The Secret Speakeasies of Los Angeles
The weekend is here and we can't be more excited. After a long week of work, sometimes, all you need is a nice cold adult drink to wash away the stress. Speakeasies are becoming very popular all over California so we wanted to share with you our favorite ones in the Los Angeles area.
The Varnish is located in Downtown LA, tucked away inside one of LA’s oldest restaurants, Cole’s French Dip Sandwiches. It used to be a storage room for the restaurant and then became one of Los Angeles’s original craft cocktail bars. The Varnish was nominated as a James Beard Award Semi Finalist last year. The drink menu varies with usually 5 types of cocktails and a bartender’s choice. The Varnish Originals are a take on classic cocktails, without straying too far. Grab a sandwich at Cole’s and head in and enjoy a crafted cocktail. Just have a little patience, because it’s all a process, but don’t worry, it always delivers. Also, on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays they have Jazz Night after 9pm.
THE VARNISH
118 E 6th St,
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Image via Flickr/ Leah Grace
Image via ZagatBuzz - Flickr
La Descarga known as Hollywood's rum bar, is located in Hollywood near Santa Monica Blvd. and the 101 Freeway. This Cuban themed speakeasy mixes class, elegance and intrigue with Cuban music, libations, and old-fashioned Cuban flare. Upon entering, well-dressed customers are lead up a dark stairway to a hostess who reveals a secret passageway inside. Once through the disguised threshold, guests are immediately transported back in time to pre-Castro Havana. Above the central bar, filled with Havana inspired rum based cocktails, bands play four mini-shows throughout the night and Latin dancers entertain customers. If choosing between 75 different handcrafted rums wasn't special enough, guests can enjoy an in-depth selection of cigars on La Descarga's quaint outside patio.
LA DESCARGA
1159 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Image via My Best Address Book
Images via Huffington Post
Blind Barber: Located in Culver City, a Barber Shop is your entrance. Arrive while people get their haircut, and walk into what looks like a storage room. You’ll find yourself in a dark bar where bartenders are mixing all kinds of beautifully crafted cocktails. Not only are you drinking delicious drinks like the Strawberry Fields, which incorporate Vodka, lemon, honey, strawberries and parsley together, but also they have a variety of grilled cheeses. Try a double cream Brie with Parmesan, dates, walnuts, honey and sea salt among many others, or a Nutella, mascarpone, seasonal berries, strawberries and pistachio dessert grilled cheese. Get a haircut, than go in for an awesome cocktail and grilled cheese.
BLIND BARBER
10797 Washington Blvd,
Culver City, CA 90232
Image via Yelp
Image via Winnie L/Yelp
Good Times at Davey Waynes: This is the newest of the speakeasy concepts in the heart of Hollywood. Once you see the house, you’ll see a garage. After walking through a garage sale, there is a refrigerator, that you open and it will take you inside the house. A super retro concept with all 70s themed interior decorating, one can get a drink from the bar inside, or venture outside to a bar that is in an Airstream Trailer. BBQ food can be found like “Not” So Dirty Dog which is a bacon wrapped hot dog with avocado lime crema and pico de Also, alcoholic snow cones are a thing for the reminiscent teenager in all of us.
GOOD TIMES AT DAVEY WAYNE'S
1611 N El Centro Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Image via Good Times at Davey Wayne's
The R Bar: Located in Koreatown, a popular speakeasy that offers craft cocktails and known for their karaoke nights and different themed nights like the best old school hip hop, all 70s vinyl night and recently just had a Galaxy Quest drinking game night. To get in, you need a password where can be found on their Facebook or Twitter page.
R BAR
3331 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Image via R Bar
The Red Door: If you ever find yourself in Toluca Lake, find the alley on Riverside Dr. with a red door. There is no signage and this speakeasy style bar is super dark but has black and white TVs with a Latin themed concept and great bartenders. There’s live music on Mondays, and the food is good and there is a secret menu if you ask. Grab a date and take them to this romantic, casual atmosphere.
THE RED DOOR
10057 Riverside Dr
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keyla Vasconcellos is originally from Brazil and grew up in Virginia. When she moved to California, it immediately stole her heart. After attending Pepperdine University, she worked in restaurants where she grew to love all types of cuisines. She is aspiring to be a Gastronomist Extraordinaire by eating her way through Los Angeles and sharing her adventures with anyone who enjoys a delicious meal.