Hotel Figueroa’s New Veranda Is a Downtown Poolside Paradise

Downtown’s remodeled Hotel Figueroa is nearly back in full swing, having opened its lobby-adjacent Casey Lane restaurant Breva earlier this year. Now it’s time to peek inside Veranda, the breezy back dining area with access to the property’s well-known coffin-shaped pool. Here’s what to drink, eat, and see at what is sure to be one of the summer’s best new outdoor dining destinations.

First up, the space. The semi-enclosed room offers a peek back into the hotel proper thanks to a reformatting of the property’s original 1920’s-era fireplace that now makes it double-sided. Surrounding the flickering flames is a small lounge area to hang with a friend and a cocktail, while the rest is a mix of wood and marble tabletops, rattan chairs, and comfortable bartop seats that run the length of the mirrored bar. Hanging lights and lush greenery add to the Mediterranean vibe, while the gated pool area provides waterside serenity and a peek at another future bar space beyond.

Behind the bar at Veranda one is likely to find Mike Lay, the longtime cocktail maestro who hails from Faith & Flower, Broken Spanish, and Lono in Hollywood. He’s overseeing all the drinks for the property, while Dushan Zaric is on as well to help concept and deliver (particularly for the upstairs cocktail bar to come later). Otherwise it’s all about the coastal Mediterranean food, a mix of flatbreads, salads, whole fish, and more. There’s even an Aperol Spritz on the menu, but done up with a passionfruit La Croix instead.

Veranda officially opens to the world today, keeping hours Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are available now.

Veranda at Hotel Figueroa
939 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA

• Inside the Historic Hotel Figueroa’s Gorgeous Remodel in Downtown LA [ELA]

Wonho Frank Lee