Single girls in Los Angeles can agree that the longest and best relationship we’ve had is our love affair with cocktails. Sad, I know. We have laughed and cried with them, swore them off forever after a rough night, and always end up crawling back to feel it kiss our lips just once more.
With Mixology bars being the cool kids in school right now, Los Angeles hot spots are competing to have the biggest ice cubes, craziest ingredients, and spiciest chili salt rims for their crafted cocktails… and I’m a kid in a candy store trying them all on for size.
What the hell is “Mixology”, you ask? One heck of a fancy word for what’s going on in the head of a bartender who knows their sh*t. No artificial flavors. No pre-packaged mixers. No disgusting AMFs. It’s the art (and to some, a science) of creating a perfectly well-balanced drink with fresh ingredients. Basically, it’s thinking outside the box while emulating pre-prohibition simplicity.
So, where’s the best place to down some liquid courage on a first date or a late-night rendezvous with your special someone? Here’s a list of my favorite places to enjoy the most luscious libations.
Cheers! Salud! L’Chayyim! –Or whatever you say before you get wasted.
1. Red O Restaurant
8155 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90046
323.655.5009
My boyfriend and I took our friend, Mauro, visiting from Italy to our favorite restaurant– RED O! My Favorites: La Dama Cocktail and Mojito Trio
2. Ray’s & Stark Bar at LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
323.857.6180
My Favorite: Owl & The Pussycat Cocktail
Come for the famous cocktails & Stanley Kubrick exhibit, stay for the delicious cuisine. Enjoy the huge slabs of crispy pork belly and a generous portion of the squid ink pasta. You won’t regret it.
3. 1886 Bar at the Raymond Restaurant
1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA. 91105
626.441.3136
My Favorite: The Bank Heist Cocktail. Tell the master mixologist, Brady Weise, I sent you and he’ll carefully craft a little taste of perfection for you.
4. Rivera
1050 S. Flower St. Suite 102
Los Angeles, CA. 90015
213.749.1460
The famous (and my favorite) Barbacoa cocktail garnished with smoky beef jerky.
A small glimpse into the innovative cocktail menu at Rivera
Because only highlighting their drinks would be sinful. Mussels swimming in amarillo butter.
Stuffed Peppers. Insane.
No caption necessary.
5. The Tap Room at the Langham Huntington Hotel
1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave.
Pasadena, CA. 91106
626.568.3900
The Langham Huntington Lobby
The Tap Room
Best place to get a well done classic cocktail. My favorite: Pimm’s Cup.
6. Public School 310
9411 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA. 90232
310.558.0414
My favorite: Moscow Mules served in copper mugs. #proper
7. Trattoria Neapolis
336 S. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA. 91101
626.792.3000
Ken, the bar manager, makes a mean Old Fashioned.
My Favorite: Proper Whiskey Sours shaken with an egg white for a frothy cocktail.
Grab a quick bite with your cocktail. One of the best octopus dishes I’ve ever had.
Can’t get enough of Live & Love in LA’s date night suggestions? Stay tuned for more Tipsy Tuesdays and Foodie Fridays features to come! But here’s a great website to hold you over until then…
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A blog that answers all your dating dilemmas AND saves you $$$– does it get better than that? 😉
Live & Love in LA 