You’re driving down Wardlow Road, past the quiet bungalows of California Heights, and you see it. The neon. It’s not the flashy, over-produced neon of Downtown Long Beach or the tourist-heavy Belmont Shore. It’s different. Honestly, Roxanne’s Bar Long Beach feels like a secret that ten thousand people already know about. It is a neighborhood anchor.
Most people walk in expecting a standard pub. They see the dark wood, the pool table, and the local crowd. But then they notice the Latin infusion, the massive selection of Central American rums, and a phone booth that definitely shouldn't be there. It’s weird. It works.
The Identity Crisis That Actually Works
Roxanne’s doesn't try to be one thing. That’s usually a death sentence for a bar. Usually, a place is either a "craft cocktail lounge" or a "neighborhood dive." Roxanne’s decided to be both, and somehow, they’ve maintained that balance since opening in 2011. It’s owned by Robert Molina, who brought a specific Salvadoran influence to the menu and the spirit list that you just don't find elsewhere in the LBC.
You’ve got the Main Bar, which is where the Friday night energy lives. It’s loud. It’s communal. Then you have the outdoor patio—a massive space that feels like a backyard party you weren't cool enough to be invited to, but they let you in anyway.
🔗 Read more: Ocean City Today Ocean City MD: What You Actually Need to Know Before Heading Down
And then there's The Exhibition Room.
If you haven't heard of it, it’s the speakeasy tucked inside. You literally have to enter through a vintage phone booth. While Roxanne’s is about high-fives and heavy pours, The Exhibition Room is about precise chemistry and jazz. It’s a Jekyll and Hyde situation. It shouldn't make sense to have a rowdy patio and a quiet, sophisticated speakeasy in the same building, yet here we are.
What You’re Actually Drinking
Let’s talk rum. Most bars in Southern California are obsessed with tequila or bourbon. Roxanne’s leaned hard into Ron Izalco and other high-end Central American spirits.
🔗 Read more: Cincinnati: What County is Cincinnati In and Why It Gets Confusing
- The Signature Cocktails: They don't just do a mojito. They do versions that respect the sugar cane.
- The Local Brews: Long Beach is a beer city (think Trademark, Beachwood, Ten Mile), and Roxanne's keeps a rotating tap list that reflects the 562 area code.
- The Infamous Food: You aren't getting "bar food." You’re getting pupusas and empanadas alongside burgers. The Salvadoran influence isn't a gimmick; it’s the soul of the kitchen.
Why the Location Matters (California Heights vs. The World)
Long Beach is a city of neighborhoods. If you go to Second Street, you’re dealing with frat bros and parking nightmares. If you go to Pine Avenue, you’re dealing with conventions. But California Heights? It’s historic. It’s residential.
Roxanne’s Bar Long Beach succeeds because it serves the people who actually live there. It’s the kind of place where the person sitting next to you probably walked from three blocks away. This gives it a "Cheers" vibe, but with better lighting and significantly better rum.
The Speakeasy Factor
The Exhibition Room isn't just a closet with a fancy name. It has won actual awards. It was designed to mimic the 1920s era, and they take the "rules" seriously. No flash photography. No loud shouting. It’s a curated experience.
📖 Related: What is the time zone for Australia: What most people get wrong
You need a password. You usually need a reservation. It’s the kind of place you go when you want to actually hear the person you’re talking to. The contrast between the booming music in the main bar and the hushed tones of the back room is jarring in the best way possible.
Beyond the Drinks: The Community Hub
Roxanne’s is famous for its events. They do a Michelada Festival that brings in people from all over Los Angeles County. They do car shows. They do "Yappy Hours" for dog owners.
It’s a business, sure. But it’s also a town square. In an era where third spaces—places that aren't home and aren't work—are disappearing, Roxanne’s is holding the line. They’ve managed to survive the 2020 lockdowns, the shifting economy of Long Beach, and the gentrification of the surrounding areas by staying stubbornly authentic to their roots.
Misconceptions About Roxanne’s
- "It’s just a dive." No. A dive bar doesn't have a 100-point rum list or a world-class speakeasy in the back. It has the soul of a dive, which is different.
- "It’s too far from the beach." It’s in the name, but yeah, you’re a few miles inland. That’s a feature, not a bug. It means fewer tourists and more locals.
- "The food is secondary." Ask anyone about the empanadas. They’ll correct you quickly.
The Real Logistics
Parking in Long Beach is usually a nightmare. At Roxanne’s, it’s... okay. You’re in a more residential/industrial crossover area, so you can usually find a spot on Wardlow or the side streets, but keep an eye on the signs. This is Long Beach; the meter maids are legendary.
If you’re planning a visit, Friday and Saturday nights are peak chaos. If you want the "local" feel, go on a Tuesday. The bartenders actually have time to talk to you about the history of the building or the nuances of the rum they’re pouring.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
- Make a reservation for The Exhibition Room at least four days in advance if you’re going on a weekend. Don't just show up and expect the phone booth to open.
- Check their Instagram (@roxannesbar) before you go. They do a lot of pop-ups and themed nights that aren't always on the main website.
- Try the pupusas. Seriously. Don't just get the fries. The kitchen is the unsung hero of this operation.
- Uber or Lyft. If you start diving into the rum flights, you aren't going to want to drive home. Wardlow is a straight shot, but the LBP (Long Beach Police) are active in the area.
- Bring a jacket. Even if it’s 80 degrees during the day, the Long Beach coastal breeze hits the patio hard at night.
Roxanne’s Bar Long Beach isn't trying to be the "hottest" club in LA. It’s trying to be the best bar in the neighborhood. And for over a decade, it’s been winning that fight. Whether you’re there for a quick PBR and a game of pool or a $25 custom cocktail in the back room, you’re treated like you belong there. That is a rare thing to find.