Naja's Place

Rumrunner

California

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 2.5 | $$$

A gloomy Sunday forced us out of the pad before spending the day napping. Time to check out Naja's.

There are two connecting rooms to Naja's. One room has many taps and a bar is the only place to sit. The other room has the rest of the taps, the end to the bar, the refrigerators, the stove, the restrooms and a large space with a small stage and tables and chairs. Naja's has a large decorative bottle collection. A nice large area(possible BA So. Cal. gathering in the future? Hard to top Lucky Baldwin's though.) A plain unassuming and somewhat dive bar feel. In other words a great place to have a couple of pints. There are also about six t.v.s for sports and one big screen.

Service was hit and miss. We ordered some food and it was forgotten. We had to remind them of our order. The bartenders were curt and wanted to know what you wanted. They also had no interest in discussing beer and were not impressed with anybody who shows a slight knowledge of beer. Order, drink, order again. Friendly but not interested in talking.

The selection for craft beers is exceptional. They have at the moment Stone's Double Bastard on tap and in bottles. This will quickly be gone. Especially if I return soon. They also have the Dogfish Head World Wide Stout in bottles at the moment. There is plenty of west coast craft beers from Alaska to California. Also a very nice selection of German and English beers on tap. The refrigerator is filled with Belgian styles, German, Czech, English, American and many other beers. The beer menu is very nicely mixed with a few of each variety. Stouts, oatmeal stouts, IPAs, lagers, hefes, porters, wheats, ales, seasonals, ambers, pales and a few others. Something for everyone. This is not a beer snobs bar. They also have the macros and some international macro flavored beers. They have some obscure sodas and wine as well.

The food is strictly simple to prepare bar style food. The menu is small and the stove is behind the bar in the corner. We had some greasy appetizers and they were good for what they were. I recommend eating somewhere else and then coming here for beer. The food is pretty average. I don't think they are too concerned with this aspect of their business as the bartenders prepare the food. They have no chef.

This is a great place to have a few pints. There is also enough space if you are out with a large group. Call in advance because their hours fluctuate. This means if they are not busy then they close the doors and go home.

Update: Naja's is now under new ownership. The menu is revised. The hours seem more steady. Big news. Naja's has a cask!! Amazing for the Los Angeles area. I would still call to confirm what is on the cask and that they are open.

11-10-2003 08:30:47 | More by Rumrunner

DCon

Missouri

4.84/5  rDev +11%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $

While staying in Redondo Beach for over a week, I'm am VERY upset I didn't find this place before the last day of our trip... While traveling throughout almost all of Southern Cali, this was my favorite Beer Bar and will be coming back here for sure!

Although it isn't a visible place (located on the bottom level of the docks), it was for sure worth the hunt to find it! Located also right next to the piers/harbor right next to Redondo Beach, the atmosphere and scenery can't get any better! There is a "regulars" section on the North side of the place and then a stage and tons of tables looking out to the harbor on the other side of the bar. People are very cool here and with the breeze and open-air bar style, it can't get any better than this!

They served their brews from Chilled pint/snifters and once again, I'm not cool with this. He had clean glasses in the back and brought out 4 just for me because of knowing I would be hanging for a while. Just wait, the service gets even better.

While taking a huge interest in the bottle list and taps on their dry-erase board, John (manager) took this into account and hooked a brother up! After having the Raftman, I asked about any Russian River he had on-tap... Pliney the Elder and Consecration was not even listed on the "Tap List" but he let me enjoy both of these! Later on, we came back here and enjoyed both the 2009 and 2010 Abyss in bottle.

Unreal selection! From the bottles to the "Online LIVE!" tap list, I would definitely be a regular here if I lived by Redondo/Manhattan Beach. This beats anywhere in a 50 mile radius and am still upset I couldn't have found it sooner..

While there were specials and happy hours daily, the manager cut our bill by almost $20 since we were hanging out from noon-night time and this made the experience even better. Can't see anyone ever rating this place below an A+!

08-02-2011 20:59:10 | More by DCon

OStrungT

California

4.13/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Do not try to find this place with your GPS. It is pretty hard, trust me. Also, parking is $5, so be prepared for that.

This place is located on the Boardwalk. It is on the end of a long stretch of shops and restaraunts. There are about 20 tall tables and some bar seatins, along with a few chairs just outside for smokers. There is a pool table, and a convienent change machine right next to it. It has a good view, out of its many windows, of the water and boats. There was a band playing when i was there, and it was nice, but it was a little loud, and there wa sno place to go to get away from the noise. Actually it was so loud that it was nearly impossible to hold a conversation. That was the only flaw.

The staff was friendly, and willing to talk beer. The service was prompt.

The beer selection was exceptional. they have 88 taps, and a LOT of bottles. They had beers from every style I was interested in. i dount they had anything from obscure styles, but they definately had something for everybody. Sours, Stouts, DIPA's, IPA's, Fresh hopped, Even a few macros. They had Stone old Guardian 05 to 08 on tap. So, yeah, a good beer selection.

The food selectios was small. They have a burger, and a few grilled items, and some appetisers. But everything we had was good.

The price might be just a little steep. i got an 8 oz New Begain La Folie for $7.50, which to me is pricy. But I got a pint of 2005 Old Guardian for $5, which is pretty good IMHO. So the price varies by what you want to drink.

Overall: This place was great. i would come back again if I was in the area. If I lived around there, I would be a regular.

02-25-2009 21:54:25 | More by OStrungT

PuckLSHS

Iowa

5/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

Naja's is my home away from home every thursday night. With the occassional trip on Sunday, most of the beer nerd talking happens on Thursday.

Jason and staff are like family and you can see that in the atmosphere and the clientelle. You would be hard pressed to find a better group to talk beer about.

I have been going every thursday night for the past three months and have talked beer with some of the best people on the planet. Everyone at the bar really appreciates the quality and the craftsmanship of a good brew. Although, they still have the macro brews, Jason tries to keep some really great belgians on tap for the people who really know their beer. Their selection surpasses anyone else's in the area.

The food is great for bar food. The wings are straight out of the Buffalo cookbook and the burgers look amazing. The cook at Naja's really knows what the hell he is doing and the quality of the product beats most of the burger places in the area.

Stone runs free on the taps along with many of the alesmith brews that you can't find anywhere else. The beer is treated and aged very well and the staff knows exactly what to pour you based on your palate. I suggest running in there and telling one of them to surprise you...you might actually start exploring the world of beers a little more than staying in your "generic beer" box.

Naja's is a family for beer nerds the world over. If you are in the area and you don't stop by, you are crazy. Someone should probably institutionalize you immediately. Forget Lucky's and the other bars...just go to Naja's and pull up a chair. Who knows, you may find out that their are other beer crack jobs out there that are just like you. Of course, we are the people that keep the industry going....so, we must not be that crazy afterall. Who would ever want to see beer disappear? Surely not me.

12-03-2005 01:03:41 | More by PuckLSHS

Halcyondays

California

4.49/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Located just off Torrance Blvd. in the Redondo Beach Pier Area, Naja's is a little hard to find at first, but then you look at the beer list and know you've arrived. They had 77 beers on tap, many I've had before, but only 10 or so are macros. They also have a huge bottle selection, unfortunately, you have to drink it there, you can't take it home with you, but that's a minor quibble. I spotted a vintage bottle of Stone RIS, that's at least as old as 2005. I had a Val-Dieu Brown on-tap, an '05 Sierra Nevada Celebration in bottle, and a Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle on cask, all 3 delicious. Service was prompt and competent, very good, and attentive. A great beer bar if you are in the area, if I lived in Redondo, I would definitely make this my local. A great place to have a beer and watch the waves crash on the shore.

Edit 11/22/08 - Have got to dock the vibe a little bit. Went here today, it was quite crowded, which I don't particulary like, but can't dock them for being popular. But, the fact that it's open to the outside means the smoke from the dicks that light up up right by the entrance is going to come in. This is CA, we're not supposed to have to deal with smoke in a bar. Went to the north side of the bar and that helped remedy it, but I was not happy for the first half of the visit. Still great selection. On days when it's hardly crowded like Sunday, it's been fine.

12-02-2007 00:39:37 | More by Halcyondays

oggg

California

4.13/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

9/1/06 12:30pm Friday

At the Redondo Beach Pier, you can take Torrance all the way west and use the pier parking or park on the street, or park a few blocks north at the other entrance to the pier. Not sure if they validate. I parked on the street and walked, (25c per 15 min, max 4hr street parking).

"International Boardwalk" is a U-shaped walkway south of the main harbor, set back aways in the pier, so it overlooks about a dozen yachts, not the Pacific Ocean, not even the breakwater. See their website for a picture of their facade to help you find it (Or find a mall-style directory on the pier to find it). On one side you'll find a couple of restaurants, and on the other there are a couple seafood markets (oysters, clams, etc).

Naja's itself is a low slung establishment that looks like a dark dingy dive bar, even in daylight. It's a wide place with lots of windows and openings, not too deep. There's about 5 seats on the boardwalk for smokers, past which you find a pool table in the back. A small area is reserved for a live band. The inside is painted very black. There's a ton of beer memorabilia, including Bud, Miller, and worse. But there's also some cool stuff fron Stone, Unibroue, Pyramid, and elsewhere. A close look reveals Most Arrogant Bar in America 04, 05, Stone Anniversary fest glasses 7,8,9, Strand Brewers Club signs, a lamp with a female leg in fishnet stockings for a stand, and a rubber facsimile of the head of Moe the bartender from the Simpsons.

Finally, there's 74 taps in a long line that spans 3 walls. A big dry erase board lists the beers, but occasionally forgets to tell you the brewery name. The BMC crowd gets about 6 taps. Stone, Deschutes, Indian Wells, and a couple of German brews caught my attention. 16oz $4.50, 25oz mug $6.50, pitcher $12 I believe. PBR, Ballast Point Hot Rail Helles, and something else were on special 25oz for $5 when I was there. A couple large refrigerators held Stone Vertical Epic 4,5,6, Decadence, Stone, North Coast, myriad Belgians, holy mama.

The older female bartender was quite unhelpful. I watched as a few people strolled in for a beer and it almost killed me not to put my two cents in because she wouldn't give them any help with beer selection, and could've at least offered tastes. I know I'm being pretty harsh, but the place was empty, and her service was weak.

I had a burger with fries $7. The burger was big, greasy, and tasty. Oddly, they served it pre-condimented with ketchup and mayo. The fries were ho-hum. Also on the menu is a hummus plate that I might try next time.

Overall: great selection, a touch on the expensive, but it is in a tourist/ high people flow area.

09-02-2006 18:55:48 | More by oggg

czechsaaz

Washington

4.58/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Naja's is dangerously close to becoming my #1 choice in the L.A. area. Since the ownership change, the quality and selection here has gone crazy. On a hot afternoon or a weekend night, this place is always full.

Naja's is on the King Harbor Boardwalk and is basically an open air place. It's getting to be winter here (that means it gets down to a frigid high 50's) and it was a foggy night. No band on a Thursday so it was pretty quiet. My group camped out at the side bar by the taps. Burned through a few pints of West Coast Hop Monsters. Moved on to a couple Belgians. The owner, Jason, was there and it was quiet enough that he was drinking some cellar selections and allowing us to sample them too.

Tap selection is constantly rotating and there are also many outstanding bottle selections. If you're looking for an obscure Stone beer or aged Old Guardian/Imperial Stout, this is a good place to try.

Food is typical bar-type except for the "Famous" kebab. Basically a big ole plate of chicken with pita bread and hot sauce. Try it. Really good.

09-23-2005 17:08:32 | More by czechsaaz

ballewblake

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Soo hard on how to evaluate my thoughts on this place (first visit.) I'll start with the easy stuff. Great selection. Actually didn't know where to start when I got there and just looking at the exceptional draft list, then the bottles. The next high point was the location and atmosphere. Right on the pier, though the marina blocks your view of the ocean, the walk to the place was nice. The dive beach bar vibe was excellent in my books. My gripe though was with the service. The girl behind the bar was highly uneducated and I counted at least ten obviously wrong statements she made about beers or styles, after the first few I gave up on correcting as I picked up that she didn't really care either way. Very disappointing. There was a five minute argument with her trying to convince me that Triple Karmeliet was a Trappist beer, she didn't want to hear otherwise. I would give a lower service score but it was saved as we ended up hanging out with the owner whom starting bringing us brews while in the middle of his construction project. He even walked me back to the cooler, very cool guy. Visit would have been worlds better if someone that cared about the beer was behind the bar. Eh, oh well.

04-18-2008 19:46:19 | More by ballewblake

kleffman

California

4.14/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Having grown up within skateboarding distance of this fine establishment it's odd that I didn't know about it until sometime last year. Of course, I didn't drink when I lived in LA, but I have walked by it probably 100 times. I love the pier area, and this is a cool little bar. Weird place for some of the best beers around. You can park for free out on Catalina, and it's a short walk in. I went on a Saturday afternoon when there was no one there, but I bet it gets really really crowded with Coors Light drinkers at night. I got my hands on a bottle of 2003 Alesmith Wee Heavy, which you can't find anywhere, and it was incredible. Also had a cask of Arrogant Bastard dry hopped with Centennial or something. Awesome surprise. Their tap and bottle lists are absurd, and this is a must visit. Will go back as much as possible.

08-28-2007 16:34:09 | More by kleffman

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.31/5  rDev -24.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

I stopped by Naja's on my way out of the city around noon on a Friday. It was quite empty, but to be expected.

It was in a cool area and I like the idea of the place, but I kind of felt like I was at a cheap spring break bar that sold daiquiris. The bartender seemed nice for the most part, but did not seem interested in interacting much. I think the atmosphere kind of played into this as there is not much space to sit at the bar.

The selection was solid, but not great. The tap selection was extensive with a few interesting beers, but I could have easily elimited 75%+ of the beers with no hinderance to how I'd score them in this area. The bottle selection was decent with a few interesting beers to choose from, but I wasn't terribly impressed. I didn't try the food.

I recommend stopping by this place if you're in the area, but I certainly wouldn't go out of the way to visit. I very much did not like the atmosphere and the beer selection was good, but not great. It was also quite expensive, though the pours were quite large. I'd much rather have the option for smaller pours at a lower price, though.

06-28-2011 13:34:49 | More by coreyfmcdonald