Beer for Thought - Inside The Nugget

The Nugget Grill & Pub is not only one of the most popular destinations for dining at CSULB, but it is also the only spot on campus that offers a fresh alcoholic beverage for the hardworking student. Hailing as one of the oldest restaurants on campus, The Nugget can also be credited with having had various famous artists such as Sublime, Led Zeppelin and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers step through its doors.

These big names along with the sheer appeal of the pub have not only brought in students, but also crowds of individuals from off-campus. As a previous resident in Long Beach, my friends father has said that The Nugget was a very popular place that he and his friends would go to quite often. Never wary of the stigma of not being a student on campus, he says that he saw several bands at the pub 'back in the day', and would sometimes stop in just to have a drink.

Calendar of Weekly Events at The Nugget.
 Photo taken by Brittany Hays

Although The Nugget may not see the likes of such big names any more, it does still offer live music on Thursdays, as well as other entertainment such as Monday Night Football, guest speakers and live broadcasts of major sporting events throughout the week.

Students taking a break and studying inside The Nugget.
Photo taken by Brittany Hays

Opened from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Friday, The Nugget is frequented by many students throughout the day, usually stopping in in-between classes to grab a bite to eat or drink.

Blake Ball, a student and bartender at The Nugget, says that the busiest times throughout the day are usually between 11 a.m. - 3 p.m, and at night before closing. The busiest days of the year he says are typically the first and last two weeks of school, as well as St. Patrick's Day and Cinco De Mayo.

In regards to students drinking and over-intoxication, Blake says that he has had very few problems during the three years that he has worked there. The worst case he remembers was when a petite girl had a little too much for one sitting and was falling all over the place. "We basically just made sure that she didn't have any more to drink and that her boyfriend took care of her." Other than that he says, "people are usually very mellow and never get too rowdy or out of hand."

Blake Ball, bartender at The Nuggest Pub & Grill

In his third year of school now, Blake has worked at the pub as long as he has been attending the university, and says that he likes the people and flexibility of his work schedule very much. "It's also nice because we get to keep our own tips," he says. With three other bartenders currently working at the restaurant, Blake hinted that one will actually be leaving, leaving behind an open position. If anyone is interested, he suggests to check in and apply at the end of August, as they will be accepting applications for a new bartender. You can also visit the school website at https://www.49ershopsjobs.com/applicants/jsp/shared/search/SearchResults_css.jsp to find more information for that or any other positions currently open on campus through Forty-Niner Shops.