New Dining and Entertainment Venue Led by Local Restaurateur Sean Ahaus Is Slated to Open in Spring
Plans are underway to transform part of the 108-year-old Billiard & Bowling Building on the Santa Monica Pier into The California Roadhouse, a Route 66–inspired dining and entertainment venue scheduled to open in spring 2026.
The project is led by Santa Monica native Sean Ahaus, a local restaurateur and co-owner of Vito Restaurant, a long-running neighborhood fixture on Ocean Park Boulevard. The California Roadhouse is expected to open on March 20, 2026, coinciding with the first day of spring.
The venue will brand itself as “The Last Great American Roadhouse at the end of Route 66,” opening just weeks before the Route 66 centennial celebrations planned for April 2026 on the pier. The Santa Monica Pier marks the western endpoint of both the historic 2,448-mile Route 66, which begins in Chicago, and Interstate 10, stretching 2,460 miles from Jacksonville, Florida, to the Pacific Ocean.
Developers say the concept is rooted in classic California road-trip culture, blending American comfort food, live entertainment, and panoramic coastal views. The space is intended to serve as a gathering place for locals and tourists alike, offering dining and entertainment at one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks.
The menu will feature roadhouse-style fare with a California emphasis. Planned offerings include build-your-own gourmet burgers with multiple protein options, grilled ribeye steaks, slow-roasted baby back ribs, and fresh seasonal fish. Lighter dishes such as a Build Your Own Buddha bowls, salads, and wraps will also be available, along with traditional American desserts. Menu options are expected to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, organic, and gluten-free selections.
The beverage program will include classic spirits, California craft cocktails, local beers, and a selection of California wines. Nonalcoholic offerings will feature juice-based mocktails, fresh juices, protein smoothies, milkshakes, and specialty coffee and tea drinks.
Entertainment will play a central role in the venue’s identity. Daily programming is expected to include live music spanning multiple genres, live-band karaoke, trivia and music bingo nights, stand-up comedy performances, and open mic events.
Community partnerships are also planned, particularly with local music education organizations such as the School of Rock and Musicians Institute. Student recitals and pop-up performances will be regularly scheduled, providing performance opportunities for emerging artists while offering family-friendly entertainment for guests.
