Where LA’s Best Bartenders Like to Drink – Eater LA
Bartenders, mixologists, beverage directors, bar consultants — whatever title they go by, these ladies and gentlemen of drink are shaping LA’s nightlife scene for the better. They are putting out seasonal menus, new takes on classic drinks and even aged cocktails on tap. Every day they come up with a new take on booze. But where do they go when they get a (rare) night off? Below, find out where two dozen of LA’s top bartenders like to go to get a drink.
Rob Floyd – The Bazaar: Occasionally I like to head downtown to Seven Grand whiskey bar … snag one of the pool tables and try one of the rare bourbons that only they carry. Believe it or not, there are usually lots of females there, not what you’d normally expect from a manly whiskey bar. They’re also known for the “Los Angeles Cocktail,” a whiskey sour meets a Manhattan, topped with nutmeg, one of my favorites.
Aiden Demarest – Neat: “I rotate around a lot. Eveleigh, Seven Grand, Providence. Depends.”
Gabby Mlynarczyk – ink.: “I like to drink at The Tasting Kitchen, The Varnish, Eveleigh. My preference is for a good amaro like Cynar or R. Jelinek fernet, classic negroni, boulevardier (rye w/ Cynar and sweet vermouth) Americano highball, or Mezcal margarita from restaurant Casablanca in Venice, they have a booze cart that comes to your table and mix the drink in front of you.”
Gregory Westcott – M.B. Post: “Oldfields for… a Cactus Derby or 7 Grand for an Old Fashioned.”
Chris Ojeda – Soho House: “The Varnish. I’ll get an Old Fashioned.”
Jason Bran – Towne Food & Drink, Roger Room: “Eveleigh – Mexican iced coffee; Varnish – Ramazzotti Buck; Spare Room – Amoxycillin; El Carmen – Del Maguey Chichicapa; Stout – Brother Thelonious and Bread Pudding; Dresden Room – Rob Roy; Barcade – Miller High Life; Joymart – Kikusui Junmai Ginjo and Asahi Super Dry.”
Paul Sanguinetti – Ray’s & Stark Bar: “The Varnish, because I usually have Mondays off and it’s a great night there… most of the time I’ll do bartender’s choice, but their julep right now is the best I’ve had in awhile, as is their negroni-ish variation Barolo Chinato.”
Max Seaman – The Varnish: “On a night off you can find me drinking a Sapporo or Yamazaki 12yr at Cosmos Bar on E 1st st in Little Tokyo while waiting for a table at Daikokuya next door.”
Andrew Abrahamson – Seven Grand: “On my day off I like to Dan Sung Sa in Koreatown. Get the Spicy Fried Chicken Wings and a bottle of Chamiseul Original.”
Pedro Shanahan – Seven Grand: “Canter’s Kibitz Room is my local dive bar. A shot of Old Grand Dad 101 and a Miller High Life is how I keep it real on my days off.”
Eric Alperin – The Varnish: “Three of Clubs on Santa Monica & Vine. Jameson on the rocks.”
Raul Yrastorza – Las Perlas: “Kings Head Santa Monica. A proper Pint of Guinness or Bushmills 16year Neat (with an order of the best damn Fish and Chips in the nation with a side of English curry to dip the fries in, sit outside at sunset…perfect).”