On a recent visit to Paradise, being my first time I read that they had a Monday special buy one get one free. Upon arriving I was greeted by a younger Hispanic guy sitting at the front entrance. My first thought was that seemed unprofessional, but being that it seemed slow, I can understand.I sat at the bar and waited for a friend. I was then approached by the bartender, Tim who was a very friendly guy. He seemed very knowledgable and was quick to help me out with the menu. I ordered a glass of wine he suggested. As he was going through the menu, he mentioned that the Monday special was 2 entrees for $25. Not what I had read initially but still a good deal. Once my friend arrived, we went into the dining room, where we had Chris as our server. Also very friendly and knowledgable. We stuck with the 2 for $25. Which I have to say the fried chicken is to die for. Over all our experience was a good one. Food was delicious. Service was quick and attentive and we had a really nice time overall. Along with the dim lights and candle light, it made for a relaxing and stress free atmosphere. We/I will definitely be back.
Review Source:Bartender Farrouk is very informative and hot and a must see in long beach people one of a kind. Also I absolutely love the Paradise Burger with avocado and onion strings can you say Delicious #ParadiseLongBeach if there is a easy flow and a more relaxed atmosphere here is the place!!!!!!
Review Source:I used to love the Paradise!
The food was great, especially the appetizers, the service was great and the attention from the waiter and Manager was excellent. What happened?
I was there for Care to Dine and I was really disappointed. There were only 2 tables occupied, there were lots of waiters but we got more attention from a waiter that was not ours.
The busboy was sweeping the dining room while we were eating and dusting the chairs!
One of the appetizers was terrible, the jalapeño poppers were hard and old, it tasted like they were refried. The calamari was ok. I ordered Salmon and it had literally no flavor, the mashed potatoes tasted like out of a box.
When I spend $120 on 2 dinners I expect great service and great food.
This place had the best eggplant parmigiana that I have ever had in my life. No, really it was that Good! Â It was not soggy at all nor smothered in parmesan cheese. Â It had just the right amount of sauce and cheese. Â I believe it was panko incrusted so that made it light and crisp. Â So delicious.
Now as for the bar, the patrions can get a little lively. Â Which can be a good thing in a bar, but when they try to sing over the live entertainment... this can be a bit off putting. As for the entertainment itself the second evening I was there was quite the act. Â The guy could play the piano like nobodies business, but when he opened his mouth I wanted to get a bicycle pump to inflate him a half note so he was not so flat. Â It was a bit painful at times. Â I even had to record it on my phone to double check later that the martini had not effected my hearing. Â When I listened to it later my doubt was dashed. Â Their martinis were not too bad but the staff was so young and seemed to have little experience (cute to look at) but will get better with time. Â Nothing wrong, just seemed to be a little uncomfortable at times when taking your drink order or delivering them.
I come here every week, sometimes multiple times for either brunch, lunch, and dinner. I come here for the live music on Mondays and Thursdays! Aside from the bartenders taking their time with drinks and orders sometimes, the servers there are very attentive and kind. The drinks can be a little pricey compared to the other nearby bars, but some of the bartenders know how to make bomb martinis (which are the specials) there is also $5 Jameson on some nights and that's a big thumbs up!
Danny has been superb every time he has served me and my friends! Tim is consistently giving good service and the General Manager is one of the sweetest gentlemen I've had the pleasure if meeting.
We had a fundraiser event here and the hospitality was inviting and supportive!
Food: I typically order the fried chicken and Mac n cheese balls and the fish plate was perfect. My favorite dish has to be the Fried Chicken. All the food is amazing and you better believe ill be back soon!
Long Beach watch the hell out!!!
Having just relocated to DTLB, a VERY good friend of mine, knowing my frequent boo-gie high end request(s), suggested I/we stop nowhere short of Paradise and damned if I'm not applauding him for his suggestion.
We lucked out (the first night) and happened to secure parking. We were instantly greeted.....(then again, he's a regular) and seated. Ordered a Double Amaretto sour for starters just to wet the whistle while we awaited our meal(s).
The special was some sort of stuffed pork chop infused w/ an abundance of shrimp and bacon --- TWO OF MY FAVORITES!!! Aside of this carnivorous entree were to be collard greens and some sort of bread dish; mind you, this meal was being referred to as some sort of Southern special.
Bearing in mind, as well, that my family stems from Mississippi and New Orleans I was reluctant to partake in this dish as I didn't want to be disappointed. Go figure, I went thereon to order my own plate after consuming 1/2 of my friends!!!!
This meal - was NOTHING short of delicious!!! The pork chop damn near fell off the bone and whooda' thunk to infuse it w/ shrimp and bacon! Lord Jesus - this meal w/in itself was enough to make you smack your damn Mama, but there I digress as the hospitality was the best I've seen in years as well!!!!
COMPLIMENTS TO THIS ESTABLISHMENT for hiring eye candy!!!! Lol - yaaaz! As there were no ugly people around.......... or,... were the drinks just that good??? I dunno, there I digress again, lol!
Anyway - to sum things up. I'm a definite regular here now and I'd recommend anyone in the area (or not in the area) check this place the hell out as it's pretty much as good as it gets!!!
Okay Who killed Paradise???? It's now more like Purgatory!
Dropped by here 10ish on a Friday night on a gorgeous summer night and when you expected a sardine packed bar there were - Â no more that six people. It was like going to a dance that was cancelled. Sad! Even straight bars are more crowded.
Used to Love this place - I mean it was the gem of the Long Beach bars - now most of the familiar staff is gone - which is sad.....Yes, the music is way too LOUD! When you have to yell for your drinks and for your conversation something is WRONG. (Sorry, didn't mean to yell...but that's what it's like).
Okay I wouldn't be fair if I didn't mention to good aspects of this place. The martinis are very good, probably the best in Long Beach (well, there is Tantulum in Marina Pacifica - but I prefer my martinis to be imbibed at a gay establishment....I'm just that traditionally gay.
Our server was very attentive too. Perhaps because we were one of the few customers there that evening -but I've usually had very good service when I'm here.
It's hard to write negative reviews on places you love, but I gotta spill the beans on this. Will the old Paradise please come back?
I've been here probably 5 - 6 times for dinner or drinks, but most recently, dinner. Â
This place is about 2/3 restaurant, 1/3 bar and both are nice to hang out in. Â They always have music, whether it's recorded or live and this night it was live. Â Call me a wuss... but it's just too effing loud when it's live! Â My friend and I had to lean toward the center of the table and speak fairly loud in order to hear each other. Â
SERVICE: Â We walked in and were seated in a booth immediately. Â Our server was very personable, very friendly and seemed to be always smiling. Â He made sure to thoroughly explain everything if we had any question and checked on us often. Â A+
FOOD: Â We skipped appetizers and went straight for the entrees. Â The "Langostino Macaroni Carbonara" ($21) sounded really good, so I ordered it. Â As I find in many restaurants, this is not a "true" carbonara, but who needs the added cholesterol from the egg yolks, right? Â
Anywho, this dish uses elbow macaroni instead of the usual spaghetti, then adds very small (shrimp sized) lobster tails and A LOT of very coarsely ground pink peppercorns in a parmesan cream sauce. Â Â Had I known there was THAT much ground peppercorn in the dish before I ordered, I would have asked it be left out all together! Â Ugh, too much peppercorn! Â Aside from that this dish was VERY flavorful and tasty! Â The little lobster tails were cooked correctly and yummy. Â Personally I'd prefer they used some other pasta, perhaps farfalle, fusilli, conchigliette, funghini or spiralini, etc. Â The elbow macaroni, while perfectly cooked, just seemed too basic or out of place for a dish at this price point.
OVERALL: Â It's a nice, local place with good food for dinner and a nice bar to grab a drink with friends, but it gets pretty loud when the music is live. Â 3.275 stars, rounded up.
To f-ing loud!!! The food is great, service is hit and miss. We live close so we keep trying it but the music being so loud makes it a real bummer. I would love to go down have a drink, hang out and listen to some music but the inability to have a conversation makes it impossible.
People are all nice and the food is worth a try but don't expect to be able to talk over your meal
What is happening here, people? Paradise is not a dance/night club - it's a local bar/restaurant which should lend to socializing with friends over a decent meal. Lately I've stopped by twice only to turn right around and leave. The music was so loud we couldn't hear each other while waiting for a table for dinner. And there was no barrier to the sound - most people in the restaurant looked annoyed. I heard several complaining as they left - saying they couldn't enjoy their meal because of the excessively loud music. Even the live music last week was so loud we couldn't enjoy it.
It will be a long time before I attempt Paradise again. So sad.
25 May 2013, 12:00
Arrived for brunch to a not-at-all-crowded restaurant. Â Had been once before for dinner, but this time we were there for lunch. Â Only the brunch menu was in effect, so our party of four ordered:
Tilapia Sandwich (not on current menu at website)
Spiced Turkey Burger
Classic Eggs Benedict
Breakfast Quesadilla (not on current menu at website)
Bloody Mary (3)
Iced Tea
Coffee
The food was solid and the service was attentive. Â Farrouk took good care of us and the manager (who was in the process of making Jell-O shots while we were dining) came over to check on us and to make sure everything was okay.
The tilapia was decribed as "crispy, pan-fried", but was not crispy. Â I'm not sure if this had to do with the oil not being hot enough to form the crispiness, the fish was too wet, or it sat on the bread too long before being delivered. Â I also asked for extra-crispy fries, which also were not crispy, probably from the oil not being hot enough. Â They were definitely browned more than usual, so the were cooked long enough, but just not crispy. Â They were tasty, though, and definitely hand-cut.
The other dishes I heard were good, also, but nothing spectacular or unusual that jumped out to be noticed.  We used the Yelp check-in special to get 2 free desserts with our order of four entrees.  The carrot cake and creme brûlée looked good, although I did not have either.
Overall, the food is solid, but the prices seemed to be a little out of line with what you get. Â I don't remember what I had for dinner the last time I was here, but I don't remember anything negative about the experience. Â It was pretty much the same this time. Â I probably could go back if someone wanted to go, but there are many other restaurants to try in the area.
This is a review of the restaurant, not the bar so much. Â
It's real hit or miss here, based mostly on who you get as a server. Â The food? Â Consistently good, if overpriced for the portions and the neighborhood (Broadway in Long Beach is not Sunset in WeHo). Â I like the Skinny Salmon - the salmon is always fresh, the quinoa is well prepared and flavorful, you may want to get the sauce on the side because it's a little much but overall a good dish. Â One companion got the equivalent dish with chicken and liked it; the time before a friend had the burger, which he raved about (and which is generously portioned, vs. the entree dishes relatively small sizes). Â He (the burger eater) is a regular, and says it's always consistently good. Â
Full bar though don't get a bloody mary, they're clueless - stick with the basics and you'll be fine. Â
Now, the service. Â Sometimes it's fawning and sometimes it's clear that you're not in the cool club. Â Last week when I was here it was great, and I wish I'd gotten my servers name - he was attentive, friendly and punctual. Â Last night, the server was, well, none of those things: he brought the wine late (after the entree), he didn't look at us, as he set the check down he talked over us to someone in the kitchen and when he picked up the credit card he talked over us to the table on the other side. Â And brought us two checks, only one of which was ours. Â It got to the point where it was comical. Â
Tasty but spendy food, radically uneven service. Â It's all about who you get. Â Good luck!
We tried this place after a recommendation for someone who liked this place for brunch.
It turned out not to be my favorite bunch place....waiter wasn't nice, almost seemed mad we showed up.  To begin with he asked if wanted a table for 2, we said yes...he walked over to a dirty table for 4...that still had 2 unused place setting, he shoved the table over, then pull 2 chairs away...but he never even attempted to clean the food scraps off of the table....just dropped the menus and walked away  We should have left right then and there.  So I feel I deserve some of the blame for allowing him to treat us to more of his poor service.
This place was so loud we had to scream to hear each other, and we were siting next to each other, the Bloody Mary was the worst I've had in a long time, it took forever to get our food, and it was cold when it got there. Â The only good part was that the food looked very appealing when it arrived...but not so much when you tasted it. Â I'd like to say we would try again...maybe we just went on a bad day....but it was really that bad I couldn't do it again.
I have had a lot of good meals in my life and a few not so much, but  until now I have never written a review.  But I'd feel bad if anyone else went through such a miserable experience that we did.
Me and friend went to Paradise this weekend during my LB stay. Â I haven't been here in years and knew that by going here I was going to expect an "ok" meal and an "ok" scene at best....boy oh boy was I wrong. Â
They've really changed this place. Here are my bullet points.
1. Food = excellent. Â I ordered the tilapia and it was just wonderful with a light crisp texture and fresh taste. Â My friend had the bikini chicken and raved about it the entire time.
2. Drinks: I ordered a "skinny' mojito. Â It wasn't on the menu. Â I told the waiter "make it happen" Â He did. Â The drink was crisp fresh and very lightly sweetened. Â My friend order a reddish martini, I forget what flavor. Â He must have loved it as he ordered a second. Â
3. Music: They had the best DJ playing music and he kicked ass. Â We went to some bars before and after this place and this DJ just knocked my socks off. Â When he played the Deadmau5 bootleg of California Love, I almost knocked my drink over. Â Not expecting to hear this super fresh beat in LB....eeek was that a snobby thing to say?
4. Decor: They've certainly added new decor to the place and if it was so busy with all the holiday lights and decorations, then I potentially saw something sleek and sexy. Â I suggest turning down the lights a tad more in the dining room.
5. Prices: $20-25 range for each entree. Â Drinks were in the $10range. Â Prices were steep but here's the thing, friend and I left the place with the feeling that it was WORTH IT! Â I hate feeling like I overpaid or got jipped. Â The experience that night matched the prices.
I will most likely be back on my next visit to the LBC. Â The GM, Rob, also came over and introduced himself and made sure we were having a great time. Â Thanks so much!
Mixed feelings, based on a number of things.
Love the dining room atmosphere. So great to have a GLBT place that looks cozy and classy and serves food. Nice to be in such a place where I can be out but not have to deal with some icky bar dive bar atmosphere, like so many other gay bars in the LBC. Can we not do better for ourselves?
Also love James, the waiter, Such a COMPLETE sweetheart!
I agree with the folks who post about the menu being a big confusing -- yeah -- I don't really want to even know about what I cannot order that night, because then I will invariably crave it!
Some of the food is great, some, not so much. The baby lamb trio might seem a strange choice for an appetizer, but nobody says you cannot order it as an entree and it is quite lovely as such. Not a fan of their calamari, however -- the breading always seems undercooked to me, and I prefer a mix of tentacles and thick-sliced pieces of squid, rather than all thick sliced. The mushroom appetizer was great last time I had it, but I really am speaking of the balsamic marinated topped with bleu cheese one, not the other two which are, frankly, meh. Their desserts are usually good -- they make their own whipped cream -- but occasionally I have had cake here that was obviously yesterday's -- dry. Mostly good, though.
My only real complaint is with the drinks. I am a total lightweight and if I am not even feeling tipsy from a drink, then something is obviously up! If I am paying $9-12 for a cocktail, shouldn't I at least be catching a buzz? And yet the last few times I have been in, Â this has been my experience -- two drinks and $25 out of my pocket and I am not even feeling any different than when I entered. Hmmmm. . .
I want so much to like this restaurant...it has a fun vibe, it is lively and is the only gay bar on Broadway that actually has class. Â I've been patronizing Paradise for YEARS, I've seen it go from tragic to greatness and now it seems to be slipping backwards. Â
The last 3 times I've been there, 1 of the entrees arrived about 20 minutes after the others, thus ruining the meal for the entire table. Â The staff is always quick to comp the drinks, which is very nice, but I would much rather pay for my drinks and have the food arrive simultaneously. Â
I do have to admit, once the food finally arrived, everything was very good and the servers are usually very fun and friendly. Â So I suppose it would be ok to eat there if you have a lot of time and nobody minds eating while others are still awaiting their meal???
I had dinner reservations at Paradise for tomorrow night, which I just canceled. Â I have a dear friend from out of town visiting and I simply can't take the chance of having the meal screwed up. Â
This is such a shame because I want to support our local businesses, especially businesses which support the LBGT community, but with the unpredictable service I will not be dining there anymore. Â Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, fool me thrice...you've lost a customer.
I used to go to this place for its great appetizers and good martinis alot for years when I traveled to Long Beach for work.
And having been back this time was a bit disappointing. Â
I ordered for entree the portabella mushroom trio, which was always a favorite of mine. Â WOW did they spray vinegar all over the mushrooms rendering them very sour; therefore inedible? Â And the calamari? Â Chewy and pieces were too thick.
I could only add one more star for good martinis. Â The service was also subpar this time.
I hope they take a serious look at their food and service, as that may be the last time I visit this place, which is a shame.
4.5 stars but rounded up as it may be loud at time for some.
I have had some of my most important group meals here for celebrations and when I lived close by me and the lady would go almost every other night.
I like that there is a quiet dining area and the a bar area for the night cap.
I was always pleased with my service. Â I LOVE the butter lettuce salad, mushroom trio, fried artichoke hearts. Â I like all their promos and their Sunday Brunch is heavenly. Â Bartender is a bad ass.
I really wish I could give this place a 3.5 rating, but I can't.... And I should be rounding up because of the price, but I just can't...
My girlfriend and I came here for dinner on Monday (which is a 2-1 dinner special day). Choices for the meal were decent... Things I can remember were salmon, ribs, pork chops, fish and chips, meat loaf, eggplant parm, a chicken dish or two, spaghetti and meat balls and pot roast. I think that was most of the choices... Anyway I am a man's man with large molars and the ability to tear flesh from bone, so I went with the ribs (photo attached), and my girlfriend ordered eggplant parmigiana. Review:
Ribs: Actually, not that good... Very stringy, the sauce was way to strong and not smoky at all and not very well prepped.
Fries: Very delicious, but kind of limp and under-cooked
Slaw: Dry, not good, only had two bites of it
Eggplant: Tasty, but a also limp and moist
The atmosphere of the place was clearly a gay bar... Now most of the time it's not that big of a deal for me being a straight guy, but when I have to look over my girl friends shoulder ever few minutes and see shirtless men (sometimes kissing) on a TV screen, it's not something I am a fan of. There was also a man playing piano while we ate, which was nice, but to be honest, he wasn't all that impressive.
The waiting staff was very nice (all dudes), very helpful and kind... And the price for our meal was unbeatable. The total, with tip, was 27$ for two full dinner meals, two waters and a coke.
Overall if my meal was better I would probably turn this into a 4 because of the wait staff and price, but my ribs were just very sub par, and I don't really need to see men making out with I am trying to have a nice dinner with my g/f.
Paradise Restaurant & Piano Bar has excellent food: Â brunch, small plates, & dinner. Â I recommend the Greek Shrimp, Feta & Spinach omelet for brunch and the Tuscan Tuna Paninni for lunch / dinner. Â The empanadas were my favourite small plate so far. Â
The bartenders are fast, friendly, and attentive. Â Anthony is especially speedy and sweet. Â The servers are smiling both in and out of the kitchen; they're sincere, sweet, and speedy. Â Zachary and James are especially helpful.
Brunch Sunday had some excellent piano talent fro Rob Klopfenstein, and Saif is also superb. Â Large TV screens, excellent music, friendly locals / regulars. Â It's a great spot for a social night out.
All you need to know: $2 mimosas and $2 bloody marys.
Sure, I could tell you about how this is a pretty fun, gay piano bar every night - minus a few club nights.
And, yeah, I could tell you about deep-fried artichoke hearts.
There's the super fun, albeit loud, atmosphere I could tell ya about too.
I could even tell ya, that the $2 bloody marys, well they're tasty, but they certainly aren't anything to write home about... except for the fact that they are ONLY TWO BUCKS!
But, all you really need to know: $2 mimosas and $2 bloodys for Sunday Brunch.
I was pretty sure that these days all $2 would get me was 8 quarters, but then I was taken to Paradise Piano. What's that you say? $2 for a mimosa or bloody mary? Take this change woman and bring me a beverage!
It wasn't the most sophisticated way to spend a Sunday, but it sure was cheap and entertaining!
Paradise Piano Bar & Restaurant is a local gay establishment on Broadway in Long Beach. As if you haven't noticed the flickering NEON sign outside. Come. On.
I have been here a handful of times, but never actually had dinner. I have tried the calamari and the cocktails -- all were excellent. The place seems a little too loud to have an intimate dinner experience -- live lounge singers, piano players and plenty of Chatty Cathys. But I am sure there are nights where live entertainment is on a break and you can actually have a convo without having to scream.
The mojitos are delicious -- tangy, minty and a good size for the price. The bartender especially LOVES to make them. Make sure you order them in intervals of 3.
The crowd varies from young and flirty to old and overbearing. Hey, i'm just there for the drinks. Women like to come here with their gay friends -- I guess it's a good place that takes away the pressures of regular bar life. You know how annoying that can be, ladies. Grubby seedy pervs on the prowl trying to get digits from anything that has a pulse. Sometimes it's better to go to a place where the dudes ain't gonna give you a single glance. Well, maybe to talk crap about your outfit. So you better look chic, bitch. You may also be one of the lucky ones chosen for NON-STOP compliments on your makeup and outfit!
Out of all the gay bars on Broadway, I would recommend the Paradise. it's a lot more casual and inviting -- and the lighting is bright enough to actually see faces. You all know that's important when you're trying to score some cock...tails. Yes, in that order.
The bar is just as fun as I thought it would be. Sir Nicholas I and stopped by here for a nightcap on our walk home one Friday night and the place was bumpin' or hoppin' or whatever cool in' you want to use. Plus the bartender cleared two spaces for us immediately and served us up two cocktails prompt-like.
Kudos to the piano player, too. He was more like entertainment to enjoy and less like a main that just played the old standard boring songs.
True story: I sang Taylor Dayne's "Tell It To My Heart" on karaoke night here and had dollars shoved into my pockets. I was the only one that night that unintentionally made money. Did I mention I was fully-clothed? Lesbians -- they love me.
I love this place, even if it weren't for the lesbians. (Um hello, I'm Filipino of course I love anything that houses a karaoke system!)
Jesus, I don't know whether to carve my heart with a spoon when I go to this place or sing it praises...
Let's start with the basics. Â For one, it's a dramatic place to say the least. Â The decor is something out of a "To Wong Foo" film set: shiny metals, fake stone, assorted fabrics, white X-mas tree lighting. Â There is a tacky, gigantic television that is usually playing something between the last Madonna tour and the last Logo special. Â So, if I'm feeling campy then I'm cool -- but considering that is about one day outta the year, the atmosphere typically stresses me out. Â But if you love Barry and Barbara, you'll be fine.
The bar for me is like the restaurant itself: hit or miss. Â Sometimes I get a wonderfully poured drink -- sometimes I get jipped and have to order a beer. Â
The food is, well... Let's just say they go through chefs often.
I got three words for ya: DRAG QUEEN BINGO
I could end there but I won't. The 1st & 3rd Monday of every month is FREE bingo hosted by some lovely drag queens. It's a TON of fun! You get the chance to win random prizes (like a tape measure or a gift card for porn) and they have one of the best Happy Hours in town. $3 cocktails all night (and not that nasty well shit either) AND 2-for-1 dinner until 10pm. I think our table had like 15 drinks & 2 entrees and the bill was under $60!!!
"Cheap & Easy Mondays" are my new best friend. I'll be there every month. Haaaaaay!
P.S. The drink & dinner specials happen EVERY Monday, fyi.
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