One of Manhattan Beach’s most popular restaurants, Brewco, which closed after a 32-year run last October, has been revived as Brewco Social with a sweet new look and refreshed menu by chef Neal Fraser. Opened on May 22, anyone sitting on the patio last night would’ve seen locals passing by, pointing inside, and audibly remarking, “Wow, it’s back.”

The new design from Noelle Isbell looks on-point for a 2024 restaurant, with striking lamps, glowing wall accents, a lightwood floor and ceiling made with natural materials, and colors that range from peach, cream, gray, and black. The place looks nothing like the brewpub or sports bar it used to be, save the televisions blaring NBA playoff games, which remain behind the bar. On the other wall, sleek Samsung Frame televisions cycle through classic black-and-white photographs.

Founder and longtime South Bay local Michael Zislis, who operates several nearby establishments, including Strand House across the street, the Shade Hotel, and Rock & Brews, said he brought on Fraser, who was the chef at Strand House more than 13 years ago, because he was one of the few “nice chefs” in the industry. Fraser, who still operates Redbird and the Vibiana in Downtown, brings an eclectic menu meant to appeal to a wide dining audience.

On the menu are easy sushi rolls filled with Japanese snow crab, golden-brown Bavarian wiener schnitzel with mashed potatoes, Brazilian pão de queijo, and Chinese chicken salad inspired by LA-favorite Chin Chin. Grilled New Caledonia prawns come with a proper charcoal blistering and Calabrian chile butter; shishito peppers are glazed in citrus and dotted with crunchy quinoa; spicy Korean pork ribs, served with slaw and skinny fries, might fall off the bone. And as a bonus, the majority of the menu is gluten-free. A few holdovers from the old Brewco remain, including the Fuch’s burger and chicken wings. Cocktails also got an overhaul, with compelling zero-proof options like a cream-topped strawberry Paloma. And there are still plenty of craft beers available on tap.

Fraser wasn’t announced as the consulting or opening chef, but he’s not exactly hiding it. He even compromised with Zislis — ever the crowd-pleasing restaurateur — and put a soft serve dessert on the menu for the first time ever. The one here is a frozen custard served with hot fudge, almonds, and whipped cream.

As for the name, Zislis says changing it would’ve required bringing everything up to code, an arduous, unnecessary, and expensive task for a space that had operated as a restaurant for over three decades. And Zislis had no intention of giving up on the space, considering it was his first restaurant ever. With a sleek new look, an approachable menu, and a near-perfect location a stone’s throw away from the beach, Brewco Social looks like it could have a long second life ahead of it in Manhattan Beach.

Brewco Social is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., Wednesday to Sunday at 124 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266. Reservations are available here.

Patrick Record

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Patrick Record

Patrick Record

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