Hello Back Bay Borrachos, happy Friday!

It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of The Whaler NB. Your surprisingly good Philly cheesesteaks were an underrated blessing of greasy meat that cannot be replaced. Our only regret is reporting the closing of Buffalo Wild Wings before your own. We ask you please respect our privacy in this difficult time.

To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

The tide has officially turned on West Coast Highway as The Whaler prepares to drop its last line and sail off into the sunset. Despite the brand’s storied 80-year legacy—stretching back to its 1944 Venice roots—the Newport Beach outpost is "fin-ishing" its voyage after a bright but brief three-year run following its $3 million renovation in 2023. The spot was known for its DJ and espresso martini-fueled nightlife, but was also surprisingly accommodating to families during the day, offering a sunny view of PCH on it’s spacious patio. Also surprisingly good were it’s menu staples: the philly cheesesteak and spicy tuna on crispy rice seriously contending with it’s bougier neighbor, Starfish. Also it’s Californication cocktail. Can you tell we liked the place? Our editor is still in mourning. Perhaps The Nice Guy, which is opening across the street in the ill-fated Guacamigos spot, will be the new go-to. Whether it was due to PCH’s notorious parking woes or a strategic "Moby-Done" by the ownership group to focus on their flagship, the 2800 block is about to look very different. The Whaler media team declined to comment when we asked for a statement on the reason for the closure, but while we wait to see if the River Jetty Restaurant Group or another heavy hitter moves in to claim the spot, we’re left mourning the tail-end of an era. Seriously, the cheesesteaks were that good…

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has made history as the first in Orange County to ban e-bikes on all elementary and middle school campuses, effective for the 2026-27 school year. Following a heated board meeting on April 21, officials clarified that while younger students are now restricted, high schoolers may still ride to school if they complete a mandatory safety course and display an official parking sticker.

The decision arrives amid a surge of e-bike-related safety concerns across Southern California, including a recent hit-and-run involving a teacher in Lake Forest and the seizure of several illegally modified bikes at local schools. While the board cited safety and liability as primary drivers, the move faced significant pushback from parents who rely on e-bikes for transportation and students who feel responsible riders are being unfairly punished for the reckless actions of a few.

This pairs well with new Kit Coffee soft launch at the Newport Beach Library.

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor has asked for a bereavement leave to find a Whaler philly cheesesteak replacement.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!