Last moth I had to go to Los Angeles and while being there I wanted to check out some cool theme bars. It took me quite a while to find some good ones. In order to help you find the best ones more quickly I decided to list a few of my favorite spots (But PLEASE remember “drink responsibly……”:
Long Beach
Is there anywhere else in LA where punk-rock history and excellent craft cocktails collide in a bar that looks like a From Dusk Till Dawn bordello?
Downtown
You’re gonna want to drink at this local brewery at least once because if you don’t, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on: one-day-only special beers? Craft fairs? Music festivals? It changes every day.
DRAWING ROOM
Los Feliz
Because every Angeleno needs to drink at 6am while ’70s soul blares in the background at least once. And this is the place where that can happen.
Echo Park
If indie rock had an official home base, it would look a lot like The Echo: no real signage on the outside, a big, dark room on the inside, and bands like Vampire Weekend and St. Vincent playing tiny local shows before they break out. If you want some sort of “I’m-still-cool” bragging rights (which, don’t lie, you do), you’ll grab at least one beer here. Just to say you did it.
Hollywood
The fact that it has best secret entrance in town is enough to get it on this list. But it also has alcoholic sno cones. And ’70s cover bands. And furniture from your parents’ house.
West Hollywood
One day, you’re gonna want to drink like Mötley Crüe, but you’re not gonna want to do it anywhere else on the strip, because, uh, duh. But the Rainbow? The Rainbow still works. Just ask Lemmy from Motörhead, who will inevitably be sitting in a corner holding court.
Downtown
Take a chance on a whiskey or three you’ve never had — the bartenders here breathe it and the selection is extraordinary. If you’re feeling especially lush, make an attempted entrance to the secret Bar Jackalope in back — that’s where they’re hiding the Japanese stuff.
