The Lighthouse Cafe
The Lighthouse Cafe is a bar and music room on Pier Avenue, a block from the Hermosa Beach Pier. The building opened as a restaurant in 1934 and became The Lighthouse in 1940. Jazz started on May 29, 1949, when bassist Howard Rumsey began Sunday jam sessions and then took over as manager.
Rumsey’s house band, the Lighthouse All-Stars, made the club a center of West Coast jazz, with guests such as Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. Art Pepper, Lee Morgan, Cannonball Adderley and the Modern Jazz Quartet all recorded live albums here between 1951 and 1970.
The current schedule mixes jazz, including a Sunday jazz brunch, with reggae, 1990s alternative covers and tribute bands. Guests must be 21 or older except at Sunday brunch until 1 p.m. Some shows are ticketed, while others are free or have a cover.
Know Before You Go
- Venue type: Jazz Club
- Opened: 1949
- Operator: Independent
- Programming: Jazz (including Sunday jazz brunch), reggae, tribute and cover bands
- Ages: 21+ (except Sunday jazz brunch until 1 p.m.)
- Phone: (310) 376-9833
This profile is part of The 824 Journal Guide to Live Music Venues in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Official Links
Sources
Photo: Espandero via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Venue Details
- Address
- 30 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 - City, State
- Hermosa Beach, CA
- Indoor / Outdoor
- Indoor
- Standing / Seated
- Standing & Seated
- Phone
- (310) 376-9833
Amenities
- Food
- Full menu
- Drinks
- Full bar