Blondies, Long Beach, CA

Blondies
2259 N Lakewood Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
(562) 498-2661

• Price per domestic pitcher: $9.00
• Credit/Debit: Yes
• Parking: Public Lot
• Good for groups: No
• Music: Internet Jukebox

• Best Nights: Fri, Sat
• TV's: 10
• Smoking: Outside/with Drinks
• Alcohol: Full Bar
• ATM: No

The Bar: This one time, about 3 years ago, I left the Orange curtain and moved to Long Beach. Blondie's was my local watering hole. This is a true neighborhood bar. Just about every patron rides a bicycle or walks here from the surrounding neighborhoods, or local University (CSULB).
    Located on the northwest corner of Lakewood Blvd. & Stearns Ave. The sign is bright red, so if you look hard enough, you will find it. There is a sign on the street, but the bar is behind the new complex on the corner.
   The outside front of this bar is unique. The smoking patio is located on the front, fenced off so that you can drink outside also. The entrance to the bar is located to the right of the patio. Once inside, you are at the bar, which when busy, everyone clutters up at the door, making it difficult to get in.
   The inside is a long hallway, roughly 30 feet wide wall to wall, and about 200 feet long. The bar is L-shaped seating about 20 heads, with one service station near the main entrance  The left wall has about 4 tables. The patio has 6 tables, with a TV & outdoor heating.
   If you get hungry, check out LW Pizza directly across the parking lot. They deliver till 3am Fri & Sat.
The Crowd: Given it was a Sunday night, there were about 5 people here when we arrived at 9pm. Being absent from this bar for over 3 years, I was still recognized by one of the bouncers. In all my time spent at this bar, I have never seen any confrontation, not even a minor argument. This is the most newbie friendly bar I have ever been to.
Service: Starting with a pitcher of Coors light, ice cold with 2 chilled glass, service was great. 2nd time around, another pitchers, we were offered chilled glasses, but no need to dirty more glasses.
Prices: Prices vary on pitchers per day. Sunday night they were $9.00. Shots of Fireball $5.00...heavy pour.
Entertainment: TouchTunes Jukebox, 2 Pool Tables, Golden Tee Live, Lottery scratchers. Popcorn machine.
Restroom: Set up as a single occupant at a time. Be sure to lock the door, or may find yourself in a sword fight. Relatively clean, with the classic dive bar condom machine. I sure hope no one takes those serious. If you need the number for the local Taxi, there are plenty of ads here.
Bartender: Not sure what happened to the bar in last few years...back in the day, it was always beautiful female bartenders...tonight...we had John, cool guy, but with a name like Blondie's, you'd expect female bartenders.
Closing statement: My favorite neighborhood bar in Long Beach and an easy walk from my best friends house, I will be frequenting this bar more often now, and I recommend you check it out too. 

 We give Blondie's a 5 out of 5. 

                                             

Johnny's Saloon Poker Run, May 19th 2013

ET's Lounge, Temecula, CA

ET's Lounge 
27423 Jefferson Ave.
Temecula, CA
(951) 694-8282 ‎

• Price per domestic pitcher: $11.50
• Credit/Debit: Yes
• Parking: Public Lot
• Good for groups: Yes
• Music: Internet Jukebox/ Karaoke 

• Best Nights: Fri, Sat
• TV's: 6
• Smoking: Outside/No Drinks
• Alcohol: Full Bar
• ATM: Yes

The Bar: Hard to find... there is no sign on the street and it's located in a strip mall. Kinda a weird set up out front, perhaps this location was once a liquor store. There is a taco dude at this location 6 days a week.  Once inside, the room is long. L-shaped bar with around 30 bar stools and 2 service stations. Past the bar, there is a dance floor, where Karaoke takes place, a few tables, a shuffleboard and 2 pool tables. I usually try to avoid bars that host Karaoke, but this wasn't so bad. It isn't obnoxiously loud, and the people actually know how to sing. The bar is cluttered with dollar bills. Feel free to add your own, just ask the bartender for a sharpie and a staple gun, you provide the dollar. You can put it ANYWHERE in the bar. Look for ours...
The Crowd: We arrived shortly after 8pm to find a hand full of locals and a gorgeous bartender whose name is Tamra. Once Karaoke kicked in, the place started filling up rather quickly. Definitely a local spot, but chill spot for sure.
Service: In the beginning it was quick, but as the night progressed and more patrons arrived, the slower the service got. The bar is quite long, and with one bartender on, it's quite a handful for her to handle.
Prices: $11.50 pitchers of PBR. $6.75 for a rather large shot of  Fireball.
Entertainment: 6 TV's, TouchTunes Jukebox, Karaoke, 2 pool tables, Shuffleboard, Golden Tee, Lottery Scratchers.
Restroom: Fabulous. Smelled good too. Very clean the entire night.
Closing statement: I recommend getting here around 10pm. Make it your ending bar. We had a great time. This is the local spot for my friends that I was visiting, so I am sure I will be back here again. I was told this is the best dive bar in Temecula, we hit 3 bars tonight and this was by far the best one. I highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

We give ET's Lounge a 5 out of 5