Nothing feels better than a cold beverage on a hot day. Here are 6 of the newest summer sips in Los Angeles including one you can enjoy in your home.
Vista (DTLA)
Vista, the new pop-up concept by 71 Above, specializes in Mezze platters and specialty cocktails. Plus it all happens openair on the 69th floor of the US Bank Tower. The Mezze for the Table menu from Chef Javier Lopez offers 10 Mediterranean-style items like Olives and Marinated Feta for $54 a person. Not having to make food choices leaves more room for your brain to focus on Cocktails and Wines by the Glass.
Let me help you make one less choice by steering you toward the Downtown specialty cocktail made with Toasted Hazelnut Old Forester Bourbon, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, and Giffard Abricot (Apricot Liquor) ($16).
Vista is open nightly from 6 p.m. onwards.
Lawless Brewing Company (NoHo)
The Lawless Brewing Company, is a literal "homebrew" concept that started in a closet at the home of producers Ben and Whitney Wallace. That "lawless" brewing kit has now expanded to an 8,000 square foot brewery in a former film rental house in North Hollywood.
Some brew highlights include their Brosé All Day hibiscus beer (ABV: 5.9%) and for the film-lovers, a Soft Focus IPA with hints of grapefruit, pineapple, and blueberry (ABV: 7%).
The Lawless Brewing Company is open weekdays starting at 5 p.m. and with varying daytime hours on the weekend. Be sure to check the calendar before you go to catch your favorite food truck.
Baby Bonus: Food trucks mean kids are more than allowed and the owners have plans to add games in once we enter a more post-pandemic state.
Playa Provisions (Playa Vista)
Nothing says summer sips in Los Angeles like a good brunch cocktail. Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m, Dockside at Playa Provisions expands from a nightly seafood restaurant into your daytime Lobster Roll spot. Pair that with a Pool Party made with Lo-fi Amaro Aperitif, gin, simple syrup, and a cava float and all you're missing is the water.
Manuela Garden Bar (DTLA Arts District)
Just in time for the May Gray to fade, Manuela has opened up their Garden Bar space for weekend brunch. Available from 2 to 9 p.m. (yes 9 p.m.) you can enjoy dishes like Chile de Arbol Chicken from Executive Chef Kris Tominaga. Every Friday night from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. you can also enjoy a special Tiki- Inspired Menu with cocktails and specialty foods during something they are calling Tropical Nights.
The cocktail program is "produce-driven" by Beverage Director Niki Kotantoulas, and it all takes place in a pop-up cocktail bar in their beautiful garden. Turn up the heat with a Nightshade made with Tequila Dahlia, yellow bell pepper, heat, and lemon.
Casita del Campo/Fowler Museum (your home)
Take your love of cocktails one step further when you learn how to make the famous Margarita and Paloma Cocktails from Casita del Campo in Silverlake. In honor of Pride month, The Fowler museum will be having a virtual event of cocktail mixing and comedy!
Casita del Campo is famous for being one of L.A.'s iconic queer spaces, thanks to The Cavern Club Theatre downstairs, which is known for its famous drag shows. For one night only, though, you can have it in your own kitchen with a cocktail lesson from Robert and Gina Martin Del Campo and a drag comedy show from Kay Sedia.
The event takes place on 6/16 and is totally FREE but you need to RSVP at the link here.
Bar Sala (Hollywood)
Bar Sala is a speakeasy-style pop-up Mezcal bar from Chef Ray Garcia who is currently enjoying an extended run of his Broken Spanish x NeueHouse Hollywood collaboration.
While there you can enjoy table-side mezcal and tequila tastings by beverage director Chris Chernock along with cocktails like the mezcal-centric Como La Flor and beer choices. Zero Proof options, house-made agua fresca, and small bites by Broken Spanish are also available.
As of now the run is from June 4th to July 31st on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Reservations are not required but you can make them by emailing BSxNH@neuehouse.com. Best of all you don't need to be a member of the NeueHouse work and social space to attend.
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