In a city where authenticity often falls victim to progress and celebrity culture can feel manufactured, Chez Jay stands as a beacon of genuine Santa Monica heritage. This isn't just another restaurant trading on Hollywood nostalgia—it's a living piece of cultural history where the Rat Pack once gathered, where Pentagon Papers allegedly changed hands, and where an astronaut's peanut made it to the moon and back.
For 66 years, the nautically-themed dive bar and restaurant has occupied its spot along Ocean Avenue, just steps from the legendary Route 66 and half a block south of the Santa Monica Pier. What makes Chez Jay remarkable isn't just its star-studded past, but its unwavering commitment to remaining a place where beach bums, neighborhood regulars and visitors can comfortably bump elbows with celebrities in a truly paparazzi-free environment.
The restaurant's cultural significance extends far beyond its celebrity clientele. Designated as a Santa Monica Historical Landmark, Chez Jay represents one of the Los Angeles area's oldest, longest-running, family-owned independent restaurants. In an era when multigenerational eateries like Vienna Pastry Shop, Enterprise Fish Co, and Pacific Dining Car have fallen to various pressures, Chez Jay's survival speaks to something deeper than mere nostalgia—it represents the power of authentic community connection.
"Our whole goal is to create a melting pot," said Chris Anderson. "At any given moment, you'll see people in their 20s to 70s, from all different kinds of backgrounds, and that's what we've always tried to maintain."
A Legacy Born from a Dollar and a Dream
The Chez Jay story began in 1959 when flamboyant actor, hot-air balloonist and raconteur Jay Fiondella purchased what was then the struggling "Dawn Cafe" for just $1. The opening party was pure Hollywood spectacle, complete with show girls and a circus elephant munching on free peanuts from the bar—those same peanuts that would later become part of the restaurant's legendary lore.
One of those signature peanuts, dubbed the "Astro-Nut," was smuggled to the moon and back with Alan Shepard on Apollo 14. Steve McQueen later threatened to swallow it, adding another layer to the restaurant's growing mythology. The stories seem endless: Marilyn Monroe and JFK allegedly had secret rendezvous here, the curtained-off Table 10 reportedly witnessed the passing of Pentagon Papers to a New York Times reporter, and weekly jazz sessions included luminaries like Chet Baker and Slim Gaillard.
The restaurant's name itself was an homage to the supper club "Chez Joey" from Frank Sinatra's film "Pal Joey," setting the stage for what would become a regular gathering spot for the Rat Pack. But beyond the celebrity tales, screenwriters like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Warren Beatty found creative inspiration in the cherry-red booths, while countless neighborhood regulars made it their second home.
Jay's mother Alice became a beloved fixture and partner who ran operations until 1991, while Jay handled the flashy promotion. Current co-owner Michael Anderson originally joined as a manager in the 1980s and bought into the restaurant with Jay in 2000. After Jay's passing in 2008, his shares passed to his children Anita and Chaz, who remained partners with Michael until 2019, when Michael's son Chris bought the Fiondella shares.
The restaurant's survival hasn't been without challenges. It has weathered numerous financial crises, navigated shifts of management, and overcome threats to its highly coveted lease. The pandemic posed perhaps the greatest test, as Chez Jay's business model centers on atmosphere—the cracking of peanut shells, the dim glow of rainbow string lights, the soft cushion of cherry red booths, and the steady hum of Temptations tunes.
Celebrating 66 Years with Stories and Community
This Saturday, Aug. 9, Chez Jay will celebrate its 66th anniversary with an all-day retro-themed party from 3 p.m. to midnight. While the restaurant itself is sold out for the celebration, the adjacent parking lot will host "The Lot" with free entertainment, live music featuring Motown, jazz and oldies hits, a classic Route 66 car display, and a mini Chez Jay museum.
The celebration also features an interactive "Rumor Has It" video booth where attendees can don Old Hollywood accessories and share their own Chez Jay memories. It's this invitation to become part of the story that exemplifies what makes the restaurant special—everyone who walks through those Dutch doors becomes part of the continuing narrative.
The restaurant is encouraging people to submit their own stories about the beloved establishment, recognizing that the real magic of Chez Jay lies not just in its celebrity encounters, but in the countless personal moments that have unfolded within its walls. While free, guests should still RSVP at https://chezjays.com/66anniversary.
Tales from Behind the Bar
Some of the most cherished stories come from the staff who've dedicated years to maintaining Chez Jay's special atmosphere. Jeff Oliver, a longtime bartender, recalls his first solo shift when a grease fire broke out in the kitchen. "Six, maybe seven old-timers drinking around the bar," he remembers. "All of them ran to the kitchen to help put out the flames—they were not going to let it burn." While Oliver's instinct was to head for the front door, he found himself following the regulars, grabbing a fire extinguisher and passing it to Warren Queeny. "Another small debate on how to use the extinguisher, he pulled the tab, the flames were out, everyone cheered and went back to the bar for more drinks."
Fellow longtime bartender Petter Wickman has his own collection of memorable encounters. About 15 years ago, during a Saturday breakfast shift, a tour bus pulled up and took four parking spots. The tour manager asked permission to park, explaining the bus wouldn't fit at the band's hotel. When Wickman protested about the lost spots, the manager revealed the band was Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. "Of course you can park there," Wickman quickly changed his tune. Hours later, a long-haired man in shorts and a t-shirt walked in, thanked him for the parking spot in an English accent, and handed him two tickets to that night's Hollywood show. It was Robert Plant himself.
Another Wickman encounter involved a couple ordering vodka rocks at the bar. While telling jokes to other patrons, the woman complimented his humor. When she introduced herself as Catherine, he recognized Catherine Keener immediately. Her companion introduced himself as "Brent"—or so Wickman thought. Jokingly, he told Keener, "I'm off in an hour. Why don't you lose this guy and you and I go for a drink?" When the man removed his glasses for the next round, Wickman realized he wasn't "Brent" but Brad Pitt. Ever the comedian, he then turned to Pitt: "Hey, why don't you lose Catherine and you and me go for a drink?"
These stories—both legendary and everyday—illustrate why Chez Jay has endured. As Chris Anderson notes, "You can't just build history." In a rapidly changing Santa Monica, Chez Jay remains a place where authentic connections happen naturally, where regulars become family, and where every patron becomes part of a story that's been unfolding for more than six decades.
At Chez Jay, that specialness is alive and well, ready to welcome the next 66 years of stories.