The Venice Paparazzi Team would like to bring attention and give a giant fist bump to one of our favorite Venetians!  It is James Evans’ birthday, as in the name sake of Venice’s favorite spot, James’ Beach! We are wishing you big heartfelt happy birthday.  You are one awesome guy, we are lucky to know you, and you make Venice a better place.  Thank you for you all you do.  We love you, man!

SO, WHO IS JAMES?
James Evans is the namesake and one of the two co-owners of this beach side hangout. He moved from San Francisco to Venice in 1975. James worked at some of the iconic early Venice eateries, starting at the famous Robert’s restaurant and later becoming the General Manager of Tony Bill, Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli’s famous 72 Market Street.

In 1982 James met artist and business person, Daniel Samakow. The pair hit it off and together, 14 years later, in 1996, and opened the big brass gates of James’ Beach for the first time.

James and Daniel later opened two other popular Venice eateries, Canal Club, a sushi bar and wood grill that celebrates the Venice artistic spirit and Danny’s Venice, a bistro with live music and de facto Venice museum that celebrates the areas amazing past.  Danny’s has since closed, and now the Canal Club’s Kinney room is home to the last gondola and many more Venice artifacts.

Here are a few of our favorite photos of you and your friends through the years.

©JamesBeach.com

CanalClubVenice.com