At last! A new bar you actually want to go to in Santa Monica- the BASEMENT TAVERN at the VICTORIAN

Santa Monica's Main Street is home to several dive-ish bars (Finn McCools, Rick's and O'Briens) and several cheesy miniature "nightclubs"-- we actually don't even know their names, but there really isn't or wasn't, rather, a bar that we would actually want to go to.  Thank heavens for our swilling pleasure that the Victorian has opened the Basement Tavern.  The Tavern is as its name suggests, is in the basement of the classic 19th century Victorian that we'd only been to previously for a so-so brunch.  The bar is accessed around the corner from the main entrance of the Victorian, once you descend the stairs to the dimly lit space with antlers adorning a wall or two, the cozy bar is the perfect blend of modern speakeasy and a relaxed saloon you'd find in the Rockies.  Chalkboards declare what wines and beers they're serving but there is also a full bar.  Bartenders are efficient but still friendly and the crowd is attractive and upscale casual...  Finally a decent bar on Main Street!!  Cheers.

Basement Tavern

2640 Main St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

310-392-4956