The September issue of Los Angeles Magazine has hit the stands, featuring a “Best New Bars” cover story.
According to Editor Mary Melton, the article is intended to “herald the return of the bar—not the velvet-rope animal of yore but the chummy neighborhood pubs, crowded wine bars, and fanciful cocktail emporiums that now constitute our nightlife.” With that in mind, the story covers 15 bars, divided into three sections: Cocktail Bars, Wine Bars, and Local Bars.
The Cocktail Bar section is spot on, featuring Rivera, Bar Centro, Roger Room, the Varnish, and Copa d’Oro. Other than Bar Centro, they’re all personal faves and places I’d highly recommend to anyone. As interesting and unique as Bar Centro is, I don’t go there regularly and can’t really say it’s a favorite. LA magazine certainly likes Bar Centro; in last month’s Best of LA issue Bar Centro was crowned with the city’s Best Manhattan.
The Local Bars list is great as well, including Tony’s, Laurel Tavern, Wurstküche, and Verdugo Bar. Tony’s and Wurstküche are pretty close to each other and are regular stops on my downtown excursions. The Arts District is very lucky to have them both! Also listed is Simmzy’s, which I haven’t been to but will definitely check out the next time I’m in Manhattan Beach.
Besides the capsule reviews, there are nice sidebars like the Varnish’s Marcos Tello demonstrating how to make a Sazerac, and Musso & Frank’s Manny Aguirre critiquing a few classic cocktails at Seven Grand, the Edison, and Mandrake.
All in all, it’s a fun read and well worth checking out.
Best New Bars
Los Angeles Magazine
September 2009
On sale now
www.lamag.com
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I’ve yet to make it to Bar Centro, and “Best Manhattan” may finally get me there. I also still need to make it to the Roger Room, but I keep hearing how packed it is at all times and I’m someone that appreciates a more relaxed environment that allows me to spend some time chatting with the bartender. That’s why I usually only hit downtown bars on Sunday through Wednesday nights if I can help it.
When I went to Roger Room with Lindsey it was packed at 10pm on a Tuesday night. She liked the energy but I preferred the relative quiet the other times I went. My friend went this past Monday and said the d-bag element was in full effect; lots of vodka-Red Bulls being ordered. Bar Centro is a scene, but you’ll have a better chance of showing up during off hours and having a quiet drink. Their Manhattan is good but avant garde, with a “liquid cherry” spherification.
They have all my fave except the Rodger Room. The drinks are good , but so overpriced
[...] Los Angeles Magazine’s cover story on L.A.’s Best New Bars and coverage in its annual Best of L.A. issue, L.A. cocktail culture was well represented this [...]