[DirtyDefender]

Night Before Party: Grunions in Manhattan Beach @ 7:00 PM to watch the Galaxy vs. San Jose game.

1501 N Sepulveda Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-9910

Tailgating Info: Along the grass strip in Lot 13 Next to Victoria Street - Technically speaking, they don't allow grills or alcoholic beverages, but I've seen people getting away with both here lately. If you do bring a grill, bring a small one. Personally, I usually just stop by the KFC right outside of the main entrance on Avalon Blvd. Please bring plastic cups to put your "Lemonade" in.

Hotel Recommendation:
Holiday Inn Express
900 N Sepulveda Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 318-6132

This isn't walking distance to the stadium, but it is walking distance to Grunions.

Drums:
The SoCal Brigade will have two drums to keep the section in rhythm - that's enough. Please refrain from bringing other noise makers into the section that disrupt our singing in unison.

FYI: The Riot Squad is planning a booze bus trip to the San Jose game the night before. We will be leaving out of LA at 10:30 AM Saturday, and not returning until the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. You'll probably be able to spot us when you pull in to Lot 13 - we'll be sleeping in our cars, or in the grass.

Watch this space:
If anything new comes up, we'll post it here.

[NutHouse4life01]

So glad to see this info posted, as I have been eagerly awaiting it. A few questions for the local planning committee:

1.) Does Grunion's carry the full MLS Direct Kick package? My group would like to find a place to watch Columbus @ KC at 5pm.

2.) Any idea how much a cab costs from Long Beach -> Manhattan Beach?

[DirtyDefender]

Originally Posted by NutHouse4life01

So glad to see this info posted, as I have been eagerly awaiting it. A few questions for the local planning committee:

1.) Does Grunion's carry the full MLS Direct Kick package? My group would like to find a place to watch Columbus @ KC at 5pm.

2.) Any idea how much a cab costs from Long Beach -> Manhattan Beach?

1. MLS Direct Kick Package - I'm almost positive they don't have it, but I'll ask. I don't know of any pub in the LA area that has the MLS Direct Kick package, as all LA games are broadcast on some channel, even if it's in Spanish. Grunions does have FSC, and a host of other sports packages. The owner's a soccer nut, so who knows - maybe you'll get lucky.

2. Cost of a cab - Long Beach to Manhattan Beach is a good ways. FInd out how long it is from your place in LB to MB and call a few cab companies in LA to see what their rates are. You might want to call a few shuttle companies.

[DirtyDefender]

I just got off the phone with the Owner of Grunions.

They don't have MLS Direct Kick.

They will however, have the Galaxy on the big Screen at 7:00 with the sound turned up.

My Advice: Join the dark side and become a Galaxy fan - All shall be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Just Kidding.

Go USA!

[DirtyDefender]

According to the FSC Pub guide, The 6740 in Whittier has the MLS Shootout package.

The 6740
6740 Greenleaf Ave.
Whittier
562-698-6740

Click here for the FSC Pub guide

[NutHouse4life01]

Originally Posted by DirtyDefender

I just got off the phone with the Owner of Grunions.

They don't have MLS Direct Kick.

They will however, have the Galaxy on the big Screen at 7:00 with the sound turned up.

Your efforts are much appreciated nonetheless. Having any MLS match available on the tube is a plus.

Originally Posted by DirtyDefender

According to the FSC Pub guide, The 6740 in Whittier has the MLS Shootout package.

The 6740
6740 Greenleaf Ave.
Whittier
562-698-6740

Click here for the FSC Pub guide

I am wondering if this information is outdated since 1.) "Shootout" is the old name from a few years ago, and 2.) while sometimes a good source for finding worthwhile soccer pubs, the FSC guide definitely has some holes and misleading information in it.

Originally Posted by DirtyDefender

2. Cost of a cab - Long Beach to Manhattan Beach is a good ways. FInd out how long it is from your place in LB to MB and call a few cab companies in LA to see what their rates are. You might want to call a few shuttle companies.

Since my last post, Grunion's has been confirmed as the official Saturday night pub, and I have spoken with a relative local to the area who indicated MBeach has a good bar crawl scene. Therefore, my group has decided to change our reservation to the Residence Inn Manhattan Beach, which we understand is very close to Grunion's. So, Manhattan Beach it is for U.S. Supporters!

Looking forward to meeting you all!

[TheDallasPerspective]

I hope Grunion's is large and tolerant ... this is going to be very rowdy, and we can't wait! We'll be at Grunion's but if you want to catch your MLS side and then join the party at Grunion's ...

Other soccer pubs near Grunion's include:

• The Underground in Hermosa Beach is about 2 miles away (www.theunderground.com)
• O'Briens in Santa Monica, about 9 miles away (www.obriensonmain.com)
• Also in Santa Monica, Library Ale House is on the same block as O'Briens (www.libraryalehouse.com)
• In Santa Monica two blocks from the others is Finn McCool's (www.gerrigilliland.com/finn)
• About a mile further north in Santa Monica is Ye Olde King's Head (www.yeoldekingshead.com)

PM me if you want a PDF map with these plotted.

Hotels

FWIW, the Holiday Inn recommended above has only rooms with one bed remaining. You can get a rollaway for an extra $7, making the all-in rate $139 per room per night before the 13% hotel tax. I'm sure there are a zillion hotels , some others are:

• Marina del Rey Hotel (www.marinadelreyhotel.com) in Marina del Rey is $159 per room per night, about 8 miles from Grunion's and 20 from HDC.
• Portofino Yacht Club (www.hotelportofino.com) in Hermosa Beach is a lot closer but $220.
• Hilton Long Beach (www.hilton.com) is near San Pedro Bay, and is $171.
• Tower Beverly Hills (www.thetowerbeverlyhills.com) is an old 4-star glamour hotel in Beverly Hills for $202

PM me if you'd like a PDF map with these plotted. I also have some budget hotels plotted, but nothing near Manhattan Beach or HDC.

Car

It's LA. I'd recommend a rental car and forget about public transportation or taxis - think of a 10-mile taxi ride where the traffic is as thick as the Las Vegas Strip. Hertz has cars for as low as $30 per day.

Airports

At least four major airports serve the LA area ... check out prices at each of these airports to find the best airfare:

• LAX - Los Angeles International (just north of Manhattan Beach)
• BUR - Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena (about 25 miles to the north near the US-101 and IH-5 junction
• LGB - Long Beach Daugherty (just east of HDC)
• SNA - John Wayne/Orange (furthest away, about 40 miles to the southeast along the 405

PM me if you'd like a PDF map with these airport locations.

Of course, there are a zillion different ways to get in and around and stay and drink. These are just a few, hope they're helpful.

YANKEE FOOTBALL! YANKEE FOOTBALL! U! S! A!

[NutHouse4life01]

Residence Inn - Los Angeles/LAX Manhattan Beach

Rooms still available, as cheap as $129 per night for studio with 1 queen and 1 sofabed. Hot breakfast included daily. And, best of all, it's a half block from Grunion's.

Found the pub's website: http://grunionsmb.com/

[TheDallasPerspective]

Originally Posted by TheDallasPerspective

Other soccer pubs near Grunion's include:

• The Underground in Hermosa Beach is about 2 miles away (www.theunderground.com)

My apologies. Website for The Underground is www.undergroundpub.com.

[DirtyDefender]

Originally Posted by TheDallasPerspective

Other soccer pubs near Grunion's include:

• The Underground in Hermosa Beach is about 2 miles away (www.theunderground.com)
• O'Briens in Santa Monica, about 9 miles away (www.obriensonmain.com)
• Also in Santa Monica, Library Ale House is on the same block as O'Briens (www.libraryalehouse.com)
• In Santa Monica two blocks from the others is Finn McCool's (www.gerrigilliland.com/finn)
• About a mile further north in Santa Monica is Ye Olde King's Head

Where did you get that list from?

I organize the away game viewing parties for the Riot Squad in LA (we rotate around the city each game). Neither O'Briens on Main, Finn McCool's or the Library Ale House have ever come up as soccer bars.

Fake Edit: I just went to each of their websites - doesn't look like they have a projection screen TV. Grunions has two projection screen TV's and the owner is a soccer nut. Even though it's a Saturday night, he's going to have the juke box turned down, and the sound on the game turned up.

Feel free to start up a song on your own.