A bar in Redondo Beach, California, is bravely continuing to serve customers even as the area experiences significant flooding related to El Niño and high tides.
Project Barley Taps and Grill has gained attention online after a video showed patrons enjoying drinks despite the inundation of seawater. The restaurant has made it clear that, while the conditions are challenging, they are still very much open for business.
Redondo Beach, like many upscale communities along the Southern California coast, is dealing with widespread flooding, which has led to warnings from the National Weather Service for several counties, including Orange and San Diego. These alerts are set to remain in effect until Thursday afternoon.
Project Barley shared on social media that flooding has been a persistent issue in the area, highlighting a perceived lack of action from local officials. The post noted that, although the situation has been discussed in city council meetings, the measures taken have often been insufficient. “We’ve been dealing with this for years,” the post read. “Sandbags aren’t the only solution, and our insurance situation keeps getting worse.”
The bar’s owner, Brent Reger, mentioned that he has proposed replacing a nearby wooden retaining wall with a concrete one, but city officials claim they lack the funds to make such improvements. He expressed frustration, saying, “It’s pretty devastating for small businesses right now.” He even joked about visitors receiving a free salt scrub with their beer, trying to maintain a lighthearted atmosphere despite the adversity.
Unfortunately, the water levels had receded by Tuesday morning but left the bar’s floors seriously damaged. Furthermore, Reger pointed out that they are facing a “nightmare” with insurance companies dropping coverage, even though they had never submitted a claim before. “We’re paying a steep price for insurance, but it feels like it’s completely for nothing,” he explained.
As rain is expected to continue through the weekend and potentially worsen the flooding, the bar’s management has been urging locals to support businesses along the boardwalk. They’ve made a heartfelt call for community involvement to address these ongoing issues and help keep their doors open.
