Step into the Circle Bar a legendary Santa Monica institution. Established in 1949 this isn’t just any bar. The Circle Bar is a time capsule a slice of old Los Angeles nestled on Main Street. It’s a place where Hank Williams and Patsy Cline still reign supreme on the jukebox. The Circle Bar has witnessed the changing face of Santa Monica. Once surrounded by corner stores and laundries it now stands amidst tony boutiques and upscale restaurants. Yet the Circle Bar remains unchanged. Jack Garner who bought the bar twelve years ago hasn’t altered its charm. He keeps the prices reasonable the drinks plentiful. The atmosphere relaxed.
The long oval bar encourages people-watching. In the back amateur pool players keep the tables busy. The walls are adorned with quirky prints a black velvet Golden Gate Bridge. There’s even a small sign that reads Office. This is Garner’s command post. He sits there every night observing his customers and staff. The Circle Bar is more than just a place for a drink. It’s a microcosm of modern Los Angeles. Young people play video trivia games. Older patrons watch pool matches. A deaf Latino man might sell light-up jewelry. A man in leather a Mardi Gras mask and rhinestone earrings could be quietly sipping a drink. It’s this eclectic mix that makes the Circle Bar so special.
Longtime bartender Jackie Ericsson knows many customers by name. She calls it a place to stop and breathe. The bartenders all women range in age from their 20s to their 70s. Garner believes women handle the job better. They defuse potentially volatile situations with grace. The Circle Bar’s reputation has attracted its share of celebrities. A young movie star once got “plastered” unnoticed amongst the regulars. Santa Monica artist Dan Buckingham finds inspiration for his characters here. Writer Cyndi Coyne admires the bartenders’ ability to handle rowdy customers with a smile.
The Circle Bar originally stood at the Pacific Ocean Pier in Venice. It relocated to Main Street in the early 1960s. Despite the gentrification of its surroundings the Circle Bar remains untouched. It’s a testament to its enduring appeal a place where time seems to stand still. Garner shows no signs of retiring. He wants to see the Pope and the Olympics in Seoul before he hangs up his bar towel. But for now the Circle Bar remains his life his passion. It’s a place where everyone is welcome where everyone belongs. And that’s a story worth savoring.