Bernadette's Is a Throwback Craft Beer Bar Just Steps From Grand Central Market

Downtown should ready itself for another new craft beer bar, as Bernadette’s hopes to come to life on Broadway by mid-summer. The small space sits on the same block as Grand Central Market, right between all-day coffee and Italian spot Pestolini and a perfume shop.

Owner Jim VanBlaricum is a California native who spent years in New York City working at bars like The Drink and Nitehawk Cinema. The name is a partial homage to his mother, but more importantly sounds like a well-worn bar that’s just always existed — which is exactly what VanBlaricum is looking for. The 1,000 square foot space will have room for a long L-shaped bar, a bit of other seating against the opposite wall, and a cabinet version of the popular arcade game Tapper.

There won’t be shag carpeting or Schlitz on tap — this isn’t Davey Wayne’s — but you should expect a bit of kitsch tossed in with all that throwback charm.The drinks side will be gloriously up to date, with ten taps that (mostly) each remain dedicated to a certain style like pilsner or IPA, but rotate through mostly local breweries as new kegs come up.

Bernadette’s is approved for all-day hours, but will likely open sometime in July with only a 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly timeframe and serving beer and wine only. That could change over time, especially as VanBlaricum looks to slowly add a simple food program from behind the bar, but for now expect a happy hour and late night crowd, spurred on by the nearby offices and foot traffic from nearby Grand Central Market. Bernadette’s hopes to open in a couple of months.

Bernadette’s
361 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA