Angel’s Share becomes the epicenter of Belmont Shore’s holiday cheer

Angel’s Share—Belmont Shore’s whiskey lounge-meets-bistro, featuring over 450 selections of various whiskey iterations, 30 beers, and grub to go with it—has taken the Long Beach cue that we are, indeed, an epicenter for the holidays. And Angel’s Share, in turn, wants to be the holiday epicenter for the Shore.

A giant ornament greeting you upon a lit entrance. Plenty of lights. Plenty of tinsel. Christmas trees. Whiskey-centric decor. And, of course, a massive holiday cocktail menu from the space’s amazing cocktail maestro, Rachel Zimmerman.

Angel’s Share continual dedication to adaptation and evolution…

This holiday makeover—

Angel’s Share was one of the quickest turnovers we’ve seen in Long Beach restaurant history. In the span of about a month, owner Jack Walls transformed the former Tap House space into his whiskey lounge and beer bar. And within those first months, the space has certainly had its ups and downs. Across the past year, beginning with last year’s holiday menu, Jack and the crew have realized that they need to adapt. And if there is anything worthy of applause in the industry, it is evolving and adpating because keeping your doors open is priority Number One.

And, with that adaptation and evolution have come changes. They have a happy hour that is beyond anything they had when they first opened. Offerings stretch from the casual—chicken wings—to the more elevated—mussels.

‘Ultimately, as cheesy as it sounds, we’re here for the community,” Jack said. “We want to be a place where they can simultaneously discover a whiskey they’ve never even heard of or just have some wings and a cocktail. Given that, we wanted to up our game for the holidays and create a kinda third place that so many folks need.

Rachel Zimmerman has led what is slowly bourgeoning into a solid cocktail program.

Rachel has been the heart of Angel’s share. She is, after all, curating and commanding one of the largest whiskey selections in the region. With shelves that read like an atlas of global distilling—from cult-favorite Japanese bottlings to obscure American single barrels to owner Jack’s favorite, scotch—she’s tasked with making this immense library not only approachable, but inviting to everyday drinkers. And, on the flipside, make her creations appealing to whiskey-neat purists.

For Zimmerman, whiskey isn’t meant to be intimidating. It’s a conversation starter, a bridge between enthusiasts and the whiskey-curious, and a chance to demystify a category that too often gets trapped behind gatekeeping. Hence why she’s created not just a continual evolution in terms of cocktail menus but offerings like their whiskey pairing, where folks get a neat pour of a whiskey paired with a savory and sweet treat.

But accessibility is only part of her mission. Zimmerman sees Angel’s Share as a reflection of Long Beach’s rapidly evolving cocktail culture—one that’s becoming more confident, more experimental, and more willing to embrace nuance. Under her guidance, the bar’s whiskey-driven identity expands naturally into a cocktail program that’s thoughtful without being fussy, highlighting the spirit’s versatility in drinks that appeal to purists and casual sippers alike. For a neighborhood already saturated with dining options, she’s carving out something distinct: a space where serious spirits knowledge coexists with genuine hospitality, and where Long Beach’s maturing palate can continue to grow.

A look into the holiday cocktails of Angel’s Share…

Accessible with plenty for everyone. Balanced. This is their best holiday menu yet.

Making Christmas: Buffalo Trace Bourbon | spiced pear | ginger | lemon | orange | nutmeg | bitters

Feliz Navidad: 1800 Coconut Tequila | Amaro Montenegro | orange cognac | lime | coconut | cinnamon | milk clarification

Melting Snowman: Three Olives Vanilla Vodka | Amaretto | Irish Cream | roasted mallow

Mistle-Tito’s: Tito’s Vodka | cinnamon | lime | ginger beer | mint

Cali Christmas: Cognac | pear | elderflower | lemon | cinnamon | rosemary | bubbles

Vanilla Sleigher: Tin Cup bourbon | Dr. Pepper | house-made vanilla cold cream | nutmeg

You’re a Mean One: Ford’s Gin | Tito’s Vodka | blanc vermouth | sparkling sake | absinthe

Holiday M&M: 400 Conejos Mezcal Joven | Diplomatico Rum | Amaro Montenegro | cinnamon | bitters

Vanilla Sleigher: Tin Cup bourbon | Dr. Pepper | house-made vanilla cold cream | nutmeg

Holly Jolly: Cranberry orange spiced Golden Eagle Vodka | tonic

Hot Buttered Rye: butter | brown sugar | cardamom | cinnamon | nutmeg (served hot)

Angel’s Share is located at 5110 E. 2nd St.