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Cocktail Heatmap Los Angeles October 2014

Where to Drink Cocktails in Los Angeles, January 2015

These are the places you want to drink cocktails right now in the city of Angels. Stirred, shaken, served up.

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Oct 20, 2014, 10:00am PDT

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Cocktail Heatmap Los Angeles October 2014

by Matthew Kang@mattatouille Oct 20, 2014, 10:00am PDT

LA's cocktail scene has reached a point where great drinks aren't surprising to find. Simply put, a trendy bar or restaurant simply cannot expect to have people ordering up unless the drinks reach a certain standard. That Manhattan or Negroni had better be stirred, and those furiously shaken drinks better poured into find glassware. Large-format ice cubes are the norm, not the exception. Of course, if drinks aren't your thing, there are also some fantastic new craft beer bars in town. Here now, presenting the hottest places in Los Angeles to enjoy great cocktails.

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Harlowe

Perhaps the strongest cocktail production from 1933, this gorgeously renovated space from Bobby Green takes the best of antiques and put them into a space very similar to something in New Orleans or perhaps Brooklyn's Maison Premiere. And the drinks range from artisanal spirits and old-school European aperitifs to American cocktail classics served in cute jars. Don't skip the patio either.

7321 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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Melrose Umbrella Co

With cocktails by Zach Patterson and a helping hand from Julian Cox, this stunning lounge in the heart of Melrose feature antique design elements from Matt Winter. Using housemade syrups, tonics, and tinctures, the program is just as artisanal as the look itself.

7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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Also featured in:

Gracias Madre

With a stellar mezcal and tequila program, this expansive vegan Mexican eatery in West Hollywood shouldn't need a great cocktail menu. But it does, and the boozy horchata made with almond milk and mezcal, or the more refined La Ciudad, composed of tequila, dry vermouth, amaro, and orange bitters for a stirred drink that stands up to tortas.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

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Also featured in:

BrilliantShine

Julian Cox and Josh Goldman have a place to call their own, right smack in Santa Monica. Though a little hidden from the main drag, the seaside saloon as a superb Peruvian-inspired menu from Paiche alum Richie Lopez, but the drink selection is why you're here. Try the fantastic cobbler for something extra approachable.

522 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Grandpa Johnson's

This diminutive new cocktail lounge evokes the golden era of mid-century bars, when ladies and gentlemen would sip on classic drinks. Barman Alex Strauss puts together a tight, and well-curated selection of creative cocktails that will be sure to be the ideal starting point, or finishing spot, right in the heart of Hollywood's Cahuenga corridor.

Open in Google Maps

1638 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Nice Guy

The h.wood group is going legit (sort of), with a wise-guy kind of eatery right in West Hollywood in the former Mezze space. Barman Brian Stewart makes some fancy drinks like the Smoking Gun, made with bourbon and vermouth in a Scotch-sprayed glass. Don't worry, the real gangsters aren't here, just the cool kids who can actually land a reservation to get in.

401 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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Also featured in:

The Chestnut Club

Santa Monica really needed an adult place to grab a drink and have a great time without having to battle lists or wolf down some food. The Chestnut Club is the perfect answer, founded by Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix, who bring a top-notch bar program (and rather ridiculously awesome spirit list) to a grown-up lounge that feels right any time of the week. The excellent tunes certainly doesn't hurt either.

Open in Google Maps

1348 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

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Petit Trois

Ludo Lefebvre wasn't going to make some kick ass Parisian-style corner bistro without making sure you were going to sit around drinking just wine. He's signed on bartender Danielle Motor to create a classic collection of cocktails that will go perfectly with steak frites and omelettes.

716 N Highland avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Tacoteca

This mezcal and tequila heavy bar has approachable drinks that won't want you grasping for a margarita.

2460 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Visit Website

Redbird

Open in Google Maps

114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Now Boarding

Open in Google Maps

7746 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Visit Website

Blue Collar

361 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Terrine

Open in Google Maps

8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

Eagle Rock Brewery Public House

1627 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Power House

Open in Google Maps

1714 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

Cadet

2518 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Simmzy's

Open in Google Maps

3000 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505

Visit Website

Sweeney's Ale House

Open in Google Maps

17337 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Pez Cantina

401 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Barrel & Ashes

11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

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Also featured in:

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Harlowe

7321 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Perhaps the strongest cocktail production from 1933, this gorgeously renovated space from Bobby Green takes the best of antiques and put them into a space very similar to something in New Orleans or perhaps Brooklyn's Maison Premiere. And the drinks range from artisanal spirits and old-school European aperitifs to American cocktail classics served in cute jars. Don't skip the patio either.

7321 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Visit Website

Melrose Umbrella Co

7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

With cocktails by Zach Patterson and a helping hand from Julian Cox, this stunning lounge in the heart of Melrose feature antique design elements from Matt Winter. Using housemade syrups, tonics, and tinctures, the program is just as artisanal as the look itself.

7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Visit Website

Gracias Madre

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

With a stellar mezcal and tequila program, this expansive vegan Mexican eatery in West Hollywood shouldn't need a great cocktail menu. But it does, and the boozy horchata made with almond milk and mezcal, or the more refined La Ciudad, composed of tequila, dry vermouth, amaro, and orange bitters for a stirred drink that stands up to tortas.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Visit Website

BrilliantShine

522 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Julian Cox and Josh Goldman have a place to call their own, right smack in Santa Monica. Though a little hidden from the main drag, the seaside saloon as a superb Peruvian-inspired menu from Paiche alum Richie Lopez, but the drink selection is why you're here. Try the fantastic cobbler for something extra approachable.

522 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Grandpa Johnson's

1638 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

This diminutive new cocktail lounge evokes the golden era of mid-century bars, when ladies and gentlemen would sip on classic drinks. Barman Alex Strauss puts together a tight, and well-curated selection of creative cocktails that will be sure to be the ideal starting point, or finishing spot, right in the heart of Hollywood's Cahuenga corridor.

Open in Google Maps

1638 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The Nice Guy

401 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

The h.wood group is going legit (sort of), with a wise-guy kind of eatery right in West Hollywood in the former Mezze space. Barman Brian Stewart makes some fancy drinks like the Smoking Gun, made with bourbon and vermouth in a Scotch-sprayed glass. Don't worry, the real gangsters aren't here, just the cool kids who can actually land a reservation to get in.

401 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

The Chestnut Club

1348 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Santa Monica really needed an adult place to grab a drink and have a great time without having to battle lists or wolf down some food. The Chestnut Club is the perfect answer, founded by Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix, who bring a top-notch bar program (and rather ridiculously awesome spirit list) to a grown-up lounge that feels right any time of the week. The excellent tunes certainly doesn't hurt either.

Open in Google Maps

1348 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Visit Website

Petit Trois

716 N Highland avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Ludo Lefebvre wasn't going to make some kick ass Parisian-style corner bistro without making sure you were going to sit around drinking just wine. He's signed on bartender Danielle Motor to create a classic collection of cocktails that will go perfectly with steak frites and omelettes.

716 N Highland avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Tacoteca

2460 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

This mezcal and tequila heavy bar has approachable drinks that won't want you grasping for a margarita.

2460 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Visit Website

Redbird

114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA

Open in Google Maps

114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Now Boarding

7746 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Open in Google Maps

7746 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Visit Website

Blue Collar

361 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

361 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Terrine

8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Open in Google Maps

8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

Eagle Rock Brewery Public House

1627 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

1627 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Power House

1714 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Open in Google Maps

1714 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

Related Maps

Cadet

2518 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

2518 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Visit Website

Simmzy's

3000 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505

Open in Google Maps

3000 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505

Visit Website

Sweeney's Ale House

17337 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Open in Google Maps

17337 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Pez Cantina

401 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

401 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Visit Website

Barrel & Ashes

11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

11801 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Visit Website

Related Maps