Los Angeles, CA

bar

The Varnish

The Varnish is hardly a secret anymore; it’s one of Los Angeles’ most reputable watering holes. Barman Eric Alperin comes from the circle of Sasha Petraske (Milk & Honey in New York) and the opening of the Varnish in 2009 is said to have ignited the Los Angeles craft cocktail scene. How to get in: Saunter down into Cole’s, the disputed progenitor of the French dip sandwich. The Varnish is behind a discreet door at the tail end of the restaurant and housed in what used to be an old storage room. Cocktails rotate about four times a year and are meticulously generated from syrups made fresh daily

Los Angeles, CA

bar

La Descarga

Make a reservation before you visit. La Descarga is a Cuban Narnia and we reference C.S. Lewis because to get in, you go up a staircase, check in, and then enter through a fully clothed closet. Inside is another world, and at the center, a decadent wall of top-shelf rum, aglow from the light of the chandeliers. It gets hot in here; burlesque babes do a number every now and then, and the live music is pumped by slick musicians with glorious saxophones and the moves to pair with them. The Havana-inspired lounge is also well stocked with a selection of cigars. Sit back, relax, and indulge. After all, descarga means to unload in Spanish.

Los Angeles, CA

bar

Lock & Key

If you’re already a couple of drinks in, the entrance to Lock and Key can get a bit disconcerting. There’s a wall of locks and knobs and it’s up to you to find your own way in. Which doorknob is the correct one? Hint: Don’t overthink it. Inside, a cozy (albeit crowded) bar that plays hip-hop and R&B jams. Come for the experience, but stay for the booze. We suggest the Torpedo as the drink of the evening, a gorgeous ginger-infused libation with pear vodka. It’s shaken with maple syrup, black pepper, and topped with egg white foam for texture. The best part of it is the sesame seed oil garnish — a savory note that is toasted and gently manifested as droplets on the bubbly, white foam.

Culver City, CA

bar

Blind Barber

This boozy barbershop comes to Los Angeles by way of New York. It’s a functioning barbershop (pole and all) and you can actually schedule in a shave and trim. It’s not cheap, but a complimentary beverage is thrown in with each session. The real draw, of course, is the cocktail bar in the back. Just go through the quiet door at the right end of the salon and you’ll be greeted by cushy leather couches and a bar of seasonal cocktails. The deep, mahogany-colored wood panels and checkerboard-tiled floor all add to the vintage vibe. Lean back, enjoy your drink, and psst … here’s a tip: They have grilled cheese sandwiches!

Los Angeles, CA

bar

Seven Bar Lounge

Boba 7 is just a really neat place to grab boozy boba drinks. There isn’t an ounce of pretension here and that’s part of the bar’s charm. There isn’t even a dress code. The boba shop is located at the back corner of a Thai restaurant. Just walk right on in, and don’t feel bad about bypassing the restaurant’s hostess stand. We recommend the Heineken Green Tea with boba. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a bottle of Heineken, infused with green tea, and at the bottom of the glass, a generous amount of honey-coated tapioca balls. And no, you cannot take your drink to go

Los Angeles, CA

bar

The Del Monte Speakeasy

In a sea of faux speakeasies, Townhouse is the real thing. Or at least, it used to be. The place has been around since 1915 and is proudly the oldest existing bar on the west side. When the Prohibition hit, the owner promptly ignored it and changed his bar into a “grocery store.” His bread and butter was still the booze; he just stored it all in the basement. Today, Townhouse is fully glammed up with whiskeys upstairs and cocktails downstairs. It’s a historical place worth checking out. Plus, it is said to be haunted. The ghost of the second owner has been spotted hanging out at his favorite corner booth

Culver City, CA

bar

Seventy7 Lounge

Seventy7 is an homage to the roaring 1920s, complete with titillating burlesque shows and leather banquettes. The bar is tucked away in a back alley, and while passwords used to be required for entrance, they’ve been more lenient about that policy as of late. Look for the cocktail sign at the door. Craft drinks are aplenty, but for the more adventurous drinkers, give the absinthe menu a whirl — there are seven varieties, most from France and one, named St. George, comes from Alameda.

Los Angeles, CA

bar

No Vacancy

The entrance ritual to No Vacancy is one of the most elaborate in town. There are three doors. Only one is unlocked. In that room: a gorgeous woman and a bed. Within that context is the entrance to the bar (which we’ll keep hush-hush for the sake of suspense). The space, located within the now-defunct Juniper Hotel, is a love note to old Hollywood. And it’s appropriate, because the property is one of the oldest in Hollywood and once upon a time, doubled as a brothel. There’s a roster of celebrity bartenders (Jim Meehan, Julian Cox, Marcos Tello, among others) that rotates seasonally and killer cocktails with gin as a reoccurring theme.

Los Angeles, CA

bar

Good Times at Davey Wayne's

Like La Descarga and No Vacancy, Good Times at Davey Wayne’s has a wacky entrance display. All three bars are owned by the Houston Brothers — fraternal twins and LA nightlife princes. All of their bars, it seems, are widely popular. Davey Wayne’s is no exception, but sets itself apart from the rest with its 1970s, happy-go-lucky vibe. The front is a fully functional garage sale and to get in, you walk through a refrigerator. Inside: old-school disco tunes, alcoholic snow cones, and if you’re timing is right, a roller-skating show.

Baltinglass, County Wicklow

bar

No Name! Club

Located at 432 N. Fairfax Ave., this rock club is so secretive it doesn’t have a name. If you call the number, you’ll get a voicemail and an English-accented woman will ask you to “please leave your name and number and kindly let us know how you got this number.” Invitations are handed out on black cards and celebrities are among the regulars. Drinks are reportedly shaken up by a former Soho House bartender, and the food is, of course, seasonal. Cheers to them for keeping the original spirit of speakeasies alive and well.