Wednesday, May 13, 2009

LA's Best: The Cocktail Edition

In honor of "cocktail week" (although yes, I realize we're at the tail end of it), I thought I'd finally bust out my list of favorite cocktail bars (or restaurant+bar) in LA!

This has been sitting in my draft box for a while - I was hoping to go back to some and take better photos and hit my to-do list. I'll just have to update it later :)
Tiki Ti
4427 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 669-9381
A tiny family-owned tiki bar that's usually packed with people yelling "toro! toro! toro!" while the bartender tops off your Blood&Sands. An uber-fun place like no other, and if you're one of those guys who always forget about dress codes and end up with flip flops when you're supposed to go drinking, then this is your place. Pictured above is my favorite, the Missionary's Downfall.

Seven Grand
515 W 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
Known primarily as a whiskey bar, Seven Grand offers the best of that and more. Manned by some of the best bartenders in LA, you won't go wrong with a menu classic like the Mint Julep (left) or a specially concocted Pisco Sour. Oh, and if you're sitting at the bar drinking beer, then I'm the girl glaring at you for wasting precious seats.


The Edison
108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
A cool-looking lounge with some pretty awesome drinks. Pictured to your left is a Pisco Punch. We're talking pisco and absinthe here. Don't miss the happy hour on Thursdays and get your $0.35 classic cocktail.


The Varnish
118 E Sixth St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-9999

The worst kept secret in LA! "Hidden" in the back room of Cole's, The Varnish has recently been one of the most popular bars around. A small printed menu, but it does include "Bartender's Choice" so you can go a long way.

Rivera
1050 S Flower St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 749-1460
Flights of infused tequila? Awesome. Add to that a Latin-influenced, highly creative (and sometimes spicy!) cocktail menu featuring drinks like Purple Rain with ginger and basil (left) and Blood Sugar Sex Magic with whiskey, red pepper, and basil.




Other Bars Worth Checking Out:

  • The Wilshire. 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
  • FIG Restaurant. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • The Bazaar. 465 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA. Molecular gastronomy meets cocktails produce fun drinks like a Magic Mojito with cotton candy and liquid nitrogen cocktails.
  • The Hungry Cat. 1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA90028
  • STK. 755 La Cienega, West Hollywood, CA 90069

On my To-Try List:
  • Copa D'Oro. 217 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • One Sunset. 8730 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

4 comments:

Anonymous

omg auuntie, we MUST go to copa d'oro!! really???

Food GPS

Good round-up. The Varnish, Copa d'Oro, The Edison, Rivera and The Hungry Cat are all at the top of my list. So is The Bazaar. I tried several cocktails at brunch last Saturday and was blown away by the creativity and balance. Pablo Moix is a talented bartender, but I've never had the full STK experience. FIG is a very good restaurant, but the cocktails were a letdown, especially their signature fig drink.

gourmetpigs

choisauce: Yes, Yes, we MUST! Take meee! And I need to take you to Tiki Ti!

Food GPS: Thanks. I haven't made it to One Sunset but people were telling me that Pablo's cocktails there are better than at STK, so I'd like to get the full cocktail experience there.

Diana

I think I need to drink more cocktails. I've only been to the Edison on your list, and I ordered a glass of wine there! Por shame!

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