Hollywood’s Bar Black Opening Second Location in Long Beach

The owners of Hollywood bar Black took possession of Long Beach’s shuttered Paradise Bar and Restaurant last week. Black’s expansion into Long Beach should happen by the end of May.

Partners Shannon McManus, Bethany Black, and former professional skateboarder Heath Kirchart opened the Hollywood location in 2014. Black and McManus are Black’s operations managers. McManus spent seven years as manager of Johnny Depp’s Viper Room and Black is also a former employee of the famed nightclub. The trio picked up keys to the new location only one week after Black gave birth to her first child.

The trio wants to create bring a Long Beach vibe to the newest Black. The only similarity between both bars will be an entirely black exterior, but the Long Beach location will provide food and maintain all-day hours with cocktails and a small plates menu. Sonoma’s Scribe Winery alumni and Black’s cousin Jessica DellaTorre is general manager at Black Long Beach, and will be working with consulting chef Dave Danhi to finalize the menu. Dahni’s resume includes Water Grill, the Roxbury, and The Grilled Cheese Truck.

When the longstanding gay bar closed, the surrounding neighborhood were curious about Paradise’s incoming replacement. The 94-year-old building housed a number of incarnations of bars and restaurants with the name paradise until Paradise Bar and Restaurant took over in 1988. The legendary bar served its last drink on March 20.

The partners chose Long Beach because Black and Kirchart hail from Orange County and have a large following there. “I’m super excited to be part of this growth,” said Black. “Not only do we have our clientele, it’s a good time to be part of this right now. We’re welcoming everyone, and are excited to serve all members of the community,” Hours will be Monday to Friday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 2 a.m.

Black Long Beach
1800 E Broadway
Long Beach, CA

• Legendary Long Beach Gay Piano Bar Paradise to Close in April [ELA]