O’Connells' green trim has gone red. A Morena staple since the '70s, the no-frills dive changed owners and reopened in July as The Griffin.
Suggestive of a casino-that-time-forgot from the outside, the venue’s Irish motif has been swapped for a medieval-tavern interior. New wood siding everywhere makes the place smell like a Home Depot (in the good way) or the inside of a barrel.
A full suit of armor overlooks the shuffleboard. A mounted boar’s head observes the bar. Electric candles flicker from the chandeliers. The bartender serves $2 PBRs to an afternoon crowd of maybe ten regulars, mostly older gentlemen.
The Griffin’s proximity to 24-hour Mexican food (MXN/Santana’s - 1975 Morena Boulevard) already makes the place a winner, but with names like Styletones, Dead Feather Moon, and Gabe Vega on the calendar, I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Griffin become a hap’nin nightlife destination, despite the odd time-space location.
Check out their Facebook for upcoming events and Here’s the Deal for more on The Griffin and other anachronistic boozing motes.
The Griffin - 1310 Morena Blvd.
O’Connells' green trim has gone red. A Morena staple since the '70s, the no-frills dive changed owners and reopened in July as The Griffin.
Suggestive of a casino-that-time-forgot from the outside, the venue’s Irish motif has been swapped for a medieval-tavern interior. New wood siding everywhere makes the place smell like a Home Depot (in the good way) or the inside of a barrel.
A full suit of armor overlooks the shuffleboard. A mounted boar’s head observes the bar. Electric candles flicker from the chandeliers. The bartender serves $2 PBRs to an afternoon crowd of maybe ten regulars, mostly older gentlemen.
The Griffin’s proximity to 24-hour Mexican food (MXN/Santana’s - 1975 Morena Boulevard) already makes the place a winner, but with names like Styletones, Dead Feather Moon, and Gabe Vega on the calendar, I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Griffin become a hap’nin nightlife destination, despite the odd time-space location.
Check out their Facebook for upcoming events and Here’s the Deal for more on The Griffin and other anachronistic boozing motes.
The Griffin - 1310 Morena Blvd.