Ever since the first time I visited New York, I was dissatisfied with the ambiance of the bars of Los Angeles. Everything was overdone and gaudy, obviously trying too hard to get attention from B~D list celebrities.
This dissatisfaction was dissolved when i came upon Mixville in Silverlake.
Ajoined with the Edendale Grill, Mixville is a converted firetruck bay dating back to 1927. The beautiful skylight and 38 foot mahogany bar adds the old Hollywood charm in its most natural form. There are also 2 outdoor patio seating where you can drink, smoke, and discuss the meaning of life.
If that's not enough, step into the photo booth for a cozy shot with your friend or lover...
The cocktails are mixed with skill, and the bartenders are charming. The crowd is a nice mature mix of late-20's all the way to mid-50's, but all open to intelligent conversation. You can show up dressed to the nines or in your jeans and t-shirt... Everything just seems to fit here (unless you are a 21-year-old drink to get drunk and get laid type).
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Another One Bites the Dust...
Tiny's is gone.
And this time, for good.
I hope it doesn't turn into some horrible bro/ho bar, since another one of those in Hollywood would really cramp my style.
I hope the guys behing Bigfoot Lodge take over the place.
Or just open another Rock/Punk bar.
If I had the money, I'd buy the space in a heartbeat.
You know it would be great... Yes, you do.
And this time, for good.
I hope it doesn't turn into some horrible bro/ho bar, since another one of those in Hollywood would really cramp my style.
I hope the guys behing Bigfoot Lodge take over the place.
Or just open another Rock/Punk bar.
If I had the money, I'd buy the space in a heartbeat.
You know it would be great... Yes, you do.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bravo! El Prado!
Ahhh yes.
I have finally found the gem of all gems!
The most comfortable yet sexy bar in all of LA.
Although your options are beer and wine, the atmosphere, the vinyl records, and dim lighting shoots El Prado to the top of my list.
The crowd is hip, but not the "I'm trying so hard to fit in" hipsters. You won't have to deal with any just over 21 crowd here either, which is surprising considering it is directly across the street from the Echo.
Another bonus is Two Boots, the New York transplant next door to the Echo, serves up delicious pizza late into the night.
I'm not sure if i want the word sprading about this beautiful bar, but I'd just be a selfish bitch if i didn't share! Just keep it to yourself, ya hear?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Some good news...
Hooray!
Tiny's is here to stay!
I did some detective work and it seems although there are some sticky situations I dare not speak of, the place is not going anywhere, and the staff (at least one of them) will be back in action soon too.
Phew!
With the east side being taken over the asain invasion, I wasn't sure where to run...
But now, I can just go right back to my comfy place.
So needless to say, I'm there quite frequently.
Say hello. I don't bite. Unless I am extremly drunk.
Tiny's is here to stay!
I did some detective work and it seems although there are some sticky situations I dare not speak of, the place is not going anywhere, and the staff (at least one of them) will be back in action soon too.
Phew!
With the east side being taken over the asain invasion, I wasn't sure where to run...
But now, I can just go right back to my comfy place.
So needless to say, I'm there quite frequently.
Say hello. I don't bite. Unless I am extremly drunk.
Monday, January 19, 2009
FYI: Tiny's is closed... For now
Still waiting to hear the update on exactly why they have shut down, but they have closed with a sign on the door noting only that they pla to reopen in February.
Hope this doesn't mean another one bites the dust and turns into something horrible like when Star Shoes turned into Vice... Meep!
Update:
So Tiny's was open last night, but the future seems bleak.
It may be open for a little while longer, but I would be surprised if it lasts through February.
Hope this doesn't mean another one bites the dust and turns into something horrible like when Star Shoes turned into Vice... Meep!
Update:
So Tiny's was open last night, but the future seems bleak.
It may be open for a little while longer, but I would be surprised if it lasts through February.
Bar hop part II: East Siders
I think you've had enought time to cure your hang over now...
Now that you've absorbed all you can in Hollywood, let's move on over to Los Feliz and Silverlake! You can begin your journey at TIKI TI, a tiki bar established in 1961. There are tons of drinks to choose from (they have a wheel you can spin if you can't decide) and its family owned and operated...
Meaning you can smoke inside.
A recommendation for first timers is the location's original and historical "Ray's Mistake". http://www.tiki-ti.com/
Skip on down around the corner and you'll find the GOOD LUCK BAR, a chinese themed bar with more fruity drinks. This place has a smell that's slightly unpleasant... I kinda like the place though!http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/52401/los_angeles_ca/good_luck_bar.html
Want to have a show, dinner, and drinks all in one place, visit EL CID for a flamenco dinner show! Reservations are required, but it's a popular date destination for many...
http://www.elcidla.com/
One block away from El Cid, you'll find a sanctuary... At least I think of this place as one. 4100 BAR has a fantastic juke box and a great bar staff, along with cozy sofas and exotic decor. The only place in town great for a guys night or a girls night out!
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11526805
Travel deeper into the east side, and discover the RED LION TAVERN. A German bar with many tiny rooms stacked on top of each other. The beer maids wear proper attire, and an old man sings on the organ downstairs. Large outdoor smoking patio upstairs.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/68670
Right across the street from the Red Lion, you can find CHA CHA LOUNGE lit up in pink lights... A former gay mexican cowboy bar has transformed into a hipster haven covered in artwork by local artists who have become regulars since the transformation. The photobooth in the back can tickle your creative senses!
http://www.chachalounge.com/silverlake.html
If you just want to have some drinks in a simple bar, visit YE RUSTIC INN. Located in the corner of a strip mall, this bar is always loud, and filled with serious drinkers.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11338740/los_angeles_ca/ye_rustic_inn.html
In the mini mall directly across from Ye Rustic is the DRAWING ROOM. This is more for the artsy hipster, with a bartender I still cannot figure out the gender of. Tiny and dark, this is the place for no frills and strong drinks.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/52399/los_angeles_ca/drawing_room.html
Going even deeper into Los Feliz now... The BIG FOOT LODGE has DJ's playing rare music and a fun woodland decor. Lots of hipster and rockabillies hang out here... and did I mention lots of pretty girls?
http://www.bigfootlodge.com/LAhome.html
A newer favorite is the Griffin, which i covered in this blog previously.
Located in walking distance from the Big, this is a cozy warm tavern for locals and grown ups. So kids, stay away!!!
http://www.thegriffinlounge.com/
If you're a movie junky, swing on over to the Derby where the movie Swingers was shot. This building is also a historical landmark, but there's currently a petition for it to not be torn down... This is a must see architecture before "new" la takes over...
http://www.clubderby.com/
Now that you've absorbed all you can in Hollywood, let's move on over to Los Feliz and Silverlake! You can begin your journey at TIKI TI, a tiki bar established in 1961. There are tons of drinks to choose from (they have a wheel you can spin if you can't decide) and its family owned and operated...
Meaning you can smoke inside.
A recommendation for first timers is the location's original and historical "Ray's Mistake". http://www.tiki-ti.com/
Skip on down around the corner and you'll find the GOOD LUCK BAR, a chinese themed bar with more fruity drinks. This place has a smell that's slightly unpleasant... I kinda like the place though!http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/52401/los_angeles_ca/good_luck_bar.html
Want to have a show, dinner, and drinks all in one place, visit EL CID for a flamenco dinner show! Reservations are required, but it's a popular date destination for many...
http://www.elcidla.com/
One block away from El Cid, you'll find a sanctuary... At least I think of this place as one. 4100 BAR has a fantastic juke box and a great bar staff, along with cozy sofas and exotic decor. The only place in town great for a guys night or a girls night out!
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11526805
Travel deeper into the east side, and discover the RED LION TAVERN. A German bar with many tiny rooms stacked on top of each other. The beer maids wear proper attire, and an old man sings on the organ downstairs. Large outdoor smoking patio upstairs.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/68670
Right across the street from the Red Lion, you can find CHA CHA LOUNGE lit up in pink lights... A former gay mexican cowboy bar has transformed into a hipster haven covered in artwork by local artists who have become regulars since the transformation. The photobooth in the back can tickle your creative senses!
http://www.chachalounge.com/silverlake.html
If you just want to have some drinks in a simple bar, visit YE RUSTIC INN. Located in the corner of a strip mall, this bar is always loud, and filled with serious drinkers.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11338740/los_angeles_ca/ye_rustic_inn.html
In the mini mall directly across from Ye Rustic is the DRAWING ROOM. This is more for the artsy hipster, with a bartender I still cannot figure out the gender of. Tiny and dark, this is the place for no frills and strong drinks.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/52399/los_angeles_ca/drawing_room.html
Going even deeper into Los Feliz now... The BIG FOOT LODGE has DJ's playing rare music and a fun woodland decor. Lots of hipster and rockabillies hang out here... and did I mention lots of pretty girls?
http://www.bigfootlodge.com/LAhome.html
A newer favorite is the Griffin, which i covered in this blog previously.
Located in walking distance from the Big, this is a cozy warm tavern for locals and grown ups. So kids, stay away!!!
http://www.thegriffinlounge.com/
If you're a movie junky, swing on over to the Derby where the movie Swingers was shot. This building is also a historical landmark, but there's currently a petition for it to not be torn down... This is a must see architecture before "new" la takes over...
http://www.clubderby.com/
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Basque
This is not a review, but a tribute to one of the least memorable Hollywood cheese clubs.
Basque...
The name itself is enough to make any decent human being cringe.
But walking by it on a Saturday evening proves to be even more hair raising and ironically sad.
You can tell by the Top 40 dance remixes and button down shirts with distressed jeans that this place was oozing with cheese.
This was the place that created a line outside to put on the facade of being an A-listers club (which I also hate), that the poor Hills and Valleys and west side crowd just ate up.
The rule for this place was, wear the smallest, shiniest, tasteless outfit and seek out a man just as classy as your outfit.
So needless to say, this place earned plenty of grunts from myself and my friends.
We were surprised, however to find out this place went up in flames the day after we had made such remarks...
Fortunately, it was at 5am when there was no cheap fabrics and cologne to add fuel to the flames.
R.I.P. - You're cheese will live on in another location the locals can't seem to avoid.
Basque...
The name itself is enough to make any decent human being cringe.
But walking by it on a Saturday evening proves to be even more hair raising and ironically sad.
You can tell by the Top 40 dance remixes and button down shirts with distressed jeans that this place was oozing with cheese.
This was the place that created a line outside to put on the facade of being an A-listers club (which I also hate), that the poor Hills and Valleys and west side crowd just ate up.
The rule for this place was, wear the smallest, shiniest, tasteless outfit and seek out a man just as classy as your outfit.
So needless to say, this place earned plenty of grunts from myself and my friends.
We were surprised, however to find out this place went up in flames the day after we had made such remarks...
Fortunately, it was at 5am when there was no cheap fabrics and cologne to add fuel to the flames.
R.I.P. - You're cheese will live on in another location the locals can't seem to avoid.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tiny's KO
Man, I have really let myself go.
How could I have not posted since February??
Oh wait, I know... I was working a hell of a lot and travelling half that time.
Anyhow, I'd like to backtrack about 1 month now, and tell you a little story about Tiny's KO.
I've been going here since about 4 months after their opening and have loved it every visit, but this particular night was off the charts.
After attending a post premier party, we decided to stop in Tiny's for a night cap.
There were 3 Japanese girls at the bar, one of them being practically molested by another asian guy.
She was trying to fight him off between nearly falling over several times, but no one was saying anything... (but it is LA after all)
I turn around to get up to say something to this sleezy jerk, and what do I see??
Her hair up in flames!!
And not any little sizzle, but fully on fire!!
A looker on finally came to the rescue and put out the fire, but the asian guy kept trying to rape her in the bar, nevermind her hair was half gone.
Turns out, her friend that brought her there was the friend of the creepy asian guy and was egging on his behavior... All of a sudden, she just looked like a Madam of a brothel, selling her innocent new "friend" on her first trick.
Eventually, I encouraged her other friend and her husband to take her home and keep the creep away from her, which they did.
Where else are you going to see such a scene??
Okay, so not a good story to encourage girls into going here, but trust me, it's fun.
Just don't attend a party with an open bar, get sloshed, and then go anywhere afterwards but home.
You're asking to be taken advantage of.
Oh god, this sounds like a horrible review, but it's not meant to be!!
I love this place, seriously.
How could I have not posted since February??
Oh wait, I know... I was working a hell of a lot and travelling half that time.
Anyhow, I'd like to backtrack about 1 month now, and tell you a little story about Tiny's KO.
I've been going here since about 4 months after their opening and have loved it every visit, but this particular night was off the charts.
After attending a post premier party, we decided to stop in Tiny's for a night cap.
There were 3 Japanese girls at the bar, one of them being practically molested by another asian guy.
She was trying to fight him off between nearly falling over several times, but no one was saying anything... (but it is LA after all)
I turn around to get up to say something to this sleezy jerk, and what do I see??
Her hair up in flames!!
And not any little sizzle, but fully on fire!!
A looker on finally came to the rescue and put out the fire, but the asian guy kept trying to rape her in the bar, nevermind her hair was half gone.
Turns out, her friend that brought her there was the friend of the creepy asian guy and was egging on his behavior... All of a sudden, she just looked like a Madam of a brothel, selling her innocent new "friend" on her first trick.
Eventually, I encouraged her other friend and her husband to take her home and keep the creep away from her, which they did.
Where else are you going to see such a scene??
Okay, so not a good story to encourage girls into going here, but trust me, it's fun.
Just don't attend a party with an open bar, get sloshed, and then go anywhere afterwards but home.
You're asking to be taken advantage of.
Oh god, this sounds like a horrible review, but it's not meant to be!!
I love this place, seriously.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Seven Grand
Okay, I have to put my foot down for this bar, because there are some terrible reviews about this place all over yelp and citysearch.
Here's the thing; If you don't like scotch whiskey, then don't order it!! They have plenty of other options for the non-whiskey drinkers, so why order something you know you don't like just because you are at a scotch bar, then complain about the drink. Super lame. (Also not to mention they have a chalk board explaining the 3 ways to drink it for the newbies).
Ahem... Now, Seven Grand is one of my favorite downtown bars for several reasons.
Here's the thing; If you don't like scotch whiskey, then don't order it!! They have plenty of other options for the non-whiskey drinkers, so why order something you know you don't like just because you are at a scotch bar, then complain about the drink. Super lame. (Also not to mention they have a chalk board explaining the 3 ways to drink it for the newbies).
Ahem... Now, Seven Grand is one of my favorite downtown bars for several reasons.
- The selection that makes any scotch drinker drool
- The plaid and leather interior with animal mount decor
- The smoking patio with tables so cigar smokers can relax
The boucer at the door seems to also be the target of bad reviews, but my experience was pleasant.
The crowd is a mix... I just wish some patrons would stop ruining the atmosphere with their skanky clothes and cheesy attitude. My plan is to go back on a weeknight to enjoy a nice slow drink (because you don't shoot scotch, moron).
515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
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