An Inclusive New Long Beach Bar Features Golf Simulators and Lots of Beer

If playing golf in a chilled-out indoor environment with a craft michelada sounds appealing, then Long Beach’s new golf bar could be the right place to go. The recently-opened Birdies N Brews hopes to appeal to those who love the sport of golf, though it’s far from exclusive the way that courses and country clubs can be. Instead, the bar at 90 E. 4th Street is designed to be a safe space for anyone who might otherwise feel a bit intimidated, either by the fees or, say, someone looking for a judgment-free zone to put in a few swings.

Co-owner and beverage director Tiffany Hernandez says the whole idea for Birdies N Brews came from her brother-in-law who “missed out on a round of golf thanks to rain.“ She adds: “He started thinking about having something with golf that was more inclusive, accessible, indoors, and less tiring than walking nine (or 18) holes.”

This isn’t the first golf bar in SoCal (thanks to popular spots like Olympic Golf Zone in Buena Park) but it is almost certainly the most intimate. The cozy, old-school space features two golf simulators that each allow four people to play nine holes, plus a lounge for up to 30 who can wait to take their turn. Rates — which feel similar to games at a bowling alley — are $25 for 30 minutes, $35 per hour, and $10 for each additional person.

For now, Birdies N Brews serves beer, though and a wine license should be approved by the end of the October. Hernandez intentionally sourced beer producers that are women- and LGBTQ-owned. There are house micheladas as well (that can be paired together as a flight) including a rojo michelada with fresh juice from roma tomatoes, orange, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Hernandez developed others with hibiscus, guava, habanero, and lemon that can be made into a spicy highball with pineapple juice, and has even sourced a non-alcoholic lager from San Diego-based South Norte. which substitutes well for micheladas.

Birdies N Brews is her sister brother-in-law's dream, while Hernandez brings plenty of experience from hospitality. She began while opening the Arts District Brewery and tenure at the Houston Brothers’ No Vacancy before moving to New York to work at Cosme and Employees Only. She also worked in London at Callooh Callay, but moved back to LA during the pandemic, landing at Long Beach’s Mezcalero before moving on to Manuela in the Arts District.

As first-generation Chicanos from Downey, Birdies N Brews is owned by Hernandez’s sister Jasmine Esparaza and husband Andrew, while youngest sister Samantha Ortiz bartends alongside Hernandez. “My training is in high-volume craft cocktail bars, but my love is the local neighborhood dives that keep communities going,” says Hernandez. “It’s what we hope to build with Birdies N Brews.”

Meanwhile, if golf isn’t your game, Birdies N Brews will have TV screens showing local sports teams, along with Happy Gilmore, or Caddyshack. Also available are games like chess, Connect Four, Scrabble, and a mini air hockey table. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.