Rock Out In Redondo Elite Event At Johnny’s Dive

A Passport to Redondo was on the horizon and this was the perfect opportunity to make it out to Redondo Pier’s Brixton to ROCK OUT WITH OUR GLOCK OUT!
Glocks turned out to be optional, but that didn’t help me from wishing that I had been strapped for this Elite Event. We had the pleasure of Isabella’s Cookies coming to pay us a visit and they arrived with nothing short of a complete treasure trove of sweet deliciousness. Even with multiple samples, I still had the complete urge to start waving around a Glock and proclaim that these cookies were all mine, and that I’d be busting a cap in someone’s ass if they came any closer to the cookies.
Fortunately, I learned to overcome my aboriginal instincts and learned to cope with them by hoarding all of the Isabella’s Cookies @ Bay Cities in Santa Monica. Ha! Take that you suckateers!

How much do I LOOOVE Saturday [Elite] events!?!
How much do I LOOOVE grape-​flavored free alcoholic beverages?!? (And Mel, for being the DD *wink*)
How much do I LOOOVE good parking!!!
Well, y’all must do too– right?
This event was all that and more. And by MORE I mean the raffle prize of cutely-​wrapped Isabella’s Cookie Company treats that I was the lucky recipient of. They totally came in handy as Mel and I got lost trying to escape the South Bay. Stranded at some random Arco near Compton– thank goodness we had those cookies for sustenance. We almost died from too much fun (and not having GPS).

My first Elite event! :D
I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, not knowing anyone and not having a +1. but this lost little lamb was taken in by the coolest group of enthusiastic Iggy Pop drinkers I’ve ever met. Mary C. and Karey R. did their best to help me double-​fist those cocktails and hunt down all the assorted Unilocal swag. You guys are the best! I met lots of other cool Unilocalers, I gotta give a shout out to Hugo C., Virak R., and Danielle N.
The band was great, the food was tasty, the drinks were prompt and flowing. the standout for me were those cookies from Isabella’s — I am going to have to make a special trip to stock up and for future gift baskets because there because those were DELICIOUS. Thanks so much to Christina for organizing this event, I can’t wait for more!!!

Thanks to Christina Y. for the last minute invite. This was my first LA West Elite event and she was gracious enough to add me to the list since I was visiting from Norcal.
I’ve got to admit, it took a good 45 minutes of walking all over the place to find this joint. I walked all over from On the Rocks, to Kinkaid’s, to Quality Seafood, and then I realized there was an actual pier. Duh. Extra duh, because I used to visit Redondo all the time (many years ago).
After a few minutes I realized that there was no «Johnny’s Dive» here, and the place was actually called the Brixton. Actually, I didn’t realize sh! t. I just saw a giant Unilocal table in front of the entrance.
I stumbled into the Brixton. Yeah, I said stumbled. It’s as dark as an unbleached Kardashian bunghole down there and I couldn’t help but trip over my own feet.
Me and my sis sipped up a couple drinks, she the Iggy Pop, and me a Miller High Life. We watched some amazing magic, had a few cookies and watched a rockabilly rendition of Adam Ant’s Goody Two Shoes.
Maybe next time I crash an LA event I can find one with some lights! Had a good time tho, thanks Unilocal

Enjoyed the venue, people and food at my first event as Unilocal Elite! Johnny’s/Brixton (?) had a cool vibe (a little Are you Afraid of the Dark action going on there though — took me awhile to find my friends so hopefully I didn’t grope around and offend too many people).
Drink: The comp. Iggy Pop was a little medicinally to me. I’m not a fan of mixed drinks as they tend to make me recall what I last ate in the most unappealing way.
Music: The band was unique. Didn’t rock my world but then again I’m a closeted Backstreet Boys fan… still…at 26 years of age… soo…yeah.
Food-​wise: Could I get more Isabella’s cookies in me? It got to the point I was using my bf to go get me more bc I was embarrassed to keep going back (mint chocolate cookies how I love thee. it’s like they knew I was coming and wanted to bring the fat kid in me out). Pinkie’s BBQ was just ok. The frito/​pulled-​pork/​bean/​cheese thing wasn’t up my alley (too dry, nothing really holding the components together) and the tri-​tip sliders felt like they were missing something with all that bread (cole slaw?) but hey, they put in the effort, were super nice and it was free so for that they get a big high-​five from me.
Overall great times! Thanks to awesome Christina (who took the time to say Hi and introduce herself to everyone), the other CM’s, and the other participants/​vendors who made the event the goodness!

I had fun playing with you all in the dark.
«This is, this is what it is»
I went with my girl Nicole C. who is just all kinds of awesomeness. The cookies were good, I got a complimentary drink called the Iggy Pop which was tasty. And finally, because I got to hang out with all them other folks. Some I hadn’t met, recently met, and some I hadn’t seen in ages. I love you Unilocalers.
It was too dark and the band was not my kind of goodness. Sure, they rocked out and are probably a huge hit among the rockabilly bullshit yadda yadda ding dong but I wasn’t feeling them at all. In fact, the music that was being played while they had a break was more enjoyable (folks sang along) than the band. Someone told me it was a Unilocaler’s husband’s band, but i don’t know her, and I’m going to speak the truth anyway — what the hell ever — mi no likey.
That’s all. Thanks to the CM’s, the vendors (aka — cookie & bbq folks), the band, and of course the bartenders.

DAMN YOU 405.
Yet again, I was played by our favorite freeway and ended up getting there an HOUR late.
A couple Free Iggy Pop Cocktails down though, things started improving.
I had never known of Johnny’s before and after seeing it firsthand I too, could agree that it was in fact, a dive.
Just one thing though…
Did anyone else feel like they were at a Halloween party?

This evening was quite an adventure, not to mention the first elite event I had the privilege of attending. I was asked to be a + 1, and was so excited, especially because Tess M asked if I wanted to attend. I meet her through Unilocal,but found we have a mutual friend. I was really looking forward to meeting her. She pulls up at my place around 4:15pm, we are rolling. We arrive at the destination at 5ish. We walked the pier and saw a Dive sign, I naturally thought it was a SCUBA business. This was prior to the Unilocal table being set up, so we passed it by twice, I should have taken a closer look.

After getting a full work out, calling Dave A. and several 411 calls (neither of us had Internet access) we finally saw the fantastic red table out in front of the «SCUBA» business. Alas, there was the lovely Hazel, and we had arrived. Down the stairs we went, into a really cool, really dark, Johnny’s Dive.

I went up to the bar all sweaty from our tour of the whole Redondo Pier, and ordered my usual Shirley Temple, extra cherries. The band was awesome, saw some of my favorites, Nicole, Andrius, Katie for a second, Joan, and I meet a few new faces. I finally met Christina. Yay! The atmosphere was cool, hard to see people, The food was awesome, and the cookies were amazing! All in all it was an awesome evening. I achieved so much. I me Tess (one of my favorite Unilocalers), worked out, talked to Dave A, and got to go to an Elite event all at once!

I had a great time. I enjoyed the adventure to the event, getting to know Tess, the documentation of the evening, and the event was awesome. It was a beautiful evening at the beach. Thanks to all the people that made this evening possible!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our lovely CM’s for always putting together such fantastical events and I’d also like to thank the girl who was nice enough to inform me that I had toilet paper stuck to my heel. Good lookin’ out yo.
Hollah.

Wandering up to Johnny’s Dive amidst the hustle and bustle of the overcrowded Redondo pier, I was silently pondering what the atmosphere of Johnny’s Dive was like during an early daylight hour. As the infamous Andrius and I strolled up to the staircase that lead down into the dark depths of punk rock hell, we said a prayer to the pier gods, that we would make it out in one drunk piece.
Johnny’s is dark… REALLY dark. And I’m not just talking about the vibe. One has to squint like a near-​sighted old man just to figure out who one is talking to. A blessing for those late night drinking binges, but a curse for meeting new Unilocalers at 5pm. After my eyes became accustomed to the darkness, I found friends, old and new, among the crowd. By the end of the 2 hour drinking stint, I had the privilege of drunkenly meeting (sorry) famous faces from Unilocal Talk such as Emily, Janea, and J Smoove.
I didn’t try the cookies, but the food that was provided by Pinkies BBQ was magnificent. I’m actually craving those tri tip sandwiches and deviled eggs at this very moment. The complimentary Iggy Pop drink was ok. I’m not a huge fan of sweet drinks, as they give me a tummy ache. It was good for a few sips though.
As I stumbled out into the daylight, squinting at the still blaring 7pm sun, I said to myself, «That was one hell of an event. Wait, where are we again?»

This was so much fun. KILLER band and munchies. Cannot wait for the next event… Thanks guys!

I probably should have written this review stat, and by stat I mean after I stumbled into my humble abode still filled with a night’s worth of Iggy Pops.
So for my little group of Unilocalers, this was a night of firsts. For Karey R. and me, our first elite +1 event of a smaller kind. For Danielle N., Virak R., and Vannessa R., their first event of any kind. And for Jeanie C., her first event as an elite, and first night hanging out with a group determined to drink as many Iggy Pops as possible.
Our first stop was the bar, so let’s start with the ever-​changing Iggy Pop. First it was green, then red, then blueish purple, and by the end of the night I was getting a clearish drink. If this is what skittles meant by tasting the rainbow, I am all in. Both of the bartenders were super fun, but after I learned which one made the stiffer drinks, I stuck with what got the job done.
Next came the cookies. HOW have I never had Isabella’s Cookies? This is definitely my new place for all things sweet and delicious. I can even wow my vegan friends because there’s something for everybody! If I may highlight my favorite B-​nana cookie: a banana flavored cookie filled with chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and dried strawberries! As good as it sounds, it’s better. I punctuated my Iggy Pops with this cookie. I just couldn’t help myself.
Then we bumped into the magician. Now, I am the first to admit that I am gullible, probably more than gullible if there’s even a word for that, but this guy could have fooled the sharpest of spectators! He was unbelievable! Pulling out cards from sealed envelopes! Making coins fly from the sky! Making Vee’s ring disappear and (thank god) reappear!
Between the sugar and alcohol, it was a good thing Pinkie’s BBQ showed up! Smokey deviled eggs, hillbilly nachos, and tri-​tip sliders?! This is any BBQ lover’s dream. The band was excellent, and I am sure I will be hearing more of them since both Vannessa and Vee purchased their CDs! And of course, my fellow Unilocalers were the best! If I wasn’t on my Iggy Pop mission, I would have made a few more rounds, but you know how it is when time is of the essence!
Christina Y. and Christina Y.‘s partners in crime, thank you. I am always amazed with what unbelievable work you guys do. Should I ever try and take over the world OR throw a fantastic event, you are certainly someone I will want on my side!

This event deserves 5 stars just for being on the weekend! Saturday evening events are the best! A laid back beachside event was just what the doctor ordered for this warm Saturday afternoon which quickly became an ocean-​breeze-​cool evening!
Especially awesome for these reasons, brought to you by the letter ‘M’:
Mmmm: Food and drinks, as required for any successful Unilocal event.
~Food: Isabella’s cookies! They had packaged vegan cookies! I got to try the V-​Coco, which is a Vegan Chocolate-​Chocolate Chip cookie. I will have to their store to try the rest of the 4 Vegan flavors!
~Drinks: Iggy Pops. I thought they were a combination of cough syrup, popsicle and soda, but the bartender said they were made of blue curacao, vodka, sprite, cranberry juice… maybe some other stuff? However, the measurements of each varied, and as others have experienced, the colors changed each time! Super sweet, but still decently drinkable; I can’t really complain since they were free!

Music: Danny Dean and the Homewreckers
was a really cool band with cool band members that we got to talk to during their break. The music they played was relaxing and fun. Based on the venue, I can imagine some pretty hard core music in here, so I was quite happy with the band choice. We even bought one of their cds, which is probably the first cd I have bought in the last decade. (P.S. They play @ Mother’s Tavern
in Sunset Beach once a month if you liked their performance.)
Magic: Kiyan, Man of Magic (
) wandered the floor, presenting magic to disbelievers. The fire in the wallet trick
seemed more like a well-​purchased attention getting prop, but the card and coin tricks had me really wondering how he did it! Even if I could figure out the technical parts, I couldn’t get my head around the speed with which he accomplished his tricks!
And of course, these events wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable if they weren’t shared with all these cool Unilocalers! Unfortunately, it was so dark in here that it made socializing a bit difficult. I got to meet a few new people and saw lots of new faces. Luckily, Erin was sporting a Mohawk (thanks to Christina), so she was easy to find in the crowd even in the dark!
As usual, Christina (with the help of fellow CM’s Katie and Hazel) did a great job and made sure everyone was having fun. She was even nice enough to let me know that they could make vegetarian nachos for me. The guy from Pinkie’s was so nice about it and kindly offered to make some meat and meat-​soaked beans free nachos for us (fritos, cheese, jalapenos). Not really my kind of meal choice, but it’s the thought that counts and he was really nice and thoughtful!
Another fun event in the middle of a great weekend!

Went here for the first time for a Unilocal event yesterday and it was a pretty impressive spot all in all (I feel I have to divulge the Unilocal component just for pure transparency and integrity purposes).
Anywho, I am glad it was such a good experience and I can report good things without feeling conflicted. So, here’s the deal:
Space — It’s nice and spacious in here — gotta love that. Plenty of room to move around, navigate crowd and not feel cramped at all. There are ample amounts of cushy, comfy couches, chairs, stools to lounge in (which is really cool for a dive bar). There might not be enough for everyone to sit on a crowded night but it’s a really nice option when you want to take a break from standing.
Décor — I dug the divey-​loungey (i call it diloungely). It had a touch of halloweeny-​cobby webs going on combined with some vintage goth artistry thrown in and overall it’s subtlely striking and creative without being contrived.
Music– The sound system here rocks!!! I have not heard rock-​a-​billy music in ages so it was a real treat to hear such a good band (Danny Dean and the Homewreckers) on such an incrediblely clear system.
Staff — Everyone was really friendly and quite helpful. They were on point with taking orders/​serving/​offering things up in a really quick fashion. They busboy was on point too — keeping empties up & away before you could blink.
Only cons I would note are 2 things which don’t really reflect on the establishment but more on customer convenience and ease:
Parking — it may be a challenge if you are going on a summer weekend so give yourself ample time for getting there and doing some looking in case pier lot is full.
Locating Johnny’s Dive — Weeelllll I am still a little unclear but I had a very hard time finding it — we were told it was behind the Brixton (which is ez to find) and so we were looking for a sign which said «Johnny’s Dive» and could not locate that anywhere along the pier after searching for about 5 minutes — we finally asked and were directed back to the Brixton. It is part of the Brixton apparently and downstairs right behind the Brixton facing the water and the sign said «Brixton Dive».

First off, I want to thank Christina and Unilocal for having a fantastic elite event on the weekend. It’s extremely hard to make weeknight events. So kudos to you guys.
I love the atmosphere at Johnny’s Dive, the décor reminded of those campy horror rides at a county fair, mixed with a touch of goth and punk. Bartenders and waitresses were great and extremely friendly. I will definitely be back to see other bands here.
Even though I arrived late, I was still able to try the Hillbilly nachos which were outstanding and some of the Isabella’s cookies which were ohh so good. The band was great, but was bummed I missed the magician. Thanks Unilocal for showing me a good time.

The Unilocal event last night was fun as the live band, small bites, and good conversation made for an interesting couple hours. The Dive bar is truly an underground dive bar in the classic sense: dark, cool, and casual.
The house specialty is a drink called an Iggy Pop named after the electrifying showman. It’s hard to remember what was in them, but I think it had vodka, splash of sprite, juice, and other stuff. They were fairly tame/​sweet without much alcohol, be we still downed several. Might go with a well drink with more of a kick if I was buying rounds myself.
The live band was entertaining and played a rock-​a-​billy with swing style. They really made the place come alive. It’d be pretty slow without live music.

Another *super fun* Unilocal event with yummy food and drinks — this one with cool dive bar ambiance!
Who can I thank for this great time??? I know!!:
Christina Y — for your 5-​star-​Yelp-​able coordinating and people skills that led to this awesome LA West event! It’s always great to see you!
Katie B — I saw you from afar I think, so I know that LA East’s amazing CM had something to do with this fun time too!
Isabella’s Cookies — OMG here I thought you were the greatest, even BEFORE you came and treated us Unilocalers so well! Thank you for the yummy mini Paddy’s, Maui Wowie, Choc Chip and B-​nana cookies — AND the to-​go wrapped V-​Coco, Twister and Limey cookies! You guys are THE BEST!
Pinkie’s BBQ — I’m so glad you guys were here, because we passed you on the way to the event and were happily surprised to see you! The tender slices of tri-​tip on your slider were smoky and flavorful, and made me want to eat a PILE of meat! And those deviled eggs with the smoky seasoning? THE BEST!
The Hillbilly Nachos with shredded pulled pork and jalapenos and bbq beans on Fritos were a little dish of heaven — and would be GREAT melty and hot!
Danny Dean and the Homewreckers — YOU ROCK (abilly!)!! Thanks for the tunes — you were as fun to watch as you were to listen to!
Johnny’s Dive — for your hospitality and your darling attentive waitresses! I can’t wait to come back when you’ve had your makeover, to see what you’ll be!
I loved seeing everyone and meeting new Unilocal buds too!
Woooohoooo — I’m loving the Elite treatment!!!: P.

Many, many thanks to Christina Y. and Katie B. for putting on another legendary Unilocal shindig.
This one was held in a place which I normally wouldn’t have thought to enter, handlebar mustache and all. The entrance, with its many glow in the dark skulls and gargoyles, was foreboding enough to make you either run or go «hmmm…might wanna check this one out.»
Treats were served up courtesy of my favorite cookie company, Isabella’s Cookies, and local legend Pinky’s BBQ.
Isabella’s had a ton of free cookies to give out, and GF and I were all too happy to take as many as we could carry off their hands. I’m going into a diabetic coma just thinking about how many we scored.
Pinky’s served up tri tip sliders, Hillbilly Nachos (pulled pork and beans over Fritos) and the best deviled eggs I have ever had. They were a smoky version of the typical deviled egg you might find at the typical summer gathering. I think I ate like 12 of them! Good thing I worked out today.
The staff at Johnny’s was in sync and on point every time I needed a refill or someone to laugh at my jokes.
Music by Mad Caddies was your standard rockabilly fare. Imagine my surprise when they rocked the hell out of Adam Ant’s «Goody Two Shoes» though.
GF and I also got to finally meet a few fellow Unilocalers that we’d been wanting to. Michael S and his lovely wife, Olivia. Isabel F.‘s other half, Hugo. Anthony N., the most prolific Unilocaler I know.
Another perfect score for our Unilocal CM’s. Take a bow!

There were sliders from Pinkie’s
And their deviled eggs, yum
And, as always, free drinkies
I shoulda had one
An event so close to home… shoot!
…I coulda walked
But one pointy-​toed boot
Hurt. So I balked
I ate too many cookies
From Isabella’s
Hope no one was looking
As my figure went to hella
I had no Iggy Pops
Cuz I had to drive
But they pulled out all the stops
At Johnny’s Dive
There was a magician
Doing fancy card tricks
And a live band that was bitchin
An interesting mix
Thanks to our lovely CMs
For comin’ all the way down
To South Redondo, a gem
My little beach town
I had a great time
With old friends and new
I wrote this silly rhyme
For each one of you

«The Girl (s) With The Crimson Passport (s)»
Picked up my + One, Rachel R. with intent to wow her with this Elite event. As suspected, we hit it off as well in person as we do on Unilocal.Funny how that happens!
Parked and good to go, the evening officially began. My heels and cobblestones were at odds. No worries, friends, food and fun were just around the corner, or so we thought.
Our destination should be here, right? We looked to our left and saw a sign that said, «DIVE»
No way, that must be a place for scuba lessons. So off we went, occasionally asking folks how to get to the bar. No luck. Such is life for the directionally challenged. Appropriate giggles!
We saw boats
, enjoyed the pier at near sunset
, found a pay station
alas we were here
but Dive wasn’t. FYI, I don’t recommend a fitness walk in 4″ heels; possible but you’ll pay, I am.
What I’m about to write is music to a mobile phone/​internet provider’s ears. Neither one of us had appropriate connectivity. I was beginning to feel like a horrible hostess. Light bulb flash! What Unilocaler could we call? Wracked brains. Yes, Dave A. Rachel had his number

Within moments, our Unilocal hero, provided important info to turn dear Rachel’s first, Elite experience around. THANK YOU Dave A., a prince of a guy and a top Unilocaler! (I owe you. We’ll talk later, if my phone works…)
Arrived at last to be greeted by Joan S. (AKA Mama Unilocal) and Hazel Q., how good is that? Reconnected with old friends and made some new ones!
Pinkie’s BBQ can serve up sliders and hillbilly nachos at my place any time! Isabella Cookies I’m yours regardless of how my dentist protests. Mad for Mad Caddies!
Thank you Christina Y. and Hazel Q. for a fine evening and a crimson passport to more…

But the question remains, where was Katie B. (Milton Security is investigating)? I know you were integral but somehow I missed you: (Thank you too!