16 Feb Bar Guide Los Angeles & San Diego
Foreword
The devastating fires that recently ravaged Los Angeles have shaken us to the core. Although much will be rebuilt, this disaster is likely to change LA for a very long time. We can only hope that Los Angeles and its residents will regain their courage and confidence. LA strong!
Anyone who follows our travels will have noticed that Los Angeles is one of our absolute favorite places. It should be no secret that the bars have always played an important role in our LA trips. And the people we met there. Since almost six years have passed since our last big bar guide to Los Angeles, it was time for an update. This was all the more urgent as there was a pandemic between the first and the new guide, during which many of our former favorite places had to close. Fortunately, they were replaced by new names, new bartenders and new bar experiences, which we would like to introduce to you in this guide. And as an extra, there’s also a trip to beautiful San Diego.
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Johnny’s (Highland Park)
Anyone familiar with our first LA Guide will know that Highland Park was once home to our favorite bar, Sonny’s Hideaway. After it closed, it’s almost a miracle that Johnny’s, a barely less great bar on the same street, now attracts us to this northern Los Angeles neighborhood. Even though Johnny’s has been around for a long time and this place was known to locals as a real dive bar, the rather inconspicuous bar on Yolk Boulevard has reinvented itself once again under new ownership. Fortunately, the charm of the old Johnny’s has been retained. The cozy interior (including jukebox) immediately transported us back in time 40 years. But if you take a look at the selection of spirits, you might already suspect that the drinks mixed here have little in common with mediocre dive bar cocktails. And when you know that the new owners once ran the legendary “The Varnish” – a real LA bar institution that also closed its doors for good last summer, what a loss for the city’s cocktail culture – then expectations naturally rise. We ordered various classics from Wolf, who was our trusted bartender on both of our visits to Johnny’s. In addition to one of the best whisky sours, the (gin) martini served ice cold and the (bourbon) Old Fashioned should not go unmentioned. Johnny’s simply offers the best of both worlds. This Highland Park bar combines the charm of a long-established neighborhood hangout with the quality of a top cocktail destination.
The Wolves (Downtown)
If it weren’t for The Wolves – or the Lakers – we couldn’t think of many reasons why we would be drawn downtown in the evening. This bar, designed in the style of an old Parisian salon, works like a time machine. This is no coincidence, as the historic building once housed the legendary Alexandria Hotel, where famous personalities, politicians and the first Hollywood stars met at the beginning of the 19th century. The spirit of this era shines through again and again in numerous details at The Wolves. Be it the impressive Tiffany glass ceiling or the artfully designed bar counter made of dark wood, the entire interior design brings the unmistakable Belle Époque style of old French salons to the roughed-up heart of LA. The cocktails developed here by head bartender Nathan McCullough and his team are also in the Champions League of mixology. Not only does Nathan experiment with unusual-sounding ingredients such as mushrooms, garlic or dried shrimps (be sure to try the mezcal-based “Agua Buena”), he also pioneered the idea of weekly changing “Farm to Glass” cocktails in terms of seasonality, regionality and sustainability. From Nathan’s long list of creations, we ordered the “Tigers Milk”, whose stylish preparation in a smoke-filled carafe is an absolute highlight in itself. This smoky milk punch combines mezcal, pineapple and mango with the acidity of lime and a slight habanero spiciness. After the sad demise of The Varnish, The Wolves are the new cocktail institution in downtown LA.
Employees Only (West Hollywood)
The Employees Only in West Hollywood exudes its very own LA vibe. But it would be wrong to call it just an offshoot of New York’s EO. This darkly lit bar, which also offers a full dinner service, has enough independence and character of its own. This starts with the regularly composed seasonal cocktails. Some of these later end up in the “EO Classics” category, such as the smoky sour version “When in Oaxaca” with mezcal, Branca Menta, hibiscus and lemon. But the classics we love so much, from Martini to Whiskey Sour, are also absolute highlights at Employees Only – no wonder with the consistently first-class selection of spirits available here. If you love espresso martinis, a visit to the EO is almost a must. During the week, things are wonderfully relaxed in the elegant restaurant bar. There is plenty of time to philosophize with the bartenders about more than just cocktails. On Friday and Saturday evenings, DJs play and the bar switches to party mode. Anyone who knows us certainly knows which of these two “faces” of the EO we prefer. We also have a big recommendation for the kitchen. Whether you order just the charcuterie or the cheese board as a slightly larger bar snack or a full dinner, the combination of food and drinks makes the EO the perfect place to spend an entire evening.
Oy Bar (Studio City)
The question of whether the Oy Bar is a classic dive bar, which is what it initially looks like, is not so easy to answer. In fact, it seems to have all the ingredients for a real dive bar experience. The bar is very dark, the interior design is wonderfully old-school – lots of wood on the walls, simple bar stools, a classic bar counter – and the overall atmosphere is lively and informal. But even if you can only order a beer and a shot here, the cocktails from the Oy Bar crew can hold their own with those in other top bars in the city. In a way, the Oy Bar is similar to Johnny’s, although the drinks are accompanied by delicious bar food with a Jewish background. Dishes such as the smoked salmon onigri or the quesadilla with pastrami and sauerkraut take guests on a culinary journey around the world. Owner Jeff Strauss, who already made a name for himself with his sandwich store “Jeff’s Table” in Highland Park, loves to create something new from the cuisines of different countries. Word of the quality of the drinks and food has spread throughout LA and so you sometimes have to wait for a free seat during the week (reservations are not possible). The bar is no longer an insider tip among Studio City residents. We shortened the waiting time with a damn strong dry martini and a whiskey sour. Later, bartender Alex, who we knew from the Bibo, mixed us a “Rosita”. All Negroni fans should do the same: you won’t regret it!
Thunderbolt (Echo Park)
Thunderbolt is a prime example of how ambition and innovative mixology craftsmanship can be combined with the vibes of a cool neighborhood bar. Owner Mike Capoferri and his team have achieved what sounds impossible. The starting conditions were anything but ideal. Shortly after opening, Thunderholt had to close again due to the pandemic. But they didn’t let that get them down. On the border between Echo Park and Filipinotown, this now award-winning bar has instead become a magnet for bar tourists and locals alike. A glance at the menu gives you an idea of what makes Thunderbolt so unique. Mike and his team use modern techniques such as sous-vide and centrifugal infusion/clarification, which are otherwise more familiar from a restaurant, to achieve consistently high-quality cocktails while working more efficiently and sustainably and getting the most out of the individual flavor components. The degree of watering down, which is usually achieved by adding ice, is the result of sophisticated cooling management. When the guest orders a drink, it is pre-batched and served at the ideal temperature straight from the fridge. On prep day, we were able to see for ourselves just how much work and preparation goes into this. We met Mike as he made the popular “Pastelito”. This guava-based milk punch does not require any milk at all. With the “Barcelonnette”, the Thunderbolt team proves how to create a sour with a great texture and taste without protein. Mezcal, Suze, passion fruit and lime come together in a glass. There are many such surprises on the Thunderbolt menu. The description of their martini variant “Liquid Picnic” sums it up pretty well: “Reads like a salad, drinks like a martini.” It is up to the guest to find out more about Thunderbolt’s unique approach and the “making of” the individual drinks. You can also simply enjoy them in a relaxed atmosphere. A real stroke of luck for the bar culture of this city!
Bar Suehiro (Downtown)
With the new Bar Suehiro, which opened just last summer, Los Angeles now has a retreat inspired by Japanese bar culture where you can enjoy first-class spirits and cocktails in a very relaxed atmosphere. The small bar is practically an extension of the Japanese restaurant of the same name, which was previously at home in Little Tokyo for many years and from which you can conveniently have your food ordered directly to the bar. As soon as you enter the bar through the curtain, you are greeted by bar manager Huy Nang Pham. Huy previously worked at Bar Jackalope, which is famous for its large selection of whiskeys. At Bar Suehiro, he remains loyal to whiskey – especially Japanese whiskey – but other spirits such as mezcal, tequila and rum can also be found on the menu, which is divided into classic and original cocktails. Drinks based on shochu and sake are also a must. The martinis are undoubtedly a highlight, for which Huy uses Japanese Ki No Bi Premium Gin, among other things. This can also be found in the “Ki No Bi Gimlet”. We also tried the whiskey sour variant “Gold Dust”, which, like every other drink in the Suehiro bar, stands for Huy’s high quality standards and the perfectionism celebrated in Japanese bars. Strict attention is therefore paid to everything that goes into the glass here, even if it is just the ice. The interaction between bartender and guest results in a special intimacy. Even first-time visitors to Bar Suehiro quickly feel like regulars. Huy is a great host with whom you can do more than just philosophize about drinks. We were able to see this for ourselves on the evening of the LA Dodgers‘ World Series championship. Kanpai!
Capri Club (Eagle Rock)
Capri Club brings the Mediterranean aperitivo culture to Los Angeles – more precisely to Eagle Rock. After all, there has been little sign of it in the city so far. However, the Capri Club is no ordinary aperitivo bar serving summer spritzes, negronis and amari. The place lives above all from its playful old-school charm and the attitude that people don’t take themselves too seriously here. The retro touch of the Capri Club is not a constructed fake feeling, but comes from the Italian restaurant Capri, which has been located in the same place since the 1960s. Numerous memorabilia from this restaurant can still be found in the bar, which can sometimes be a little too loud or too full. Behind the red awning and the large, open windows, the many regulars celebrate the LA version of the trendy aperitivo lifestyle. True to the Capri Club motto “Come early, stay late”, many of the tables are already occupied in the afternoon. Those who arrive later need a bit of luck and patience. But the wait is worth it. In combination with the antipasti or pasta dishes served here – Monday is “Lasagna Night”, Tuesday “Pasta Night” – the cocktails such as the “Capri Sour” (Mezcal, Meletti Amaro, Orgeat, House Red Bitter, lemon) or the “White Negroni” taste particularly good. The fact that we didn’t regret ordering an “Espresso Martini” here says it all. At least if you know our opinion of “espresso martinis”. With the Capri Club, the La Dolce Vita craving finally has a home in Los Angeles. And one with a very big grin.
Mirate (Los Feliz)
Even though Mirate is still a fairly new name in the Los Angeles bar scene, this place in Los Feliz has already established itself as one of the best places for Mexican spirits on the West Coast. This is mainly thanks to beverage director Max Reis, who, as an absolute agave nerd, puts his heart and soul into Mexican spirits. The creative cocktail menu features twists on well-known classics such as the “Tu Compa”, a canned Paloma that is presented with a little pulque paint on the glass (and a secret arcade-game accessible via a QR code, what a fun gimmick). Another crowdpleaser is the “El Taquero #2”, for which Max uses Mal Bien Mezcal – an unique collective of small, independent producers of agave distillates. The bar offers an impressive selection of Mexican spirits. In fact, only distillates, wines and beers from Mexico can be found here. In addition to the cocktails, we highly recommend a mezcal tasting, where Max and his team have a lot of fun imparting knowledge about agaves, fermentation and distillation. But Mirate is much more than just a beautiful place that is dedicated to Mexican spirits and the honest work of the mezcaleros. Authentic Mexican cuisine can also be experienced in a lively setting. The market driven menu presents dishes and bold flavors in a new and maybe unexpected way. Mirate is an absolute gem where you can experience Mexican culture through great food and spirits. It’s a proof of how you can run a bar with lots of passion and enthusiasm.
Roma Norte (San Diego)
Let’s stay in Mexico for a while, or at least in bars with a Mexican background. Because Roma Norte in San Diego also has this. The name refers to the hip neighborhood in Mexico City, which is particularly popular with tourists and is home to numerous bars and restaurants from the well-known best lists. Even if Roma Norte is not yet on the list, it does not seem impossible that this perfectly styled bar in downtown San Diego could soon attract international attention. This is because Beau du Bois and Derek Cram, two true veterans of the Southern Californian bar scene, are responsible for the extremely creative, technique-driven signature cocktails. Their butter-washed bourbon-based “Fig Leaf Old Fashioned” is quite simply one of the best old-fashioned variations we’ve been served in a bar to date. However, we were almost more surprised by the non-alcoholic “Taco Truck”. For this drink, Roma Norte uses a homemade, non-alcoholic mezcal with tea and eucalyptus and combines it with two equally non-alcoholic aperitifs (the drink is also available with alcohol). Of course, the well-equipped bar also serves all the classic cocktails, which can be enjoyed in an elegant setting. Plants and mirrors on the walls lend a special atmosphere to the room, where the bar is highlighted by the lighting design. In fact, we were immediately reminded of the Roma-Norte vibe of México City. The fact that it is only a few kilometers to Mexico can be felt almost everywhere in San Diego anyway.
Noble Experiment (San Diego)
Perhaps our critical opinion of speakeasy bars has already gotten around. After all, few of them don’t feel like a calculated social media phenomenon that only lives off its speakeasy gimmick. In the case of Noble Experiment, however, we can give the all-clear. Even if this intimate speakeasy in downtown San Diego initially creates a certain wow effect with its external values, the mixology craft here is built on a solid foundation. The concept of the bar is very simple. Anyone who has ever visited Attaboy in New York will certainly be familiar with the idea of “dealer’s choice” cocktails. It is therefore no surprise that Sam Ross, of all people, acted as a consultant here. In a nutshell, you tell the bartenders your cocktail preferences and they mix you a drink that is perfectly tailored to these preferences. This applies to the choice of base spirit as well as the flavor composition and classification of the cocktail (sour, short drink, fizz, highball and so on). After a short Q&A session, we were treated to great Old Fashioned, Martini and Whiskey Sour interpretations. These can be enjoyed here in a grown-up bar atmosphere. There is room for just under 30 people in the small bar, which offers plenty of eye candy with an impressive wall of golden skulls, a chandelier and a ceiling full of old paintings, despite the very subdued lighting. Incidentally, the name “Noble Experiment” is a reference to Prohibition in the USA during the 1920s and 30s. Another tip: reservations are possible during the week and are highly recommended.
Youngblood (San Diego)
To get from the Noble Experiment to the Youngblood, you only have to change rooms once. However, you should have made a reservation beforehand, as this is mandatory here. Sam Ross was also brought in as a consultant for this speakeasy, which opened in the middle of the 2021 pandemic. Youngblood is very different from its neighbor. Behind a large refrigerator, which turns out to be a hidden entrance, you enter an opulent room in the “Great Gatsby” style, where stylishly lit walls full of spirits, plenty of gold and velvet await the guest. You immediately feel transported back to the Roaring Twenties, a time of decadence and opulence. You won’t find a classic cocktail menu in Youngblood either. Instead, the dramaturgy of the evening follows a three-course “cocktail experience”. Similar to a dinner, you first get an appetizer in the form of a light and refreshing drink, followed by a boozy, spirit-forward main course and a sweet dessert cocktail, the flavours of which are based on your favourite dessert. In our case, it was an irresistibly good tiramisu cocktail, which we would have loved to order a second one of. As bartender Alexandra told us, she always changes the drink a little with different base spirits. Sometimes it’s cognac, sometimes rum and sometimes even jenever or Averna. So you will probably never get exactly the same drink twice at Youngblood. This makes the evening a unique experience – real speakeasy feeling included!
Realm of the 52 Remedies (San Diego)
Could it be that San Diego is the speakeasy capital of the world? Because our next bar also falls into this category. At first, we could hardly believe that such an extraordinary bar experience was waiting for us surrounded by car dealerships. After all, the surrounding area has the charm of a boring industrial zone. But that is also part of the magic of a good speakeasy, when you as a guest suddenly forget the world outside. We are a good fifteen minutes‘ drive from the city center, in the Convoy District to the north. At the back of the Common Theory gastropub, you first enter a white room that looks like a mix between a Chinese pharmacy and a modern showroom. In the end, however, this is only a limited indication of what awaits us behind the curtain. The Realm of the 52 Remedies bar – or 52 Remedies for short – takes us into an opulent bar setting that could have been found in the legendary Shanghai of the 1920s. Even the bar counter, illuminated in jade green, is an absolute eye-catcher. Lots of gold and brass, artfully decorated walls with Chinese paintings and modern textures, elegant wood paneling – 52 Remedies creates the illusion of a Far Eastern speakeasy located somewhere between tradition and modernity. In addition to changing original creations, which are usually inspired by a different region of Asia – in our case it was the Philippines – the bar also stocks the most popular drinks of recent years under the heading “Eternal Remedies”. In addition to the “Buko Pandan”, whose nutty aromas were based on a Filipino dessert made from coconut and pandan, we also tried the 52 Remedies classic “Lalisa”, which is based on mezcal and tequila. Both drinks were outstanding. On our next visit, we also decided to try some of the dishes inspired by Cantonese and Southeast Asian cuisine. The feeling of being transported to another place and a completely different time for an evening is what makes 52 Remedies so fascinating for us.
Swan Bar (San Diego)
San Diego got great neighborhood bars. The proof is in this place, which is extremely popular not only with the residents of North Park. Swan Bar is exactly what you would expect from a relaxed hangout that you will always look forward to returning to. We can also highly recommend North Park as a base for a trip to San Diego. There are lots of small Airbnbs in quiet locations, a variety of good cafés and restaurants and, of course, nice bars. There are also good connections to other neighborhoods and districts (a rental car is essential in San Diego). But now back to the Swan Bar, where we spent the last evening of our California vacation. Head bartender Sway welcomed us with a broad grin to loud rock music. To quote an old Nirvana song: “Come as you are” seems to be the motto of the Swan Bar, where dive and rock bar vibes come together. If you’re not having fun here, you’re probably already dead. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t be misled by the casual dive bar charm. Because Sway is a true master of mixology. We are therefore not surprised that they even offer their own spirits and use them for some of the cocktails. Word has long since spread around the city that you can get Negronis and Espresso Martinis for only 5 USD during happy hour. In fact, there is probably no classic that Sway and his bar crew can’t make for you. We now know exactly why the Swan Bar is also a “bartender’s bar”.