Olde Ship

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Located on Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton, the Olde Ship certainly isn’t found on a backroad, nor can Harbor Blvd. be designated as a blue highway, although maybe many years ago. What I don’t understand when looking at a map is the way its been designated as north or south…pull up a map and follow it from Imperial Hwy (90) all the way down to its end in Costa Mesa, south of the 405. How many times is it listed as south—north—south—north, no south %#$@!!. Good place to start would be the Olde Ship (709 N. Harbor Blvd.) if you were looking for an address that ended with S. Harbor Blvd. Granted Harbor Blvd. travels along some easily recognizable venues such as Disneyland and the Convention Center, but 608 and 3589 South Harbor Boulevard are 9 miles apart and you travel along N Harbor between the two.

Enough cartography, let’s move on to geography and more specifically the ales, bitters, lagers served at the Olde Ship. If your experience with grog from across the pond has been limited to Guinness, Harp, Bass or Newcastle, spend some time in the Olde Ship. Boddingtons may be a familiar tap but how about Smithwicks, Old Speckled Hen, or Blackthorn Cider? There’s also the Fullers (London Pride, ESB and London Porter).

So my suggestion— if ever your asked to go meet someone on South Harbor Blvd., stop in at 709 N. Harbor Blvd. and order up a pint or two. Pull out your cellphone and study Google Maps, study the beer list and have them meet you at the Olde Ship.

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The Continental Room

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Didn’t think I would have been allowed in wearing shorts, tennis shoes and hood. After all this bar was established in 1925 and has a velvet rope in front. Yeah, Last Chance Saloon is 43 years older, Coldspring Tavern is 60 years older and the Washoe House has it beat by 66 years – but they are wood buildings built out in the country, this is the Continental Room – it’s got a red velvet rope and carpet entrance.

What a place…hard to figure out. The interior is old school with a bit of David Lynch — why do you laugh at that? — look at the photos below and tell me Twin Peaks doesn’t cross your mind. I would not have been surprised if the little man wobbled out and hopped up on the bar stool next to me. The music covers a wide range from hip hop, R&B to alternative, even some Frank. Live music, DJ and on Wednesdays an Elvis impersonator (now that makes perfect sense when you look around at the decor – lots of velvet, red velvet).

At any rate, have to say I am pleasantly surprised. Wasn’t what I expected, thought there would be a Mafia type bouncer telling me that a jacket would be required, pants too…but this place is just an old school staple. My apologies to my buddy Chris as I thought we’d be kicked out faster than it took to get in. On his next visit, we definitely will head inside, right after we leave Hero’s Bar and Grill.

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Heroes Bar & Grill

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Not a chain, but there are two Heroes locations and they’ve opened smaller versions, albeit more milder, under the name Roscoe’s Deli. THIRSTY Thursday is their motto for the fourth day of the work week, but go in thirsty all the time because the beers are served in two sizes; large and larger. That makes sense because the plates come piled with oversized portions of lunch or dinner.

The draft list can take awhile to read, the Fullerton location has 119 beers on tap. I can’t say if that holds true at the Heroes in Claremont or the Roscoe’s in Chino Hills – I knew which beer I wanted and didn’t need to see a list. I can say that the sizes remain consistent at all locations. Heroes Fullerton moved to a bigger location a few years ago, but all else remains the same, bags of peanuts at each table and the shells you send to the floor. There’s plenty of things to look at nailed to the walls, and a good view of a TV from any table. That works out just fine as it takes awhile to put away a couple beers.