Smog City, a Torrance-based brewery known for its community-focused taprooms, is getting ready to open a new location in Long Beach at 1106 E Wardlow Road.
The company’s new location is set to move into the former home of Verdes across from Roxanne’s on Wardlow, according to LongBeachize. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the brewery’s website says this site is expected to open in late 2025 and will mark a shift from the brand’s original SteelCraft shipping container space in Bixby Knolls. Guests can expect Smog City’s first Long Beach location to feature food service alongside its established beer program, offering an elevated fast casual experience.
“We are reaching out from behind the taps, stepping off the brewhouse floor, and diving right into your bellies with Smog City Heights: Eats and Drinks,” according to the Instagram announcement. “Our new Long Beach location will bring everything you know and love about Smog City, including our signature warmth, hospitality, and exceptional beer, paired with an elevated fast casual food experience that brings the full Smog City story full circle. As we look ahead, we will also be celebrating the final chapter of our time at SteelCraft LB, where we have been fortunate to serve this incredible community for years. This move is not a goodbye but the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We cannot wait to share more soon.”
The new Long Beach site reflects Smog City’s plan to expand its presence while introducing additional culinary elements to its lineup. The space will replace the brewery’s SteelCraft Long Beach taproom, which opened in 2017 as part of the Bixby Knolls shipping container complex. The company has shared that the move is part of a broader vision for its Long Beach footprint as it transitions from its open-air concept to a more traditional taproom setting..
In addition to the upcoming Long Beach opening, Smog City is preparing to expand further with a Culver City taproom slated for early 2027. That site will be part of Regency Centers’ Culver Public Market and will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, a full tap lineup, and a dedicated kitchen. The Culver City project will give Smog City another opportunity to explore food-and-beer pairing as part of its continued evolution.
Smog City first opened in 2011, after founders Laurie and Jonathan Porter entered the still-developing Los Angeles craft beer landscape. The brewery established its Torrance taproom in 2013 and has since expanded to multiple locations across Southern California. The Porters built the brand around community engagement, quality beer, and an inclusive atmosphere, which have helped shape the company’s identity across its taprooms.
