The sombrero-wearing shark mariachi and the full name of “Baja Sharkeez Mesquite-Mex Coastal Cantina” tell you straight up that this bar’s identity is anchored far from the South Pacific. That is to say, Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach is far from a tiki bar.
However, it does surprisingly have a few desirable design elements that one might find in a tiki bar, like a grass mat and bamboo ceiling…
As well as a thatched hut and some nautical/beachcomber ephemera. They just need to replace the disco balls with glass fish floats and they’ll be on their way. (I also dig that red naugahyde lined bar.)
Although, there actually was a tiki mask here, if that’s what you want to call this thing. (I think I’ll just call it ugly.)
But what keeps me coming back to Sharkeez is the weekend “Rise & Shine” breakfast special. Before 11:30 a.m. you can get eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and french toast or macadamia nut pancakes for $4, plus as many plastic cups of mimosas as you care to drink in an hour.
A word of warning to would-be brunching wenches—the former fratboys still show up this early in the morning to cheer on their alma maters. The last time I was there, one even sat down at our booth uninvited and proceeded to finish a half-eaten piece of bacon off my plate.
Afterwards, just stumble down to the beach and sleep off the cheap champagne for awhile…preferably on a tiki towel!
Baja Sharkeez
3801 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-545-6563
