B's Boathouse

passing along another great yelp recommendation...this place is right on the water and has great live music!!

***One of my favorite places in the whole wide world!*** Why? I can bring my dog to doggy beach, classic rock tunes, BBQ, cheap drinks (by LA standards), it has amazing lakeside views and live band karaoke!

My husband and I planned our after wedding brunch at the restaurant a couple weeks ago. John the owner is fantastic! The food was wonderful! Everyone felt very welcome. Staff was super friendly. He even gave my husband and I a congratulatory bottle of champagne! So Nice! The clientele at B's are also super friendly. I cannot tell you how many times I've struck up random conversations with people about our dogs and left feeling like there are still good people in this world.

Yes it can be remodeled, but it's Big Bear! My dog knows the name "B's". His ears perk up every time.

B's Boathouse is definitely my favorite Big Bear Bar -- this feels like the real, old school Big Bear to us.  Very cool, dive bar w/ incredible location, right on the lake, pool tables, lake-side patio w/ live music on the weekends. Lots of locals, and we always seem to meet some interesting characters here. One winter, "one eyed Jack" moseyed up to the bar and sat next to us, explained to us how he got his name (don't want to spoil it for you, but 3 words - prison, knife fight), and proceeded to pop out his glass eye, show it to us, and ask us out. Impressive, but we settled for a game of pool.

Then in the summer, there's a tiki bar set up outside and you can hang out on the beach w/ your kids or dogs and enjoy a cold beverage or two.  They even have 3 horseshoe pits and a really nice sand volleyball court - fun!

It's definitely not upscale - kind of casual shack atmosphere; plastic chairs and tables set up on the rocky beach. Outside tiki bar is generally weekends only and cash only, but reasonable prices - around $4-5 for beer, wine or mimosa; cocktails available inside. Beach is rocky, so if you/your kids want to venture in, might want to bring water shoes.  There's a dock there, too, so you can pull your boat right up if there's a slip available.  Very cool spot.

Note: This review is for the Bar (B's Boathouse) not the restaurant (B's BBQ); separate review for that.  Also, sometimes service at the bar can be a little slow if you're not a local. Please give all your patrons the same great service you give the locals; thanks!