10 Places the Pros Drink in Downtown Los Angeles - Find. Eat. Drink.
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September 30, 2014
Downtown Los Angeles is the urban part of this suburban sprawl of a city strung together by freeways. Instead of manicured lawns and trimmed hedges, there is grit, grime and a skid row. After the sun goes down and the workers head home, check out the nightlife with these bars the pros recommend. The good news is that you can walk from place to place. How’s that for a unique LA experience?
October 29, 2014
10 Places the Pros Drink in Downtown Los Angeles
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Photo Credit: Neil Kremer [Flickr]
Wine at The Must
Photograph courtesy of The Must
The Must is a wine bar / restaurant where sommelier and co-owner Coly Den Haan has created a list of unique finds from around the world. The menu ranges from salumi and cheeses to salads and sandwiches and lots of vegetarian options. Chef Drew Coleman adds Southern comfort foods like hush puppies, biscuits and gravy and shepherd's pie.
The Library Bar
Photograph courtesy of The Library Bar
Bartender Derrick Bass of Willie Jane loves to come here for the cocktails. “If you can make the trip downtown, it is not to be missed. This is my favorite place.” In addition to cocktails, they also serve beer and wine. For food, check out their small plate dishes like croquettes, deviled eggs, pork belly skewers, burgers, sandwiches, flatbread pizza and “cheese n' mac.”
Seven Grand
515 West 7th Street, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014
T: 213.614.0737 | www.sevengrandbars.com
“For all things whiskey,” recommends bartender Nick Meyer of Sotto. They have over 700 premium whiskeys to choose from, but sommelier Coly Den Haan of The Must comes here to order a Negroni. Expect leather banquets, dark woods, mounted animal heads on the walls and a dress code.
Seven Grand
Photograph courtesy of Seven Grand
The Varnish
118 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
T: 213.622.9999 | www.213nightlife.com/thevarnish
When you ask bartenders about their favorite place to drink in Los Angeles, they all point to one person, bartender Eric Alperin. Daniel Shoemaker of Portland’s Pearl Drop Lounge describes Alperin as a tremendous host. “More than any of the bartenders I know he understands the theatrics and knows that every day is sort of a new performance. He has a very classic sensibility with his cocktails. In the industry we have created this beast that we call dealer's choice and to find someone who just understands classic cocktail profiles in-depth is really exciting.” Bartender Noah Ellis agrees. “I’ve never had a bad drink here. Everything they do is spot on.”
Cocktails at The Varnish
Photograph courtesy of The Varnish
Chef Susan Feniger comes to drink here and listen to live music. The cocktails are served in Mason jars and if you get hungry they serve burgers, dogs, grilled cheese, fries and Bourbon Bacon Caramel Corn.
Villains Tavern
Photograph courtesy of Villains Tavern
Tony’s Saloon
2017 East 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
T: 213.622.5523 | www.213nightlife.com/tonyssaloon
“In LA, there are a bunch of great bars everywhere, but I always find myself at Tony's,” says Death & Co’s David Kaplan about this cocktail bar with leather booths, pool table, ping pong and live local bands on the weekends.
Tony’s Saloon
Photograph courtesy of Tony’s Saloon
Las Perlas
107 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
T: 213.988.8355 | www.213nightlife.com/lasperlas
One of the city's best selections of tequila, mezcal and craft margaritas. You’ll see mezcal producers like Del Maguey’s Ron Cooper here as well as Sombra’s Richard Betts. “The tequila list is mind-blowing. The size would be intimidating if it were not for the knowledgeable staff.”
Las Perlas
Photograph courtesy of Las Perlas
Cocktails by well-known barman Julian Cox is why chef Roy Choi and Del Maguey mezcal producer Ron Copper come here. Check out their Samba Lounge with big, boxy bronze and leather chairs that have trays for tequila tastings, including their own. It you’re not a tequila lover, bartender Nick Meyer is a fan of the Pistachio Negroni cocktail.
Cocktails at Rivera Restaurant
Photograph courtesy of Rivera Restaurant
Golden Gopher
417 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
T: 213.614.8001 | www.213nightlife.com/goldengopher
Death & Co’s David Kaplan is a fan of Cedd Moses’ spot in the heart of downtown with an extensive beer list and beer cocktails.
Golden Gopher
Photograph courtesy of Golden Gopher
The King Eddy Saloon
131 East 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
T: 213.629.2023 | www.kingeddysaloon.com
The Varnish barman Eric Alperin loves to come drink at this speakeasy-style bar located below a piano shop in the 120 year old King Edward Hotel. “Want to feel like you’re drinking where Charles Bukowski would have? Just by Skid Row and it’s an adventure. I got four Seven & Sevens for $12 at happy hour and I didn’t get knifed. Glorious.”
King Eddy Saloon
Photograph courtesy of King Eddy Saloon
Copyright ©2014 Find. Eat. Drink. LLC All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2014 Find. Eat. Drink. LLC All rights reserved.