Best bars in Los Angeles

[SepaGroove]

The Cana Room is a great low key bar in Downtown. It's really hidden and kinda pricey, but they make the best rum drinks I have ever had. This place is in a parking structure on Flower Street, you walk to the back of the structure and there will be a curtain with a security guard. Only sketch thing about this bar is the $20 annual fee to be a member, but if you can swallow the $20 the drinks and vibe are excellent. If you go on the right night there is a guy rolling cigars in the back..
Perch is also a great pace to grab a drink. It is just like the standard rooftop bar except it is not as smug and no cover charge.
I also like.. Broadway Bar, Seven Grand, Varnish, Bonaventure is the rotating bar in downtown at the Westin Hotel with sick views, Dublins and Bottega Louie.. There is more I'm just over writing now.. Check them out!

Good post Greg! What do you work for 213 Nightlife? Haha we gotta hit up a few of these places one night soon

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Cana is awesome.

Perch is NOTHING like the Standard rooftop bar except for the fact that it's on a rooftop.

[SepaGroove]

So are you saying Perch is better or worse Drinkey? Just wondering cuz I hate trendy bars where the people are all smug and I feel unwelcome

[spiggums]

I love the punch service at Cana...

Perch is a nice spot, but I don't know about the crowd it typically attracts. Only time I've really gone is during happy hour. Seen lines outside the place at night, and... well... I have no interest in waiting in a line for a bar. If there's some sort of live music aspect or DJ or something that I'm interested in, sure... but if the place is just a bar... I don't see the point.

[SepaGroove]

Ya I was reading about Cana and thought that punch service sounded fantastic. I totally agree with you about waiting in line for a bar, I'm not down at all either. But Perch's happy hour sounds pretty good: $7 cocktails and apparently HORS-D'OEUVRES are like $4-$8

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

it's just totally different. Perch is much more of a restaurant/lounge whereas the Standard is more of a party spot. Perch is still fairly new and finding itself crowdwise, so it seemed pretty chill when i went, but they definitely cater to an upscale audience. It's sort of "fancy" in their cocktail and food offerings and very expensive, just as much if not moreso than the Standard.

[I'mOleGreg]

Good post Greg! What do you work for 213 Nightlife? Haha we gotta hit up a few of these places one night soon

Hahaha You know it!! Come out and let's go Bar Hoppin!!!

[I'mOleGreg]

Also, my favorite Late Night Happy Hour as of late has been Octopus Japanese Restaurant in Downtown LA. Starts at 9:30 at they have $3 Rolls and $4 Beer + Sake "Laker Bombs".. Best prices in Downtown.. They also play good music and has a cool decor inside..

[sonnyboy11]

I checked out Little Bear tonight. Fantastic selection of Belgians on tap, including a personal fave, the Duchesse de Bourgogne. They have a full bar here so I tried something called a Leap Year Cocktail- gin, lemon juice, something else... was good! Had no food but the menu looks really good. Next time!

http://www.littlebearla.com/

One other thing- this place was filled with smokin chicks! Well "smokin" to me anyway. At one point there were only two guys and about 15 girls in the joint. Probably a fluke. Of course, I did what the giant loser in me commands I do and watched TV and then high tailed it outta there without talking to any of them! (save for the hot bartender who I tipped well )

[mmsk123]

Also, my favorite Late Night Happy Hour as of late has been Octopus Japanese Restaurant in Downtown LA. Starts at 9:30 at they have $3 Rolls and $4 Beer + Sake "Laker Bombs".. Best prices in Downtown.. They also play good music and has a cool decor inside..

Oh yeah I love this place. Check out the Kevin's Special roll. So filling and good it's all you need.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I checked out Little Bear tonight. Fantastic selection of Belgians on tap, including a personal fave, the Duchesse de Bourgogne. They have a full bar here so I tried something called a Leap Year Cocktail- gin, lemon juice, something else... was good! Had no food but the menu looks really good. Next time!

http://www.littlebearla.com/

One other thing- this place was filled with smokin chicks! Well "smokin" to me anyway. At one point there were only two guys and about 15 girls in the joint. Probably a fluke. Of course, I did what the giant loser in me commands I do and watched TV and then high tailed it outta there without talking to any of them! (save for the hot bartender who I tipped well )

I really want to check that place out! owned by the Surly Goat/Verdugo Bar people.

[lehorne]

The Gay Ranchero

Nah, was looking for something to do on St. Patty’s within walking distance of Staples Center after the Clipper game. Casey’s is doing a free indoor/outdoor festival with a mix of original and tribute bands, including Hollywood U2. What’s more Irish than watching Bono posing around the stage for two hours?

[bmack86]

They were ridiculous last year. I watched them, and the dude definitely wears Bono shades.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

^ Re: Perch. Went a few months ago. Loved it. The cuisine was gastropub-ish French with a California twist... I guess. Nice cocktails as I recall. Lovely views. Feels a bit more upscale and mature and, as Drinkey said, not as much of a party atmosphere as Standard rooftop.

Went to Noe (in the Omni Hotel in downtown) during Dine LA Week. Beautiful citrus yellowtail appetizer and great stuffed cornish game hen. I think their menu changes constantly, though, so those items might not be available. The best part, though, is if you exit through the front entrance of the Omni and ask the doorman for a cab, he might mistake you for a hotel guest and offer you the hotel limo instead. You'll feel just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

so the Federal bar has been so successful, the knitting Factory folks are opening a second restaurant right down the street, this time with a focus on tapas. it looks so pretty too!
http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/inde...ywood-may-2012

[sonnyboy11]

Umamicatessen soft opens today in DT! May try to head over later and see what's doin..

http://blogdowntown.com/2012/02/6611...th-addition-of

[sonnyboy11]

I really want to check that place out! owned by the Surly Goat/Verdugo Bar people.

I went back today and had lunch. Outstanding food! The service was fine but I was there in the afternoon on a Sunday though so not crowded at all. I guess that is the knock in some of the Yelp reviews I have read that don't give it 4+ stars.

Anyway, had the following

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP-
Hot and hearty with a nice creamy texture. But then asparagus is my fave vegetable so it's hard to turn me off it unless it's really screwed up.

HOUSE SMOKED SALMON, GRILLED TOAST, ONION, CAPER, LEMON-
They smoke their own salmon here and it is all that. And I do mean... ALL THAT! Just great, great flavor. Really fresh and not too smokey. I could have eaten a second order, no problem. The onion/lemon/caper concoction was a spreadable paste. Great compliment to the fish.

LIEGEOISE SALAD, HARICOT VERT BEANS, FINGERLING POTATOES, FRISEE, SLICED RADISH, PARSLEY, PANCETTA, RED WINE VINEGAR-
Probably my least favorite item but still delicious, if nothing special. The little chunks of Pancetta are what makes it worthwhile. After a while I found myself digging around for them.

BEER-
Continuing on with my newly acquired taste for sour beer, I tried New Belgium's Lo Folie (on tap). SOUR SOUR SOUR! I loved it! Beers aren't cheap here- this one was $7 for a short glass. But I just don't care. A great beer if you are down with the Flander's Red style of brew.

Definitely going back soon. Nice it's within walking distance of home.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Sounds great! And service is always something that new restaurants have a problem with. They've been open for what, 2-3 months?

[sonnyboy11]

Sounds great! And service is always something that new restaurants have a problem with. They've been open for what, 2-3 months?

Maybe not even that! When I read the Yelp reviews, it's almost like people posting there are bipolar... "I loved the place! Not sure if I would go back..." I got a headache just reading them. I get it. Service matters. A lot. But even people who acknowledged it was a new place and did not expect the best still dinged the place for slow service. Puzzling. It's terrific.

[sonnyboy11]

A few boozy options in DT for upcoming St. Patrick's Day shenanigans

http://blogdowntown.com/2012/03/6632...ng-st-patricks

[SepaGroove]

http://gastronomyblog.com/2012/03/10/umamicatessen/


I'm going to be trying this place tomorrow. Has anybody been? I love Umami burger so I'm sure I'll love this, but I'd love some feedback.

[spiggums]

http://gastronomyblog.com/2012/03/10/umamicatessen/


I'm going to be trying this place tomorrow. Has anybody been? I love Umami burger so I'm sure I'll love this, but I'd love some feedback.

Went by there to check it out last week, but it was crazy busy. Like an hour wait for two... Ended up going to The Gorbals (http://thegorbalsla.com/) instead, which was fantastic. Probably going to try Umamicatessan again next week.

[sonnyboy11]

http://gastronomyblog.com/2012/03/10/umamicatessen/


I'm going to be trying this place tomorrow. Has anybody been? I love Umami burger so I'm sure I'll love this, but I'd love some feedback.

Yup. Just yesterday. Got the Truffle Burger and Pickle Plate. Top notch! I am planning to go again Sunday. Will write more later. But if you get a chance, look at their online menu before you go- it'll help.

[mmsk123]

I've been there three times already hah. The truffle burger is definitely the best. Try out the frys covered in brainaise (mayo with pig brain and something else), it's actually pretty good. Alot of the stuff at the pig place is good too, like the crispy pig ears. And the donuts are obviously awesome but super sweet but not that great after eating burgers and beer, so heavy.

Also, the Los Angeles Brewing Company opens up tomorrow right across the street: http://la.eater.com/archives/2012/03...g_downtown.php

[sonnyboy11]

Also, the Los Angeles Brewing Company opens up tomorrow right across the street: http://la.eater.com/archives/2012/03...g_downtown.php

Hm, they've got La Folie and 90 minute IPA on tap. Couple o winners there. And Old Speckled Hen... don't always find that one on tap either. Decent selection. Wonder what their food menu will look like?

[SlowMotionApocalypse]

A few boozy options in DT for upcoming St. Patrick's Day shenanigans

http://blogdowntown.com/2012/03/6632...ng-st-patricks

I'm going to the Backyard Blowout with Stephen Pearcy from Ratt.

[spiggums]

Hm, they've got La Folie and 90 minute IPA on tap. Couple o winners there. And Old Speckled Hen... don't always find that one on tap either. Decent selection. Wonder what their food menu will look like?

I mean, they could have a better selection of Dogfish Head on tap, but that's the East Coaster in me speaking... Most of the time I'm just happy to see anyone carry DFH on tap out this way. So I can not be mad about this!

Gotta check this spot out.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I have never seen Rogue Hazelnut on tap in CA before. In fact, a LOT of those beers I've only ever had from bottles. There's some great stuff there.

[sonnyboy11]

I drove by it last night after the Kings game... and there was a line a block long! I have day off from work tomorrow and am back home in DT late in the afternoon. If I don't hit a ton of traffic/rain, I'll stop by and see what's doin. The Rogue Hazelnut does sound good.

[bmack86]

I have never seen Rogue Hazelnut on tap in CA before. In fact, a LOT of those beers I've only ever had from bottles. There's some great stuff there.

Hazelnut's pretty much always on tap at the Yardhouse.