Long Beach Restaurants for Celebrations
Summer is a great time for celebrations; weddings, retirements, birthdays, graduations, reunions, or any excuse to get together for a great time. If you’re looking to party large, Long Beach has a wide array of restaurants uniquely capable of welcoming big parties with Big Fun.
BO-BEAU KITCHEN + ROOFTAP
Able to accommodate large parties in its spacious dining room – 30 for a seated meal, 60 for a non-private reception–Bo-beau’s (144 Pine Ave.) lavish, eye-catching decor radiates a salon-meets-loungey vibe. Its equally spacious second story deck – 30 and 160 non-private – the “rooftap,” allows patrons to take in the surrounding skyline and street scene below while enjoying a drink from a bar that features 50 taps, 50-plus vodkas as well as hand crafted cocktails and an eclectic wine selection. In keeping with the spectacularly appointed restaurant and view, the California-French menu is delicious and comforting – Beef Tartare meets Vegan Mushroom Scallops – with its “Famous Brussel Sprouts” being a veritable must.
L’OPERA
If you’re looking for a reaction when announcing the location of your party/celebration/event, you’d have a hard time finding a place that’ll get a wider-eyed reaction than L’Opera (101 Pine Ave.) The iconic eatery, established in 1990, is a Downtown landmark and has won numerous awards including being named one of North America’s top Italian restaurants by both Zagat and Epicurean magazine, and taking home the Golden Bachus Award for its wine selection. Parties of all kinds – from retirement to wedding receptions – are regularly held there, many in the semi-private Wine Cellar, which seats 60, and the private La Scala space which accommodates 90 people.
FICKLEWOOD CIDERWORKS
Ficklewood Ciderworks has an inviting vibe that is all at once urban and chic. The cidery regularly hosts comedy, magic and drag shows as well as karaoke nights and open mics. The place, which can accommodate up to 98 in its main room, another 20 on its patio, has a den-like feel with velvet armchairs and conversation spots offset against stylish wood barrels and shiny metal cidering machines. Ficklewood’s (720 E. Broadway) fruity brews are delicious without being sweet, and though they don’t make food, they offer select snacks from local vendors – and they have no problem with you bringing some in. By the way, because Ficklewood is designated as a winery, people of all ages are permitted.
TANTALUM
For a space that is so large – behold the magnificence of its 75-foot mahogany bar – Tantalum somehow qualifies as one of the city’s hidden gems, tucked away as it is in the corner of the Marina Pacifica retail center. But, once inside, you are not only presented with a space large enough for big groups, but a spectacular, near-panoramic view of Alamitos Bay–and it’s not unusual for patrons to arrive via boat. Tantalum (6272 Pacific Coast Hwy.) features three private rooms able to accommodate 35 people for a sit down meal and 40 for a mixer. Two of the rooms can be combined to hold 95 people. Tantalum has a relaxed, thoughtful vibe reflected by a menu featuring a fusion of New California and Asian cuisines.
GEORGE’S GREEK
Though this beloved eatery has multiple locations in and around Long Beach – Belmont Shore, Long Beach Airport, Lakewood – it’s their original restaurant, Downtown (135 Pine Ave.), that serves as a great spot for a celebration. Located a short walk from the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, it features a dining room and charming courtyard area capable of holding up to 400 guests. Opened in 1999 by the Loizides family, which still owns it, most of the menu items – gyro, souvlaki or their famous, and dramatic saganaki “flaming cheese” dish that is lit at your table, come directly from family recipes.
GLADSTONE’S
Few restaurants are better suited for big occasions, whether they be family, friendly, work-related or corporate events. Gladstone’s (330 S. Pine Ave.) offers an assortment of private spaces, along with a large dining room and a popular patio, complete with a fire pit. Its private Catalina Room can accommodate up to 200 people as can its outdoor, Sunset Deck. Amid all that space and variety, Gladstone’s still manages a warm and welcoming vibe complemented by a menu of such variety and range – Boston Clam Chowder, to Hawaiian Mahi Mahi to Thai Calamari – to appeal to just about every palate. It also has some of the best views of the harbor, as well as Long Beach’s iconic lighthouse and the Queen Mary.
PARKERS' LIGHTHOUSE
For nearly 40 years, this eye-catching destination has been a popular spot for special occasions. Known for its mesquite-grilled seafood, creative sushi and sashimi, Parkers' Lighthouse (435 Shoreline Village Dr.) has plenty of delicious non-seafood options – word to the wise, accompany any order with their other-worldly garlic cheese bread. The restaurant can accommodate numerous people in its two-story space that includes a double-decker wine cellar and a large outdoor area. The 2nd Floor Gallery and Lantern Room can accommodate 40 and 60 people, respectively, while the Queensview Room can take up to 100. Parker’s outdoor patio coves harbor as many as 72 guests.
