For those who absolutely cannot wait til Christmas — eff Thanksgiving, you say — Melrose Umbrella Co. is already all decked out for the holidays. And I mean, ALL. DECKED. OUT. The Miracle on Melrose Avenue bar is only one of about 100 of the Miracle Pop-Up Bars around the world: 94 in the U.S….
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I refuse to put up Christmas decorations when Thanksgiving hasn’t even come and gone yet. But one thing I will allow in anticipation of the holidays are the cocktails. Beautiful, rich, cozy, festive-inspired holiday cocktails. And Big Bar in Los Feliz just kicked off their new holiday menu, which includes three hot cocktails and a…
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Quick, what’s your favorite L.A. movie and which cocktail would you pair with it? If it’s Amy Heckerling’s Clueless then you’re in luck! On August 19, as part of its summer pop-up series, ArcLight Hollywood is hosting swank West Hollywood cocktail bar, Bibo Ergo Sum, in its Balcony Bar. And the talented bar crew crafted…
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Nowadays, a cocktail bar has to do more than simply follow a classic cocktail template to turn heads. Housemade ingredients and a strong garnish game aren’t going to cut it anymore. Besides, there are so many great bars with new ones practically opening every day, not to mention the breadth of talented bartenders in L.A….
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Looking for something fun and different — with a touch of nerdiness — to serve at your holiday party? Lucky for you barman Christopher Day (Bar Tribute, Redbird) created this recipe for a boozy butterbeer. Your Harry Potter-loving guests will squeal. It’s no coincidence that this recipe uses a butter-washed Black Cow Vodka as Chris…
Continue Reading »Flickr Shot by Malingering I’ve heard about the Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier many times before but it wasn’t until I saw the above picture that I really considered going. How fun is that? The featured band is playing to the masses on the pier above while other music lovers can picnic on…
If you are a burger snob and are the sort to tell the fast-food speakerbox to hold the tomatoes and mustard, grill the onions and, oh yeah, no buns, and can I get a side of BBQ sauce with that…then the Counter on Ocean Park is where you need to go. Today was only…
POST EDIT: Ferget it. This place went the way of its predecessors and is now CLOSED. So far, no word on what’s takng its place on this cursed corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson. Maybe it’s because it’s summer or the fact that I didn’t get to go to Hawaii this year, but lately…
Last night’s birthday tiki party at Saints & Sinners was a huge hit. And I totally want to thank S&S for making it all happen since I forgot to thank them when I had the mic last night for my big Trader Vic Mai Tai giveaway. Carol, the pink-tressed temptress/bartender, was a doll helping with…
In search of the perfect birthday cake to go with my luau birthday party, I happened on King’s Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant in Torrance. A really good review about it in Epinions sealed the deal.
Flickr Shot by Corsakti I’ve always wanted to check out the Lotus Festival way the hell over there in Echo Park but…sigh, so far away. However, since this year’s festival is highlighting the P.I., aka the Philippines, maybe I will drag my lazy butt over there once and for all to check out the festivities…
OK, really it’s a mild summer disco night in Venice but it still sounds like a fantabulous party. Apartment A Theater Company will be throwing an oh-so-haute fundraiser event to benefit, well, themselves at Venice’s Electric Lodge. For $20 you’ll get access to the discotheque as well as free cocktails from 9 to midnight (no reservations required). Paying the $100…
Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/LA TIMES Remember when manipulating the turntables was a pastime that belonged to the down-and-out mixmaster from da hood? Nowadays, rich kids are getting in on the act, too. Lindsay has done it, so has that Gastineau brat and even that ’70s show guy who now goes by the dj name “dj MomJeans.” But…
SoCal has no shortage of beach bum bars but I always find them quaint whenever I happen upon them. They speak to the L.A. I grew up with in the movies and on postcards with surfboards on the walls and Beach Boys on the jukebox. For the 4th a group of us joined the masses…
I loves me a good fireworks show and summer never seems complete without one. Sparkly lights igniting the sky with thunderous ka-booms? Fun! Unfortunately the big bang spectacle at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Kenny Loggins is all sold out, darn it all. And who wants to deal with the hordes of tourist families at…
