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:
August 5, 2016:
For refreshing sips at the Eastside's hippest new enclave: Salazar
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
There may be no hipper destination in LA right now than Salazar, Frogtown's oasis of tacos and agave-based cocktails. The outdoor space with a cooler-than-thou dessert vibe is exactly the kind of place to enjoy daytime sips like a refreshing michelada or spike agua fresca. Just be sure to Uber, as parking is nearly impossible and the drinks go down a little too easy. 2490 Fletcher Dr., Los Angeles —CC
For a Downtown refuge with none of the pretension: The Stocking Frame
[Photo: Yelp]
As South Park continues to grow into its own Downtown mini-neighborhood, options like The Stocking Frame are becoming more and more rare. A longtime tenant (they're three years old now) that isn't tucked into some high-ceiling'd mixed use building that's backed by billionaires. Instead The Stocking Frame is a casual place for locals and tourists who happen to wander into the lofty multi-functional space, looking for a strong drink and solid food. You'll find both inside, plus you might even end up having the sort of fun, easy conversation with a stranger that seems increasingly rare Downtown. 911 S. Hill St., Downtown. — FE
For classy vibes on the Westside: The Chestnut Club
Looking for a grown-up party vibe without the hassle of Hollywood or Downtown? Then the Chestnut Club is your Westside pick, not only because of the suave interior and relaxed banquettes. With music billowing on weekends and pitch perfect cocktails coming out from the bar, it's got that lounge vibe without any velvet rope or pretension. Just do your part: dress up and be ready to spend a few extra bucks for the experience. Start with an Ocean Park, mixing rum, ginger beer, lemon, and pineapple, and finish with the aromatic Vieux Carre, with rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, and benedictine. 1348 14th Street, Santa Monica —Matthew Kang
July 29, 2016:
For sexy sips with glamorous old Hollywood vibes: Paley
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Located in the former CBS building, Paley is the restaurant Hollywood always needed. With its majestic, gold-accented bar, there are few better places in this neighborhood to belly up and imbibe in everything from playful twists on the classics to seasonal specialties like the Summa Thyme, an extra boozy bourbon concoction that is lightened by a housemade cherry-thyme syrup. And with bar bites like braised bacon to soak it all up, you have just about everything you need to celebrate the weekend the right way. 6115 Sunset Blvd #100, Los Angeles —CC
For dive bar paradise you can't forget: The Galley
[Photo: Yelp]
Santa Monica's The Galley is a living legend, and ode to dive bars the way they've always been. The place is colorful, eclectic, and filled with regulars. You can drink on the cheap and eat for even cheaper, all within stomping distance to the ocean. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday (and well into Sunday, if you're doing it right). 2442 Main St., Santa Monica. — FE
For a vintage party vibe in the Arts District: Westbound
Honestly, I was a little skeptical this place. Would the drinks be well made? Would the bar be jam packed on weekends? The answer was yes to both questions, and yet the place managed to be the ideal birthday gathering last Friday. So this weekend, bring a crew and check out the vintage train car vibes at Westbound in the Arts District. Sure, the drinks take a long time because the place is just too busy for its own good right now.
But the bartenders manage to keep a cool head and mix up fine cocktails like the Conductor, a creative take on the whiskey sour with black sesame, tamarind and egg white, shaken and served up in a coupe glass. My Boxcar Cobbler was a tinge too sour for me, mixing up two kinds of sherry with a pineapple rosemary shrub. I didn't seem to care, because everyone was having a good time around me. And sometimes that's more valuable than having a perfect cocktail in front of you. 300 S. Santa Fe, Arts District —Matthew Kang [Photo: Dylan + Jeni]
July 15, 2016:
For one of the best happy hour deals in town: Roppongi
This West Hollywood gem formerly known as Yatai is hidden away in a tiny courtyard off the Sunset Strip. Locals know to come in for its unbelievable happy hour, with specials like the $5 cold bamboo sake poured from a giant bamboo shoot until each glass overflows. Refreshing with a hint of sweetness, there is no better way to kick off a lively night out with friends without breaking the bank. 8535 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood —CC [Photo: Yelp]
For Koreatown's best new place for snacks and cocktails: Here's Looking at You
Bar team Allen Katz and Danielle Crouch, formerly at Cana in Downtown, have returned from Vegas to help set up the magnificent bar at Koreatown's new Here's Looking at You. Start the drinking session off with some gorgeous (and delicious) bites from chef Jonathan Whitener, previously chef de cuisine at Animal. The brussels sprouts and soft shell crab should get you going while you try the Summer Sosltice, a gin-infused strawberry martini that tastes as if every drop of a gorgeous summer afternoon has been squeezed into it. And the best part, it comes with an ice-filled copper sidecar so that it's chilled to the last sip. Legend has it the $26 Mai Tai is about as close to the original recipe as you can get, if you're willing to splurge. 3901 W 6th St, Los Angeles —MK [Photo: Shant Kiraz]
For big views and a summer breeze: High Rooftop Lounge
Located atop the Hotel Erwin in Venice, High Rooftop Lounge is a see-and-be-seen sort of Westside spot meant to marry great views with strong drinks and a party vibe that's not to be missed. Get there early enough to catch the sunset, then stay all night. 1697 Pacific Ave., Venice. — FE [Photo: Yelp]
July 15, 2016:
For the hottest new West Hollywood lounge: Doheny Room
The newest entrant to the West Hollywood nightlife scene is sbe's Doheny Room. The restaurant and lounge is the sort of place where the ideal dinner reservations are later than 8 p.m. to kick off a long night of revelry. Your meal will probably consist of dishes like lobster poutine and the Doheny Room's fiery, party trick of a dessert before moving to the restaurant's bar for after-dinner drinks. But the party really starts at the clubby upstairs lounge where pretty people and vodka sodas abound. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood —CC [Photo: Doheny Room]
For craft beer in the most walkable part of the city: Sixth Street Tavern
Downtown's Sixth Street Tavern is a fan favorite with longtime locals in the area, but also serves as a mighty fine pop-in spot for anyone walking by. And walk they do, as their corner at Sixth and Hope is a near-constant buzz of activity. Drop in yourself for beers from one of the two dozen taps, then stay for the quality pub fare. 630 W. 6th St., Downtown. — FE [Photo: Yelp]
For Indian-inflected drinks in a Downtown Culver City gem: Sambar
You may not realize this, but it's almost more fun to sit at the bar inside Sambar than it is any particular table. You'll still be able to enjoy some of Akasha Richmond's pan-Indian dishes, no problem, but you'll also be able to watch the bartenders at work as they whip up $12 punches and a variety of other cocktail favorites, including the hit Blood Moon Over Bengal, which involves bourbon, blood orange, orgeat, lime, and falernum. 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City. — FE
July 8, 2016:
For Hollywood dive bar vibes with an upscale side: Power House
Hollywood's long-divey Power House was reimagined a while back as a cocktail den for the more sophisticated set. Some of that has stuck, sure, but there's still a fun underbelly to the place, particularly thanks to the lovable oddballs and tourists who still make their way in. Belly up to the chic bar for some primo people-watching. 1714 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. — FE [Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
For Fairfax no-frill drinking: The Dime
Ever stepped foot in The Dime? It's a cozy spot right on Fairfax near Cofax and the like, but feels worlds away once you're wrapped in those deep red walls. You'll find the occasional guest DJ set and big crowd, but mostly The Dime is a drinker's dream where it's possible to grab a stool, shoot the breeze, and knock back more than a few with relative ease. 442 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. — FE
For a low-key first date spot: The Pikey
[Photo: Yelp]
If you’re scrambling to find a nice first date spot that doesn’t put on too much pressure, look no further than The Pikey. The ambient music allows for audible conversation, the cocktails go down smoothly, and the lighting assures everyone looks their finest. 7617 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles —CC
June 24, 2016:
For Downtown's neighborhood drinking destination: Ham & Eggs Tavern
Part live music venue, part Cheers for the Downtown crowd, Ham & Eggs Tavern is a staple just off 8th Street. Having opened in 2012, the place has seen the real rise of Downtown, but still feels like a laid-back option for anyone who happens to stumble in. 433 W. 8th St., Downtown. —Farley Elliott [Photo]
For your next cheap beer and baseball watching experience: The Greyhound
Highland Park's The Greyhound is more than just a locals-only spot to belly up to the bar: it's a destination for anyone who likes beer, bar grub, and watching the Dodgers. The Figueroa haunt offers booths for friends to gather and a long bar for chatting with the bartender, but the biggest draw of all might be the strong craft beer selection and rotating Dodgers game specials. 5570 N. Figueroa, Highland Park. —€”Farley Elliott
For an insider-y Hollywood cocktail spot: Dirty Laundry
Hollywood can be a bit of a gamble for those looking for great drinks and a fun vibe. While upstairs companion No Vacancy is about one click short of a full-on nightclub (albeit, classy), Dirty Laundry is that low-key bar that feels like it's only for those in the know. With a subterranean, lair-like feel, the tunes are dialed to eleven while the bartenders shake away creative beverages. It's almost like Martin Scorsese is just itching to shoot one of those meandering long shots, capturing a perfect kind of hipster revelry. It tends to get harder to get past the door as the night progresses, but wandering around the space is more than worth the effort. Try the RSVP line here. 1725 N. Hudson Ave. Hollywood. —Matthew Kang
June 17, 2016
For an idyllic, train-inspired spot to catch up with friends: Westbound
When meeting up with friends (or, perhaps, a potential suitor), it can be a challenge to find a cool new bar that offers tasteful surrounds, throwback tunes that are never too loud, and, most importantly, exceptionally crafted libations. Cocktails like the Sinatra and Chanel; a blend of whisky, coco palm, Frankincense, and sour cherry bitters; are sure to keep conversation flowing, with printed ice that makes cocktail nerds go wild. 300 South Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles —CC
For those afternoon drinks you're willing to splurge on: The Garden Bar
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Why not accelerate those far-off plans to hang out with a long lost friend, and actually schedule a meet up at The Garden Bar inside the Montage Beverly Hills? It's got style, substance, and a strong cocktail menu, and there's no shame in throwing the credit card statement to the wind with a few $18 manhattans and a $25 burger. It's been a long week — you deserve it. 225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. —FE
For the perfect hipster beer experience: El Prado
Echo Park might be starting to go the way of Silver Lake about fifteen years ago. Rough around the edges, but still fully aware that gentrification is running at the neighborhood full bore, it's kind of nice to sit around El Prado, a shoebox craft beer and wine bar in the heart of Sunset Blvd. Fine vintage tunes played on vinyl, light wood paneling, and an overall minimalist look make it a easy stop to start the night before venturing over to more wild places like the Short Stop, or perhaps The Echo across the street. Is El Prado a far cry from the dingy dive bars of Echo Park? Sure. Is it a fancy, hoity toity cocktail lounge with vodka sodas? Hell no. 1805 Sunset Blvd. —MK
June 10, 2016
For thoughtful Southeast Asian-inspired libations: Cassia
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
There’s a reason Cassia has become a favorite of the Los Angeles critics: it is probably the most interesting new restaurant on the Westside. The same goes for the cocktails. The pina colada with strawberry balsamic gastrique is unlike any sugary concoction you may have sipped seaside. Those looking for something with more of a kick will go for the barrel aged Sunny Place, a boozy blend of tequila, mescal, china china, sambal bitters, and kaffir lime leaf tincture. —CC 1314 7th St, Santa Monica
Where queso makes the heart grow fonder: Bar Ama
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
If you haven't had sat at the bar at Bar Ama, you're missing out on what might be the best place to chow down after a long work day. Order up one of the mezcal or tequila based cocktails and pick either the queso or guacamole, which comes with an endless parade of tortilla chips. Ask for an off-menu puffy taco (the shrimp variety is great) and finish the post-work meal with a dram of high-quality mezcal. 118 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 —MK
Where the craft beer always goes well with pizza: Baldoria
Little Tokyo has plenty of places to grab a cocktail, from Wolf & Crane to the enduring Far Bar. But perhaps the best place for a thoughtfully made, well-crafted drink might be Baldoria, which takes over the former Toranoko along San Pedro. With perfect late night vibes and the addictive kind of pizza you'll crave after a few craft beers, Baldoria is the ideal new watering hole for those in need of something new in the neighborhood. 243 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 —MK
June 3, 2016
For ‘90s hip hop-themed drinks worth driving for: The Fiscal Agent
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Julian Cox’s magnum opus in LA has been turned over to new beverage director Chris Amirualt, who has shaken things up to make the lounge his own. The spring menu features cocktails that hark back to the ‘90s with exceptionally crafted (not to mention witty) libations like the Tea Pain with green tea-infused vodka and the Bleu Cantrelle with, of course, blue curacao. With bar bites like Barrel & Ashes’ crazy delicious fried chicken sandwich, it’s exactly where you should be drinking this weekend. 11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City —CC
For a glass of wine in the thick of it all: Little Next Door
[Photo: Yelp]
West Third Street has long been a hub for restaurant and bar concepts. Not all have lasted (or deserved to) through the years, which makes Little Next Door's quiet run on the strip all the more impressive. The casual French cafe offers a quality patio for people watching and some seriously charming digs inside, along with typical French fare and a straightforward but delightful wine list. What could be better on a warm summer night? 8142 W. Third St., Mid-City West —FE
For classy martinis in the heart of Beverly Hills: Viviane
Ryan Wainwright has compiled a familiar, but well-thought cocktail menu at the rather lovely Viviane inside the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. The martini done three ways is a thoughtful look at the classic Martinez, Mad Men-esque gin martini, and the ridiculous drink known as the dirty martini, the latter of which is quite tasty here. Altogether, they form a martini vertical that'll likely you get properly sloshed before delving into chef Michael Hung's dishes, all under $20. One note: skip the bar seats because they're pretty uncomfortable. Instead, opt for a lazy cabana nearby the pool. 9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 —MK
May 27, 2016
For your dream whisky-heavy man cave: Miro
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Downtown has a new after-work contender for thirsty office workers and local denizens alike. Whether you want to sip a carefully crafted libation upstairs with a plate of housemade charcuterie, or are looking to lounge in the restaurant’s downstairs bar with a rare whisky, there are few better places for brown liquor-lovers to unwind after a long day. 888 Wilshire, Los Angeles —CC
For a Downtown newcomer with cocktails by the bottle: Baldoria
[Photo: Instagram]
Little Tokyo newcomer Baldoria is a great place to slide into a seat and grab a drink. There's a fun, easy kitchen pumping out dishes from the back, and the wine selection is a welcome surprise for that stretch of Little Tokyo. But possibly the most intriguing party of Baldoria is their hand-bottled cocktail program, which batches drinks to order not only for service, but also for specificity. And who doesn't like rounding up a few friends and drinking booze from a bottle somewhere — especially if it's not just another Bud Light. 243 S. San Pedro St., Little Tokyo. — FE
For a low-key Downtown bar popular with the industry crowd: Spread
You'd probably assume that Spread was a fast-casual restaurant by day, and a kind of quiet sit-down destination at night. And while that's certainly true of the slick new space on the corner of 4th and Main in Downtown, the bar area is actually a bit of a neighborhood gem. The low-key bar, which still managed pop off one night after a big group came in for after dinner drinks, has that generic, colorful glow that you might expect in a dark, sexy lifestyle commercial.
Barman Raul Pool, who cut his teeth at Boston's tequila-centric Masa before returning to his hometown, creates terrific and approachable cocktails that don't even hurdle $10, something of a rarity in this part of town. Consider the hibiscus tiki drink, which blends rums with tart hibiscus before getting topped with the requisite cocktail umbrella. Or try the cucumber sour, shaken to perfection and poured as a lovely mellow green libation topped by a cream-like foam. It's the kind of place where you can belly up, shake the bartender's hand, and let them mix drinks without too much thought on your end. And what's better than that? 334 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 —MK
May 20, 2016
For a night out like the South Bay locals: Ocean Bar
[Photo: Facebook]
There are few places in Los Angeles with a nightlife scene as concentrated as Hermosa Beach. The bars clustered around the pier are littered with twenty somethings doing justice to the neighborhood’s nickname "Bromosa." Perhaps the best place to imbibe is Ocean Bar. Sitting right atop Abigaile, the lounge offers DJ-spun tunes and an all-around good time. 1301 Manhattan Ave, Hermosa Beach —CC
For a neon-lit night out with friends: Good Luck Bar
[Photo: Yelp]
Sunset Boulevard is full of great drinking options, especially along the strip between Los Feliz and Silver Lake. Among them is Good Luck Bar, a longstanding dive bar with a heart of neon. Rather than get too down and dirty, Good Luck tows the line between rustic neighborhood favorite and dim hipster weekend spot. Most nights the long oval bar is packed to the gills with regulars and anyone hoping to catch a glance of the next wayward celeb to stumble in, so be prepared to hug the walls while you wait for your next drink. 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. — FE
For creative cocktails followed up by great Italian cuisine: Sotto
Sotto might have one of the best restaurant bars in town, and the consistent work from bar lead Brynn Smith shows. Starting off dinner with a Tre, a slightly bitter barolo chinato, carpano antica, and egg white drink is probably your strongest play before delving into a wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. The dark, underground environs also make for great after-dinner drinks if you're going for more of the post-prandial vibe. Sip on a Dream within a Dream, mixing gin, amaro, grapefruit bitters, and vermouth while nibbling on one of the city's best cannolis. 9575 W Pico Blvd —MK