Chez Jay celebrates 63 years in Santa Monica! – Venice Paparazzi | Venice Beach CA, Photo Agency, Community Info, News, Events

A big high five and birthday fist bump to Santa Monica’s own Chez Jay! At 63 years young, it has got to be one of the longest running restaurants in Los Angeles!

Legendary Chez Jay a Santa Monica Historical Landmark, is known for its delicious steaks, fresh seafood, generous drinks and comfortable atmosphere, and as one of the best celebrity hideaway taverns in all LA.

The Hollywood Rat Pack’s presence started the lore, and it continues today with locals, tourists, celebrities and politicians mingling to enjoy the best hideaway tavern in town. With peanut shells on the floor and its famous jukebox playing all night, Chez Jay is a place to soak up stories, enjoy a gourmet meal, and simply have a great time. Stop in and become part of the legend! Chez Jay, 1657 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, California.

HISTORY OF CHEZ JAY

Chez Jay (Established 1959) and The Backyard at Chez Jay (Opened August 2019) has been serving locals, celebrities and visitors since 1959. We have been known as a celebrity hang out, a “dive bar” and a “classy joint” ever since. Chez Jay offers a unique and friendly atmosphere to locals and newcomers alike including those famous faces that still call Chez Jay their favorite place and was declared a Santa Monica Historic Landmark in 2012.

Chez Jay is just ½ block south of the Santa Monica Pier on the east side of Ocean Avenue right next to the incredible Tongva Park. It is in the heart of the civic center district, steps from the Third Street Promenade and many of Santa Monica’s best hotels and of course, the famous Santa Monica beaches are just steps away. A stroll to Chez Jay is an easy one and the stroll home even easier.

Chez Jay is known for many things but probably the most important is our friendly atmosphere and our great food. Our free peanuts are pretty famous as well, as one of our Chez Jay peanuts went to the moon with Alan Shepard and became (as Jay called) the first “Astro-nut”, and it still resides in our family safe.

For the full Astro-Nut story and more ‘as the story goes’ tales, you will need to visit first hand and ask your bartender. Just refrain from taking pictures – a house rule since the days of Marilyn and JFK’s secret rendezvous in the 60’s! For more info: chezjays.com

Venice Paparazzi hosted a green screen photo booth at Chez Jay’s 60th Anniversary in 2019. Go down memory lane with Venice Paparazzi pics below!

Thank you to the Fiondella Family for the Chez Jay Vintage photos that we used as the backdrops in our green screen photo booth.

Original owner and founder Jay Fiondella in front of Chez Jays in 1959. Photo: courtesy of the Fiondella Family Archives

Chez Jay’s Chris Anderson

The Venice Paparazzi photo booth was a hit. Guests enjoyed 4 x6 prints courtesy of Chez Jay. Need a photo booth for your event? Hire Venice Paparazzi.

Right: Chez Jay’s current owner Michael Anderson. About image:
Jay Fiondella brought in an elephant on opening day in 1959. The circus elephant munched on peanuts while surrounded by show girls at the bar. ‘Til this day there is a dent on the bar that was left by the elephant. Photo courtesy of the Fiondella Family Archives.

Michael Anderson’s son, Chris Anderson, who is now the General Manager of Chez Jay. Thank you Chris for utilizing Venice Paparazzi’s photo booth service. Go team!