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Acclaimed Bar Employees Only Is Catering to Social Isolators with DIY Cocktail Kit Delivery

The West Hollywood location of Employees Only, inspired by the Japanese trend of friends drinking together online, will deliver kits with everything but booze and ice

Ginger Smash cocktail at Employees Only.
Ginger Smash cocktail
[Official Photo]
Cathy Chaplin is a senior editor at Eater LA, a James Beard Award–nominated journalist, and the author of Food Lovers’ Guide to Los Angeles.

Acclaimed West Hollywood bar Employees Only is delivering cocktail kits throughout greater Los Angeles starting today. “It’s a stressful time for everyone and people are already getting stir-crazy,” shares co-owner and manager Tom Sopit. “We saw some news yesterday about the Japanese trend of friends drinking together online (on-nomi), and love that people don’t want to give up on grabbing a drink with friends.” And thus the idea for cocktail delivery was born.

Available through Postmates, the do-it-yourself kits include everything but booze and ice. Also on hand are easy-to-follow recipes to guide at-home mixologists. However, those that require extra help can call the bar directly. “The only thing you have to do is add a two-ounce pour of the suggested spirit and give it a good eight-second shake,” says Sopit. Some of the restaurant’s most popular cocktails, including the Billionaire with grenadine, absinthe bitters, and lemon, and the Ginger Smash with cranberries and ginger, are on the menu. Also available for delivery are bar bites like bulgogi meatballs, pizza, hamburger, and a fried chicken sandwich.

With locations in Singapore, Miami, Hong Kong, Sydney, and New York, Employees Only is regarded as one of the best places to drink in the world. Sopit and Steven B. Weisburd of Midnight Hospitality opened the Los Angeles branch in 2018.

DIY cocktail at Employees Only.
DIY cocktail at Employees Only.
Shaking a DIY cocktail at Employees Only.
Pouring a DIY cocktail at Employees Only.