Hennessey’s Tavern: The SoCal Bar That Revolutionized Drinking—By Adding Windows!

Where Marines and Good Times Collide, literally

If you’re one of the millions of Marines that have been stationed in Camp Pendleton, you’ve inevitably searched out for a place where the beer flows like wine and beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. No, not Capo Beach, more like an Irish dive bar with sticky floors, burly bouncers and salty women. One such beautiful watering hole is Hennessey’s Tavern.

You’ve heard the saying, “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” but at Hennessey’s Tavern, the phrase might as well be, “Come on over and get drunk.” Nestled near Camp Pendleton, Hennessey’s Tavern has been the go-to watering hole for Marines looking to unwind, celebrate, or just blow off some steam after a long day of eating crayons. Whether you’re grabbing a burger after shining Gunny’s boots or slinging back a few drinks before returning to base, Hennessey’s has earned its place in Marine culture. But do you know how this institution evolved from humble beginnings into an epic jarhead destination? Nay, a SoCal institution?

Read on.

A SoCal Revolution—Windows!

Hennessey’s Tavern was founded in 1976 by Paul Hennessey, a guy who traded Wall Street pinstripes for California flip-flops. His first location was in Hermosa Beach, which at the time was pretty rundown—think boarded-up shops and empty storefronts. To differentiate his bar from the rest, Hennessey added something totally wild and uncalled for: WINDOWS! That’s right—most bars back then were dingy, dark caves with no sunlight allowed. He convinced his landlord to let him cut holes in the wood and install this crazy new invention called windows. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“My biggest innovation was cutting windows in the front of the place. Back then all the restaurants and bars were dark and dingy, and some people said, ‘Who wants to be sitting in a place where you can see outside?’ It was just the opposite — people who were outside wanted to see what was inside. I talked the landlord into lending me some money to put the windows in after we had been open for six months, and as soon as I did that it started to get a more regular clientele. After that other people started doing it.”

What Could He Possibly Come Up With Next?

Not one to rest on his laurels, Paul Hennessey continued to push the boundaries of what was acceptable in SoCal bar culture. He did something so crazy, so nuts, that people began to question his sanity. What could possibly be bigger and crazier than windows? He started using fresh fruit juices in his cocktails—MIND BLOWN. That’s right! Rather than relying on Tang for his screwdrivers, he crushed his own oranges and limes. Insane.

No, this is not a joke. This was actually groundbreaking in the ’70s. (source)

These choices led to instant success. Two years after opening his first bar, Hennessey opened a second location in Redondo Beach. Since then, the company has expanded from Dana Point and Manhattan Beach to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Nowadays, there are ten Hennessey’s Taverns in California and Nevada, along with operations like the Lighthouse Cafe and Mickie Finnz in Las Vegas.

So, the next time you head over to Hennessey’s to watch a football game while cradling a pint or listening to some live music on the outdoor patio, take a moment to look around and think, “Wow, this would really suck if there were no windows.”

Ever been to Hennessey’s Tavern? Are you a Marine who loves crayons and beer? Share your stories in the comments below, and keep it salty!