Sky Room

As much as I love Tivo and my iPod and the internet (hello internet!), I occasionally seriously regret not being alive in the 1940's. Think about it this way: the 40's had fantastic music, everyone was well dressed and they all had inexplicably good complexions. So, who doesn't like music, clothes and skin? I rank them near the top of my 'stuff I like' list.

My imaginary nostalgia has led me to frequent, when I can find them, places that still embrace those things I hold in high esteem (okay, maybe not the skin thing). So there is nothing not to love about The Sky Room!

The Sky Room is the restaurant at the top of the Long Beach Hotel. It's a very art deco vibe with parquet floors and red velvet drapes. It opened in 1926 and you can feel, and sometimes see the age of the place. In the harsh light of day you notice the cracked window and worn carpet. But after the sun goes down and the band starts up all it's musty age is forgotten.

People dance at the Sky Room. Not the night club grinding or concert bopping I'm used to, but real dancing. As if they have done this before, taken the time to learn how to move around the floor. Believe me, there are no Fred and Ginger's to make you feel inadequate, just that sense of lost nostalgia. As if the building would be disappointed to find you groping your honey in the center of it's history. So if a night with some mild propriety is not your thing just move on down to Panama Joe's (review coming soon!).

I went as part of a party of five. We had an amazing dinner there, pasta and sea bass are highly recommended. Our waiter helped us find a really quality bottle of wine and was not at all condescending or pretentious. Here is the catch: the bill was in the $500 range. If this in no way phases you well, I'm still single. But if the idea of spending around a hundred dollars for a plate kind of makes you want to pass out, don't worry, you can still go.

The front room is a bar with the dance floor and the live music. You can order food in that room if you want but it's not necessary. In fact, next time I go I'll eat at In N Out Burger ahead of time and just get drinks, it's almost better that way because that's where there is music and dancing, the fun stuff. Gentlemen, if you want to impress a date this is the way to do it, not the In N Out Burger part, though, seriously I shouldn't have to tell you that.

The Sky Room

40 South Locust Ave

Long Beach, CA

562.983.2703