If you think the Los Angeles bar scene offers the typical metropolitan bar scene, think again. A renewal of sorts is underway that combines classic, speakeasy atmospheres with modern touches. Step into any of the bars described below and your senses will be delighted by Prohibition-era sights and sounds, while your taste buds will be satisfied with a range of cocktails carefully and artfully prepared by bartenders who value craftsmanship. Often, these bar locations are tucked away in non-descript locations with entrances that offer no signs. Once inside, however, patrons are delighted by classic touches such as wood paneling and chandelier lighting.
All in all, these Los Angeles bars offer an experience that’s rare in a city teeming with nightlife: simple, welcoming atmospheres that invite people to relax with each other and enjoy high-quality cocktails. Here are a few bars that are highly recommended when visiting the City of Angels:
The Varnish: Located in downtown Los Angeles, you may have trouble locating this special place. Tucked behind Coles French Dip Sandwiches shop, look for a door adorned only with a picture of a cocktail – and you’re there. Established two years ago, The Varnish has become a popular destination largely due to the involvement of Sasha Petraske and Eric Alperin. The two are well-known cocktail giants who made the Milk & Honey bar in New York City a hot spot. The Varnish offers a wide array of high-quality cocktails guaranteed to excite your taste buds. From classics like the Old Fashioned to special varieties like the Air Mail, you’ll be happy you stopped by.
The Edison – www.edisondowntown.com: Located on Second Street, The Edison is easy to locate – just look for the long line of dressy people around the Harlem Place Alley entrance, or perhaps the Absinthe Fairy with a green light and sometimes pushing a cart with emerald green liquor. Inside, bartenders will mix a wide range of cocktails that blend fresh flavors with high-quality products, such as the Citizen Kane or Southside Fizz.
The Association – www.theassociation-la.com: If you see a door near The Varnish that bears a striking resemblance to London’s 10 Downing Street, you’ve landed at The Association. Upscale but also unassuming, this bar offers drinks popular during the Prohibition. From classic to modern drink options such as the Sazerac or Basil & Buckshot, respectively, you won’t be disappointed.
The Thirsty Crow Bar – www.thirstycrowbar.com: Located on West Sunset Boulevard, this speakeasy bar also has a saloon touch. Liquors such as rye whiskey, Scotch and bourbon are menu favorites. Visitors recommend classic drinks such as the Whiskey Sour, Manhattan (offered in two varieties), Old Fashioned, or Sazerac. Specialty drinks such as Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon and Three Guys Walk Into A Bar shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Roger Room: Located in West Hollywood, this bar is the ultimate speakeasy – neon door signs advertising tarot card reading adorn the entrance. And, once inside, visitors are greeted with vintage murals depicting circus scenes, blushed lighting, and bartenders wearing pants suspenders. A wide range of cocktails will delight the taste buds, including The Dame, The Grifter and The Thug.
La Descarga – www.ladescargala.com: With one of the most unique bar entrances – an office lobby room circa 1930s that leads to a wardrobe room –, this bar will transport you into a bar with a distinctly Cuban flavor. Offering an immense array of rum and covered patio for cigar smokers, this spot also offers live music and dancers. From the Hemingway daiquiri to mojito to Tapping the Admiral, rum lovers especially will delight in the atmosphere and high-quality cocktails.
Wines age better with time. But this is true only when the wine has been stored in perfect conditions and at a specific temperature. Today’s homes are bereft of cellars to preserve wines, but Sand & Birch, an Italian design studio that creates exclusive designs for home and office interiors have created a compact wine cellar that addresses all the requirements that are needed for the perfect cellar.
Sand & Birch have, in the past designed excellent cellars like the stylish artistic Opale wine cellar, the Wine Bag for Cantine Ellemme and the aptly named Tower. The latest in this line is the Regency Climatized Wine Cellar. This stylish wine cellar has been created for Cantine Ellemme again. It is another plush design from the Sand & Birch studio.
It is a compact space which can hold up to 90 bottles. It has a climate controller which allows for stability of conditions within. The cellar is also equipped with a built-in air conditioner to control the temperature and consequently the quality of the wine.
The Regency Climatized Wine Cellar has been made with the best woods like maple, walnut and oak and has been fitted with the best stainless steel to retain the original cellar like quality. It is built like a cupboard to ensure best use of small spaces but it has in no way compromised on the quality and style of the cellar.
The Regency Climatized Wine Cellar is available in two styles: double temperature control and single temperature control. The LED lighting system ensures the most economical use of energy similar to the other wine cellar models. The special glasses that have been fitted keeps out UV rays that can harm the quality of the wine. This guarantees that the wine that is being served is the most excellent in terms of aroma and flavor.
Moët & Chandon have a tradition dating back to more than 200 years, of being counted among the best wineries in the world. This centuries old tradition has seen some of the best champagnes and vintage wines emerge from the cellars of Moët & Chandon and they have continued to perfect this glorious tradition by creating one of the most singular and unique champagne – the Moët Ice Imperial.
In an attempt to bring a completely different concept to the discerning elite, the creators of the very famous Dom Perignon have brought out champagne, which, unlike the usual champagnes which are served as is, is served over ice.
A swirl of this exclusive champagne tells of a hint of tropical fruits like guava and mango, red fruits, peppermint and the sweet spice licorice blended together with pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. The champagne has a distinct full bodied fruity and floral essence which is enhanced when served over ice.
Just as the champagne is exclusive the bottle that it comes in is equally stylish and classy.
The bottle that carries the premium Moët Ice Imperial champagne is eye catching and implies a very stylish and glamorous look and feel. The white and gold three dimensional bottle is what holds one’s attention. And the champagne that comes in the bottle does justice not only to its cover but also to the prestigious name of Moet & Chandon.
The Moët Ice Imperial is luxurious champagne which is sure to attract the wealthy wine connoisseur who is always on the look out to obtain and try out innovative and exclusive wines. The Moët Ice Imperial champagne fits the description perfectly since it is an innovative idea of experimenting with champagne over ice while the name Moet & Chandon is reason enough for it to be considered exclusive and special.
The Queen of England has a few other celebrations up her way. After the Royal wedding of her grandson, she is now all set to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee that happens next year. Apparently she is not the only one in celebration mood, getting her and the rest of the invitees in drunken stupor is Diageo also known as the Drinks giant.
He will be responsible for bringing in the 60 limited edition whisky bottles that will be exclusively produced by John Walker and Sons of Scotland. The price of a single bottle of this priceless whisky that these Scottish brewers will be making costs nothing less than $163,700.
The decanter of this bottle is made from lead and embellished with crystal, has a Britannia silver collar and also has a diamond that is half a carat. Every bottle is sealed with silver and is numbered, along with this they also have a “pair of hand-engraved lead crystal glasses housed in a cabinet incorporating woods from the Queen’s Sandringham and Balmoral estates.”
The whisky maker however will be donating the proceeds got from the sales of this super royal and opulent Diamond Jubilee Scotch Whisky to the existing charitable trust of the Queen known as the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (Qest). This trust is an existing arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
The date of the Diamond Jubilee celebration will be engraved on it which is 6th February 2012, which was exactly 60 years ago the Queen took on the throne. The brew is a blend of whiskies that were apparently distilled all across Scotland during the year 1952 after which it was finished in an cask that was made using English oak that comes right from the Queen’s Sandringham Estate.
Here’s something that will do wonders and drive up your happiness quotient, and you thought no one really cared? Belvedere has ensured that people buying their happy waters is sure to have a smile embedded across their faces for a while.
This is the Belver Bears on the Croisette which is a cute little limited edition bear that was introduced in Cannes. So what is this cute little shiny bear made off? Not surprising is that this one is hand crafted on a shell that is from the jeroboam Belvedere vodka, which is what really glams up this cute little bear. The bottle is not spared either, they’ve used plexiglass to create it and also has a bright colored backlight that adds a bright little glow around the bear, which seems almost ghostly like. But the bear is probably the only cuddly factor that you might want to buy this vodka for, apart from its taste.
This Belver Beer was designed by Jean-Roch and for now the limited edition bottle is available only in Paris, Saint Tropez and the VIP room that’s in Cannes. Once the bottles contents are done with you can still use it as a keepsake or fill it up with another beverage. Make sure you add in something that is clear as vodka or water, unless you want up something colorful in it. This teddy bear is only for the adults who love everything that is luxurious and extravagant. If you like the bottle make sure you quickly get your hands on one as this is limited edition. This one is worth $7240 and is a good keepsake as well.
