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 26, 2016:
For Downtown drinking with plenty of people-watching: Bar Moruno
There's already a lot to love about Bar Moruno, the casual sit-down space inside Grand Central Market that features clean, brassy lines and an open kitchen. But now that the spot officially snagged their beer and wine license (thus completing the 'Bar' half of the name, whereas the Moruno refers to the restaurant's meat skewer selections), there's even more reason to belly up for a taste. A small, curated wine list provides lots of opportunity to sip around, while the restaurant's signature vermouth options are now rolling as well. 317 S. Broadway, Downtown —Farley Elliott [Photo: Michelle Park]
For the broiest beachside scene: The Bungalow
Even though The Bungalow has been serving Hawaiian t-shirted bros for several years now, the beachy bar is as hot as ever. If you haven't checked out the daytime scene yet, it's worth waiting in the line that can take the better part of an hour to partake in the debauchery the ensures after a few too many #sundayfunday mimosas. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica —Crystal Coser [Photo: The Bungalow]
For a Blade Runner-style experience in Little Tokyo: Baldoria
I've recommended Baldoria before and every time I go I enjoy my time better. Start with a very well made wood-fired pizza with some creative toppings (the potato-laden au gratin comes with nutty gruyere cheese and a covering of arugula). Then delve into some of the solid craft beers or the liquor collection. Whiskey nerds can geek out over the bourbon and Japanese selection, which tend to be wider than the other offerings. The cocktails are the definition of unfussy: poured straight from a bottle without any behind-the-bar mixology. The room itself is strangely post modern, with a gleaming screen showing sports replays behind the bar for a kind of perfect Blade Runner feel. On a sleepy stretch of San Pedro in Little Tokyo, it somehow feels timeless. 243 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 —Matthew Kang [Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
August 19, 2016:
For Downtown cocktails before Adele (or any time): Broken Spanish
You might have noticed quite the increase in foot traffic at Broken Spanish lately. Adele has been to thank for that, as her run of sold-out Staples Center shows brings in the drinking crowds early. Maybe it's the melancholy lyrics that gets people in the mood to drink, or maybe it's Mike Lay's awesome bar program, which brings boozy, refreshing, and mellow cocktails out to play in equal measure. Adele doesn't have to be playing nearby for you to make a stop in soon — but it always helps. 1050 S. Flower St., Downtown. — Farley Elliott
For neighborhood-themed libations sipped above the clouds: 71Above
Is there a more stunning bar in all of LA than 71Above? Of course there's that gorgeous design that feels like a mash up of Great Gatsby and Star Trek, but the view itself is worth the trip up the 71 stories. Thankfully the thoughtful cocktail menu stands up to that view, with drinks inspired by the diverse neighborhoods of LA that you can see right through the windows. Think libations like the refreshing Beverly Hills with Sancerre and honeydew, and the Downtown with toasted hazelnut-infused bourbon. 633 W 5th St Fl 71, Los Angeles —Crystal Coser
For relaxing times...in a Korean bar: Heu Fusion Sports Bar
There's something about drinking at a Korean bar that's exponentially more fun than an American one. Take Heu Fusion Sports Bar in the heart of Koreatown, perched on the second story of a largest Wilshire Blvd strip mall. It's tacky. There are televisions playing endless Olympics replays and the latest edition of Sportscenter. The music blaring cheesy Korean pop ballads, which you probably won't understand (I barely do too). But order up some reasonably priced large format bottles of Korean beer (try Kloud, a sort of quasi-German beer that's malty as hell) and a few bottles of soju to help wash it down. If you're bored of the standard green bottle, sip your watermelon or pineapple soju in the proper fruit vessel.
Koreans aren't necessarily concerned about drink quality. It's more about vibe and who you're with. You're talking about life, passing the time, catching up. You won't even care about your lame Facebook notifications. And to nibble? The popcorn chicken with honey mustard sauce will not fail you. 3959 Wilshire Blvd. —Matthew Kang [Photo: Yelp]
August 12, 2016:
For housemade vermouth and boozy pre-dinner libations: Kettle Black
[Photo: Wonho Frank Lee]
Silver Lake's hottest new restaurant has some serious names behind it. There's Sydney Hunter (Petit Trois, Superba Snack Bar) manning the wood-fired oven, and in front of the glistening golden back bar is cocktail maven Damien Windsor along with Jordan Young. The tight cocktail list with drinks named by their title liquor are just as exceptional as you would expect them to be, with a housemade vermouth program that truly speaks to the wizardry taking place at that gorgeous marble bar. 3705 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA —Crystal Coser
For a Redondo Beach newcomer with bartending flair: Suburbia
The open and impressive Suburbia just debuted a couple of weeks ago in the heart of Redondo Beach, but it's already crowded with locals looking to chef Tin Vuong and the Blackhouse Hospitality team for some serious menu guidance. They're also loving the bar, which offers a variety of strong cocktail contenders like the Rye Thai, a rye whiskey and Thai basil creation backed with orange blossom water that is as refreshing as the ocean air outside. 247 Avenida Del Norte, Redondo Beach —Farley Elliott
For the ideal late night neighborhood hang: All'Acqua
[Photo: Elizabeth Daniels]
Atwater Village has little in the way of late night offerings. The town just seems to fall asleep at 9 p.m. every night, which is a bummer because it would make for a nice place to walk around in the evenings. Sure, there's Club Tee Gee with its How I Met Your Mother vibe, and Village Tavern has its charm, but All'Acqua might have the best balance of tasty dishes with quality cocktails on the block. Try the late night pizza, which run a mere $10 and can be easily split with two people. There's a $6 old fashioned on the late night bar menu, though even the standard $12 cocktails are more than respectable. It still sort of feels like Acapulco inside All'Acqua though, which makes me wonder how much better chips and guac would be for a midnight snack. 3280 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles —Matthew Kang
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