Every week, Eater editors offer spots to drink over the weekend
By the time Friday finally comes around, we here at Eater LA start to get pretty darn thirsty. After drinking our way around town, we're here to be your guide to the city's best watering holes, whether it be a craft beer mecca or a hidden speakeasy for cult rums. Yup, we've officially become your favorite drinking companion.
Here now, three bars to try this weekend in Los Angeles:
March 11, 2016
For post-dinner drinks to kick off your night on the town: Maia
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
One of Sunset Strip’s glossiest new addition isn’t really about the food and drink. At Maia, the energy is undeniable. With a packed space of pretty people (this is definitely a vodka-soda crowd) ready to set the town ablaze, there are few more idyllic spots to kick off a night of debauchery. 8768 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood —CC
For some Spanish flavor and a killer patio: El Cid
[Photo: Yelp]
The Flamenco heats up on weekends at El Cid, but you can cool off any time away from the dance party by hitting the patio outside. There's a dedicated bar doing margaritas and more, and you can enjoy the views and the evening breeze for (relatively) cheap. Order some tapas while you're at it, too. This is Spain, after all. 4212 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake. — FE
For a centralized cocktail bar with near-perfect style: Melrose Umbrella Company
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
I get asked often to recommend a bar, and the one that almost always comes up in my mind first is Melrose Umbrella Company. The first reason is that it's so centrally located on Melrose Avenue, making it accessible from Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Mid-City. That means cheaper Uber rides for friends who are visiting from out of town. Second, the drinks are almost always perfectly made, and inventive enough to give people a taste of LA's great cocktail scene. And finally, the ambiance is excellent, with Matt Winter's antique design giving imbibers just enough talking points to discuss while sitting in the space. Oh, and there's no greater after drink snack than Eric Greenspan's fried apple pie, right next door. 7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. — MK
March 4, 2016
For the best new cocktails on the Westside: The Rose
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
The Rose has a good thing going on with a menu chock full of just about everything you want to eat. But it’s worth a visit to the revamped Venice institution for the drinks alone. The cocktail program originally ideated by Julian Cox and Nick Meyer is market-driven and refreshingly unique. Be sure to go for the Macadamia Phosphate, the unbelievably smooth concoction that blends house macadamia nut orgeat with rums, acid phosphate, and vermouth. 220 Rose Ave, Venice —CC
For great steak and world-class scotch: Alexander's Steakhouse
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Erik Lund, formerly of Republique and Rivera, has put together a mighty list of cocktails all the way out in Pasadena at this refined steakhouse. While the separate bar area is slated for a slight renovation and separation from the steakhouse in the coming months (same ownership, new name), you can still enjoy Lund's creations at Alexander's bar, with a side of wagyu steak and chilled foie gras. Oh, and when you're done with dinner, settle down with a dram of high quality scotch, ideally from a producer you've never heard before. 111 N. Robles, Pasadena. —MK
For some of the city's best cocktails, with a side of cake: Big Bar at The Alcove
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
This diminutive L-shaped bar tucked inside one end of the popular Alcove in Los Feliz has always had big ambitions (hence the name). The staff there, and new-ish bar manager Cari Hah, are intent on switching things up seasonally while not foregoing the classics, resulting in a timeless destination for a weekend drink. Plus, you can order cake from the Alcove proper. 1929 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. — FE
February 26, 2016
For a bar scene that rivals the dinner crowds: Republique
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
If dinner at Republique ever seems too intimidating — the necessary reservation in advance of the crowds, the pricetag, the menu — just remember that you can always slide onto a barstool, order a dish or two, and mostly enjoy the cocktails and wine. You won't get the full Manzke experience, but you also won't have missed too much, considering the bar bleeds so effortlessly into the dining room, and the drinks more than stand up on their own. 624 S. La Brea Ave., Mid-City. —FE
For the so LA place to take out of towners: Bar Marmont
[Photo: Yelp]
Want to seem like the coolest night owl your out-of-town friends know? Take them to Bar Marmont, the little bar attached to the celebrity hideout where the line is never exorbitantly long, the music bumps, and the people watching is on point. 8171 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA —CC
For your Westside drinking buddies who like good tunes: Hatchet Hall's Old Man Bar
The Westside doesn't quite have the rustic hipster cachet as the Eastside, but Hatchet Hall is here to fulfill all of your flannel desires. The Old Man Bar, tucked away toward the rear of the restaurant, is making some of the best drinks west of the 405. Oh, and for the music aficionados, the back room has a full analog record player system. Kindly ask the bartender for a request and they'll try to bump the album of your choice. Starting Sunday in March, the place will also have a special wood-grilled burger menu by David Wilcox. 12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City. —MK [Photo by Wonho Frank Lee]
February 19, 2016
For a West Hollywood bar that comes with clubby vibes: Harlowe
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
There’s a pretty stark dichotomy between bars and clubs in Los Angeles that doesn’t exist so greatly in cities like New York. Bars tend to be loungier whereas clubs blow yours ears out with EDM-leaning tunes. For those looking for the in between in the West Hollywood area, there’s Harlowe, where there’s no trouble at the door (albeit a long line come 11 p.m.), the drinks are on point, and the DJ knows just what you want to hear. 7321 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood —CC
For lunchtime drinks with a view Downtown: Perch
[Photo: Facebook]
Far from being a 'best-kept secret' in Downtown, Perch is usually mobbed in the sunset hours with tourists and Downtowners angling for the perfect view. Luckily weekend brunch tends to be a touch calmer, which means you can sip champagne, down mimosas, or grab bottles of rosé from the bar without needing to be elbow to elbow with everyone else. 448 S. Hill St., Downtown – FE
For a stylish restaurant bar in West Hollywood: Norah
Norah is a beautiful new addition to West Hollywood, with design by Thomas Schoos in the former Don't Tell Mama space along Santa Monica Blvd. The fare is excellent, mostly new-school American cuisine using high quality ingredients. The cauliflower popcorn and the kushi oysters make for fine companions to the drinks. Start with the continental spritzer, a light crushed-ice beverage served in a wine glass that's bitter enough to counter the starters. Delve into the cucumber gin sour, shaken until the egg white is as tasty as a meringue. Is there a more lovely restaurant to open in West Hollywood this year? Probably not. 8279 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood —MK
February 12, 2016
For your new favorite wine bar: Heritage Fine Wines
[Photo: Yelp]
You may be wary of a wine bar on the corner of S. Santa Monica Boulevard and Canon Drive in the heart of the Golden Triangle. But don’t let the prime location fool you: snooty service is nowhere to be found at Heritage Fine Wines. Quite the contrary actually—Heritage’s intimate space offers an interactive education in fine wines, with exceptional hospitality to boot. Stop in on a Friday night with friends for extremely reasonably priced tastings, and enjoy a sophisticated night out. 9400 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills —CC
For the nicest dive bar this side of Cheers: Club Tee Gee
[Photo: Yelp]
Atwater Village's Club Tee Gee is as kind as they come. With an amenable staff doling out inexpensive cocktails and cheap-ish beers, this is a great place to tuck into a sip before a meal at nearby spots like Ozu East or All'Acqua. Just beware the cash only sign. 3210 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village. — FE
For a laid back drink on the Eastside: The Greyhound
This Highland Park bar continues to field some of the best craft beers on the Eastside. Coupled with terrific chicken wings and a righteous (but simple) burger, it's the kind of place to hang out with friends and catch the ESPN highlights. As for cocktails, they'll make you a stiff Manhattan or Old Fashioned without any problems. If anything, The Greyhound is a strong reason to move out to Highland Park in the first place, because it's a slice of everyday Midwestern familiarity just a few miles from Downtown LA. 5570 N. Figueroa St. —MK [Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
February 5, 2016
For a red sauce joint you never knew had rock n roll vibes: Jones
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
We have all at least heard of Jones Hollywood, a staple addition to Santa Monica Boulevard known for its solid rendition of spaghetti and meatballs and pretty outstanding pie. But not everyone knows that come 10 pm, a bouncer sets up shop outside the door, and the bar becomes an impenetrable mass of mingling patrons. With chill rock n roll tunes and the option to order a pizza with your whisky, there are few better places to spend a Friday night. 7205 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood —CC
For your next Koreatown craft beer crawl: Beer Belly
At some point this weekend, you should shoulder your way into Beer Belly, the crowded Koreatown craft beer haven with the colorful details and the expansive taplist. Yes, you can hold for a table and down fries, duck, and gloriously greasy sandwiches, but what you should really do is grab a beer, or three, and try to end up somewhere near the bar. That's where the action is, where craft beer heads gather to talk about the latest new release or the next tap takeover. You can learn a lot, just standing there, while you sip from some of California (and thus the world's) best breweries. 532 S. Western Ave., Koreatown. —FE
For when you want to celebrate with a cigar and scotch: Ten Pound
Photo: Yelp
LA thankfully has some prime indoor/outdoor spaces where cigar smokers and scotch aficionados can find some kind of refuge. Yes, it's a certain kind of vibe at these sort of spots, like the man-cave also known as Buena Vista in Beverly Hills. But if you're willing to shell out about $100 for an out of this world experience, check out Ten Pound, located just above Scarpetta in the Montage Beverly Hills.
The prices are astronomical, but you do get an amazing set of bar bites with every order, plus personalized service in cushy cabanas that overlook the parklet outside. The Macallan presense is strong here, with unique bottles you won't find anywhere else, though you can also get a world-beating Manhattan if you want. Sometimes you just want that baller experience, and though it's not cheap, it's good to have something like Ten Pound there for when you need to seal the deal or hang out with friends. 225 N Canon. —MK
January 29, 2016
For laid back vibes and a prime education in standout cocktails: The Corner Door
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
Beau du Bois has earned a fair share of praise recently, what with his winning of Eater LA's own Bartender of the Year Eater Award last year. The praise is certainly merited — du Bois is turning out some of the best cocktails in the city. Whether you're looking to for a perfect first date restaurant or relaxed spot to share a meaning conversation with friends, The Corner Door is the epitome of your friendly neighborhood go-to, just with much better drinks. 12477 W Washington Blvd Los Angeles —CC
For a populist take on the great American Whiskey bar: Seven Grand
[Photo: Seven Grand]
Forget stuffy spots with high price points and snooty bartenders. At Seven Grand, right on 7th Street across from Bottega Louie in Downtown, it’s all about the people. There are whiskeys at every price point, served straight up or in a cocktail, and you can even play pool if you’d like. Mostly industry types prefer instead to simply pull up a seat at the bar and sip away with a friend or two — without, you know, breaking the bank in the process. 515 W. 7th St., Downtown. — FE
For one last taste of Julian Cox's magnificent cocktails: The Fiscal Agent
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Julian Cox's impact on the LA cocktail scene is incalculable because he's influenced and created drink menus at restaurants and lounges across the city. The Fiscal Agent is his most personal work, the final act before he withdraws from L.A. for a great gig at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in Chicago. Cox has been making the rounds across town, hitting important restaurants and saying goodbye to colleagues, but on the weekend, he's been mixing drinks at Studio City's Agent, including a pitch perfect mixed cocktail called The Chappelle Show. If you ask nicely, you can opt for a bartender's choice recalling his favorite creations from years past, like a Rivera's Cup. Be sure to make a reservation on Opentable to secure a seat. 11801 Ventura Blvd. —MK [Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
January 22, 2016
For a trio of power players making Mexican-inspired fare inside an LA institution: El Chavo
[Photo: El Chavo]
We've now gotten a peek into the future of El Chavo in Los Feliz, and things certainly look bright. That's thanks in part to Brandyn Tepper, the Cocktail Academy barman who's now doing drinks at the longtime spot, alongside tacos from Freddy Vargas and seafood from the Ceviche Project team. Tepper is working with a lot of Mexican spirits to keep the vibe alive, including the Oaxacan Old Fashioned, made with tequila and agave. 4441 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Feliz. —FE
For a low-key Westside(ish) spot with underrated drinks: Sausal
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
The area around El Segundo, Playa Vista, and the overall southern edge of the Westside is coming up thanks to Silicon Beach and a renewed sense of quality. Downtown El Segundo, a sleepier stretch just a short drive from LAX, has a new addition in Sausal that sports some underrated drinks. This weekend they're rocking a $39 dineLA dinner menu while their moderately priced cocktails (nothing over $12) might mean you're sipping the rye-based Future Fix, mixing agave and fresno chili, or colorful L.A. Fix, with strawberry, gin, cucumber, and lemon. While the cocktails won't blow you away, they don't really have to. The drinks are there to be boozy companions to the comfort-inducing "rancho" style cuisine that's really gussied up Cali-Mex. We're more than OK with that. 219 Main St, El Segundo —MK