drinks and good music! They have two pool tables and a juke box for when they don't have live music.
Seriously though the drinks are CHEAP! The owner was there hanging out, he introduced himself. Very friendly people. it's a local hangout for sure but they welcomed newcomers!
I wouldn't make the drive just to go out but if there is a band I like I'd totally make the trek. Now if I lived in ES or nearby I would be a regular for SURE!
My BFF Kelly works with a good friend Monique, who suggested we all go to the Purple Orchid on a Monday for Martinis & Manicures, so we checked it out last night.
M & M Mondays run from 7-11, and the manicure is only $10, which INCLUDES a martini! Their specialty martinis (there are about 10 of them) run $6.50 every day. There is a list when you walk in, so sign up! There is only 1 lady doing manicures so you'll have to wait your turn.
We got there at 7pm sharp to check it out. Manicures started a bit later. We ended up having 4 people with us to get manicures and we were 3rd-6th in line. We were there until 10 getting our nails done, but no complaints because we had a great time!
The owners are a great couple who are friendly and attentive. They even had some food (chicken, rice, macaroni salad, teriyaki beef, etc) they brought from WikiWiki Hawaiian BBQ on Sepulveda. They came over to our table and offered us to eat! I'm not sure if they have food every Monday (our awesome manicurist said the owners come in every Monday), but that was RAD! The food was great.
I've never had a manicure before. I finally stopped biting my nails after 25 years in '07, but it took me all the way to December to give up the thumbs. This was a great treat!
When it's your turn to get your nails done, either the owner or the manicurist (why didn't I get her name, dangit!) will get your drink. There are a bunch of nail polishes to choose from. I'm not sure if they do french or if it's extra, but next time I will ask. We chatted and had a great time and she even took time to lotion and massage my hands and arms.
The owners sat at the next table so we got to talking and they are just great people. And he's a UCLA Bruin!
I'd definitely recommend coming in here on Mondays. But come early!
I went here last night because my friends had been raving about the Monday Martinis and Manicures.
It's a cute little tiki themed place. But on Monday nights after 11:30...dead. The lights were on and I thought that was weird for a bar. The guys were a bit sleezy...but the drinks were cheap. The bartendress seemed a bit loopy. The jukebox ate $2 out of my friend, so we gave up.
Oh yeah, and the old/dirty/sleazy or young/dirty/sleazy men giving me googly eyes weren't so fun.
This is like Disneyland's adult Tiki Room. No pineapple juice vendors stand outside, just a big bouncer checking ID, and no birds of paradice flaunt their feathers, but the delicious mai thais reign supreme in this Hawaiian hideaway.
It's fun, it's laid back and no one I saw there was creepy.
I loved how this bar is hidden under a tunnel of trees, with it's purple sign blazing proudly on the dark El Segundo street.
I didn't like sitting near the door, where smokers' smoke from outside strolled in and invaded my space.
It's not even that loud considering some bars. Check it out after a meal sometime or a heart ache and drown your evening away to the rhythm of swaying grass huts. If it's not a tropical storm causing the swaying, it because your drank a little too much from their strong Mah Thais.
I moved from El Segundo to San Francisco in December, and (not surprsingly) most of the things I miss about LA are not even in LA... they are in El Segundo (chicken dijon, farm stand, old town patio...). Purple Orchid is no exception...
The Curious George cocktail here is unparalleled. Fabulous. The juke box is pretty cool and the bartenders are attentive. Fun hangout.
I went here on Saturday night to see the Martini Kings perform with some great Burlesque dancers, one of whom is a friend. Had a great time! This place is so close, and my boyfriend loves the tiki bar, so I can't believe we'd never been here before. The place is really cool!
The Martini Kings rocked, of course, and the dancers were fantastic. The drinks were delicious, and reasonably priced. Which gave me pause. Really? Only $6.50 for that specialty martini (the Purple Orchid, naturally). Not 10 bucks like you'd expect. Or at least that's what I've come to expect in Los Angeles. So, good drinks, good bartenders, great atmosphere.
But with everything good comes something bad, or at least not so good. It was REALLY crowded. Not sure if it was because of the birthday celebration going on, or a crowd for the band. I hope it was for the band, because the birthday group was terribly obnoxious, and I'd like to not run into them again. Because the place was jam packed, it took forever to get our first drinks (there were only 2 bartenders and a barback). Once the drinks came, they were great, and I tried to understand that they were so busy, but it was a little irritating.
What really bugged me though was the leak. Yeah, the leak. The puddle of water that I ended up standing in just about all night long. We were standing at the bar towards the front near the stage, and clearly one of the coolers behind the bar was leaking. Next thing I know, I look down and realized I'm standing in water. A lot of water. I told the manager/owner (?) and they got it mopped up, but it kept on leaking. By the time I left, my jeans were soaked at the cuffs a good 4 inches up my leg. Gross.
But hey, a leak's a leak, and hopefully it will be fixed by the time I go back, because I'll definitely be back.
I really like this place!
Great Tahitian cocktails, but every time I there's always a new tender try to learn the trade. I have always found an interesting collection of people here, from the LMU college kids checking it out to the barfly locals.
There are two pool tables, restrooms in the back (which always have floral smell to them), a small stage with a tv (karaoke-ready), the counter runs 3/4 of the way through the bar, and smoking sections is at the front door.
I recommend going on Monday nights for manicures and martinis ($6.50). Specialty drinks are $8 in a mug and $14 in a volcano (it's big, not a sharkeez fishtank... but flame comes out of it).
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2007-12-11
I went here (again) last night for a friend from Austin, which can't get enough of this bar. He wears their damn shirt, which you could purchase for $15 or tiki mugs for $10, every other time I see him. (Love ya, Matt)
Anyhow, last night, they had some sort of water backup and the water ran through the bar. Gross, I thought and became eager to leave. However, most of the regular patrons didn't seem to mind and the rest were to drunk to notice.
-- stars based on category, not food
I total like it there. drinks are strong. cool tiki decor and the not just the night we played it still had a great vibe little stage but the decor is the best.
A fairly quiet bar without being dead. The two or three times I've been there I've had a few drinks, played a bit of pool, watched some ESPN. The music is loud enough to hear and quiet enough to talk. I really enjoy this place. I'd recommend it for anyone who's just looking for a place to hang out and have a drink. If you're looking for that "special someone" this might not be the place for you though, not many people to choose from.
drinks are cheap here that' a plus!
I give it two stars because they do not make good mai tais. All tiki bars should have real mai tais not the mainland version. Please tell me if they start to make them and I will change my review.
I give this place 4 stars as it is very well a 5-star place but one must be VERY careful to pace themselves here. I had a GREAT time when we stumbled over here after a work going away party. It was a weird mish-mash group of people that didn't know each other all that well and we proceeded to get entirely looped up off their fruity drinks. So much so that someone tried to deliver a pizza to us and we were too drunk to accept it! I would have given it 5 stars but it was one of the longest nights of my life...if you know what I mean. Proceed with caution...and have fun! :)
It's just my kinda place... Laid back, friendly staff, proper drinks with a great variety, great tunes, and you can order in food! If you're in El Segundo, plant you ass in this place for a RELAXING time, yes, do it!!
It's as if a little slice of Trader Vic's was dropped in El Segundo. Cool tiki decor. Strong rum drinks...some with flames! The only thing that takes away from the vibe is the music. If they played tiki, surf, island, kitchy music this place would be perfect.
Good jukebox, decent drinks, cool tiki theme. You just have to push the drunk guys crashed out in their bar stools over a little.
i went here a few months ago with a friend of mine to just grab some drinks. the place is really cute and i'd love to go back for the martini and manicure night. we didn't stay very long but in that short time we were bombarded by so many guys. i guess if you're single in el segundo this is the place to be, just nevermind the creepy guy who is two times your age staring at you from the bar for 20 minutes.
I highly recommend a Irish Car Bomb with a Dirty Girl Scout chaser. Lori does them best.
great, affordable drinks. good atmosphere. perfect for me because i work down the street. my favorite happy hour spot!!
Neighborhood: El Segundo
Category: Cinema
Neighborhood: El Segundo
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: El Segundo
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: El Segundo
Category: Nightlife
Hawthorne, CA
Category: Dive Bars
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