Chez Jay

Chez Jay is something different to everyone: an institution, a dive, a time warp, a wormhole to a totally bizarre experience. To us, it’s all of the above, with its red-and-white checkered tablecloths, its taxidermied fish mounted on the wall, its bit-of-everything clientele. It’s the diviest dive, but comfortable, and just as ready to serve you a heavy pour of well rum as it is some steamed clams or steak at cutthroat prices. A newer back patio lends itself to breezy day drinking, but the year-round holiday lights and darkness inside make it the best dive bar in Santa Monica.