The Lighthouse Cafe

The Lighthouse Cafe sits at thirty Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, recognizable by its unassuming facade just steps from the sand. Originally opened in nineteen thirty-four as a restaurant called Verpilate’s, the venue was converted into a bar named The Lighthouse in nineteen forty. It gained international standing starting in nineteen forty-nine, when club owner John Levine allowed bassist Howard Rumsey to host a recurring Sunday jam session.