Patrick Molloy’s Hermosa Beach: Inside the Irish Pub Anchoring Pier Plaza
Patrick Molloy’s has been pouring Frozen Irish Coffee and welcoming neighbors on Pier Plaza in Hermosa Beach for decades, and CEO Fiona Fleming has spent the last several years making sure that legacy keeps going strong. Known across the South Bay for its warm hospitality, lively atmosphere, and steady stream of regulars, the Irish pub sits just steps from the sand as one of the area’s most recognizable gathering spots.
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A New Chapter for a Beloved South Bay Institution
Fiona joined Patrick Molloy’s in the summer of 2021, at what she describes as a pivotal point in her career. She was looking for a new challenge, one that combined her background in business operations with her personal passion for Irish hospitality. The timing lined up: the restaurant was ready for a new chapter, and Fiona was eager to help revitalize a beloved South Bay institution while preserving the history that made it special in the first place.
Taking over a historic restaurant in the middle of a post-pandemic recovery was not simple. Balancing the preservation of Patrick Molloy’s long-standing traditions with the need to modernize the business became, in Fiona’s words, both the greatest challenge and the most rewarding part of the journey.
What Makes Patrick Molloy’s Different
Located right on the iconic Pier Plaza in the heart of Hermosa Beach, Patrick Molloy’s has built its reputation on great food, a lively room, and a genuinely warm welcome. For decades it has functioned as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, whether they are catching a game, enjoying live entertainment, or just stopping in for the pub’s signature Frozen Irish Coffee.
Scratch-Made Favorites Behind the Bar
Much of what Patrick Molloy’s serves is crafted in house, including food and beverage infusions made from scratch with fresh ingredients. The menu has also grown to include more gluten-free and vegetarian options, giving a wider range of guests something to enjoy without sacrificing the pub’s classic feel. Fiona and her team take real pride in blending the welcoming spirit of a neighborhood pub with creativity, quality, and attention to detail in everything that comes out of the kitchen and off the bar.
A Neighborhood Gathering Spot
For Fiona, community in the South Bay is about connection. It shows up as neighbors supporting local businesses, families celebrating milestones, and friends gathering to watch the game together. Visitors who wander in off the Strand tend to feel like locals fast.
Patrick Molloy’s mission goes beyond serving food and drinks. The goal is to be a place where people come together, create lasting memories, and always feel welcome, the kind of spot that offers the comfort of home along with a few new friends.
The Team Behind the Bar
Fiona is quick to credit her team as a huge part of what makes Patrick Molloy’s special. Beverage Director Kevin Jones is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible behind the bar, bringing creativity and innovation to the pub’s drink program. That spirit of craft, paired with genuine hospitality, is what Fiona says defines the Patrick Molloy’s experience day to day.
Why South Bay Residents Keep Coming Back
Fiona is inspired most by the people who walk through the door every day: longtime regulars who have made Patrick Molloy’s part of their routine, new guests discovering the pub for the first time, and the team members who bring the vision to life. She also feels a real responsibility to the legacy of Patrick Molloy’s itself, a restaurant that has served as a South Bay gathering place for decades, and to honoring that history while continuing to evolve for the next generation of guests.
Her advice for anyone building something of their own in the South Bay is to be willing to take risks and embrace the unknown, understanding that not every decision will be the right one. Each challenge is a chance to learn, adapt, and grow. Staying true to the mission, believing in what is being built, and surrounding yourself with people who share that vision, she says, is where real resilience comes from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Patrick Molloy’s located?
Patrick Molloy’s sits on Pier Plaza in the heart of Hermosa Beach, just steps from the beach and the pier.
What is Patrick Molloy’s known for?
The pub is best known for its warm hospitality, lively atmosphere, and its famous Frozen Irish Coffee, along with food and drink infusions made from scratch in house.
Does Patrick Molloy’s have gluten-free or vegetarian options?
Yes. The menu has recently expanded to include more gluten-free and vegetarian offerings.
Is Patrick Molloy’s a good spot to watch sports or catch live entertainment?
Yes. Patrick Molloy’s has long served as a neighborhood gathering spot for sports, live entertainment, and community events on Pier Plaza.
Who leads Patrick Molloy’s today?
Fiona Fleming has served as CEO since 2021, leading the team that runs the historic Hermosa Beach pub today.
Visit Patrick Molloy’s
Patrick Molloy’s
Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach, CA
Website: www.patrickmolloys.com
Instagram: @patrickmolloys
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