Little Tokyo’s Nautical-Themed Mermaid Bar Takes Maiden Voyage This Monday

The Mermaid, Little Tokyo’s new tropical cocktail bar, starts pouring drinks on Monday, August 13. Katie Kildow and Arelene Roldan, who opened Lemon Poppy Kitchen and Steampunk Coffee Bar and Kitchen, own the nautical-themed drink spot. They also previously owned Bar One Tap Room, which closed in late 2017.

The Mermaid’s wines hail from California, Germany, France, and Argentina, and they have a selection of West Coast IPAs, pale ales, and cider. As for the cocktails, they are fruity but strong. Kildow and Ronan have an entire liquor shelf dedicated to woman-owned distilleries, with plans to collaborate with other women in the bar industry. The Mermaid will even showcase some classy burlesque shows.

Kildow and Roldan built some nifty maritime details in the bar, including kelp forest wallpaper, sea green leather banquets, teal leather bar stools, and a port TV hole that shows mermaids on a continuous loop.

Decidedly not a tiki bar, The Mermaid is a unique addition to Little Tokyo and Downtown, as the only other tropical-themed bar in the area is the tiki-centric Pacific Seas on the second floor of Clifton’s. The Mermaid will be open daily from 5 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Oscar Velasquez

Oscar Velasquez

Oscar Velasquez

Oscar Velasquez

The Mermaid Bar. 428 E. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA

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