How to Enjoy a Night Out Solo at 31TEN Lounge

A night out solo at 31TEN Lounge can feel less like a missed group booking and more like complete control over the evening. You can claim a comfortable seat on Main Street, order a craft cocktail when you are ready, add something from the food menu and stay long enough to enjoy Santa Monica after dark. Thursday through Saturday, 31TEN is open from 6 PM to 2 AM, with happy hour from 6 to 8, so there is no need to rush the experience.

For Australians, the appeal is a change of scenery from familiar pub culture. Australian bars are usually neighbourhood beer rooms, while a Santa Monica lounge bar leans toward cocktails, table service and long evenings. Advance planning makes the shift easy: reserve if you want a particular table, choose the first drink you genuinely want and treat the visit as a personal outing rather than a consolation prize for travelling without friends.

Arrive Ready, Not Self-Conscious

Booking a table can remove the awkward first few minutes of arriving alone. If you want a particular style of seating or a more formal setup, ask about 31TEN’s table service options and available VIP choices when making your reservation. Being the only person at your table will not feel unusual in a venue designed for drinks, dining and relaxed lounge seating.

On arrival, tell your server that you are visiting alone and ask where they would recommend sitting. A comfortable position at the bar can be ideal for a first drink, while a table suits someone planning to order food and stay for a while. You can also ask which cocktails are particularly good that evening, which takes the pressure out of reading a long drinks list by yourself.

Australians are accustomed to the easy familiarity of places such as a Fitzroy pub, a South Yarra wine bar or a Bondi beachside venue. The same low-pressure rhythm works on Main Street: settle in, order at your own pace and let the room become familiar. A relaxed, direct approach is perfectly acceptable, too. There is no need to explain your plans or make the evening sound more socially complicated than it is.

Use Happy Hour to Settle In

Happy hour runs from 6 PM to 8 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, giving you a useful window to arrive early and ease into the evening. Ask which cocktails, beers and food items are included in the current offering, then order from the food menu before you become absorbed in the drinks list. Having something to eat also helps moderate alcohol intake while you decide how the night should unfold.

A craft cocktail is the obvious choice for a lounge bar, but a less sweet or more spirit-forward drink may suit your taste better. A short guide to cocktail syrups can help you understand the flavours bartenders use and make a more informed request. You might ask for a drink with less sweetness, a clearer citrus profile or something with a richer aromatic finish.

There is no need to sample every cocktail on the menu. Choose one for the first hour, then consider a second round after checking the room, the service and your appetite. Australians may be used to ordering a beer without much discussion, so ask for recommendations when you are unsure. If you prefer a lighter option, request a low-alcohol or zero-proof drink rather than trying to finish a strong cocktail simply to prove a point.

Let the Drink Set Your Rhythm

The best drink for a solo evening is the one that creates the pace you want. A balanced cocktail can encourage slow conversation with the bartender and nearby guests, while a beer gives you permission to sit at the bar and watch Main Street. If the menu includes several beers, this explanation of a perfect beer flight offers a useful introduction to sampling different styles in measured portions.

Serving sizes are worth checking when you order. At an Australian pub, a full beer may arrive in a schooner, whereas a flight consists of smaller tasting pours. Ask how much is included in each serving and whether the drinks are intended to be shared or sampled individually. Even when you are alone, ordering a flight can turn the drinks list into a relaxed tasting experience.

Keep water within reach and give each cocktail enough time to be enjoyed rather than rushed. If you order spirits, mention your preferred strength when the options are not clearly labelled. A good bartender will appreciate a specific request and can adjust the serve. The goal is comfort and control, not a challenge to consume as much as possible before the venue closes at 2 AM.

Make Food the Centre of the Visit

Dining gives a solo evening a natural structure. Order from the food menu soon after you arrive, then let the first course and cocktail determine what comes next. You can ask the server what is particularly good that night, whether something is designed for sharing and which dishes take longer to prepare. That conversation is also a simple way to meet the kitchen without having to host a group.

For a playful break from menu analysis, a zodiac cocktail guide can suggest a drink based on your star sign. Treat it as lighthearted inspiration rather than a strict rule. It works especially well when you want to try a familiar drink with an unexpected ingredient or need a reason to order something seasonal.

Australian restaurant prices generally include GST, while an American bill may add tax and a gratuity. Tipping is not usually expected at home, although it is customary in many US restaurants and bars. Check the bill for a suggested service charge, then tip according to the standard listed on the menu or receipt. Leaving a little extra is optional rather than mandatory, but knowing the difference prevents an unwelcome surprise.

Reserve Your Place at 31TEN

Choose Thursday through Saturday, arrive around 6 PM and take advantage of the early happy-hour window before deciding whether to stay for dinner or cocktails. Special events can make a solo visit feel especially lively, so check what is scheduled and reserve ahead if something appeals to you. A designated table also makes it easier to arrive without feeling obliged to work the room immediately.

Plan the journey home before ordering. Main Street is close to the Santa Monica Pier and the ocean, so a post-drink walk is possible, but Los Angeles distances can surprise visitors from compact Australian cities. Keep transport options in mind and avoid driving after drinking. Public transport and rideshare may be the simplest choice, particularly if the evening continues into the small hours.

Reserve your place at 31TEN Lounge, order what catches your eye and allow the evening to unfold at your pace. The doors open at 6 PM, happy hour begins straight away and the bar remains open until 2 AM, giving a solo guest an entire night to settle into the lounge atmosphere without needing a group beside them.