Sonny McLean’s
2615 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90403
Sonny McLean’s Menu
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Diabetics at Jason's Deli
Diabetics must not get carried away at Jason's Deli as there are several tempting items on their menu to easily spike your blood sugar. You can try the salads at Jason Deli's or start your meal with hot soup to ensure that you don't stuff too much while at Jason's Deli. You can also pick the right kind of sandwiches to complete your meal.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for Diabetics:
You must skip all kinds of sandwiches, wraps, and paninis at Jason's Deli for their high sodium content. Even among the salads, avoid the regular ones such as Chicken Club Salad, The Big Chef, Mesa Chicken Salad and go for the lighter versions. In addition, it is also recommended to avoid desserts totally while dining at Jason's Deli.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jason's Deli:
Breakfast Sammy
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 370mg sodium, 23g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 12g Protein
Chicken Club Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 540 calories, 44g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 8g), 900mg sodium, 11g carbs, 3g sugar, 3g fiber, 24g Protein
Mesa Chicken Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 850mg sodium, 26g carbs, 4g sugar, 7g fiber, 22g Protein
Spinach Veggie Wrap
Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 830mg sodium, 51g carbs, 5g sugar, 12g fiber, 16g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Santa Monica for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Blood pressure patients mustn't indulge in sandwiches offered on Jason Deli's menu. Most sandwiches, whether Muffalettas or Po'boys, are high in sodium and could easily spike your blood pressure. Be careful while you order at Jason's Deli and opt for healthy food options such as salads, soups, or soups to ease your cravings.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Blood Pressure
Sandwiches must be avoided at all costs at Jason's Deli as they are loaded with sodium. You must also skip the paninis and wraps if possible and stick to healthy salads and soups while dining at Jason's Deli. Skip adding any kinds of salad dressing, extra cheese, croutons, etc. in your order to limit your sodium intake for the day.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Banana Nut Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 170mg sodium, 25g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 5g Protein
A bowl of Fresh Fruits
Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 45mg sodium, 23g carbs, 62g sugar, 9g fiber, 6g Protein
Pollo Mexicano (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 800 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 12g), 550mg sodium, 121g carbs, 14g sugar, 11g fiber, 30g Protein
Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 150mg sodium, 34g carbs, 17g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Wild Berry Hibiscus Tea with Pure Cane Sugar
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 26g carbs, 26g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Jason's Deli
If you are concerned about your cholesterol, then you got to be very cautious at Jason's Deli. Most sandwiches available on Jason's Deli's menu are high in cholesterol and sodium content. You must choose wisely and opt for salads or soups to please your appetite.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Cholesterol
Avoiding foods at Jason's Deli can be trickier if you are a foodie. It is recommended to skip the heavy sandwiches which are both high in cholesterol and sodium at Jason's Deli. You must also avoid paninis and wraps at Jason Deli's or order the lighter version to reduce your calorie intake.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Jason's Deli
Blueberry Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 180mg sodium, 34g carbs, 19g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein
Nutty Mixed Up Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 810mg sodium, 41g carbs, 33g sugar, 3g fiber, 21g Protein
Texas Style Spud (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 830 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 11g), 740mg sodium, 139g carbs, 27g sugar, 14g fiber, 29g Protein
Jason's Deli Bottled Ginger Ale
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 36g carbs, 36g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on Jason's Deli
When did Jason's Deli open?
First Jason's Deli was started on 30th November 1976 at Beaumont, Texas, United States.
Where's the nearby Jason's Deli?
There are around 275 delis in 28 states of the United States. You can locate a nearby Jason's Deli by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.
When does Jason's Deli open and close?
Jason's Deli opens early in the morning daily at 6 AM and closes at 6 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on weekends.
Does Jason's Deli have a drive through?
Yes, Jason's Deli has a drive-through. Besides the drive-thru, Jason's Deli also set up Jason's Express especially for on-the-go families to make things faster. Drive-thru and take-out options help individuals and families to order and pick their meal quickly while on a busy schedule.
Does Jason's Deli serve gluten-free items on the menu?
Jason's Deli isn't entirely a gluten-free environment, but it does offer a gluten-sensitive menu. You can order food from the gluten-sensitive menu to ensure your food is gluten-free.
Does Jason's Deli serve vegan items on the menu?
Yes, they do. The vegan options are limited at Jason's Deli. You can try the organic vegetable soup, spinach veggie wraps w/o cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, and many other options from the salad menu.
Does Jason's Deli Cater?
Yes, it does. You can use Jason's Deli's catering service to serve hot and fresh foods to your guests. Whether you want to feed 5 or 5000, Jason's Deli's experienced team can handle your catering order and ensure timely delivery.
What's on Jason's Deli breakfast menu?
Jason's Deli serves a variety of different items on their breakfast menu. You can try the breakfast sandwiches or wraps prepared with fresh-cracked eggs. You can pick up breakfast as early as 6 AM at any Jason's Deli nearby.
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About Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli is a popular bakery restaurant in the United States. Jason's Deli started its operation in Beaumont, Texas on 30th November 1976. The bakery restaurant was started by four partners: Joe Tortorice Jr., Rusty Coco, Pete Verde, and Pat Broussard. Currently, the delicatessen restaurant chain operates in more than 268 locations across 26 states in the United States. Jason's Deli is one of the most successful restaurant chains with under 300 locations.
Deli Management Inc. owns Jason's Deli along with several other deli restaurants in the United States. Jason's Deli is famous for its standard deli style menu where the customers can order from traditional sandwiches to salads, baked potatoes, and pasta. After initiating a health drive in 2000, Jason's Deli successfully eliminated added trans-fat from its food in 2005, later got rid of high fructose syrup in 2008, and finally removed MSG from its food. Today, Jason's Deli offers a wide range of food items including vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Healthy Food Options at Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli offers a standard deli style menu which consists of traditional sandwiches, soups, pasta, baked potatoes, wraps, and salads. If you choose wisely and skip the extra sides or dressings as you order at Jason's Deli, you can find a good variety of healthy food options at Jason's Deli.
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Address :
2615 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA, 90403 - Phone (310) 449-1811
- Website https://www.sonnymcleans.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jim R.
The drinks are overpriced (even by neighborhood standards) which is fine. The food is pretty bad which is fine. The bar is nice and big with lots of tables. The pool room is in a great spot. The darts are great. The service is terrible. I mean the SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. On a positive note the bartender that was working when I was there was busy hanging out with his douche buddies (exclusively) and giving them loads of free drinks. Chances are with owners this oblivious to the actions of their employees that the place will be out of business soon. Maybe a better bar and grill will take it's place...
(1)William D.
I'm a transplant from New Hampshire out here so I immediately looked for LAs Boston bar upon arrival. I have not been disappointed. I've been here for a mid-week lunch of Fish and Chips and I've gone a few times to catch a game when it's not on TV out here (hell yeah they've got Sunday Ticket and NESN!). Any given Sunday you walk into this bar and it's a sea of Brady and Brucchi jersey's. Anyway, if you're a Boston fan the atmosphere is fantastic on gameday. The older guys are at the bar eating breakfast with beer. The younger guys and girls are milling about at the tables. Get there about two to three hours before the game if you want a bar seat.
(5)Ryan L.
THIS PLACES CHARGES TAX ON DRINKS! AND THE DRINKS ARE ALREADY 8 BUCKS! That's great that the place has a full bar, but if I want a 10 dollar vodka soda I'll go to Beverly Hills!!! Who do the owners think they are???? I think its pretty insulting to customers to add tax to an already wayyyyyyy overpriced drink. They really have some nerve. I can go down the street to a classier place like The Wilshire or The Charleston and pay the same thing except they don't charge tax and they have a better, wider selection of alcohol to choose from! Some brilliant idea it was for them to add a full bar. No one wants to pay 10 bucks for a simple drink at an Irish dive bar. YOU ARE DISRESPECTING YOUR CUSTOMERS!
(1)Amanda F.
Ok, here's the thing. There is NO BETTER place in LA to watch a Pats or Sox game. Bar none. It's like being at the game. Everyone is screaming, cheering and it's great fun. That being said... there is really no other reason that I would go there. Though they have a decent menu and beer selection, it's quite overpriced. There are so many places I could go and spend $100 for dinner. TONS! Even the beer is ridiculously priced. I've never had a time here that I didn't leave being a bit peeved with the service either. SO, for a Boston game with lots of excitement GO and be ready to spend some fat cash. Otherwise, there's so many amazing places in SaMo. Try one of those instead.
(3)Mary F.
I love how comfortable this place is. They have great food and the menu stems beyond the typical Irish pub fare. I love the kebabs and the pickled egg! This is such a solid neighborhood bar to watch sports, catch live music, or to just enjoy a pint.
(5)Bob S.
Yikes ! How did I miss the name change from Sonny McLean's to Sonny McMoney ! Talk about sticker shock. We just picked up our to go order and discovered that the Ahi tuna sandwich is now $16.00 vs. $10.95 - the "old menu price" (which is still on their website by the way) and the Turkey Avocado Sandwich is $12.00 vs. $8.25. $30 bucks for two sandwiches from a pub? Really? Is that a bottle I just sat on? Won't be back anytime soon.
(1)Caitlin M.
East coast dudefest. Being an Irish east coast girl I eat it up with a big fat spoon. I also love a 16oz pour. Its a definitely a good time!
(4)Al C.
Pretty decent spot for a drink & to watch sports. That is the good. The price for a beer wasn't too bad, though there were no happy hour prices that I could see. The Bad: Parking is terrible. I mean, you can park on the street pretty much but even that is taken. From the looks of it the parking in the rear is just for employees. There may be about 6 spots or so. For the business they are doing, not good. The Ugly: The prices for the food are out of this world, literally. There is no way I am paying $15 for a hamburger. You literally need to take out a bank loan to eat there. If chosen by friends to go there again I may pop in but otherwise, I doubt it.
(3)Kel S.
What can I say? Sonny's is fantabulous. If you are looking for a Red Sox bar in Los Angeles, look no further. This place is always crowded for the New England sports teams' games... especially on the weekends. Expect to find many good looking 20-30 year old somethings who won't ask each other to paahk the caah in haavaad yaahd. The bartenders are down to earth and you won't have to look far for a fan familiar with Beantown's sports history here. Prices are reasonable, the food is typical of pubs, but beware, they serve beer and wine only, no hard alcohol.
(5)Joshua R.
Two-stars due to high prices. A friend and I walked to Sonny's for Happy Hour. Two pints of Guiness, two glasses of wine, and one appetizer should not cost $50.00 (unless you're at a swanky hotel or a strip club). You're a neighborhood joint, not a destination. Your food is good, but not great, your facilities are good, but not remarkable.There are too many other options around the neighborhood that will give me more for the money. Sonny's, you have driven me into the arms of others
(2)Sophia G.
The best sports bar in Santa Monica! There are easily 30 TVs at Sonny's. Watching a game 7 there is unlike any other experience. Boston fans make you feel like you're at the game--yelling, chanting, cheering. Come early on big game days or you'll be stuck standing. Finish every win singing "Sweet Caroline" with fellow fans. Parking is not ideal (metered or 2 hr neighborhood parking), but there's a Chase bank on Princeton St. that makes for easy Sunday parking. The beer selection is incredible (beware: no hard liquor here). The new menu/new chef is stellar. Try any of the pizzas, the wings, and even the salads are good. Finish with the toasted marshmallow float, YUM! So glad to have found an awesome Boston bar where I can watch the Celts with my Boston "family"!
(5)T.J. G.
I'm originally from Boston and think the place is alright. If you want a real "Boston" feel, then go to Boston. Glad they renovated the place, but seems like I'm eating their food off their "old" floor. Quality has gone down, price went up. We're not at a night club, Bud Lights shouldn't cost $5!!! But I know 2 reasons they are $5, and so do you. I will still go there, but whoever now owns the place, which seems to be the case, better bring back that dirty water. And it better not be in our glasses!! hahaha!
(3)Myke F.
If your heart is of Boston, there is no place better than Sonny McLean's. It's a traditional Boston pub in the heart of Santa Monica. The food is terrific! Grab some lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fresh Dunkin' Donuts coffee! The bar is only beer, so you'll have to do your Jameson shots in the car before you go in for the game! They do have a variation if an Irish Car Bomb though, which is quite fulfilling! No better place to watch a Sox, Pats, Celts, or Bruins game. In true Boston fashion, it gets packed for big games to the point of standing room only, but hey, so does Fenway!!! It's also real fun, just as far as bars go... Darts, pool, video games, air hockey, foozball.... If you wind up at Sonny's and you're bored, something's wrong with you.
(5)TJ W.
I have loved this place but right now I am suffering from a wee bit of indigestion from lunch there. Avoid the penne dish is what I am most importantly saying.
(2)Christopher F.
We're very concerned about the trajectory of the bar after a change in ownership. Last year we were thrilled to watch the Lakers-Celtics at a home away from home (my spouse and I are BC Class of '86). However the beer prices have been increased (we used to get a pitcher for about $16) - although the beer selection is very good - it is way out of line for what most folks want from this bar. In addition, the menu is a hodgepodge of overpriced items, simple bar food and things like sliders, grilled ham and cheese and chips for about $5 is really needed (equivalent items now cost between $11 - 16). The Shack across the street is a Philly bar but offers a better priced option for weeknight NBA games (like tonight's wonderful Celtics victory over the Knicks). Please give the fans back the vibe of the old place so we can continue to call this a preferred home. South is becoming the bar of choice for LA based BC Eagles fans - but we had many (15+ evenings here last year). Also we sorely miss the old bartender Jimmy (check him at his new place in Joni's Marina Del Rey).
(2)M J.
I was expecting good food based on the Yelp reviews (and despite rants about prices), but was totally blown away by the deep menu and outstanding food. Wow, was the food good. I can be a little princessy, I'm happy to pay for quality and I'm a picky grader. I'm marking down a bit for the extra loud classic rock - not my thing, sorry. The room was stripped of it's Boston decor as they were preparing to film a Coors commercial the folowing day - it made it less enjoyable however the food rocked and made up for any lack of ambience. Chef, if you move to Boston, please get in touch, I've probably got a job lead for you.
(4)Arde H.
Your average divey bar on Wilshire. They do have a lot of beers on tap, though. Be forewarned, it is a karaoke bar (at least on Sat nights), so a lot of drunk people screech to old rock music all night long.
(2)Jordan G.
After a decade of watching Boston become the most insufferable fanbase in the country, I reluctantly picked Sonny McLean's to watch the Oregon Ducks play Nevada. A friend recommended the spot, and I couldn't see sitting in a dank sportsbar on the Promenade near our hotel with a shit-ton of screaming idiots. Out-of-town college football watching is usually a fun experience for me, but Sonny McLean's rose far and above. I was worried I'd be stuck with Sam Adams (that's not a proper microbrewery, Bostonians), but they had an excellent beer selection with a number of Belgian and high-quality Californian offerings (I primarily focused on Green Flash IPA), all poured by the charming barmaid. I'd pictured a bar packed with Massholes, but it was quiet, with natural light streaming in over the rich wood decor. There were plenty of televisions open. The only downside was no audio, but I lived. Oh, and the lobster roll...GLORIOUS. I'm not sure exactly how I had it, but the barmaid told me not to get it the way it came, and she was correct. So, thanks, Sonny McLean's, for providing an excellent out-of-town sports experience. I only wish you were closer.
(5)Stacey S.
Free wi-fi! Bring your laptop and have a few beers. Nobody hassling you out if you want to take your time and surf the web. Love the chicken curry and forbidden rice special. Hot, but not crazy hot. The whole belly clams remind me of home in New England - the lobster roll is excellent with added tarragon to make it just a little different. GREAT music on Tuesdays, fun karaoke on Wednesdays. Fun crowd.
(5)alec r.
This is a great place to watch sports and enjoy neighborhood atmosphere, a full bar, and excellent food from Chef Joe. We really like the pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. For traditional pub fare, try a pickled egg!
(5)Sue S.
Been to Sonny's several times now, but most recently last night (Monday). The times I have been before were for Patriot's Sunday games and we had reserved our spot in advance by phone. It does get rather busy. Now, being a Pats fan, it's a great bar to go to on game day. Having gone last night, NBA off-season and a Lakers fan donning a Lakers shirt, I didn't get any mean looks, so that's cool too! Hehe. As for the food, I highly recommend the boneless buffalo chicken. The buffalo sauce is REALLY good. However, I had a Sonny burger last night and the patty was smaller than the bun, I don't remember it being that way before, but it tasted just fine. The fries were pretty crispy which could be good or bad depending on how you like em, but the herbs they are tossed in is pretty tasty. From what I can remember on NFL game days, they have domestic beer specials if you're not a beer snob. Plenty of flat screen tvs so you won't miss a play. Monday nights at 9:30 is live band kareoke which I got to witness last night. Looks pretty fun, just beware of bad singers.
(4)Brendon D.
Sonny McCrowded's. This place has a distinctly East Coast feel. That's not surprising considering to who they are targeting for business. This is THE Boston sports hangout. Seriously. If you go on a game day it will be very crowded. But, crowded in a good way. Everybody is friendly and this place is a welcomed change to the rest of Santa Monica. Don't half step. Cheer for the opposing team and you will be "disappeared".
(3)bryan m.
Good food, good beer selection. But holy crap the bill was mental. 7 dollars for a teeny Guinness. Feeel like I've been robbed just to watch game last weekend. It's a pub it's not supposed to be that expensive. Food was good though.
(3)Allison E.
We live near Sonny's, and have been patronizing the place on occasion for about three years now. We loved the "old Sonny's"-- the darts right in the front room, the juke box, the reasonably-priced beer. We have great memories of bringing and meeting friends there. We like the "new Sonny's," but have not yet eaten the food. The beer is a classier selection now, which ups the price. We don't mind, because we like good beer, and just go in and have a nightcap every once in a while.
(4)Yi Z.
I can't pretend that I like Sonny McLean's but I've been there enough times for work-related HHs. The parking is terrible but the drinks are moderately priced and the food is actually somewhat edible. There appears to be a lot of regulars. And if you're a fan of the Celtics, this is the place to feel safe with your own kind.
(3)Brian P.
Ok... I just moved to Santa Monica and this was my first visit. For a guy from New England, this place is an oasis. The bar is decorated with autographed pictures and memorabilia from all 4 of Boston's teams. The only thing I didn't see was some Boston College stuff (Doug Flutie football maybe?). The food and drinks are no bargain but few things are in Santa Monica. I love the atmosphere. Got to watch the Bruins playoff and redsox games side by side. Bless this establishment.
(4)Jeffrey N.
If I gave it anything less than 5 stars I think my friends and family from New England would disown me. I try to make it in at least twice a month. Totally worth the 25minutes in traffic to get here. Great service, food, beer and wine. Probably a good thing there isn't a full liquor license....at least for me...ha. The only thing I miss is all the memorabilia from the previous owners. BUT I'm sure with time they will get more of a collection. ....It has been over a year ...Just sayin OH AND !GO SOX!
(5)Troy M.
I went in when they only started producing 1/2 their new menu. I had been anticipating this new menu for a while and when I took a gander at it, I waffled between two items. I had to ask the chef (Chef Joe, aka Crazy Joe) to help me out in deciding. He let me know that the choice of choices was unavailable because he didn't get the quality of one of the ingredients was too low and hadn't gotten a replacement batch yet. Sure enough, I'll come back to try that (which was the Ahi Burger). The sandwich I did have, though, was incredible. And with their new set of beers, BEWARE ALL IRISH PUBS IN SANTA MONICA-- you're about to lose a ton of business. Their beers are fairly priced, robust in selection, their food is filling to the belly and not the artery (but you wouldn't know) and the owners and Chef are the friendliest damn people around. Let's not forget all the remodeling they've done, which really opens the place up and they're one of the few places around allowed to have steel-tip darts (carefully and appreciatively set up and slightly out of the way in it's own section-- as is their pool table). I just wish I lived a bit further from the beach so I could enjoy this more often.
(5)david a.
Red Sox bar my ass. Games all set to college football during a playoff game. Staff won't change them. Major fail. Won't be back.
(1)Fran D.
I love this bar. I'm from Boston and am VERY picky about anything relating to my beloved hometown - food, accent, history, love of Boston sports teams, etc. Sonny Mclean's nails it. I literally feel like I am in either Boston or Charlestown absolutely for sure. When I walk outside after being inside for a few hours I'm always thrown off when confronted with the streets of LA. The bar has THAT good of a Boston feel to it. The bartenders are all friendly knowledgeable and fun. The waitresses remind me of disgruntled unhappy college kids back in Boston just trying to make ends meet, but for the most part, even on crazy game days they definitely do their best and are friendly. Now the food - the food is amazing. A-may-ZING. Not only is is quality pub food it is quality east coast pub food. I have had several items from the menu and plan to try all of the ones I have yet to try. No where else in CA that I have been to comes close to the awesomeness of the menu and the deliciousness of the food. My favorite is the steak sandwich medium rare - delish. Perfectly cooked meal suited for a sandwich on a tasty roll that compliments the cut of steak well. This is awesome high end foodie pub food that never disappoints this very picky bitchy Boston bred foodie. I live in San Diego and gladly drive up for Pats games, there is no other place in all of CA I want to watch my beloved Pats play (win or lose) plus I get to eat some of the best food I have eaten in CA.
(5)Angel G.
When i was first introduced to Sonny McLeans i was hesitant to go because it was from what i heard strictly Boston themed, after awhile i decided to go check it out and was very impressed. Sure the people who come in most likely arent typical Angelenos heck they are probably relocated Bostonians but so what, east coast people usually are In-your-face type of people which is why Sonny McLeans is the perfect spot for them to go to, im born and bred in L.A. so a change of scenery was nice. People there are opposite from what you would find here in California, they are friendly and if they are crowding your space just know that probably some east coast thing of them feeling comfortable around you so if your not into friendly/overly friendly people than i suggest you check out Marie Callenders or something, i heard they have decent pies. Now as far as the food goes, let me say this, i have never in my life have ever had clam chowder as good as they have there. The lobster roll was okay it could have been better but i have had worse. The beer selection was not exactly what i expected considering this is a Boston type bar but hey what can you do. The atmosphere is great its too bad that they are infact toning down the whole Boston sports theme because thats what attracted me to this place, i guess they are now trying to cater to us Los Angeles folk which is sad cause like i said, if you feel uncomfortable at this place cause they dont show "your team" on tv, just head on to Hooters or Buffalo Wild Wings cause they cater to all sports fans. Also for got to mention, they have a wine selection but have not had the chance to try it.
(4)Scotty E.
Boston Sports fans, Alcoholics and board people unite! I stepped into this bar after running 3 block through the rain looking to get a nice beer. The bar tender was very sweet and suggested a great beer for me to try. (Allagash Black) Me and my friend decided to throw some dart and the owner of the bar was kind enough to come over and lend us his own darts (the nice kind), He then turned the tv so we could watch the game. All in all the service was supurb, and the beers on tap were delicious. Next time ill check out some of their food options as well. Thanks for a fun rainy afternoon Sonny McLeans.
(4)Jennifer D.
I used to go to this place all the time about 10 years ago and it was fabulous. Just went back and it's just as good! I love this pub, it's such a fun environment, great food and bar selection as well. I miss the UK and its pubs so much, this does a great job of keeping the memories alive and well! Also a great place to go during games, just a lot of fun! Only reason I give this a four is because it's fish and chips just aren' t quite what they used to be.
(4)elizabeth d.
I am sooooo sad with the menu changes! What became of my Irish Nachos! We used to make special trips here at least once a month to have them. Now, it's five (not kidding, five) slices of potato undercooked piled with tomatoes and meat??? How is this Irish Nachos! Sonny's used to be a great bar to watch the games, get bar food and not too expensive. Now it's exactly the opposite. Not every bar needs to be small bites and overpriced beer...I do love those places, but not for watching sporting events! The only improvement that's been made is there are more seats, but that's only worthy of two stars.
(2)josh s.
Coolest Irish Bar on the West Side Any bar that serves Smithwicks gets a couple extra points in my book so this is my go-to beer when I come to Sonny's. There's games to play, the bartenders are all real cool, & they're fast to serve you your drinks. Great place for Boston fans to watch their games at. Oh, & make sure you get there real early on St. Patty's cuz there's alway a wait, sometimes in the rain. Five thumbs up Say Hi to Leslie
(5)Carl R.
Am from Colorado and have been coming to Sonny's for many years when we are here for Christmas and few other times during the year. Love the food and great selection of beers. The 3 star rating results from the "rounding off the change one gets back for purchases". I was due back as an example, $13.44, but only got back 13 dollars. Was told that is what it is. That is very poor way of running business--robbing the patron. Never have seen this before. As an ex-Bostonian I am very disappointed that Sonny's would do such a thing. Hate to have to find another hang out. Go Pats.
(3)John W.
great New England sports bar on the west side. best place in the city to watch a Red Sox game.
(4)C M.
Why do I love Sonny's? I'm a New Englander, duh. And I've found that the only way to properly convey a New Englander's unhealthy obsession with professional sports to those non-New Englanders in my life is to take them to Sonny's during a playoff game. Celtics, Sox, Bruins, Pats... pick your poison. The room will be packed, the crowd will be loud and the R's will be dropped. We'll curse our team with every botched play and love them more than our own children with every point scored. Every loss is the worst thing that could ever happen. Every win is the best thing that has ever happened. We expect our teams to make the playoffs just like we expect them to break our hearts. To experience the emotional roller coaster with like-mindedly obsessed New Englanders is the only way to do it. This is a place where people understand. Where people know how to pronounce Worcester. Where people know how much better L.A. would be if it had but one Dunkies (I'll take a large, regular). Where people know that MOM isn't the woman who birthed you, it's the Motion Odyssey Movie ride at Jordan's Furniture. Sonny's isn't just a bar; it's support group. A support group with a surprisingly good menu and a solid selection of beers on tap.
(5)David O.
What the Hell happened?!?! I don't live in California but when I travel to LA, Sonny McLean's is my home away from home. It is my go to place for a fix of all things Boston, where I grew up. Until my last visit. As soon as I walked in the door I could feel it. A disturbance in the force. Before I walked in the door and it felt like I was transported to home (Boston). We sat down at a table and a woman with no New England accent and a bad attitude hands us some menus. I open the menu and now I know I'm not in Kansas, errrrr Boston anymore. What happened to the menu??? Cod for fish and chips? Where is the haddock? No Ipswich clams for an entree? No lobster? Where is THE podium? You know. The podium where THE trophy once sat. Where are the signed photos and other memorabilia??? Why are the dart boards moved? Why is the open area behind the bar all cleaned up, and why a second bar?!?! What the HELL happened?!?! We begged for Ipswich clams for dinner, basically on the threat of walking out and ordered shepard's pie. The clams were definitely fresh and well prepared, the rest was nothing spectacular - and $21, flown in from the east coast or not, was steep. The shepard's pie was OK but there was a cold spot in the middle of it which indicates to me that the final preparation was from "chef Mike," and I don't mean a real chef if you catch my meaning. We left very disappointed. I can't say I'll make another pilgrimage. This isn't the same Sonny McLean's.
(2)Keith B.
Not sure what happened but doesn't look like they're catering to the Boston crowd anymore. All the memorabilia and stuff is gone. Looks like they're renovating. Very sad.
(2)Kelly K.
So my boyfriend lives and breathes Boston Sports (Celtics, Bruins, New England Patriots) and THIS is the bar he brings me to to watch sports. We live in Hollywood and it's such a trek to the west side, but this is the place that he swears by. He feels right at home, right in the action, and is so excited to come to this place. We haven't really had too much of their food, but we get the fries and the garlic aioli is to DIE for. The atmosphere, the fries, and the beer make this place pretty cool. We will see you very soon! Bruins for the Stanley Cup!!!
(4)Gabriel C.
Perhaps it's sacrilegious for a LA born Laker fan to talk up a Celtic bar (coughGameseven2010coughcough), but I love this place. I play live music here sometimes, and Grant always treats us like Kings. Speaking of Kings, I sometimes catch hockey games down there as well. All around great place! No liquor, just beer.
(5)Wolf +.
I just love places like these where its all about the beer. screw the other stuff. beer paradise. i love the decor , a true pub. I HATE THE FACT that its a Celtics bar, I HATE THE FACT that its a patriots bar. aside from that Sonny's is truly one of a kind dive . the beer selection is amazing. three words; Boddington on TAP! not only does sonny's offer a great variety of beer, but they also deliver to the consumer ( CHEAP!!) I reckon this place is great for games, although you'll probably never find me here for the reasons ABOVE! so recap. great beer. cheap. a dive. great draft beer. so come get trashed here!!!!!!
(4)Sean N.
Went to watch the Sox play last weekend. My party was asked to move if we wanted to watch the Sox because the bartender said a group of six Notre Dame fans (Go Irish!) might want to watch the Wisconsin game too, that was on a TV right in front of us ( that the Irish fans could barely see). Seriously? Food wasn't bad for a pub, but I could swear that there's no badger on the outside of the building. This place shouldn't call itself a Boston bar anymore (hear that, new management?)
(2)J W.
perhaps this is not the review for pub goers and since this was my first time going to one and I went with particular item on the menu in mind. So please bear with me on a review on FOOD only =) friends and I had the opportunity to try fried Ipswich clams (soft shell clam) sometime ago during a visit to the coast of New England and we fell in love with it. Missing it and craving it like crazy, like a good foodie, I naturally 'searched' all over Los Angeles trying to find it in local restaurant. Lo and behold, Sonny McLeans turned up! YAY!!!!!! super exited, surprised two friends here for their birthday :) we went straight to having the FRIED CLAM appetizer... I have to say I was disappointed. It was oily and the clam itself didn't have the fatty belly, and it wasn't as fresh, sweet & juicy as the ones we had on the other coast... though it might taste better than the regular fried clam, you wouldn't fall in love with it. but TRUST me, the real deal is out of this world delicious!!!!!! YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT MISS IT WHEN YOU ARE ON THE NEW ENGLAND COAST!!!! We also tried the Irish Nacho, they make it from scratch!! very artery-clogging tasty and addicting! :P For entries, I had the lobster salad, loved! For $14.95, you get generous portion of lobster, unpretentiously fresh. My friends had Guinness Beef Pie (YUM, tender, flavorful beef, again generous portion!), Corned beef and cabbage (no love from me, the portion was big), Irish Stew (the lamb could be more tender, but very likable over all), California Burger (didn't try, but the side of sweet potato fries was yummy =P). Great place for sports fans I guess, you will be surrounded by flatscreen TVs! The atmosphere is unique and chill... But DO expect delayed service, I think there were only one waitress.. and she had to patiently chat with guys who hit on her ;) hehe... definitely would recommend this place to try!!!
(3)Ariana F.
One of my favorite local bars in Santa Monica. Good for sports, but beware they are hardcore Boston fans. They have an incredibly impressive selection of beer on tap (including Allagash, Chimay, Hoegarden, and more). Always go for the Chef's specials menu in my opinion. He loves to experiment. Currently I'm eating the Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza and it is delightful - wonderful lemon zest flavor with ham and chicken. Definitely worth checking this place out if you're in the area
(4)Ashley D.
It's Aight... No huge complaints, but not particularly excited about the place either. Boston fans are cool, the crowd was fun and not overly annoying. There's nothing worse than an obnoxious, too loud douchey sports fan in my opinion. There were none of those last friday night, so im down with Sonny's. The pizza was not bad for bar pizza and they had Stella-I know who doesn't right?? But still, it makes me happy...One weird thing though, saw some kids playing pool -as in CHILDREN. UNDER 12. I mean, im all for bringing babies to bars...but still, weird. All in all, I wouldn't be opposed to going back. And that's more than I can say for most sports bars!!
(3)jane j.
i was caught in santa monica yesterday at an awkward traffic time and decided to wait out the traffic at sonny mclean's rather than on the freeway. this proved to be a wise and pleasant choice. sonny mclean's is a modest corner storefront from the exterior, but is surprisingly deep and spacious on the inside. i'm usually a single malt scotch drinker and was a bit shocked and disappointed that most of their whisky is irish. i know, i know, it's an irish pub. though i can knock back a jameson with the best of them, i wasn't quite in the mood for irish whisky and instead opted for a beer. here the selection doesn't disappoint. they have two of my current favorite beers on tap, which is a huge plus : the ever popular delerium and the potent allagash curieux. in case you were wondering, i had the latter. it was happy hour, so they shaved a dollar of my beer, bringing it down to 8. i was quite impressed that they offered pickled eggs on their bar menu and ordered one to go with my beer. i consider pickled eggs to be classic bar food and am surprised more bars don't offer them. joe's jost in long beach does a fantastic pickled egg and sells hundreds every day. i also pickle my own on a regular basis and eat them as a snack when i'm in between meals, or to garnish some salads or cheese plates with. a perfect pickled egg is tangy from the vinegar, piquant from the peppers, and savory from the salt. sonny mclean's pickled eggs are none of that. the eggs are taste like regular hard boiled eggs with the barest hint of a vinegary snap towards the finish. i was totally unimpressed. then when i paid my bill and saw they cost $3 per egg i was outraged. prized oysters from exotic shores are $3 a piece, not hardboiled eggs that have been sitting in a weak vinegar solution with a few banana wax peppers. service at sonny mclean's is very friendly, as are the regulars that fill most of the barstools at 6 pm. if you're not entranced by one of the many tvs they have mounted like wallpaper, there are plenty of people to chat with. would i come back again? probably, if i were within a 4 block radius and looking for a good beer.
(3)JJ W.
This is a Boston sports joint being a Yankee fan I love coming in here when I think they are gonna win. You know when Sabathia or Burnett are pitching. I can also enjoy some real Chowda or some clam concoction while I am watching my game. You probably will not find me in here for a KNicks game since they suck and Boston is a dominant force in the NBA. I have always wanted to check out the happy hour but I have never found the time too. This place will be like elbow room only when playoff times come. A real Zoo of Bostonians so this is the spot to go if you are in need of good company and food.
(5)Kent J.
Food was ok. Bartenders are very cool! This is a Boston joint in LA. [This review takes a humorous, yet offensive tone] Boston folk are generally VERY cool, but... ...the Red Sox Nation can eat a d@ck. You're everything you hated about the Yankees. You're a high profile team with a mirrored salary. You're Yankees JR! Ben Afflec MFrs! HaHa! What?! But the restaurant is cool!
(4)Cali F.
This is what happens when a Kiwi buys a "Boston bar." It is awful and my only hope is that when this iteration of Sonny's goes out of business (I'm guessing 2 years tops), someone actually from Boston claims it. Please someone, bring the charm back to Sonny's!!!!!!
(1)Amanda M.
I was so excited to go to McLean's the other night and discover that they finally have a full bar... UNTIL I GOT THE BILL! The drinks are already on the pricy side, and then they charge tax now too? You've got to be kidding me! Figure in the tip (it's not the bartender's fault and I'm not one to "kill the messenger"), and we're talking $10 for a nothing-special vodka soda? I felt like we were paying for the owner's decision to go full bar. Not cool. For those prices, I could go to the much swankier place down the street. McLean's is a great neighborhood bar, but there's nothing "neighborhood" about those prices. Too bad, it's a fun place but I probably won't be going back any time soon, unless someone else is picking up the tab!
(1)Christopher C.
Good Boston bar with friendly staff. I think they probably have really good food but what I noticed is that they have essentially a large or small version of most meals, so if you aren't as hungry you don't have to pay as much. If you are actually from Boston you would probably give this place 4 stars.
(3)Dan W.
I stepped into Sonny's and immediately knew I was at home. That is to say, as Boston-expatriot it felt as comfortable as any of the pubs around my old apartment in Southie. The walls are littered with photos of Boston sports nostalgia and memorabilia, with the obligatory homages to institutions like Dropkick Murphy's. Plenty of cold Sam Adams on tap and familiar accent(s) abound. It gets a little crazy whenever there's a game on (so come early if you wanna seat), but frankly I'd rather stand shoulder-to-shoulder in an overcrowded bar like Sonny's to watch the Red Sox, Pats or Celtics than have to watch the Lakers or Chargers (shudder) elsewhere.
(5)John S.
If you like bangers and mash this Irish Pub has got the real bangers. Tasty food, big selection of beer on tap and a bunch of new HD flat screens to watch what ever sports you want.
(5)Kathleen F.
Had to check this place out as a Bostonian when visiting LA on St. Paddy's Day this year! Did not disappoint! Looked like a little bit of Boston in the middle of Wilshire Blvd!! Just had a couple of pints for breakfast to start my day. Great guy singing traditional Irish tunes with a guitar (hard to find in LA)! Great service from all the bartenders and staff! Definitely will go back to try Happy Hour on my next visit and recommend anyone from the East Coast hit this place up if you're feeling a little homesick! Bus stop is at the corner!! Beer is cheaper than gas these days, drink -- don't drive!
(5)Mark K.
Boston + bar = perfect
(5)Mike T.
I wish more nights were like the time I had at Sonny McLean's. And I went to college in Boston, so it makes for a nice little trip down memory lane. I went on a Saturday, which was karaoke night. Awesome! I tossed a few darts, watched some good singers -- and some not so good -- while I waited for my turn. I should mention that the drink prices are lower than what I would expect for a Santa Monica; closer to valley or Silverlake prices. And when a crazy drunk chick tried to pick a fight with my group (a fight that she would have lost, for the record), the manager and bouncer were quick on the scene to toss her out the door, so kudos to them. It was very easy to have a LOT of fun here, even though I didn't get to see my lady friends clobber the drunk breezy.
(4)Jake L.
Not that food is the reason that people go here, but the turkey burgers are good and reasonably priced.
(4)Jessica C.
SO DISAPPOINTED. This used to be the "go- to" spot for my boyfriend and I. However, they recently changed their menu and it is VERY expensive for a sports bar. They used to have this awesome Philly Steak sandwich for about $8 with fries. Now their steak sandwich is $16!!! What??? This is not a fine dining restaurant. The waitress brings over your silverware and a paper place mat. COME ON SONNY'S! My boyfriend and I ordered a margarita pizza ($10) and the panko crusted chicken tenders with sweet potato fries ($9). They were fine. Nothing special at all. The pizza's crust was dry and cracker like, and it barely had any cheese on it. The balsamic reduction was its saving grace. The chicken tenders and fries were decent... but you can get those anywhere. To top it off... this is SUPPOSED to be a Boston bar. Well.... the Celtics game was on (and only about 1/2 of the TV's were playing it) and they DIDN'T have the sound on. Instead they were playing music SO LOUD that my boyfriend and I couldn't even talk. It was only 7:30. Unfortunately, Sonny's is now a total disappointment. This will not be a place we frequent anymore. :(
(2)TJ C.
3 stars = OK. Good one day, not so good the next. The burger was OK, the bacon was terrible (how do you mess up bacon?). Beers are always good, but a little expensive, & no cocktails(?). One good bartender, one so-so. A decent bar with a Boston flare, if that works for you.
(3)James G.
I give four stars for: -beer selection better than most (could be better, though) -being a pub of any sort -absence of douche-bag types -finally toning down that Boston-team theme. Beantown fans (like NY and Philly fans) are way too in your face. Who seeks that out when looking for a place to relax and enjoy a cold one? ...not me.
(4)Sarah C.
I will have to give this bar another visit.. We dropped in on a Wednesday and it was pretty dead.. But I liked the vibe.. dart boards, chalk boards, large selection on tap, karaoke on Wednesday, and bar pool.
(3)Lisa Z.
I really like this place. Probably my favorite "bar" bar in the area, not a restaurant with a bar, or other genre. This is definitely a BAR first, that does serve food. (Alas, the elusive pizza, which we hear is great, has eluded us twice now -- but the buffalo chicken bites are GOOD!) Really cool two-sided bar, game room on one side and bar with stools, stools and booths on the other side. THANK YOU for having some amazing beer on tap, including the wonderful DROP TOP AMBER ALE. Love the stuff. Met a wonderful set of very genteel twins (ladies) here who are regulars, they were so cool. This was our 2nd time here and I love it! Stop #4 on my drunken birthday pub crawl rounds. I'll be back!
(4)Jack J.
Wish I could give this zero stars. I've stopped by this place a few times over the years. The staff is rude, service horrible and has the atmosphere of a segregated bar if you catch my drift. Definitely has a racist vibe if you're an African-American.
(1)Joanna R.
Talk about a major fall from grace. Sonny's went from being my favorite bar in town to being a depressing shit-hole for middle-aged losers. I it happened practically overnight. This is likely due to the change in ownership last November.... Yes, the new Sonny's is shinier and cleaner and has more TVs and some token Irish film posters, but they sold it's SOUL for that. It is now completely devoid of any character or charm. I was recently back in LA visiting and decided to get the old gang back together for some drinks at Sonny's. I'd been warned the place had gone downhill since the change in ownership but I decided to risk it for nostalgia. GOD was it a depressing mistake. In the course of the evening I witnessed: -A drunk 40-something woman attempting to do whatever it took to get someone (anyone) to go home with her -A couple so disgusted by the food and service that they left after each taking one bite of their dinners. -Two IDIOTS completely commandeering the karaoke, singing selfish songs that no one could sing along to. -Sonny's demise.
(1)Sean M.
My last review got flagged because of foul language. I will make sure this one sticks. This is pretty much one of the worst bars in the Greater Southern California area. There are some many great bars in Santa Monica alone so there is literally no reason at all to go here. The bartenders are rude and lack any sort of knowledge. The patrons are some of the worst human beings on earth and the whole place simply stinks. AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID
(1)Melissa K.
Yay! They have Strongbow Cider on tap! That's a big plus. Something about this place makes me like it but not love it. It's packed on Friday evenings, especially when there are games on. Not a problem there, I can handle that, I'm a youngin'. Last week we came here on our lunch break, craving comfort food. I didn't think it was going to be a good idea, but I went for it anyway--I ordered an Ahi Tuna Sandwich. Probably not the best choice for a dive-y pub. Yeah it wasn't the best choice. The tuna was overcooked, very bland. The menu said it came with mayo on the side--there was no mayo. Rather than ask for the mayo, I decided to go the less fattening route and I dipped my sandwich in ketchup. Oh man...I know...I know..but I was hungry.
(3)Rory D.
My friend and I went to Sonny McLean's on Wilshire to check it out. We had always driven past it, and were looking for a place to watch college football. Little did we know what it was Boston bar (and Notre Dame for this game - why I deducted a star). While Boston fans are, for the most part, incredibly obnoxious, this place has good service and great, I mean great, food. The boneless buffalo chicken wings are amazing and their pot pies are incredible. Most bars/pubs have food, but this is really, really good food. I have not ordered anything there that has not impressed. I keep going back, despite the annoying New Englanders (and Domers).
(4)lottie t.
Sonny McLean's is your typical Irish pub. There's lots of room to sit and chill with friends and catch up. A few bar games, but really just a normal bar, nothing too special.
(3)Jonathan D.
Overall: 3 Stars Cuisine: Bar-Irish Cost: $ Taste: Decent Portions: regular beers Last visited: 08/20/2009 Other: Pretty decent place to chill listen to some music and play some bar games. Not too crowded for a Saturday night.
(3)Heather S.
Boston bar, Boston fan I didn't eat here but who really wants a sit down dinner when people are up singing karaoke and a dart board is open in the adjoining room. The atmosphere is very friendly, unless you're lost wearing a Yankees cap or a Jets tee, and weekends get pretty full. As I said, they have games like air hockey and basketball like you would find at Chuck E Cheese but I'm more of a darts girl myself. Only problem... drunks forget to look for flying spears and you have to be careful that your trajectory is clear before taking any shots. Also, it can be hard getting the bartenders attention on a busy night, so if you can, sneak to the back window and try to squeeze in an order while the cash register is open.
(3)James M.
Being a native So Cal and an Angels Fan since birth I avoid this place like the plague but was dragged here by some friends to see an awesome cover singer that someone in our group knew. I feared the worst since Angel Stadium is downright unbearable when the Chowds come to town and the Red Sux Nation comes out in droves to get liquored up and annoy everyone. I was pleasantly surprised and had a good time here. I felt like I was in somebody else's house though so it's not really for me. Too much Celtic and BoSox paraphanalia. But hey if you are a transplant from Boston you will love it and the staff is friendly. Would love to give it 1 star but they are good peoples here.
(3)Craig V.
Came to this place on a Friday night with a group of people. Did not think much of the place. We played the golden tee which was fun. Now to the food: ordered a cheeseburger and a sampler appetizer plate. This food is right out of costco. the food is below average and tastes like it. would potentially come here again for drinks only, never would order food here again.
(2)Mike M.
I'm not a Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, Patriots, Tea Party, or member of the IRA. hence, the 3 star rating. nice selection of drink though.
(3)Stephen D.
You get 4 stars because you only have beer and wine. Other than that you're bloody perfect, Sonny. I grew up in MetroWest Boston. I live in Van Nuys now. I miss Dunkin Donuts, NESN, Papa Ginos, Fenway Park and the Waterfront. Sonnys helps take the sting away. Does the phrase MORE TVS THAN GOD mean anything to you? If not, visit Sonnys. If you want to watch the Sox in all their glory this season, if you want to feel like you're back home, if you want to fall into the rich mahogany environment and eat some delicious food, head for Sonnys. Ive only been a few times since Ive lived out here in the LA area, but man, Sonnys is great. Its just like home when you cant hop a cheap Southwest Flight to Providence to save a couple bucks before driving out of that gawd forsaken state back to the glory of the Commonwealth to enjoy a little home cookin' and mom yelling at the umpire durring a game. Go to Sonnys. Buy a shirt. Have a burger. And tell them to start serving rum.
(4)Beldevina P.
Found this place online after I was searching for a cool bar to watch the NHL finals games. Watched game 6 and 7 of the Boston v Vancouver games and they were awesome! I had never seen so many Boston fans in LA. Everyone was really cool and the food was pretty darn good. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Emily S.
Just tried the new menu here - it's awesome! Their lobster roll is perfection! I love this place during the day on the weekends - chill atmosphere, free wifi and plenty of sports on their multiple flat screens circling each room. By far one of my favorite bars in LA.
(4)Sade J.
Meh..came here on St. Patty's day...super crowded...live band was playing extremely loud....maybe I would have had more fun if I could have had an Irish car bomb! No liquour license...we had to switch it up and head elsewhere to end St. patty's Day!
(3)Dee C.
Gotta love the Kareoke Nights! This is what I walked in on on a Wednesday. It has a very homey feel to it... definitely more of a neighborhood bar than a LA scene. I look around trying to get the whole feel of Sonny McLeans... they have just about everything that is a necessity in a "great bar": Darts, bar pool, abundance of alcohol and c'mon... KAREOKE! Though as far as "talent" goes at this venue... it'll be like trying to find a rare gem in the Pacific if you catch my drift.
(3)Dani S.
A couple of friend from out of town and I came out here on a Thursday night. I was pretty chill place, but with predominant college crowd. There's a few kids that was hitting on one of my girlfriends and I swear they were 16. The bartenders were super-nice, but not super-skilled. 3 of my friends in the group bartends, so I guess we were a tough crowd to please. Street parking was real easy to find and that's a huge plus.
(3)Tammie A.
With all the places to go to in Los Angeles I would rather hang out at a 7 eleven than go back to this dump. The food sucked the drinks were too expensive. The service was horrible and our waitress was beyond rude. The entertainment was awful and probably didn't make the first cut of idol. This place may be ok in a town with about 1000 people and the only place to go, but I might even think twice about that. There are much better places to go in Santa Monica
(1)Sephiroth F.
Very cool place! Good beers on tap, veriety of beer selections. Food is ok. Parking is not that bad (street). Friendly bartenders, this place works for me. Great place to go with a group of people. I probably wouldnt take a date there. Oh, and its a Boston bar, so if you're a NY fan, be warned... LOL
(3)Carol S.
Came here for St. Patty's and rocked out to the live band. The place is a regular Irish bar with no frills. Had to order corned beef and cabbage and it was dynamite.
(3)Nick J.
Totally Boston bar! Boston pics all over the place and Boston style menu! Food was OK! Also there toilets are Bostonish!
(3)Jimmy S.
Best bar in the neighborhood. Food is awesome. Fish and Chips are out of this world! Burgers are good. Bartenders are awesome. Beer Selection is great. TVs are everywhere. Packed during Boston sporting events. Live bands are usually pretty good.
(5)Chris J.
The best Boston Sports Bar in Southern California. Friendly staff and a great hamburger!
(5)Daniel M.
The best part about this place? You'll suddenly find some "yah dude" guy that you'd probably avoid in Boston is buying you a pint just because you're both from New England. Of course if you're from Connecticut and root for the Yankees you don't count and you're gonna have to leave.
(5)Lisa N.
Went here to check out the east coast food - specifically the whole belly fried clams. The place is a small dark, bar and I'm sure gets very crowded when a game is on, but on a Sunday at lunchtime, there was almost nobody in there. Lots of Boston sports memorabilia on the walls reminded me of almost any bar serving food in the Boston area. There was a typical selection of sandwiches that they try to give Boston-inspired names too. We settled on Clam Plate, Clam Chowder (chowda on the menu) and the Corned Beef Sandwich. Clam chowder is thick and full of tasty clam bits. The clams were all very tender - and the portions are huge! My cup was the size of a capuccino cup, not a coffee cup and the bowl was enormous. They served it with packets of Westminster Crackers' Oyster Crackers--a company that has been making crackers since 1828 - bonus point for that and not using some generic oyster cracker. This is the best clam chowder I've had on the West Coast - it is comparable to some I've had in New England. Clam Plate - Came with coleslaw, fries and a large pile of clams. This was priced at $16 and frankly, I didn't expect there to be very many clams. The clams did indeed have bellies, they were small, which isn't surprising since they've traveled 3,000 miles. More importantly, that had the good whole belly flavor and the necks were tender not chewy. They did taste a little oily (meaning you could taste the oil) but the fries did not, which was odd. Fries were good, coleslaw ok. Corned Beef Sandwich - Had several thick planks of very flavorful corned beef. Served on toasted rye, also had lettuce tomato and pickle on the sandwich, which I immediately swooped to the side and ate as a salad. If you were to rate this place just on the merits of the atmosphere and trying to recreate a Boston experience, I'd give it 4 or 5 stars, but tried to be fair and rate it in context with other bars. Parking is mostly street parking, but there were a couple of stacked spaces out back. Will definitely be back to eat more chowder and check out the baked haddock and lobster salad. PS - they serve Dunkin Donuts coffee, and have Iced Coffee.
(3)Kent L.
Pre-renovation, Sonny McLean's had the most incredible clam chowder and most everything on the menu was really tasty but the food is just not as good anymore and costs more. It pains me to rate it 'Meh, I've experienced better,' and it used to be that I experienced it here.
(2)zee b.
This place could easily be across from the old Garden. The sort of bar you and your boys would wind up in cuz you couldn't scalp tickets to the Bruins becuase the Canadians were in town despite the fact that your buddy FItzy is from Billrica and grew up with Rick Middleton's cousin. It's Boston as in: "fuckit, let's go get some beeyahs at Sonny's." As in, "I'm gonna go get some sausage and peppas and I'll meet ya ovah theyah." Yes, Sonny's is next to to a real Boston experience. Now, if they could just get a mean-looking Italian guy sittin' on the stool out front, wearing a Member's Only jacket with a thick Natick accent, then they'd get the full 5 stahs from me. Oh and one more thing, fuck the Yankees.
(4)Niccolo R.
Excellent burger and fries. Very good selection of draft service. Perfect service. Will definitely return.
(4)douglas B.
Of course this review Could be about how this is the best bar within 50 miles of LA if only because its a little slice Boston. However what impressed me the most was the bartender. How attentive and on top of things he was. When my glass was down to its last third he would come around and ask me if i needed another. Such great service. The food is good too. but no... what amazes me about this place are the PERFECT pints of Guinness. NOne of the single pour crap you get from some bars. Each and every Guinness was perfect and i mean PERFECT. One even was finished off with a clover.... amazing...
(5)Wonder W.
God, I love this bar! (Sing it Toby even though I hate your butt.) The sheer ambiance of this place makes up for its slight imperfections... but isn't that just Boston? I suppose that I should add that the ambiance is really only good if you are a Boston fan, but I'm going with that factoid being a foregone conclusion. The food here is above "average-bar" food. It's got Sheppard's Pie (pretty good), chowder (very good, not great tho because I've had it a little too watery/salty a few times-- but well when you've had it as much as I have some deviation is BOUND to happen), fish and chips, and some fabulous beer. UUUmmmm the beer, especially when the Sox are playing and it's about 3pm and I really should be at work instead. The bar can get crowded, VERY crowded especially if the game is a big one. I was there at the not-to-be mentioned football game from last year and could only squeeze into a small spot against the covered pool table. The seating had been reserved (not just for regulars, btw in response to another post) way in advance by people putting down deposits. Seriously. I've only ever had friendly, professional, and as prompt as conditions allow service. Never been hit on there (which is actually unusual considering I spend a far amount of time at sports bars where the ratio of female to male isn't that great-- this is also in comment to another post), but well then I look pretty serious when I'm going to watch a Boston game too. Parking is the normal AWFUL HEL-L-A deal so be prepared to hike a little on game day. Otherwise in the afternoons you can probably find a spot right in front or look for cross street parking.
(5)Drew T.
What a fantastic pub. Definitely captures that Northeast feel and attracts die-hard sports fan. There weren't any sloppy drunks around when I visited one friday night, but I'm sure weekend nights would be different. The food is great and the view of the televisions is decent. The staff is super friendly too.
(5)Cagey C.
Actually now that I've moved and been away from SM a while, went back in for a beer recently and........ Wow, I don't miss it. (Or miss Santa Monica in general for that matter. You transplants and Industry f@#$s can have it. ) The old local crowd seems to have moved on as well. By choice I would imagine. Just isn't the same on Friday afternoons anymore. By the way, F the Red Sox. Get over yourselves. You left Boston for a reason. Long live McGinty's. Oh yeah, and the Lakers are going to smack the crap out of the Celtics this year. Smell that glove.
(2)Joanne R.
Anytime you can walk into a bar after a long day at work in a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers, you know you're at home. If you don't want to be judged by the pretentious L.A. club Paris Hilton types, this is definitely the place for you. Anyone who is a Boston athletics fan who lives in the L.A. area should know about this place. Adorned by memorabilia from all 4 Boston franchises, Sonny's is a sports bar/Irish pub that caters to easy-going Los Angelinos and displaced New Englanders. They serve an array of beer on tap, and they only serve one type of hard liquor. Alcohol is served in pints and in pitchers. They also have an impressive pub menu and waiter/ess service. Sonny's also has an air hockey machine, a pool table, arcade games, and 3 dart boards. So, if you're looking to throw back a few beers at a chill place among your friends (or if you're looking to make friends) come to Sonny's. There's never a dull moment here. TIP: For all the chicks out there, Sonny's only has 1female bathroom stall. Don't wait til the last minute to take a leak, or else you'll be left with an uncomfortable wait in line.
(5)Serina T.
This place only has beer and wine...no hard liquor which sucks because we wanted a shot. Came here after McCabe's. This place is even divier. But they also have a pool table, darts, arcade games, and a jukebox. If you're into watching sports then this is a great spot...lots of TVs. Definitely has a very Boston feel to it. The bartender didn't seem that friendly either. But a nice guy explained to us the rules for darts...it's quite addicting.
(3)Liza R.
LOOOve it - and the food is great! Liquor will be available after St. Patty's day this year!!!
(5)Rebecca K.
I love this bar. It's a total hole in the wall but a really great place to go grab a couple or 5 beers, play darts, pool or just watch. They only serve beer here so there is no run ins with the snotty martini crowd. I particularly like this place because I'm a girl. This really is a guys bar. Guys go here to hang out with other guys not to impress the ladies. So generally being a girl going here no one really bothers you because everyone is there for "guy's night." The bartenders are cool, the food is bar food... oh AND I guess it's the official Boston bar so all you Red Sox fans this is the place to come for the game.
(4)liz c.
Great for a relaxed happy hour with friends. Bartenders are attentive and un-douchebaggy, TVs are everywhere and the sweet potato fries are delish! Seating is plentiful in this uncrowded bar during happy hour. It may be different for a game day/night, but I would like to return to check it out.l
(4)Garett N.
It's a fun Red Sox bar that I enjoy going to whenever I'm in town. Typical bar food and a good selection of drinks. Recommended for any ex-pats from Boston.
(4)Brady K.
How can you go wrong with a Boston sports bar, smack-dab in the middle of Wilshire with not one, but TWO nights devoted to karaoke? Sonny's is a north-easterner's haven for beer, greasy apps and a good time. Chances are you will run into someone you know or someone who knows someone you know, which is why it's a lot like "Cheers" the TV show, not the real one underneath the Hampshire House, off Beacon in Beantown. You will wait ... for ... it when it comes to drinks and your food, but most people there are not too concerned with that. If you aren't from Boston, you won't get it. Their menu looks as it would in any Irish pub- ranging from slightly Mexican (nachos) to a little bit Italian (chicken parm). Food quality is decent but not amazing. Tough to put "fried" food into an "amazing" category, I think... Prices are extremely reasonable, karaoke on Wednesdays and Sundays- after whatever Boston game has been played. If you plan to watch the Pats on Sunday, yes- the games start at 10 a.m. and the place will be wall-to-wall New Englanders, so get there early!!! Sonny's has Boston sports memorabilia all over the place and they also have the honor of being the only place west of the Mississippi where the World Series trophy was displayed! Bronson Arroyo and Damon the Defector were known to do karaoke back in their day ... so, you never know who just might show up! Yankee Fans-- you stay away, ya hear?
(5)Rebecca C.
It's a standard Beantown Irish pub. Fan of the Red Sox? Come here. Fan of the Patriots? Come here. I've been here many times, and there is always sports on. Order a beer or standard drink when you come here; please don't do a frous frous cocktail. Hungry? The chicken tenders are good. At least, that's what I always eat. I recall being here once for karaoke one night and had a strange experience where someone pulled my hair. I didn't like it. All the other times I've come here have been in the daytime, where I'm safe from cave people. There's a pool table, dart board, and plenty of seating. Service is good. It's a good neighborhood bar.
(5)Kevin M.
I've been going to Sonny's for over 15 years and I am bummed to say that I may not be going back. Maybe it was the day we were in, I don't know, but things just weren't the same. If it wasn't for the bartender being stationary I don't think we would have ever been served. Sorry guys but service is king and if I had never been here before I would have left after the first 20 minutes of being ignored. Please try harder next time.
(3)Zach B.
I come here to study and catch up on my work. I'm so sick of sitting in a coffee shop around some of the most slobbish people around. Plus beer is better! The service here is extremely helpful and actually ask if your ok and offer you great options if your unsure of something! The Santa Monica Witt was great, I had it last time I went in and definitely recommend it for a summer time beer. Come for happy hour and get great prices on beer and fry's. This is my new study and hang out spot
(4)Eric M.
It's still my favorite place to come watch Boston sports, but the prices are getting pretty high. The alcohol prices do not include tax so a pint of beer will run you about $7 or $8 at least. The food is good so the restaurant entrée prices are justified to a certain degree for a pub. I would advise against ordering the corned beef with cabbage. Although the "wagyu" corned beef has excellent flavor, $15 for four pieces is unbalanced. The atmosphere and staff is great, but you're going to have to pay for it.
(3)Jesstine G.
You wouldn't expect great food from an Irish pub, but Sonny McLean's is killin it! Fish and Chips are delicious. Shephard's Pie made with ground lamb! Omg, amazing. Typical bar food and Irish fare -- all very good. They have a diverse selection of beers too. Always easy to find something I like on tap. Otherwise, it's just a neighborhood kinda divey bar with a Boston following. Darts and pool tables. Plenty of tvs. Abundant street parking. But I go for the food. :)
(4)Adriana L.
If feel homesick this is the place to go! It's your typical Boston bar (smell and atmosphere included). As far as the food goes I'd recommend skipping the appetizers and going straight for the Boston favorites. I had an amazing hamburger with blue cheese and crispy bacon that reminded me of that east coast goodness. Good bun, good meat but I have to emphasise the cheese, it made all the difference. Clam chowder looks good and you can't go wrong with fried clams.
(4)Tamar D.
I came here to reconnect with some old colleagues / friends one night over some drinks, and we had a great time. I went straight for the whisky menu (wide variety) and the bartender had a heavy pour. Excellent. The one "downside" for us was that we didn't know we were sitting right up against the makeshift stage... and they had live performers that night. We had to change tables bc we couldn't hear each other over the loud speakers and we met up for the purpose of catching up on life haha. The good thing though is that the place is fairly big and not too crowded, we found a quieter corner with ease.
(4)James W.
Very festive! Of course I was here for the World Cup finals. Hard to say what it's like normally. It's a really cool chill Irish bar vibe. Reminds me of Boston sports bars. There are many big screen TV and may high and booth tables. Lots of beer and food items. It's pricy for a sports bar, but you're paying for the Santa Monica location?
(4)Narciso A.
This bar is full of energy. Came here to watch a hockey game...but you can definitely feel the Boston-esque vibe of this East Coast transplant. Lots of great beers on Tap! The selection is both craft and imports...usually very good choices. Ordered the chicken wings...came out hot but not cooked all the way.
(3)Ray B.
If I could give this business a zero star, I would. ** I am not a disgruntled ex employee, I am a disappointed patron, and this is my review. We are local residents and have given this place the opportunity to keep our business multiple times but they continue to disappoint. Tonight was by far our worst experience, and even though a couple months ago we told ourselves it would be the last time we would go, we tried one last time tonight. Ordered a VEGGIE burger. It came with Bacon. The bartender was totally perplexed and returned it to the kitchen. As a long time vegetarian, I have experienced this before so I had a view into the kitchen from where I was seated and watched them simply remove the bacon, wait, and return the plate of food with now cold fries. The plate returned and upon removing the top bun, pieces of bacon were embedded in the cheese, the bun smelt like bacon and the fries were cold. Since the kitchen was in clear view with no signs telling me otherwise not to enter, I walked into the kitchen and calmly expressed my health concerns and my disappointment in their disregard to their food preparation, a labor of love. As I turned to leave the kitchen a "manager" got in my chest and proceeded to scream at me for "yelling at her cooks". I calmly attempted to explain to which she continually interrupted me with more yelling and head shaking back and forth pointing a finger at me and finally telling me to "fuck off" As I left, the owner of the bar, sat in his normal seat at the end of the bar drinking, I apologized for entering his kitchen but told him he had some amateurs running his business. He proceeded to drink his drink and tell me he disagreed while admitting he has no knowledge i had just been verbally abused by his "manager Jenny" or of his kitchens actions. An extremely mean twat. Good luck with your singing career because this whole bartending thing ain't working out so well for you. Ever since this bar changed ownership it has declined rapidly. The current owner can be found sitting at the end of the bar daily if this helps explain anything. If you have the option to go elsewhere, I'd suggest that. Otherwise roll the dice and hope its karaoke night or at the very least the bartender Steve is working. He does make a nice drink. *Edit* I own a restaurant and probably wouldn't be happy with someone entering my kitchen either, but I would never allow something like this happen in the first place.
(1)Sean C.
Irish pub known as a New England sports haven with a live band most nights when there isn't a sporting contest. I'm here for the Allagash Curieux on tap. Three different Allagash on tap. One pool table. #wilshire-meets-26th-st
(3)Nancy M.
Came in with a few friends about a week ago. I was lucky to get parking right behind the building. Limited seats as it was March Madness and the group behind us was very loud. I ordered a Cobb Salad - overall felt that it's presentation was to fou-fou for a pub! Lettuce, tomato, bacon, processed turkey, and a poached quail egg. Overall I did not enjoy or like the presentation
(2)Cam S.
Went here for the Pats-Colts playoff game on Sunday and LOVED the boston atmosphere. What I did not love was the horrible service from the rudest server that I have ever encountered. I've never written a review this long before but here goes. I watched the first game standing in the lower section and then moved to the upper section when a couple kindly offered me a seat. The server in the upstairs section (whose name I don't know) proceeded to confront me about not having a tab with her and demanded that I either open a tab with her, leave her section or else she would throw me out. I tried to reason with her but didn't really care so agreed to close my tab and open one with her. After I closed my previous tab, the server very rudely came up and yelled at me for not closing it fast enough and told me to leave her section immediately or get thrown out. I ended up returning to my old section (and other nice waitress) and had a fun rest of the time. The absurdity of the entire situation cannot be understated and I really hope that I never have to deal with that server ever again. Will be coming back for a big boston sports game though.
(3)J P.
It was, yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, the equivalent to Thanksgiving Day and July 4 to those of Irish heritage. I stopped by this Irish place, Sonny Mclean's. An Irish band was playing. The decor was perfect for the Day, and the cailÃns who were bartending were attractive and helpful. The Guinness I ordered was poured perfectly, and the corned beef and cabbage burrito was very good. I also saw lots of other tempting foods being served to those nearest to me. The back patio area was busy as was the main bar area. Streams of customers were walking in at 11am I was told. Nice place, better than most other pubs.
(4)Annie D.
Really great pub in Santa Monica with so many beer selections on draft! A great spot for groups too. Very big space with a huge bar with seating which was nice. The drink prices are average and the service is great. Came here for drinks after work and had an awesome time. I will definitely be coming back! They have a lot of TV's so it's a great place to watch sports and get your favorite beer on draft. Next time I will be ordering food because it looked really good. I loved the laid back environment. A pub worth checking out for sure!
(4)Elisabeth M.
My favorite bar ever. Everyone who works here is the absolute best. You'll feel like a regular after just 5 minutes and they'll treat you like one too. Great service. Great selection. Great food. Tons of TVs so you can always catch whatever game you want. This is definitely a spot I'll come to weekly as long as I live in LA!
(5)Craig S.
I really like this place. The beer selection is much better than the average pub, the food is of a higher standard than an average pub, and the service is excellent. TV's all around for sporting events as well. The clam chowder is a must!
(4)Kyle G.
WAY overpriced. $15 for 4 slices of a half-assed quesadilla? Go to Chipotle, spend $8 and get a larger and tastier quesadilla. Also, I ordered the wings for $10, asked the waitress how many come in an order and she said 10-12. Nope! 8. 8 scrawny wings. Neither of these dishes came with any sides to compensate for their complete ripoff. Don't go here. Don't. Places that rip people off this hard make it easy for me to say that I hope this place fails and goes out of business.
(1)Candy G.
It's Thanksgiving everywhere is closed not Sunny McLeans Irish Pub. Open and cheerful good was great company was great everything was good.
(4)Shawn S.
Cool little bar, Lots of TV's all around. the bartenders seem really nice, the little short burnette server that they have there is horrible, Your better off ordering from the bar so your drink wont get messed up during the process. The have live cover bands that play there. A little loud but not bad at all. The scenery is really cool, They have about every team from baseball to hockey, to football hanging on the walls with pictures of players and signed pictures as well. Theres a hidden room up stairs near the bathrooms with 1 pool table in it. didn't realize that till half the night but ill be back for round 2 soon to check it out. the bartenders can make a good drink here, and they don't measure shots as well which is a huge plus.
(4)Dena T.
Had an amazing dinner at Sonny McLean's!! It was delicious! My friend had Sheppard's Pie with Lamb and it was awesome. I had a to die for Tuna Nicoise Salad with Seared Ahi Tuna Salad. Oh My it was delicious! If you have not been there it is a GREAT PUB!
(5)Kristin H.
4 stars for having Delirium on tap! They also have karaoke often. This place is walking distance from my bestie's apartment. Drinks aren't as cheap as other places, but at least the staff is friendly.
(4)Jay A.
Good place to catch a Red Sox game...especially early in the afternoon. Good beer selection plus parking on the street.
(4)Grace M.
I love Sonnys! One of my favorite bars in Santa Monica, amazing bar food! Every friend/family member that has came into town loved it when I brought them there, never a disappointment
(5)Randoll C.
A good portion of my reviews lately have been for pubs and breweries. I swear - I don't have a problem. I don't. After a long absence from the dart (steel) scene, I decided to make a comeback. And that's why I found myself at Sonny McLean's on a Monday night. I was throwing in my first dart league match in over a decade. There are three boards, a pool table as well as a lot of TV's. FYI - it's a Boston bar. I did have a burger and fries as well as a few adult beverages. The burger wasn't bad for bar food - the fries, a really huge portion - shared it with some of the members of the team I was subbing on. The staff was very attentive and friendly. Street parking and a very small lot - no problems finding parking on the side streets. I would have loved to see a bigger craft beer selection considering Sonny's is in Southern California.
(4)Paddy M.
The lobster roll is amazing, so is the calamari. If you're in the area, stop by Sonny's for a quick meal or a game of darts.
(5)Kim K.
Love this spot! Just got back (on a Friday nite) Great crowd! Great food! Great drinks! Great people! We had the lobster rolls which were yummy and this chocolate brownie thing with vanilla ice cream. Delicious! They had a live band which was awesome and played some blues. The owners are sweet and super friendly! Definitely will be back.
(5)Jenny Y.
A bar with such fancy food! And it's actually good too! How surprising! Came on a Sunday night with my friends, apparently it's one of their go to bars. What a shame that they haven't taken me earlier! I'd definitely come back for the food. The drinks were also reasonably priced, I think my snake bite was $6? Their pizzas are definitely the thing to order it seems. My friend got the spicy sausage one and it was delicious! I didn't exactly order a winner though. I'd stay away from their Irish potatoes topped with wagyu corned beef. I must've misread and thought that I was getting Irish nachoes, because fried potatoes with melted cheese + corned beef should be amazing. Sliced half-cooked boiled potatoes, some were still raw and crunchy x_X, with melted cheese + corned beef? Not so much. I'd skip the herbed fries, it just tasted like frozen potatoes with herbs. Not exactly a tasty fry. But I'll definitely come back to order another pizza and maybe the fish and chips. When we got there at 7pm, the waitress informed us that they were out of the fish and chips. Must mean they're good right? ;D
(4)Terry W.
I've been going to this bar for awhile and love it. It has a great vibe and the staff is very friendly. They have live music most nights of the week which is really great and the food is surprisingly good. The only downside for me is the drink prices. For example a pitcher of guinness is $24 dollars which is pretty steep in my opinion. Their happy hour isn't really that enticing either. $1 off beers doesn't seem like much of an incentive to come down after work. I really think my friends and I would come in a lot more often if the prices for drinks were just a bit lower or they had better HH deals. That being said I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a down-to-earth bar on the Westside!
(4)Ellen C.
Boston die hard fans flock to this bar to watch the Patriots, Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox on TV. It gets packed when their teams are playing. The off days are slightly quieter, offering karaoke nights on Sunday. The bartenders are fast, even when it's busy. It's a bit dingy and the food is decent. It's no upscale bar, but better than a dive bar. The main reason to check this place out is to take in the excitement and energy that Bostonians have for their home teams. It's intoxicating and infectious.
(3)Peter I.
I just love this place and not just because I'm from New Hampshire. and not just because they Fried clams!!!! Although both of those things help, But... t's the bar/restaurant that gets me. It's the floors that have a million footsteps of Red Sox and Celtic fans on them. It the chairs that have had Patriot jersey draped over them and beer spilled on them. You can still hear the championship yells from October echoing the walls. It's history in a town that doesn't really have history. It's tradition in a town of fans that come late and leave early. Who cares if they even serve food. I come for the passion and people. But, the fried claims help!
(5)Graciela C.
This place really knows what they're doing. Had the most amazing time watching the USA vs Portugal game here. Never waited more than five minutes for beer or ten minutes for food in spite of the place being crowded wall to wall. Everyone was squished like sardines but in the happiest mood. The bartenders and servers were so so great! I was worried because some of my friends were coming to my hood from far away places, but all of them absolutely loved it! It's bar food. ...what do you expect? Must be 30 tv's in the place and lots of great beer on tap. You can't have it all peeps. I was just happy there were good salads on the menu so I didn't stuff myself with fried food immediately....That came later. :) After two beers I tried the mozzarella sticks. Hit the spot! Love you, Sonny! Mean it!
(5)JD D.
I hadn't been to Sonny's for a few years and really enjoyed spending a lazy Sunday afternoon watching football here. To sum it up, was very impressed by the food (I had the egg/croissant sandwich and it was _impressive_) and the beer selection. TV's abound on all the walls showing all available games. Friendly and prompt service from Andrew - he rocks! Important note: there was no Patriots game that day so it was incredibly low key, which made for the perfect setting for my friends and I (a group of 8) to enjoy the morning/afternoon. Had I been trying to fight my way to the bar for a drink in the middle of a Pats game I doubt I would have enjoyed myself as much.
(4)Anne W.
I want to note that I came here for a non-Boston event. In other words.. just a typical night. My Boston friend told me about this place and yes.. it is better than FFF in Hermosa.. but not by much. It has a bunch of Boston memorabilia. Unfortunately, the place is accompanied by a bunch of shady characters which made me a little nervous had it not been my friend sitting next to me. Pizza was just okay.. as was the buffalo chicken tenders. Saddest part is that they didn't really have any Boston beers.. no Harpoon. Sad face. They just had Sam Adam's.. I am not even sure if they had Blue Moon. I'll have to come again but as of now.. not my sort of spot.
(2)Amy S.
Ugh, I can't stand Sonny McLean's. My male coworkers always want to come here because it's a sports bar with many draft beer options, which really is the only redeeming quality. I always leave disappointed with the food. First time I came the place was empty and I ordered chicken skewers and a salad. It was a Monday and I HIGHLY suspected that the salad had been pre-mixed (with dressing on it, gross) over the weekend and sat in the fridge for a couple of days. Everything was soggy and just tasted old. Not to mention it took about 40 minutes for the food to come out. Did I mention we were the only table there? Last time I went I figured I would try what I thought would be a safer option: a sandwich. I predicted that if I ordered turkey and avocado with bacon (I added the bacon) I couldn't go wrong. Well, it went wrong! Same problem with the salad last time, the turkey cold cuts tasted old and expired, like they were sitting in the fridge too long. I couldn't finish it. AND it doesn't say on the menu that the sandwiches come with a side salad. I assumed it would be chips or fries on the side...but no, I got another visit from their awful salad, this time not doused in dressing but still disappointing. And again, slow service. Thank goodness they have fresh beer to make me forget about the stale menu options!
(2)Brittney C.
Loved this place. It's a home away from home. If you love Boston sports, great reasonably priced food, and a large selection of alcohol, this is the place for you. I go to watch games or just grab a good bit at a quality pub.
(5)Mike L.
They must fly the authentic Ipswitch clams and you can order a generous plate with fries an tarter sauce battered and served to you at the tables. THE REAL FRIED CLAMS. I'm so glad I found them and this place. Please tell me where else has the real New England clams???? Such a treat. Love them you guys and gals at Sonnys. I looked for weeks. : ),
(5)Sylvie K.
I was waiting for my table at a restaurant down the street so I thought I would stop in to this bar. Typical Irish pub, long bar with a large selection of beers on tap. Lots of tvs around with sports games displayed. I got an appetizer since I was starving and couldn't wait for dinner, sweet potato fries with a few sauces (garlic aioli, honey mustard and another one). All in all, nice place to grab a quick beer and snacks.
(4)Randy B.
Definitely Irish, but very Bostonian! A great amount of TV's and LOUD (as in REALLY loud) sound whenever anything Boston is playin' -- Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, Baked Bean Eating Championship, Boston tea party-goers, New Kids on the Block fans, and anything Kennedy's - so be sure to underplay your NY swag....it just won't be tolerated! This is one great pub. It's a lot of fun, and really easy to make new friends. The people are unpretentious, the staff and service is nice and responsive (special shout-out to my fav, Kateland), and the food is more than decent! HAPPY HOUR (4pm-6pm) --- $1 off beer & wine, and $3 off certain food items. Could be a little more generous (in price and the hours), but since it's already a cool place at full price, they get a pass. FOOD - Lots of good 'bar' food selections, as well as some premium dinner stuff, too. I finally tried their Lobster Roll ( yelp.com/biz_photos/KrA6… ) - a bit too much mayo...but not bad, not bad at all! PARKING --- street parking is at a premium, so bring your coinage; just a few spaces out the back (check first); so you'll likely have to park around the corner (no meters, yay), or down the block at a "certain bank" parking lot "after hours" (at your own risk), but I've been successful parking there 6 out of 6 times!
(4)RB W.
Yes, it's a sports bar and night spot. But the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is impressive way beyond bar food. The lobster roll is fantastic and the pulled pork sandwich is not what you'd expect...but much better than you'd expect..."Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder Served in a Cast Iron Crock, Pretzel Buns, Served with Marinated Slaw"...really, really good. Hats off to the chef!
(5)Mike G.
Walked in then quickly walked out...Extremely hot in there A/C was not running just a big oversized swapmeet fan.Seriously its the year 2014,what business doesn't have A/C running.I would like to enjoy my beer without sweating everywhere.
(1)Chompawomp B.
A west coast Red Sox douchebag magnet...I didnt think they existed out in California. A pitcher of Guinness is 24 dollars. SHAM alert. Really..
(1)Brian W.
Love this place. I come all the time and love Regina. Keep it up!
(5)Tiffany W.
YES!!!! A bar where I feel at home when I'm watching my Patriots play :D Words cannot describe how happy I am to have discovered this place. I have found my football haven! Okay, so probably not everyone in LA agrees with my football team, but regardless, this bar is pretty awesome. Staff is friendly, beer is reasonably priced, and most of all, food is damn good! I had low expectations because it's a bar, but I must say, if it was closer, I would go even just for the food. They serve seafood, and although it's not super cheap (think the lobster roll was $17), but it's good! We really enjoyed our lobster roll. If you wanna go on game day, go early or else you're gonna have watch the whole game standing up :( See you there when the Patriots are playing! :D
(5)Chanel C.
I apologize in advance that I am not a Celtics fan, but I can definitely appreciate all the Boston pride oozing from this place. This is the definition of a sports bar- plasma tv screen, sports memorabilia hanging every where, everyone and everyone's mom wears a jersey here, and BEEER. We ordered the Pistachio Pesto Shrimp appetizer and the Pesto Shrimp Pizza....both were effin' unbelievable. Kudos to Sonny McLean on amazing food!
(4)Anthony M.
The Clam dinner was terrible, dried up little clams and the taste was bad, very bad, I will never waste $25 on terrible food there again.
(1)Jessica C.
3 stars for now since I came on a weekday, a Monday to be exact but it also was the day after Easter so it could had been quite since people could had still been out of town, but for a Monday night it was near empty which was nice but was expecting at least some sort of karaoke or trivia night, however the music played in the bar was decent. I ordered a rum & coke and was told they serve don't " liquor" only beer & wine so the waitress seemed like a reliable source and asked her for a suggestion and she suggested the Sculpin India Pale Ale which was for me was tasty but the sort of beer you enjoy slowly, compared to my second beer which was a blue moon and more refreshing. We initially came down here because myself and my friend where hungry and he said they had the best Shepard's Pie & Irish Nachos I was sold on that, but initially I ended up just having the Sonny McLean's burger which was fairly decent, he was right about the Shepard's Pie , it was delicious and I'm 100% going to order that next time. However I was so disappointed about the Irish Nachos, I had become accustom to Barney's Beanery version of the Irish Nachos and these where not at all what I expected so I let him kill those nachos on his own. The decor was very much a man's sports bar with TVs all around and dark and uncomfortable wood seating. They have a separate area just for dart playing which I think is very smart and they have pool tables in the back of the bar. I couldn't tell if they associate themselves to any particular team so for now I can only assume they support all teams. I don't know what the final damage was since I was being treated but I can assume it didn't break his piggy bank. We found parking very easily right in front but I think that was pure luck, being on busy Wilshire blvd ( metered parking ) I have a feeling it's a mission to find parking any time of day. till I return and have my Shepard's Pie
(3)Brandon F.
Great place with awesome people. If your from Boston and love your sports this is definitely the place!
(5)Diana A.
If you think the waitstaff is rude, try a bar in actual New England- where most of your bar orders are taken by someone gruff muttering the phrase "Whaddya want?" We're not rude, we're just blunt. Deal with it, it's part of the authenticity and it's more likely that you're just being too sensitive. I've always had good, "polite" service and a blast during Red Sox and Pats games. Yeah, it's crowded. Yeah, it's loud. We're wicked excited. And that's the point. This place gives me a little feel of home when I need it without the 3,000 mile commute. It's definitely slower on non-sports nights, and if you want to experience the real charm you should go when there's a bunch of us crazies packed in cheering for the same team. Their karaoke is pretty fun, too, and I've been during some pretty solid band performances. Good vibes and pretty good food. Moral of the story: don't act like an a-hole while you're here and you probably won't get treated like one. ...unless you talk smack about our teams or show up in Yankees/Jets attire.
(4)Jeremy C.
Beer prices are fair in my opinion, while I think the food is a little pricey. Had the Sonny's Burger which was just a little dry, but came with a generous portion of fries. The atmosphere is great and the bartenders are very friendly and attentive, which is pretty much why I'm sticking with four stars. Been here twice now because my friend is a big Boston sports fan. However I think he's convinced it's a curse for us to go, because we ended up watching the Patriots fall to the Broncos in the AFC Conf. finals and then the Bruins lose to the Habs yesterday in Game 7...
(4)Betty B.
I do love this place... It's local to me I can walk there I love the bartenders and the owners. the food is GREAT... slightly overpriced but so good. Every time I have visitors I bring them here... karaoke is amazing and I always have a good time... keep up the good work.
(4)Liz W.
Full disclosure, I'm from Boston, and I dearly miss That little town's bars and pubs....! This place is like Boston. I came here for the broncos-pats game (Peyton vs Brady!) and it was PACKED with pats fans, yessss. My friend and I managed to find a spot to sit though, and we got table service, which I'd recommend because they're fairly attentive and the bar is a complete cluster--. That being said, if you can squeeze into the bar to order, the bartenders are incredibly nice and fast. TVs are everywhere here, you can definitely see the game no matter where you are - makes sense, this is a sports bar that really caters to the New England crowd. Beers are a bit pricy by Boston standards, but not by Santa Monica standards. 3 cups of Sam Adams draft was ~20$. Food is typical bar food - decent, but not spectacular. Parking was actually not bad - there's significant street parking a couple blocks to the west. I'll definitely be back for more games. If you're rooting for the other team, I'd be careful! ;)
(4)Ben P.
Something you didn't know, I am originally from Boston, MA. I am a die hard Celtics, Bruins, Patriots, and Red Sox fan but where could someone in LA go to find his fellow fans? Sonny McLeans is the place. Such a great crowd of people, large high resolution TVs on every wall, and a great kitchen to serve bar favorites like pizza and boneless and skinless wings. Did I forget to mention the expansive beers on tap!!? You can also play darts there too. I love coming here to watch the big games, especially now that the Red Sox are in the world Series! Go SOX!
(5)Maggie Y.
Good place for sporting events, lots of TVs. Not very good food, but what do you expect from a sports bar. Not the friendliest service, waited around for a waitress for a while. Finally went to the bar and was not feeling the hospitality. Bar was a mess and cups were warm and sticky.
(3)Susan K.
This place has a special place in my heart because we had such a blast watching World Cup 2014, USA vs. Portugal. Everyone was decked out in USA gear and cheering for our team. It was packed and the energy and vibe of the place was great - it was loud, but in a great way. There are TVs everywhere and a great fun atmosphere. The food is a little on the pricy side but I guess that's Santa Monica for you. I've had fish and chips, margerita pizza, and fries and they were all pretty good. This will be my go-to place for any sports games from now on.
(4)Brian G.
I went to Sonnys to watch the opening game the 2014 World Cup. Apparently they didn't think that anyone was interested because they had 1 person working for the entire bar . It is almost halftime and I'm still waiting for a menu and a beverage. Needless to say I will be choosing a different establishment to watch the games in the future
(1)Maki K.
My boyfriend and I checked this place out because we needed a place to hang out to wait for my other friend before we all headed to The Charleston together on Sat night Dec 1st. I probably should have just stayed at Sonny McLean's, instead of going to The Charleston. There was no cover. The bar has plenty of seating and there is plenty of seating all around the bar/restaurant. The crowd ranged from people in the early 20s to late 40s and 50s. People were doing karaoke so that was the majority of the music in the bar. The bartender was very friendly, coming to greet us right away and asking what we wanted to drink. They also have a pretty extensive menu of beers and the good thing is they have a description of all the different beers if you don't know what you want. I don't know how much each is off the top of my head, but I paid about $32 including tip for 3 beers and a Jack and Coke (so 4 drinks). We didn't eat anything, although the people next to us were having pizza that looked super yummy. Maybe I'll try that next time. The decor inside was very festive. They had white Christmas lights everywhere. It was very nice, warm, and welcoming. All in all, I really liked this place and I will definitely come back if I am in the area again.
(5)John F.
Look beyond the exterior-this Irish pub is a gastro phenom! Fish and Chips, remarkable... Bangers and Mash, as they should be... Shepherd's Pie, sweet baby Jesus... Buffalo Tenders, best I've ever had... Burger with brioche bun and an Egg, delectable. Im from NZ and spent 8 years in food-savvy Sydney. You aint gonna get better versions of the above food selections. FIRST RATE!
(5)Dana L.
Came here last night to hear some live music. It's a great pub. I know where I'll be coming to watch the Bruins in the cup next year.
(4)EM R.
Sonny's salad, Tomato soup with grilled cheese... Yummy!! The skinny fries are the best and dipping in the aioli is amazing too! Drink- wise: tap Guiness , great Scotch, lots of beers.....
(5)J T.
Alight
(3)Ed S.
excellent Ipswich Clams. Best i have had in California.
(5)Ed E.
BAD EXPERIENCE. Never had the chance to taste the food. Got there at noon for lunch. No one was out on the floor. Waited about 5 minutes and just as we were walking out a wait-person came out from the kitchen. There was one customer sitting in the bar. We order waited 30 minutes and left. We asked her three time where our order was. At 25 minutes she told me that the food was on the plate. Then I saw an order of Fish & Chips go to the office and looked in the kitchen to see the cook just starting our order. I later heard from the guys across the street that this happens quite frequently. Dam'it when you open at 11:30, you really should be prepared to start serving by at least 12. Sucky, slow service in a not too terribly clean restaurant makes me not want to return. Re-phrase: WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER!
(1)Dayna A.
This place is frickin' fantastic! This is as close to Boston as you will get in Santa Monica. Great beer, good food, wicked cheap prices, and a great group of people. Plus, you can always find another New Englander at the bar. The remodel is great too!
(5)Dennis C.
local bar.... only downside is that its a bar meant for the people of Boston. BUT i went here on an NFL sunday, and was surprised to see a ton of niners fans. food is great. fried clams and the corned beef/cabbage were good. Tons of people were ordering the burgers which looked damn good. i think i have found my local bar for football sundays.... why did it take me this many years to find this place? *** LIKES: fried clams, lots of beers, lots of TVs, fun atmosphere, not cramped DISLIKES: Boston fans VERDICT: You can find me here on Sundays
(5)Jennifer N.
Sonny's is such a dive. Which as an East Coast girl who thinks of the West Coast as trendy and 'so Hollywood' was a very surprising find in Santa Monica. Boston fans congregate here though for all sporting events, so great crowd, good drinks, and decent food (though it's a bit pricey.. it is a dive, after all, even though it's in SM).
(3)S K.
So, a bunch of architects decided to start a softball league. Every Thursday they go out onto the field and play, what I imagine is suppose to be a game. Okay.... Mitts.. *check* Bats... *check* Jameson in water bottles... *check* A few Tall boys.... *check* "Ready?! Let's Play!!!" Game over. Score: 20 to 5 Guess who lost. After the game, everyone dragged their feet over to Sonny's. It's your average sports bar with a zillion TVs and loud music. And, I like it. From sandwiches to chicken wings, their menu is expansive and surprisingly good for a sports bar. I had the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which ended up to be quite tasty. Tho, a friend ordered the hot dog and that sucker looked mouth wateringly good. The waitresses are on top of their shit compared to the rambunctious crowd this place seems to attract. My only bitchy complaint was their tonic water. It was flat and lifeless like a 13 year old virgin. It was only saved by the huge glass of gin. So, if you happen to be at a sports bar on a Thursday night and see a bunch of middle aged people in softball uniforms with long faces, taking shots of Jameson, stop by and say hello.
(4)Kevin M.
Unless you are a regular probably not the place for you. I waited at one end of the bar and received no service. I then moved and received slow service, empty beers. I am probably the easiest patron in that all I want is good beer and good food, you don't even have to talk to me, however my beers sat empty and I ordered the fish and chips and apparently here in LA they come with peas. Very bland I was not impressed. Lastly I asked if the check could be split, booze and food, and I did not feel that the bartender thought it was a big deal until I heard him complaining to a regular that I needed to split the check because I was there on business. I just want good beer and good food, you don't have to talk to me but for sure don't talk about me. Bartender ears.
(2)Tony R.
My wife and I decided to check this place out. We were very glad we did. We had such a great time!! The people were friendly, Regina took care of us and we felt right at home!! Will definitely be back!!
(5)Ambar C.
Great beer selection! Really tasty boneless buffalo chicken wings. "Bleu cheese" is gross, though. It looks like whipped mayonnaise and tasted really funky (not in the good bleu cheese kind of way). Despite being a Boston bar (pictures of Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox everywhere), this place hosted a college football viewing party for Stanford alums on the Westside. They were friendly and knowledgeable, and even though we were a large and somewhat rowdy group, the staff held their own. They brought me the wrong beer once, but they quickly replaced it with what I actually ordered, and it was great. Overall, I'd go back.
(4)Rob W.
Man this place hasn't come along way from when it was McGinty's. They still have the dart boards. I love the beer selection, HB and Czechvar. Really good sports bar, too bad we don't have one like this focused on LA teams instead of Boston teams. Unlike a lot of "sports bars" in L.A., I didn't have to scroll through the Directv app to let them know what channel carried a specific event, i just had to ask for a specific game and within 5 minutes it was up (provided it didn't compete against a Boston matchup). But there are so many t.v.'s that they're bound to find one for you. Beer selection is extensive. The food is pretty good too. Last time I ate here, i only had the clam chowder, which was pretty tasty. a little salty, but it did have bacon which is always a good thing.
(4)Aidan M.
The steak cheese baguette is the best that I've ever had. The bar waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Thee place to watch the Red Sox and patriot's games. Wonderful atmosphere when winning!
(4)Jon R.
After growing up in Massachusetts and living in Boston, seconds from Fenway.. it is safe to say that I bleed New England sports. Once I made the plunge and moved to LA... I was convinced nothing would be the same. Then I found Sonny McLeans. The second you walk into this bar during a game (or any at time) you instantly feel at home. During playoffs, you would swear that you are crammed into some bar on Lansdown Street cheering and drinking with your best friends and the complete strangers who become family through all the up's and down's of the series you're watching. Don't be fooled.. Guests not from Boston are welcome too (just so long as you're not rooting for the other team!!).. Okay, one opposing team fan can be there so we can all think "who does this guy think he is" then continue to enjoy the game despite our differences. Great Atmosphere, Great Food, Good Selection of Beer and the first bar on the West Coast that I can call Home. You'll find me rallying up the troops every playoffs game to make a trip to Sonnys!
(5)Ivan T.
This place WATERS DOWN THEIR ALCOHOL and if you complain they ask you to leave. We ordered 3 Petrone shots and after we took them, the 3 of us looked at each other and agreed the shots were completely watered down. We raised the issue with our server to which she responded that she watched the bartender pour them. She then called the manager, and then the owner came out with security. They all said they watched the bartender pour the shot - I guess everyone who works there is watching the bartender poor shots. After a short exchange asking management to inspect the bottle, the owner became very defensive and aggressive and asked us to leave. Clearly he was angry that we called him out early in the evenings of a Santa Monica pub crawl night. Needless to say this place is shady.
(1)Fanya C.
SonnyMclean's is the best pub in town! The food is amazing (definitely not the typical pub menu), great ambience and always a great place to go and have a great time!
(5)Olivia P.
I'm not generally a yelp reviewer, but I figured, I've been going to this bar for 6-7+ years, so maybe I should let people know why. 1) Sports. Enough said. 2) It's like Cheers - where everybody knows your name, or if they don't, they're super friendly and would like to find out 3) 30+ beers on tap - and I'm sure i've tried them all 4) the food is DELICIOUS! Chef Joe really changed the menu around, and Chef Jeff is doing a great job keeping it that way! This is NOT bar food, it's gourmet pub food. My favorites are the Cajun Chicken Penne, Buffalo Boneless Tenders, Sonnys Salad (no beats cuz that's just my preference), Chef Salad, the Shepherds Pie, any of the pizzas...the list goes on and on. 5) They got alcohol last year. Thank god. Give it a try, if you like friendly, neighborhood, sports bars with great food. If you don't...well that's up to you.
(5)Vikki P.
We were a group of 4 who went on a Friday night to hear live blues. Our server was pleasant and attentive. The food was good (though not served hot). The blues were bluesy. But the specialty drinks at $12 a piece were not special. I ordered a Moscow Mule which had so much ice in it, I couldn't taste the ginger beer. My friend ordered a Peach Palmer, also watered down with ice and they forgot the peach liqueur! Maybe they should stick to beer and getting out food orders while hot.
(2)Amy R.
As an LA native and Celtics fanatic, I've never been too sure as to where to watch my Celts, but recently discovered this spot. Came here to watch the Celtics end their season in their Game 7 Eastern Conference Finals v. Heat. I got here an hour before the game and was able to get a sweet bar spot, and quickly after I settled in, the place got packed and it became almost a standing room only. The atmosphere was so fun, with people screaming, and cheering, and also quietly mourning as we lost. It felt unified and familial. The beer was excellent, they had everything from Fat Tire to Sierra Nevada, to Blue Moon, Chimay, and Delerium on tap!! It rocks. I stuck with Allagash White and Hef, both on tap. I will never understand why people voluntarily order Bud Light or Miller Light in a bar with great beers, but, people did, and the tap was terrible (overheated, the bartender said). The food was also remarkable. I got the fish and chips, just to say I got the fish and chips there, and it was so good. The fish was flakey and perfectly battered, and the fries were seasoned just enough. I saw some people get pizzas and sandwiches around me and all of that food looked good as well. Bottom line, I'm definitely coming back to Sonny's when basketball starts up again. I may make it my staple place to watch Celtics basketball when I'm not at Staples Center cheering on the Clippers. ;)
(5)Dave R.
Legit sports bar! Great TVs and seating. Grant the owner is super friendly and always says funny shit. Maybe it's his accent but either way he's a jovial dude. Also the food has improved drastically over the years. It's still a sports venue with bar food, but it's quality enough. The semi-recent update to a full bar is icing on the cake. I hate the Celtics (go Lakers) but I love this place.
(5)Jamie R.
One of my favorite places to watch the game. It can be a bit noisy at times, but usually festive and fun. Very good Guinness!
(4)B D.
Growing up in Boston, it's hard to explain to LA folks what a real sports bar should feel like. From the games, to the food, to the energy, Sonny's has it all. I've lived in LA for years, and I know that no matter how homesick I get, I can drive to this gem on 26th & Wilshire, and feel like I never left home. The food is amazing, and every game you wanna see, it's on one of their many hd tvs, with the volume turned way up. You'll meet friends instantly, because there isn't a conversation that doesn't start with "Where are you from?" The management and owners will strike up a conversation with you, and an hour will go by in the blink of an eye, like you're at a cookout with your family somewhere on someone's deck in Arlington. The servers are sweethearts, and you'll never feel unwelcomed. Forget Cheers, this is truly a sports bar where everyone knows your name. Go once, and you'll surely be back. Thanks for the years of memories so far, Sonny's, and here's to many more!
(5)nicolette l.
This is a Irish sports bar with an extensive food menu including Irish fare as well as California cuisine. My friends and I were looking to fill our tummies in preparation for a night of drinking in Santa Monica. We wisely decided on their delicious house made jalapeño poppers, house made mozzarella sticks, the Funghi pizza, and a Sonny's salad to add a little healthiness to our plates. The food was excellent and definitely exceeded my expectations. Drink-wise there are plenty of craft beer and liquor options. Happy hour goes until 8; which was another pleasant surprise. We received great, prompt service and enjoyed the ambiance. We were visiting Santa Monica from San Diego, and this place was within short walking distance of our hotel. I would definitely revisit this place.
(4)John V.
I've been eating lunch at Sonny McLean's for well over ten years. Probably closer to 12, but whose counting? I've also had my fair share of dinners. As a creature of habit, I usually have the Sonny's Burger. It's perfect and it has the added benefit of coming with fries. It's evident that quality and fresh meat is being served. When I'm feeling daring, I have the Chef's Burger which is quite a treat. It's delicious and quite satisfying. At $16, it had better be! During the winter and June Gloom, I find myself enjoying the clam chowder. For $5 you get a nice cup. For $9? You are served your chowder in a massive tureen. Honestly? This chowder is on par with those served in San Francisco or Boston. Some recommendations! The Chicken Pesto Sandwich is light and flavorful. The Meat Loaf Dinner is as good as your mother makes. That is, of course, unless her meat loaf tastes like an old shoe. The pizzas are very good and come in many varieties. There are a zillion television screens usually tuned into some kind of Boston sports thing. There is a full bar. Wine is plentiful and reasonably prices. On tap? A plethora of beers and ales. God knows why, but there is even Bud Light! The service is beyond knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Parking? Thankfully, I work within walking distance! But, if you're lucky, clever and adept at parallel parking, street parking is available.
(5)Nicolas G.
I like this bar...the appetizers and salads are good...service friendly, good televisions for football or soccer....my only complaint is lack of parking
(4)Ana G.
This food is amazing!!! Make sure not to come on game days, it will be full. I love the pulled pork sandwich and the pizza is delicious. You must come to this place!!
(5)Boston F.
I have come here the last few weeks for football, and you can't beat that Boston atmosphere on the west coast. The fact that this place fills up an hour before the Patriots game starts is a good indication of how much people love this place. The staff is friendly and attentive, even when things get crazy...which they do, win or lose! I would love to give this place 5 stars on atmosphere and staff alone, but it is a restaurant, and people care about food at these joints. So where are the game day specials? Our only options are expensive (and mediocre) breakfasts with a side of an expensive mimosa or bloody mary? This is a sports bar, not a fancy restaurant by the water. If you want people to buy your food, take a look around and work your audience.
(3)CraigandXiomara C.
I went there for probably my 200th time last night 3/21 at about 8 pm. Bar was full but plenty of seating at tables. I sat and waited 51 minutes before I got impatient for being ignored by wait-staff and walked to bar to order beer. I tried to order meal at the bar and they would not take my order. They insisted that they would have some one right over. I was ignored for another 20 minutes and went back to the bar. They took my order and told me the meal would be coming to my table. I waited another 20 minutes and tried to approach the waitress who continually tried to ignore me. I went back to my seat and eventually my fish dinner came. The fish (cod) was obviously not fresh and the portions were small. The forbidden rice was way too big. I could not complain to my waitress because she was ignoring me. Eventually I got here to take a $20 bill for payment. The meal was 17.50 plus tax. I did not get any change. I was planning on not tipping but instead she stole my change and never returned to my table and would ignore me when I approached her.
(1)Nicholas V.
I loved this place. We went for the patriots colts playoff game showed up around 1:15 (for a 5:15 game) all tables were taken and all that was left was stool seating no problem we didn't mind. A ton of beers on tap, great New England food staples (chowder and fried clams). One hour before game time the place filled out line out front and very little room. Great atmosphere though for any New England sports fan staff was friendly and quick until it got packed. But even then service was decent. Will definitely go back. GO PATRIOTS!!!!
(5)Lindsey B.
As a Bostonian living in LA, there is no place that makes you feel at home. I travel alot of no matter what city I go to, no other city has a bar quite like Sonny McCleans. Whether you are in town for a Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins (not the UCLA kind!) or Patriots game, this is the only place you should go to watch. You are surrounded by Boston Sports memorabilia and tons of New Englanders cheering on the best teams in sports. It really does make you feel like you don't live 3,000 miles away!
(5)Sarah F.
The 2 stars are for Ballast Point Sculpin on tap. Otherwise, our $60 lunch at Sonny McLean's was a huge fail. What used to be my fiance's favorite thing, their lobster roll, is now served in an extremely large, stale, hoagie. I could barely take a bite. My burrata sandwich was decent but the salad that came along with it had completely wilted, sad lettuce. Moral of the story: go for the beer, but get your lobstah rolls elsewhere. I wish I hadn't wasted that $60.
(2)Demetri E.
This place is pretty lame in my book. The bands are never any good in my opinion.. (I'm a pro musician so I know), and the scene is kinda douchey. The beer selection is pretty good and there is darts.. but over all I don't really like the vibe of this place
(2)Nicole D.
Definitely a good place to go if you're a native New Englander, especially a Bostonian. Missing the east coast, it almost felt like I was closer to home when I went here to watch the Patriots game. The owner is from Boston and the place is alllll Boston (don't go in there wearing any Yankees hats). So it is very good atmosphere to watch a Patriots game. The place isn't too big and it gets really packed, so if you want to sit down, get there early. The food is pretty good as well, typical pub fare...I had chicken fingers and fries - the fries were really good here. Next time I am going to have to try the New England clam chowder!
(4)Malcolm G.
This is a great place to watch a game! The management, owners, servers and busboys are all amazing and they have the best boneless buffalo wings I've ever had.
(5)Ben B.
If your a Boston team fan, this is the place to watch the playoffs with other fans. Good vibe, always packed, plenty of screens and fairly fast service for beer. I personally think the food is over priced and average bar food. You may want to find a place to eat before coming here, but drink to your hearts content. $16 for fish and chips is a bit outrageous and $10 for 5 chicken wings? With that said, I do like the bar and staff. But a night can creep up in cost if you eat here as well.
(3)Aaron B.
If you are Australian, British or Irish, you don't really know or care about American sports and you're fine with slow and inconsistent service, then this is your place. Good beers on tap and the food is decent. Those are the best things I can say about Sonny's. Bartenders are terrible, even with very few customers to serve, they have no idea how to manage games on their TV's (my #1 pet peeve with sports bars), and there is no real atmosphere. If you are a Boston sports fan and you think you're going to find a hospitable environment here, think again. They are just so poorly managed it's not worth it. There are not really all that many Boston fans here either. Basically, this place is a bar where the owner can sit around and drink with his Aussie friends. Seek entertainment elsewhere.
(2)Consumer X.
It's definitely a once-in-a-while dish to consume, but their pepperoni pizza with chorizo is so freaking heart attack delicious, I was willing to commit suicide for it. Twice. Yes, it is THAT good. It's a crispy, thin crust pizza with fresh, thick sliced pepperoni like I've never had, that is accompanied by just a slight hint of chorizo, which makes a very decadent treat. But be prepared, it is greasy! I asked for extra napkins and blotted the slices before I ate them. Accompanied with a cold beer... oh my gosh. Total pepperoni and beer euphoria.
(5)Aimee F.
Avoid the beef taco appetizer -- it tastes like liver soaked in vinegar. My stomach is sooo upset after eating only one of the three.
(1)Paul S.
Very great Bar and restaurant, always a good crowd when it comes to Boston Sports games. The food is always good and they have a variety of craft Bert's of your choice. A huge recommendation for any tourist in Los Angeles from the New England area.
(5)Sara S.
Always a good place to go for sports and Guinness. It's a bar so there's not any kind of culinary masterpiece on the menu, but the staff is friendly and prompt, and overall, it's pretty durned good. Place always smells like fish, though... The shepherd's pie was quite tasty. A half-sized bowl is more than plenty. However, I would not recommend the steak tips. The meat was gummy and full of fat & gristle. Couldn't even chew through it....most of it ended up back on the plate or in a napkin. The sauce was overpowering, and the risotto had too much smoke flavoring. Overall, that particular dish was quite unappetizing. But I can HIGHLY recommend the mozzarella sticks!! Thick and cheezy with plenty of marinara sauce on the side. Definitely a place to just enjoy a good beer and unwind. Good people.
(3)Mai K.
Tried my first shandy here and looooved it! It's a nice, clean place and you can actually hear yourself talking. (Granted I came here on a Friday from 7-9 p.m. so who knows? It might've gotten louder.) I also had the chicken tenders and herb fries which were perfect for curbing my appetite. I was disappointed that I just missed happy hour, though. It's a little pricey otherwise.
(4)Kat M.
I cant say enough fine things about this place....you expect just a sports bar / pub....and then they go and shock you with an out of this World menu....The chef looks abit like Carrot Top, but his food is all serious. There is a great crowd, great entertainment, one downside a tiny toilet, but I can look past that, because the owners are just so amazing and friendly, you feel like you've known them for 30 years after a few shared drinks. They have some peach or apple ale that is just wonderful.....and I plan on dragging my best friend here this weekend for more yummy surprizes and good company.... To those complaining about the prices of the food....ummm....its upscale, with gourmet ingredients, I guess you guys need to stop at Taco Bell on your way, because this is not your standard pub grub.
(5)Nareg B.
1 star is being generous for the rude staff here. A friend ordered shots for the group. The consensus was that the shots were watered down or could have been the wrong order entirely. When we pointed this out to the waitress she in a very combative way denied it and ordered her manager to come talk to us. Once the manager came there was no apology, acknowledgement that we were upset, higher level of service or a physical assurance that we could have been wrong. He just started yelling and cursing at us without us even uttering a word. It was disgraceful and quite rude, even if we made a mistake in our assessment of the shots (which I HIGHLY doubt we had), there is a much better way to handle the situation. THEY CLEARLY DIDNT DO THAT and proceeded to kick us out without us yelling or cursing at what had just happened. Needless to say I will never go back there and further solidifies my theory on passionate Boston sports fans, they suck...
(1)Matthew D.
It's occasionally interesting, the circuitous route one takes when deciding what place to review. In the case of this Sonny's write up, it all started a few months ago down at Memorial Park. You see, we had a safe, cheap place to hang out after our league softball games during the week. Namely, the parking lot on 16th, directly across from the park. We would drink a few beers, socialize and play cornhole (not what it sounds like - look it up) until all hours without bothering anybody because there are no residences within earshot. The cops left us alone and we cleaned up when we were finished. A win-win for everybody involved. Until some dummies who play on Friday nights ruined it for everyone. I guess these guys yelled at one of the business owners who asked them to stop smoking weed right outside her front door. So the cops were called and to make an even longer story short, I'm told there are cameras now monitoring the parking lot that can be viewed live at the police station. We can't even park there anymore. Thanks a lot, Friday night dummies. So now we have to find a regular place to hang out after our games. Sonny's used to be that spot for us. They sponsored our teams and we were tight with the owner, bartenders and waitresses. I spent a good chunk of my mid-twenties to early thirties in Sonny's. But then the place got sold, remodeled and prices went way up. Some people on Yelp still refer to it as a dive bar but they should have seen it back then. I suppose those same people would have called it a shithole. I wouldn't refute that, but hey, it was our shithole. Especially on Wednesday nights. We would shut the place down every week while getting our songs in at karaoke. It was fun. I miss those days. We used to have a plaque made every time we won a league championship and the old owner would let us put it on the wall in our booth. They were nice pieces inscribed with a thank you to Sonny's along with a team photo. Once we found out the new owners weren't going to leave them up we asked for them back. Over and over but to no avail. I suppose they were thrown out during the remodel and nobody had the nerve to tell us. That always left a bitter taste in my mouth, which is why I rarely visit these days. I'm told they're still interested in sponsoring the team but that means going in on a weekly basis to make it worth their while. With the new higher prices, I can't justify it in my budget. Yes, we do get freebies but the amount we eat and drink still rings up a pretty hefty bill. Plus, I'd rather remember Sonny's the old way. I have nothing against progress. The new owners remodeled, as most people would have, but the place lost a lot of its old charm in the process. The new menu still has a lot of the old items plus a pretty good pizza, but again, the prices. The number of TVs is almost dizzying, which is great. You can catch pretty much any game at Sonny's. They even have liquor now. I stop by for a drink or two now and then, if only to relive the good old days.
(3)Jake S.
best boston spot in santa monica. i go there to watch the red sox or the pats. the waitresses are super friendly and not to mention hot. there food is great, and they have pool, darts, and a couple of video games. love this place when i am in santa monica. in a sense i am glad it is a little ways from the beach because all the spots around there are always too packed. sonnys is hidden a little ways away so you can get a seat there most of the time.
(4)Brian O.
I went there for the celebration after seeing the Sox spank the Angels live. I have to say that this bar reminded me the most of bars back in Boston and New England as a whole. This is a true fan bar. Some bars back in San Francisco try to be "Red Sox" bars but fail miserably at it. As for the food: Everything on the menu looked "wicked awesome". I haven't seen food like they serve in the 4 months I've lived in CA. This is a must stop for any Boston/New England sports fan.
(5)Michael L.
They had an ownership change about 4-5 months ago. I've only been there once since the ownership change, and that was for the Super Bowl, so I'm not sure how it's going to be for Red Sox games during baseball season, since it's not owned by the Boston owners anymore. I didn't like the fact that they took a lot of the Boston sports memorabilia off the middle wall, and took that wall down, when the new owners remodeled the place. I might go there for the Red Sox Yankees opener on Sunday. Until then, I'll keep this review at 5 stars, based on the past.
(5)Kelli F.
This is the best sports bar in town! I meet friends at sports bars for games all over Santa Monica, and I have to admit Sonny McLean's is the best in town. They have a ridiculous amount of HD TV sets all over the bar. Everywhere you sit is a great seat. The service is exceptional and very friendly. The food is delicious! The beer and wine selection is great, and the crowd is an eclectic fun international scene from all over the world. I have a great time every time I go, and I look forward to going again and again with my friends to watch sports events in the future. I cannot say enough great things about this place. It's the best!
(5)Collin M.
Came here for lunch one afternoon and really enjoyed it. They have a lot of beers I like and better overall selection than most places. Food was quite good and service was quality. I am definitely coming back for a Sox game when the season starts up.
(4)No B.
I started going here in 1973 when it was McGinty's Irish Pub. In the early 2000's I ended in the area and went by to see if McGinty's was still there but alas no, but Sonny McLean's was in the same spot and when I went in it was pretty damn close to the same place...a lot cleaner and a Men's room that actually worked! The beer selection was better, they still could pour a pretty damn pint of Guiness and their Bangers and Mash was spot on. Pretty big swing from McGinty's to their anything Boston theme. I will tell you this if you are a New York fan...anything New York I would not recommend this place, you will most likely spontaniously combust upon entering the establishment. If you go here and their is any sporting event that is Boston based, you will not be able to see any other sport on any screen in that place during any Boston, home or away, sporting event, don't even ask. This place is was home for me in the 70's and will always hold great memories. I hope it is still there 50 years from now.
(4)Adam C.
Let me first say that I'm SoCal born and raised. I bleed Dodger blue and go into fits of rage when the Lakers don't win, especially against the Celtics. I even frequent Kings game (former ticket holder), if that tells you anything. So, needless to way, I felt like a fish out of water when I went here for lunch. I had the BLT, which was OK. But look, if you're from Boston, this place will make you feel like home. The bar tender was clearly from there. The people seated at the bar were clearly either fans or from there. The whole place is plastered in Boston memorabilia. TV's are high def. Can't speak for the drinks (but the Diet Coke was tasty and free flowing). Makes me wish that LA fans felt this strongly about their teams.
(3)DOUG B.
Where are you wankers coming from? How could anyone not like the great improvement to this place? No more sticky floors and smelly stale booze with dirty walls and counters. That wasn't a neighborhood bar, that was a dive. Now it's a neighborhood bar! All the soul plus clean and pleasant to be in. I could spend hours there now, not before. Check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(5)Nora S.
This bar suuuuuccks. It really sucks. Unless, of course, you're in the mood to get hit on all night by balding, rude, sexist, pervo losers. Relentless, balding, rude, sexist, pervo losers. I don't want to put the following info in the review, because it shouldn't matter, because ALL women should be given at least a modicum of respect in any bar, anywhere in our glorious 50 states, but I feel the need to elaborate on what I wrote above... I'm born and raised east coast. I came to Sonny McLeans literally 2 days after moving to LA. I wasn't wearing glitter; I don't have blond hair; I'm not flirtatious or coy with men for attention or free drinks. I wanted to belly up to a bar, drink some beer, and relax with my friends. Instead, I was served by a rude bartender who stared at my chest instead of listening to my order. Instead, I had to deal with a group of d-bags literally blocking my path to the bathroom in order to wow me with "what's up" or "hey baby" --- seriously!?!? COME ON! O'Briens down the street is so much better.
(1)Meg S.
A kick-ass Boston bar in L.A.! The BEST thing about this place are the bartenders. Andrew is the best! I went here all the time to watch New England Patriots football games before I finally broke down and got DirecTV and the NFL Sunday ticket. It was definitely worth the 20+ mile one way drive. If they don't know you and you don't reserve a seat for the football game, especially when baseball isn't over yet and the Red Sox are in the playoffs, it's VERY hard to get a seat. They have, by FAR, the best boneless buffalo chicken tenders I've ever had, served with ranch or bleu cheese dressing. Great chicken parm too!
(4)Betsy D.
this place SUCKS. we got there 30 minutes before our game. first of all, it's a pats bar, no less. so we're already off to a bad start, based purely on the company you'd be forced to keep if you were to watch football here. we walked in and every table was reserved. every booth. EVERY SEAT AT THE BAR WAS RESERVED. are you kidding me?! apparently, this place takes reservations up to FIVE DAYS in advance. what the what? what kind of a bar puts reservations on their bar seats?! so ridiculous. we were forced to leave and head to busbys. this place is an abomination and an insult to sports bars everywhere.
(1)Michael C.
Boston is still filthy and disgusting. And so is Sonny McLeans. Some things just don't change.
(1)Dottie D.
I feel a little guilty only giving Sonny's four stars but come on - it's not that great. I lived in Boston for 10 years and I'm a die-hard Sox fan but the fact that they broadcast Boston sports (I've also watched the Celts here) is pretty much the only great thing about this bar. Sure, they have good beer and that counts for something but lots of places do. I love the Bostonian community feel that you have there but... well, I feel like it's a bit of an imposter... And I feel tremendous guilt for saying that. I imagine that what I feel when I go into Sonny's is what Irish people feel when they go into "Irish" pubs in the states. Like, it's trying to be familiar and it's trying really, really hard and you really want it to succeed but, it's just not *quite* the same... That said, I still love Sonny's for their love of the Red Sox and all things Boston. And yes, I realize this review is a little bipolar. : )
(4)Jason B.
Recently visited Boston, and after having visited a dozen or so bars in Boston and Cambridge, I'm happy to report that Sonny McLean's bears no resemblance to the charm and warmth of Boston pubs. I will never go back to Sonny McLeans, but I look quite forward to my next trip to Boston...even if I am a Lakers fan.
(1)Michaela S.
overheard at sonny's: "there's girls here?" yes, there are girls here, but we didn't walk in the door to find the man of our dreams or even a late-night hookup. no, i am there because a buddy of mine practically lives there. i like sonny's because i can walk in wearing whatever the hell i want and the guy/girl ratio still works in my favor. (or maybe it's because i am just so naturally charming, who knows?) sonny's is where you go to watch the boston celtics, the boston red sox, the boston bruins, the new england patriots and whatever other new england/boston sports teams there are out there - probably something like lacrosse. the good: i spent the best st. patrick's day at sonny's for eight hours (starting at 3pm, nine hours after they opened). the bad: i had to be carried away by friends to be watered and fed. also good: darts and two flavors of cider on tap. the bad: one stall restroom for the ladies (especially bad st. patrick's day).
(3)Elizabeth S.
Love this place.... if you are from Boston, in love with someone from Boston, or are just a fan...this is the place to be. Warm and friendly staff and crowd. I love it there.
(5)Lisa R.
I just moved to Santa Monica after growing up outside of Boston my whole life and I was sooo happy to find this place. It was fate. I miss the east coast a lot but while I'm here it feels like I'm back at home. The food is delish, the servers are wicked friendly and they have Strongbow on tap, which is my fav! I bring all of my friends here when ever they visit in order to start off the night right. Happy St Patty's Day!
(5)Kim P.
Went to watch the Celtics become 2008 World Champs. As a Boston-area native, I couldn't have felt more safe and at home cheering on the Celts with fellow loud and proud New Englanders. Amazing beer on tap (Sam Summer) and great appetizers. Crowd was a little better-looking than it would be at a Boston bar :) Thank you Sonny's!
(5)Rachel K.
This bar hires a racist bouncer. My friend and I came here the night before Xmas eve to grab a quiet drink. We sat in the corner of the bar watching the karaoke and before long, a big dude came up to us and started yelling at us that we were staring at him (even though we were just watching the karaoke screen) Rather than helping us, the bartender took the guys side and told us to stop staring. We later found out that the guy is an offduty bouncer at the bar. No wonder the bartender sided with the guy! We left the bar and got into an argument with the bouncer outside the bar. He proceeded to call me a racist name (ch*nk) and told me to make him some dim sum and sushi. This bar should be ashamed that it hires a racist bouncer. Shame on the bartender also for taking the side of an a**hole dude who would yell at two girls in the middle of a bar.
(1)Matt P.
In passing, the familial feeling, Boston loving Sonny McLean's looks like another neighborhood Irish Pub. What makes it great, however, is that for the guys that want to get out, drink beer and watch the game, it is a sports bar but it's menu is tailored toward those who appreciate fresh produce and creative twists on familiar pub fare. Its menu has its share of familiar Irish pub-style dishes (the fish and chips and the bangers and mash are fantastic and the Shepard's Pie is rumored to be outstanding as well), the menu also offers a wide selection of thoughtfully prepared sandwiches and pizza that go far beyond typical pub food fare. I have no idea where the chef gets his pepperoni, but the pizza (especially the pepperoni) is comparable to the acclaimed Milo and Olive, which is right down the street. Only at Sonny's, you can get great food without the pretension and you can also drink booze, swear and watch sports. The pulled pork sandwich and the burger are also terrific. For appetizers, the boneless buffalo wings kick ass, the clams are excellent if you want to branch out. the steak tacos, though on the apps menu could easily be a meal. The specials are also worth checking out. Friendly and consistent service, a wide variety of beer (AND NOW BOOZE), and a great menu make this neighborhood pub a great place to make your local watering hole. Whether you want to get rowdy to live music late night, or grab some good grub in a pub, this is the west side spot to do it.
(5)Paul P.
Very good bar food and highly authentic New England style. They would have got five stars except that they went all Yuppie on us.
(4)Ross V.
I just wasn't too impressed... I think this is not my kind of place. It was loud...the people singing were really bad and LOUD. The crowd is a bit older and frumpy...just not my stroke. BUT My drink was excellent and full of alcohol. This is potential for a place to meet up with friends and just chill but just really too long for me. $8 bucks for a Screwdriver. Metered parking on the street...it's within walking distance of other bars on Wilshire.
(3)Robert P.
I went back last week. Unlike my last visit (which was for a Pats playoff game and totally packed), the place was about half full when we got there at 6. Started with a clam chowder. A cup is about the size of a bowl anywhere else. The dish was flavored with bacon. One of the best chowders in L.A. My guest and I split 3 appetizers -- steak tacos, Ipswich clams and chicken tenders. All were excellent. These are not your standard Cheesecake factory appetizers. Each has its own personality. There was also a great selection of microbrews on tap if you like beer. My guest and I split 4 beers so we were able to sample a variety. We had a nice waitress from Cape Cod. The service was great. Long story short: This is becoming my favorite place to eat in Los Angeles. It's not because I am from Boston (more specifically, the South End 50 years ago when it was a slum) and I like to go somewhere where everyone agrees the Yankees suck, it's because who ever is in that kitchen cooking the food is a chef, not a cook.
(4)Jamie K.
This place is as good as it gets for Boston sports fans in Los Angeles. I watched the most recent Super Bowl there and took off from work to go to St. Patrick's Day here the past two years. My gf loves to go here for the karaoke, as they do it with a live band. I recently moved to downtown and I have not been back since they FINALLY are allowed to sell hard liquor. Will be making my trips here during football season! The food is okay...basically as good as bar food gets. A bit over priced for the quality. The beer selection is top notch!
(5)Christina B.
My husband and I came here with friends to watch the Boston Bruins game. It was super packed but a lot of fun! Everyone, whether you actually know them or not is your friend here, which makes for a great atmosphere. We had beer and the Irish nachos which were amazing! They're made with corned beef rather than ground beef or chicken. For me it was food heaven!
(5)Terrence S.
I've been here several times with my friends and I love their beer selection. They actually mix different beers together in a way that actually makes it taste pretty good. I would recommend the Snake Bite mixed beer. It goes down pretty smooth, but don't make the mistake of having too many. It will come back and bite you. The live music is okay, but it's not the best part of the bar. They actually have pretty good barbecue chicken pizza for an Irish pub as well.
(4)Chad R.
A great local bar with an awesome food menu to boot. Great staff and always something entertaining going on..
(5)Susan P.
this is NOT just "bar" food, this stuff is gooooood. Chef Joe's chicken curry and unique tuna salad alone should get you over there. and the staff are uniformly nice and fun. and we can walk to it...we are there when its NOT packed..and its still a great place to dine and sip/drink and watch and talk...come on down :-)
(5)Arnold S.
I love this place! Every time I've been here, it's been an amazing experience. Great beer selection. They have HP sauce if you ask. The fish & chips are great. The steak & chips are fantastic. The steak was pre-cut into bite sized pieces and was absolutely amazing. The chips were not chips in the sense of big fries, but thin, fastfood like fries covered in herbs. Still delicious, but I expected chips. Clean and always friendly service. We've never gone during a Boston sporting event, so it was never packed.
(5)Nikki G.
I was one of the few that actually showed up on that early Wednesday morning for KTLA Morning News (Go Pats!) Great bar with GRReat FOOD, but NO LIQUOR LICENSE (at least not yet)...Boo! xoxo
(5)Matt M.
It's a shame that I used to love this bar. The change of ownership may have cleaned up the place and added some good new beers on tap, but what happened to the menu!? Joe the chef may be a nice enough guy, but I dnt remember the last time I went to a sports bar expecting to pay $15 for an average item on the menu. Their old menu was arguably better food at half the price. Still a good Irish bar, but it lost it's charm. At least there is still Finns and obriens on Main St.
(2)J N.
Awesome pub. Wonderful Boston fans. I'll never forget my night here during the Boston-Canucks game. I wish that Vancouverites were as hospitable, as I like to think we are. Proprietor Joanie was wonderful and sweet. Reasonable prices; portions a tad small and greasy. 4.5 star. Although I would never cheer for Boston, I would return for all of the people, drinks and food that made this my most memorable night in LA. Thanks. :)
(4)John R.
I usually don't like dumpy sports bars but this place is OK. I would only come here to watch Boston sports (which I don't care about aside from Boston College). Haven't tried their grub. Red Sox suck yo.
(3)Peter L.
Excellent food and service. All of the apps, sauces, dressings, entrees, and desserts are made in-house. Chef Jeff ( a young, ambitious, and fairly new addition) has done an excellent job of taking the reigns in the kitchen. He offers a fairly vast variety of dishes on the menu. Everything from traditional Irish/English/Scottish Pub Fare (i.e. Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, Bangers & Mash, Corned Beef and Cabbage) to pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and even an Indian Curry chicken dish! The prices are extremely reasonable considering the area and quality of food, and they have an outstanding selection of beers on tap! They also offer a full bar, darts, pool, etc. The bartenders are all really nice and prompt, and the servers as well. The clientele seems to be a complete mix of demographics but one thing is for sure, It is a Boston themed bar, so if there's a Sporting event involving Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, or Bruins, this place gets absolutely slammed busy, so my advice is get there early. Oh yeah, they get really busy during Notre Dame football games too. They have live music from time to time as well. It's a really cool pub. Stop in and grab a Boddington's and relax close to the ocean in beautiful Santa Monica!!!
(5)Bill B.
Friendly bar. The "Boston Irish" bit is more of a gimmick. The single biggest problem here is that they don't have liquor. What's an Irish pub without Jameson?
(2)AJ F.
Great Place....Im from Boston and visited here w/a buddy who lives out in LA. Great place to watch a game. Tons of Boston Decor all over. Food and Beer Selection is great! This probably the best place to catch a Boston Sporting Event in the LA/Santa Monica area.
(4)Kyle W.
Ah, Sonny's. I felt immediately at home when I entered for the first time. Great beer, good people and excellent food. What more could you ask for right? How about the home of Red Sox Nation West, would that do it for you? It did for me. Heck, this is the home of ANY New England sports team. Plenty of games to partake in from air hockey to pool to darts. I wish the darts provided were steel tip. It sure would make it easier, but what the hell. My friends took me here on my birthday recently and it was a mixed bag. The waitress was more interested in hanging with her friends than serving us. The food was awesome as usual. Might I suggest starting out with the Irish nachos and the bangers & mash or Guinness beef pie for an entree. The crowd was great except for a pair of flighty girls that could not play their game of darts for more than 2 minutes without leaving to smoke a cig or play pool with friends for another 5. We finally gave them the heave-ho after dealing with that crap for over 15 minutes, which was far too generous. The only thing that could make Sonny's better is a full bar. Though hard cider is a nice touch. And maybe a more consistent waitstaff (though that is going to fluctuate due to personnel). Make sure to get there early when a Sox/Pats/etc game is on, it will be PACKED. Be prepared to get hounded if you walk in with any Yankees gear.
(5)Danielle C.
Used to be the Red Setter back in the day, and they served curry fries. Oh soooo yummy. Sadly, in came Sonny McLeans name, and out went the curry fries. But really, that's pretty much all I have to bitch about. I enjoy this place. You can go here dressed comfortably and have your pick from a grand selection of beers. Haven't been in awhile, but last I checked there was no hard liquor. And they have had some great Halloween bashes! Great casual place to go watch a game, play darts or get some chow.
(4)Nate B.
Packed with a lot of people from Boston (obviously) so not the best place to watch a basketball game IMHO. You can play darts if you like.
(2)Molly M.
My favorite bar in Santa Monica. It's a Boston bar, so if you're looking for somewhere to watch the Celtics, Patriots, or Red Sox, go there. They have hilarious karoke on Saturdays (maybe some other random days too). Good service, good bar food, good selection of beer. Just a friendly, non-pretentious bar.
(5)Vanessa D.
Thank God for this place. It's a good bar to relax at, play some darts, watch the game (probably Boston related), and even their food is tasty. Their Irish Nachos are wonderful, as is the Wyder's Pear Cider they have on tap. Get a pitcher. :)
(4)Rick P.
My All Time Favorite Bar!! If it wasnt for the lack of parking this place would be perfect. What Can I Say? Drinks, Food, PATS, SOX, BRUINS, CELTS, and BEER.. What Else Would You Possibly Want?
(5)J C.
If your from mass and didn't give this place five stars theirs something wrong with you. First time I rolled in was during the sox playoffs. I got there early, about 2 hours before the game, bouncer said "we got 10 standing room only spots left, you want one?" hell yeah I want one. I never expected this place to be as packed as it was. Since then I come back ever chance I get to watch a sox game, pats game, or whatever. Good beer selection and a bunch of massholes. What more can you ask for!
(5)Kerry K.
Best bar for Red Sox games!
(5)nadyenka p.
Went to Sonny's to watch Game 6 of Lakers vs Celtics...AWESOME atmosphere. Gotta admit, Boston fans are more die hard than the Laker fans. They gave everyone free Boston Green tshirts and when the game was nearing the end, they passed out BOTTLES of champagne. I had a really amazing time. Was super packed so get there early!
(5)Jonathan R.
Closest thing to Beantown on the West Coast. Good times, food is nothing great, but hits the spot. Waitresses have an east coast attitude, bar smells like stale beer, Sox are on NESN, the place is dark, reminds me of home!!!
(4)J T.
ARGH! I hate loving this place. For one thing, it makes me miss Boston. How can it not with all the memorabilia? I'm generally happy here especially since there are games to be played - pool, air hockey. The most painful thing is looking above that bar and seeing someone I know. UGH. I hate loving you.
(5)Aaron R.
Sonny's, is a great bar to go meet friends and drink a few pints. I've gone in at 4:00 to watch football and stayed till closing. With a great array of beer, you'll never be wanting for a good pint. Darts, and a few video games are available, as are multiple tvs from small to gigantic displayed aroudn the bar. Food is good, and some of the best Chowdah I've had in LA which isn't saying much! The clientele is a mix of westside locals, to the occasional celeb, and everyone seems to be from Boston or New England. Reserve seats days in advance for Red Sox game nights otherwise you'll not even be able to stand in the place its so busy. Tricia night is great fun.
(4)John H.
Good place to watch games if your not from LA! Wish they had liquor though. Always friendly service.
(4)Kelley M.
I will admit most of my experience is pre-renovation (spring of '10) but I've been here a number of times with great, cheerful, jovial service. Great food (not just great BAR food - but great FOOD). If you go during any sort of Boston Game prepare for no seating and rambunctious crowds but that is what gives this place character. LOVE IT AND MISS IT!
(4)Danielle S.
I have been to Sonny's on a few Saturdays when they have karaoke night. There is a good crowd, so if you want a tabloe or hope to sing a lot, get there early. People are singing, but the talent isn't awful, and you are able to talk and have fun (bonus if you are not exactly Mariah Carey: most people are chatting and really only listening to there friends. I wish they had a full bar-but some appetizers (while the kitchen is open) and a pitcher of hard cider are all you really need. Overall, a great casual place to hang out in Santa Monica.
(4)Craig R.
I've never been here for anything besides lunch, but I can say they've got good grub. Their boneless buffulo wings are fantastic. It's also the only place I know of where you can get a halfway decent lobster roll in LA (that doesn't require a second mortgage). Service is always fast and friendly.
(4)Lindsay P.
This place is great. My friend and I could come here to catch up and talk over a full beer but ladies, ladies....there are a ton of cute boys here and they are very friendly. Plus its a sports bar so there is always some game on one of the tvs which you can either actually watch or pretend that you are watching until hopefully that cute guy comes over to chat you up. Oh and they also have air hockey in the back which I enjoy.
(4)Lewis D.
Sonny's used to be the best place to hang out on a weekend. Good times, good music on the box, great beer, etc. But since the new owner has taken over it's turned into a place for drunken bar rats who like to play grab-ass hang out. The juke box hardly gets any more spins because now it's just one loud, out-of-tune jack@$$ with a guitar on stage after another. The bartenders are still the same (and great as always), but the clientele has changed for the worse. If you do decide to pay a visit, stay away from the old farty perverts at the bar.
(2)niall m.
New Years Eve. My family were visiting me from Ireland. We ate a nice meal at an indian restaurant in Santa monica. My parents who are in there sixties decided they wanted to see in the new year at an bar. It was 11pm when we went to sonnys. My first and last time there. We walked in and it seemed like a weird vibe, almost unwelcoming(very unirish). The clientele were kinda eyeing us up and down. Maybe I was too dressy? We ordered drinks and the bargirl was very friendly se we decided to stay. All was fine until the live music started at around 11:20pm. It was just terrible. It was one drunk guy with a guitar. He had a capo on his guitar and they way he attached it made his guitar very bassy and muddy sounding. He was taking good songs and purposely butchering them and turning them into a weird and unfunny joke. Mid song he would stop and drunkedly tell some nasty storey about tijuana or something. It was just real weird vibe. It was also really really loud so we couldnt even talk. We drank our drinks and decided to leaved before midnight. As we stood up, he stopped singing and started abusing us for leaving mid set. He called us a bunch of c##ksuckers over the microphone loudly. Im Irish and can take a joke but calling my parents this name is just wrong. He was seriously pissed at us for walking out of his set. The bar was only 1/2 full to begin with so obviously this is not a popular spot. Pretty humiliating and far from Irish!!!
(1)Amy B.
beer and wine only, parking stinks
(2)Michael W.
It's ok. Good crowd, but plan on waiting a while for a drink. Usually much more crowded than the Shack across the street, which I never understood.
(3)Megan L.
Really chill, lots of games to play.
(5)Scott S.
There's always something to do at this beer & wine bar, even if you're like me and don't follow baseball, let alone the Red Sox. I love playing darts and air hockey here, and they also have a basketball game and pool table, and karaoke on Saturday nights. The food is quite good here as well.
(5)risa y.
im from boston and when we moved here almost 10 years ago this is the first place we came too. the food was ok, the staff was amazing! we used to go alot! esp to watch the games, it gets packed but it was worth it! then the staff changed? dont know if the owner changed but everytime we went back the last 4 years have been a bad experience! although they did recently remodel, they put a stage in for live music! thats always a plus but when its so loud ( i mean so loud my glass of beer was vibrating! its a tiny bar! no need for the music to be so loud) i would have really enjoyed the band too if it wasnt to darn loud. we waited 20 min just for a waitress to come over to TAKE our order than another 15 minutes to bring our drinks than another 20 minutes to take our food order. it wasnt even busy! the waitress was no where to be found!!!!!! the food has gotten a lot better though! its a shame when the food and ambiance is good but when you have poor service you just dont really wanna go back. :(
(3)Mike D.
Love this place. Not a bad place to see a Red Sox or Pats game, they get the NESN feed there, rather listen to RemDog over stupid Joe Morgan and John Miller anyday. Beer specials are good during happy hour and the New England pub grub menu makes me nostalgic for real, greasy, cheap, flavorless comfort food :P This place is pretty authentic right down to the filthy piss trough in the Men's room and stupid chalkboard over it to keep Barney's from scratching "Lowell rulez dude" on the wall with the Beamer keys. I love the fact that there's an air hockey table in the back and a couple token yankees fans up front waiting to get their balls broken by us surly whitetrash New England scumbags.
(5)Darnius L.
haiku #1: yo, wicked awesome i feel like im in boston and the beer is cheap haiku #2: i saw manny's face in sam adams beer foam this place is worm hole
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