The Little Easy Drops New Orleans Vibes in Downtown

Downtown’s ever-growing bar scene received chandelier’d boost last week with the opening of The Little Easy, a New Orleans-leaning lounge space complete with its own fountain patio.

It’s a big score for Vee Delgadillo, the 37-year old behind Bar 107 and Down and Out at the Alexandria Hotel. The Little Easy represents a move into the limelight after years of working behind the scenes at two of downtown’s most worn-in dive bars, serving cheap PBR cans to anyone that happened by. With Little Easy, also at the Alexandria Hotel — it’s inside the former Gorbals space, which moved on last fall amidst a total menu overhaul.

Whereas the former space was cavernous, dark, and more than a little distant, The Little Easy seeks to brighten things up substantially with chandeliers, plenty of hanging exposed bulbs, and a central fountain, reminiscent of something from New Orleans’ Garden District. Wrought iron is also in heavy play, alongside weathered French doors, a tin ceiling and spotted tile with just the right amount of grime already in place.

Formatwise, The Little Easy stays close to its Big Easy roots, pushing options like gumbo, brisket and beignets, while gold standard cocktails like the Sazerac anchor the drinks side of things. Brunch is already in the works, with crawfish scrambles and classic pain perdu on offer.

The Little Easy is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., and serves food until 9 p.m.

The Little Easy
216 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA