Clubs : A World of Adventure on Tap : At Naja’s Place, you can sample the beers of 39 thirsty nations.

Sunday afternoons at Naja’s Place in Redondo Beach are like having your keg and drinking it too.

Beachgoers drop by to seek relief from the hot sun. Cyclists pedaling the coast stop in for a brew break. And people-watchers surrender posts on the pier to quench their thirst.

Maybe the jammin’ rock ‘n’ roll music spilling out onto the boardwalk is the allure. It could be the picturesque waterfront location in King Harbor Marina. Or maybe it’s just Naja’s motto, as revealed on the staff uniform: “Life is too short to drink cheap beer.”

In the 20 years that Naja’s Place has been serving up pale ales and pilsners, it’s become somewhat of a landmark amid the souvenir stands lining the International Boardwalk. “This place is legendary,” says owner Achim Britfeld, not in the least bit modest. “Everyone down here knows about Naja’s, and it’s going to be here for a long time to come.”

Naja’s arrived in its location near the pier when former owners Naja and Ben Zeinaty converted a gift shop into a Middle Eastern restaurant with belly dancing and a whole lot of beer--seven on tap and 107 in the bottle, to be exact.

Over the years, the vast collection of brews became the draw and Naja increased the offerings. The hole-in-the-wall pub now offers 77 on tap and calls itself home to 777 brands of bottled beer.

The tap beers are by far the most popular and span the length of the bar. Domestic drafts and light beers are available, but the beers that flow freely tend to be full-bodied brews like Sierra Nevada, Guinness and Anchor Steam.

Those looking to sample something a little more exotic need look no further than the bottled collection. Naja’s carries beer from countries all over the world, including Japan, Denmark and even Yugoslavia. The most obscure imported beer they sell is the Sannichlaus Brown--a Swiss beer with 14.7% alcohol, or enough for about three regular Amercian beers.

Serious beer drinkers come to Naja’s intent on traveling the world. Those who drink one beer from each of 39 countries represented behind the bar earn a “passport” and a T-shirt that shows they’ve been around the world at Naja’s. They also get their picture on the wall of fame covering the entire restaurant.

A survey of the pictures shows a wide mix of patrons, young and old, and goes to show that you don’t need a VIP list or obscene cover charge to be a happening place.

There’s more to Naja’s than just beer. The Land Sharks, the house band that’s played here for eight years, rocks the place Friday and Saturday nights along with Sunday afternoon. And the Rich Harper Blues Band plays Saturday afternoons.

Last year when Naja decided it was time to pull out of the business, Britfeld, one of the founding members of the band, stepped forward and bought the bar. Though he’s added burgers and fries to the Middle Eastern menu, Britfeld says he’s otherwise keeping Naja’s as is.

“Naja built this place,” says Britfeld. “I’m just watching over it now.”

BE THERE

Naja’s Place, 154 The International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach. (310) 376-9951. 21 and older after 9 p.m. No cover. Full menu.