ALTER EGO wasn't even on my radar until tonight, and now I'm wondering how on earth did I miss this little slice of date‑night gold? HELLOW! This hidden gem lives inside the newly renovated Fairmont Breakers in Long Beach, and for all my Fairmont regulars: relax, you're in good hands, their world-renowned elegance remains intact. PARKING Valet is only $10, which in Southern California basically qualifies as a love language. (Note to Fairmont Breakers Management: Listen up, my friends! Please keep it that way, gas is $5.97/gallon and my wallet is already in therapy.) I handed the valet a $5 tip before I even stepped out of my car, just so I could glide into the lobby feeling like a full‑blown princess making her grand entrance. Before you leave, you simply pay the valet in cash or card and they'll have your car right there before you can even blink. AMBIANCE Walk in and boom! A towering, beautifully decorated Christmas tree greets you like it's auditioning for a holiday movie. Check out my photos; the whole lobby whispers one word: sophisticated. Oooh, I love that tree! Hang a right, stroll to the end of the hall, and you'll find ALTER EGO, a dark, cozy lounge that feels like the perfect hideaway for a date where you actually want to hear each other talk. Live music starts at 7 PM, the bar closes at 10, and honestly... that's ideal for those of us over 50 who consider 10 PM the witching hour for pajamas. Rob Fontana was performing tonight, and his music was so good I found myself time‑traveling back to the good old days. Every song hit, Rob. Good job! SERVICE Our server, Nia, was a star. Attentive, sharp memory, and smooth service all the way through. Zero notes. FOOD The menu is small, so if you show up ravenous, pace yourself or plan to Uber home after a cocktail‑heavy evening. I'm allergic to cheese, so I had to double‑check ingredients, but the Mushroom Flatbread was outstanding, flavor was superb and the best part was they did not skimp on the mushrooms! A+ for that. I also tried the Prosciutto di Parma with melon, which is a strange combo for a California girl... but hey, I never said I wasn't a weirdo. Drinks are not my thing since I enjoy company without alcohol's help, so I can't help you with that. DATE‑WORTHY OR NOT? Absolutely. Alter Ego gets a double thumbs‑up from me and a strong recommendation for your next Silver Singles date. It's easy to find, the seating is comfortable (even for those of us with backs that like to complain), and they even offer tube pillows for extra support. Tell me that's not romance. read more

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Went there for girlfriend time! Nice ambiance. I ordered the mushroom flatbread and thy used the nice mushrooms,not the white button mushrooms. Service was good, we had a great server. The only thing I wish is they have a little bigger menu. read more

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5 Stars - Amazing Old Fashioneds and Outstanding Service at Alter Ego After being treated poorly by another restaurant in the same building, Alter Ego completely saved my night. From the moment I walked in, the staff were welcoming, professional, and genuinely kind -- a true example of what real hospitality should feel like. Their Old Fashioneds are phenomenal -- perfectly balanced, smooth, and crafted with care. You can tell the bartenders here take pride in what they do. Every cocktail I saw coming out of the bar looked stunning, but the Old Fashioned was easily one of top 10 I have had in California. What truly stood out was the atmosphere and the people. The bartenders and servers made me feel comfortable and respected, turning an uncomfortable situation into an evening I'll remember for all the right reasons. If you're looking for exceptional cocktails, great energy, and genuine hospitality, skip the place upstairs and go straight to Alter Ego. This bar sets the standard for high-class service and incredible drinks that are expected for the price. read more

Alter Ego - Snacks - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Me and the hubby love jazz music and we're excited to come here on a random Thursday for a date night. We found parking a block away . The lobby and entrance for the Fairmont Breakers hotel is beautiful and I hope to do a staycation there one day. We ended finding a small table to sit out towards the back and I ordered a Manhattan while the hubby ordered a banana old fashioned. The drinks were delicious. The live music was good and our waitress was nice. But our evening ended early because a party or 10 or so came and sat in the corner by us and were super loud and kind of distracting from us really enjoying the music. We were kind of bummed but it was ok. read more

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The ambience stole the show here this was such a great little hideaway. I love the live jazz that was playing on a Saturday evening. It was crowded, but I was able to sit easily lots of low conversations to match the lighting in a very upscale atmosphere. read more

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This spot was recommended to us by our server Jessica over at the Sky Room, and I'm glad we checked it out! Located on the lobby level of the Fairmont Breakers Hotel, this cocktail bar gives off a semi-speakeasy feel. The lighting is dim and intimate, setting the tone for a romantic, elegant yet cozy vibe. They had live jazz playing when we visited, which added the perfect touch. The cocktails lean more on the classic craft side--I ordered an Old Fashioned and it was excellent. Bartender was fast, friendly, and on point. We didn't stay very long this time, but we'll definitely be back to hang out and soak in more of the atmosphere next round. read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Beautiful ambiance, great drinks. This lounge-like first floor bar at The Breakers may not have spectacular views like Halo, their rooftop bar, but it has its own charms. Its darker, more subdued atmosphere could be a welcome break from the raucousness of the other bar, and more of a retreat than the bustle of the lobby bar. I had the Alter Ego Old fashioned, which came to me with a smoking glass with cover. The cover is then removed to release the aromatic smoke. The server then poured a small amount of the cocktail from a tiny carafe into the glass. It's all very ritualistic and impressive, but most importantly--delicious and not too sweet. I'll definitely be ordering that one again on my next visit. read more

Alter Ego - Beautiful late afternoon ambiance - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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We wanted espresso martinis after getting dinner in downtown & I remember this cute little bar being in the hotel the Fairmont Breakers. And myyyyy oh my was this the best decision. Are the drinks expensive? Yes, yes they are. But the alcohol is pretty premium & I was feeling pretty toasty after just one. The espresso martini was made to perfection - not overly sweet & not bitter either. We actually got it with tequila instead of vodka. The bartender was super sweet and personable. The ambience is so vibey. It's like a cool jazzy lounge - exactly how you'd imagine it to be in your mind. Velvet, beautiful wallpaper, bands at night. I will be back! read more

Alter Ego - Espresso Martini - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Alter Ego may have just gained a regular! This place is truly a vibe. I'm a huge fan of speakeasies, and Alter Ego delivers that energy perfectly. Hidden inside the Fairmont Breakers Hotel, it has an old Hollywood glam feel -- dim lighting, chic aesthetics, and a touch of mystery. When we walked in, soft R&B music was playing in the background, which immediately set the mood. I ordered the crab and artichoke dip, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. It was dry and bland when I was expecting something creamy and flavorful. My husband, on the other hand, ordered a cocktail and absolutely loved it. The service was excellent. The bartender went above and beyond, checking in on us multiple times and making sure we had a great experience. Despite the dip being a letdown, the overall vibe, ambiance, and service won me over. I'll definitely be back -- next time, I'll just try a different appetizer! read more

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Loved the dark intimate space, total vibes! We only came for drinks and their live music. Service was excellent. read more

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After our two previous stops at Fairmont Breakers (see 2 past reviews) we popped in here on our way out. The ambiance was dark and cool. Lounge-y, chill vibes. There was one guy playing live music. We just caught the last 25ish minutes before they closed but it seems like a nice place to hang. read more

Alter Ego - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Came here on a Friday night, and the vibes were great. Live music was playing and we were able to snag a table, a waitress helped us very quickly. I ordered the Espresso martini, my first and it was a 12/10. The fries were skinny and the side of aïoli sauce was very creamy and delicious. The crab and artichoke dip was a little too fishy for me, after the second bite that flavor went away but I would pass on it (especially for $24.) overall experience was great and I will be back for sure. read more

Alter Ego - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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The food was good. Service was excellent the ambiance was absolutely beautiful I can't wait to go back. A lovely experience read more

Alter Ego - Cali Lemon Drop - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Stopped by Alter Ego with my girl to wind down the night, and this spot definitely delivered on service and atmosphere. The vibe is moody and intimate... low lighting, great music, and that perfect "grown up lounge" feel that makes you want to stay for one more round. The drinks were the highlight of the night. I started with a Dirty Martini and followed it up with a Chocolate Martini both strong, smooth, and well balanced. My girl had a French 75 and the Naked & Sunburnt, which were also delicious and boozy in the best way. We ordered a couple of light bites the Parmesan Truffle Fries and the Crab & Artichoke Dip....but honestly, both missed the mark for us. Nothing terrible, just not on the same level as their cocktails. Pro tip: come here for the drinks, ambiance, and live music nights they nail that part. Skip the food, grab a seat at the bar or a cozy corner, and just enjoy the vibes. read more

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I loved our experience here. We grabbed a few drinks and listened to the live music. The talent was incredible! The drinks are a little pricey, but the espresso martini I had was great. My friends enjoyed their wines as well. We sat in the back in a booth and the booths and chairs were very comfortable. This is a great spot for date night or laid back girls night out. They've done a great job curating a wonderful vibe. Service was prompt and didn't talk too much so you could enjoy the music. I will be bringing lots more people here in the future. read more

Cozy bar that features some jazz live music in the evenings on the weekends. The cocktails are well prepared. It is rather small, but they furnished it well to maximize the space. read more

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Came in on a Friday night. Fun jazz live music band with a good atmosphere. Drinks are on the pricey side but it's to be expected from a hotel lounge/bar. The live music went on from 7-10pm. The band had a quick intermission to rest mid session. The drink service was a tad bit on the slower side but it was the day after Christmas so I'm sure they were short staffed. Overall, fun experience to hang out. read more

Alter Ego - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

A great lounge on the ground floor of the Fairmont Breakers with live music and decent drinks. There's no cover charge and valet parking is $10. The cocktails are great and the music was very good both times that we were there. read more

Alter Ego - Interior - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Very intimate and quiet bar. Alter Ego offers bar seating and scattered cocktail tables. Menu offers light bites with a good variety of cocktails, beer and wine. Nikki was very personable and friendly! Good music via play list or live, depending on the day. Bummer they were out of Mussel escabeche. We'll have to come back and check on the live music. read more

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Class class class. Prior to the reno I alway loved this building and wanted to go in since about 2015. So was thrilled to see it was turning back into a hotel. Had the pleasure of visiting last night. Explored the whole hotel and had a drink and food at Alter Ego their jazz club. Arrived at 630p and it appears that's a solid time has it was half empty. Jazz starts at 7p. The positives; decore is fantastic, valet is reasonable at $10. The drinks are very strong and plentiful and the snack items weren't bad. Service was attentive and fantastic. The bad: the drinks were a bit heavily priced. I got the breakers old fashioned and it was like $24. It was well made and even came with a decanter for a 2nd pour that said still seemed a bit steep. $19 would have been a more reasonable price in my opinion. Also got the Italian cheese plate and fries which were like $29 and $9 each. Once again a bit pricey. Fries should have been maybe $6 and the cheese plate maybe $20. Anyways its a fancy hotel so kind of make sense. The worse part of the night for me was unfortunately what I came for. The jazz, it was the Andrea W trio last night which consisted of a female singer, bassist and a string instrument player. They were ok but as someone who loves jazz (from Boston to LA to Paris) having seen around 40+ shows this was a bit weak. They felt like a hobbyist band and were playing together off of ipads/phones instead of paper and/or knowing their song list. No offense meant to them they seemed friendly however it felt a bit amateur. I prefer jazz with atleast a snare or pianist. Otherwise will go back at some point for hopefully a better band. read more

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Evelyn makes the best filthy martinis ! *chefs kiss* we will definitely be returning for live music - sadly we didn't get a chance to see the Latin Jazz since the room is so tiny and no one got up from their seats. read more

Alter Ego - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

We stopped here for a night cap after a movie, and it was a great experience! The location is beautiful, and service was awesome. We had a Manhattan and old fashioned cocktail, both were delicious though the old fashioned was my favorite. The price point is definitely on the high end, however the presentation and taste of the cocktails made it worthwhile. Highly recommend! One thing to keep in mind is they closed fairly early for a bar on Friday night, closed by 11pm. read more

Alter Ego - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Vibes Vibes Vibes. This spot doesn't feel like a typical hotel bar. The music was great and the drinks were outstanding, I'll definitely go again. read more

This is a classy bar with live music! Drinks are on point as well. Would've been 5 stars but the table service was very slow. Overall though it's a fun place to go with a date or a small group of friends and I'll definitely be back (and maybe just order at the bar!) We didn't order food but I did snap a photo of the menu since I didn't see a recent food menu on here. read more

Alter Ego - Food menu April 2025 - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

My girlfriends & I stopped by for a drink after visiting Halo upstairs. Although the busboy was Amazing, the service was lacking. We sat for 10-15min. B4 the server came over, we asked for a shot to celebrate our festivities but she said they didn't serve any shots. The manager in a very condescending way told me that, "they're not that type of establishment", WOW! Really!?! Ok. Aside from the rude manager and MIA server we liked the atmosphere & live music. read more

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A recent visit to alter ego did not disappoint. Everything was exceptional. The atmosphere has a great vibe, the music was wonderful, the drinks and food were tasty, and the service was spot on. It was a great place to celebrate a birthday. read more

Alter Ego - Birthday celebration at what will for sure become an iconic bar inside Breaker's Long Beach. Alter Ego is amazing !! - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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A great cocktail bar in a luxurious and beautifully decorated hotel. The bar features great decor, jazzy ambiance and live music. Cocktails are well executed and food was good tho had limited offerings - but we came for the cocktails and the music, not for the food. Highly recommended for those who're looking for a classy cocktail bar with live music. read more

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Beautiful jazz bar with fantastic smoky old fashioneds. Even though they were busy, we were immediately greeted and our orders were taken quickly. I'd definitely come back! read more

Alter Ego - Delicious cheese plate - Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

ok. the bartender watered down the drinks pretty much, we asked for margaritas and practically he didn't put any alcohol in it, a very common tactic of bartenders for you to keep ordering more drinks. not happy about it read more

Went here on a Tuesday night during the soft opening before we had dinner at Nettuno. We waited a little long for our drink orders to be taken and went to check at the bar if we had to order there. We were assured someone would come to us, but there were only two people working that area that night. This will need to change for a place with so much beauty, class, architecture and history. Once our orders were taken (by wonderful staff), the drinks came out quickly and were delicious. We had a sampling of their specialities--I had the Banana Old Fashioned--a little sweet for my taste, but unique. We will go again and can't wait for them to have live music up and running. read more

Started drinks at Halo, which was great. They had last call at 10pm so we went to Alter Ego. We were lucky to get an open table as it was pretty full. Ambiance is nice and drinks are good but a little pricey. The server made it uncomfortable as she was dismissive, walked away when one person in our party was deciding on a drink, served an old fashioned and quickly removed the top to reveal the smoke when we weren't looking , insisted on moving tables next to us and told the party on the other side they couldn't use the table so others could sit. The tables on each side of us were making remarks on her unfriendly and curt service. Our party of 6 left after 1 drink and went down the street. Started off with dinner at Breakers and would have liked to end the night there but the server acted like she did not want to be there so we didn't either. read more

Relaxed elegance with Italian wines and jazz (on weekends). The ambiance is upscale but approachable.