Malibu’s Colorful Cocktail Haven Is the Hottest New Beachside Hangout

There’s still plenty of summertime weather left in greater Los Angeles, as evidenced by this week’s Santa Ana Wind-fueled heatwave. That bodes well for the brand new Cliffdiver restaurant and bar, opening this Friday near the sunny shores of Malibu.

The Cliffdiver takes over for the short-lived former Spanish restaurant known as Rebelion. Prior to that, the PCH-hugging building was Tavern 1 Grill (and Terra for years before that), though new owner Adolfo Garcia is hoping to make his watery blue restaurant stick around for some time by offering a mellow place for locals and travelers alike to congregate. The front room is open to the sun and features laid-back rattan seating and mosaic tile underfoot, while a standing bar to one side boasts brass touches and some seriously colorful wallpaper. In under the ceiling is a fireplace, more plants, and a mix of lounge seating and dinnertime tables spread out over low lighting.

As for the menu, Garcia will oversee a tight collection of seafood-heavy snacks, including an octopus tostada, fish al pastor tacos, and shareable fare like guacamole with pork belly. The focus will be on cocktails as much as anything else, with classic Mexican beer, margaritas, frozen drinks, and loads of mezcal and tequila on offer. Better still, there are plans for local deals like taco Tuesday (complete with $5 margaritas all day) and an ongoing 15% discount for Malibu residents. Garcia, who hails from the Chicago restaurant scene, is keen to keep Cliffdiver alive and local, and that should certainly help.

The Cliffdiver opens on Friday, keeping hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with an extension to 10 a.m. Saturday morning service, and midnight hours on Friday and Saturday.

The Cliffdiver. 21337 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA.

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