Looking for the best bars and nightlife in Long Beach? This diverse coastal city has an eclectic, unpretentious nightlife of beachside bars, craft breweries, and a lively downtown and Retro Row. This local guide covers Long Beach’s nightlife scene, the best neighborhoods to go out in, the kinds of bars the city does well, and how to find where locals actually drink.
Long Beach’s nightlife scene
Long Beach’s nightlife is laid-back and eclectic, matching its diverse, beach-city character — a mix of dive bars, craft breweries, beachside spots, cocktail bars, and one of LA County’s notable LGBTQ scenes. Downtown, Belmont Shore, and Retro Row are the main going-out areas, with a casual, come-as-you-are vibe.
Best neighborhoods for bars & nightlife in Long Beach
Downtown and the East Village Arts District have eclectic bars and breweries; Belmont Shore (2nd Street) is a lively beachside bar-and-restaurant strip; Retro Row (4th Street) has hip, vintage-cool bars; and the Broadway corridor anchors Long Beach’s LGBTQ nightlife. For how these areas compare, see our guide to the best neighborhoods in Long Beach.
What Long Beach does well: bars, breweries & more
Long Beach does dive bars, craft breweries, and beachside spots especially well, plus cocktail bars and a welcoming LGBTQ scene. It’s an unpretentious, diverse nightlife town — more neighborhood-and-beach than club district.
What to know about going out in Long Beach
Belmont Shore and downtown are walkable within themselves; the Metro A Line and rideshare connect areas (and reach LA). The scene is casual and beach-influenced. Weekend nights on 2nd Street and in downtown get lively.
Where Long Beach locals actually drink
The best bars change constantly — the hot new spot, the beloved dive, the patio that’s perfect right now — and the honest picks rarely match the tourist lists. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Long Beach community, real Long Beach neighbors share where they genuinely go out. Planning a night out? See our guide to the best things to do in Long Beach too. Join your Long Beach neighbors free and get real nightlife recommendations →
Fitting it into a day in Long Beach
The best bars here reflect the neighborhoods around them, so where you drink shapes the whole evening. What sets Long Beach apart is how close everything sits together. Start near Belmont Shore, work in one of the spots from this guide, and you are minutes from Bluff Park if you want to keep going. Locals often round out a great night out with a detour to the El Dorado Nature Center or a quieter stop at the Naples canals. Because the distances are short, you can improvise as you go rather than lock the whole day down in advance.
More Long Beach guides
Long Beach rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Best restaurants in Long Beach, Date ideas in Long Beach, Things to do in Long Beach — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Get a local’s take
Guides are a starting point; the current, on-the-ground details come from people who live in Long Beach. Hours shift, favorites change, and residents always know what is genuinely worth it now. Ask Long Beach neighbors directly or join your town community free to hear from real locals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nightlife like in Long Beach?
Eclectic and unpretentious — dive bars, craft breweries, beachside spots, and cocktail bars, plus a notable LGBTQ scene, across downtown, Belmont Shore, and Retro Row.
Where are the best bars in Long Beach?
Downtown and the East Village for eclectic bars, Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street for beachside spots, Retro Row for vintage-cool bars, and Broadway for LGBTQ nightlife.
Where do locals go out in Long Beach?
Locals favor Retro Row, downtown breweries, and neighborhood dives over tourist spots — Long Beach neighbors share picks in our community.