For a comprehensive list of dining options on December 31st, be sure to visit our friends at dineLA for the Mother of All New Year’s Eve Restaurant Round Ups.

Wherever you end up on New Year’s Eve, please celebrate responsibly. You can Go Metro with special overnight 24-hour rail service on December 31st and January 1st, and of course a taxi is just a phone call away.

Cheers to a fantastic 2012!

Photo by Bar | Kitchen via Facebook

Bar | Kitchen
Located in the lobby of the O Hotel in Downtown LA, Bar | Kitchen is offering a three-course New Year’s Eve dinner menu for $45. To pair with Chef Vahan Tokmadjian’s seared sea scallops, beef short rib pot roast, and almond & pear upside down cake, B|K is featuring a unique selection of small production bubbly and craft champagne cocktails. Reservations: 213.784.3048.

Big Bar – Countdown Across the World
At Big Bar, nine is your lucky number for the second annual New Year’s Eve Countdown Across the World: nine time zones, nine countdowns, nine cocktails and nine playlists. The countdowns start at 3pm with the Hüsker Dü (Kanon Organic Vodka, Aperol, lemon, bitters) and travels all the way across the map every hour until midnight, when Los Angeles welcomes 2012 with a champagne toast and the Historic Core: Rittenhouse 100, Lairds Bonded Applejack, Green Chartreuse, Dolin Rouge, Angostura. To tempt thirsty Angelenos, Big Bar is posting pics of the NYE cocktails on its Facebook page every day until New Year’s Eve.

• Special cocktail menu featuring house favorites from Don Q, Leblon, and Zaya
• DJ Phys-Ed; DJ kill-devil kicks things off with dancehall vibes at 8pm and hosts an East Coast Toast at 9pm
• Breakfast for the surviving revelers
• “We only ask that you bring your best spirits and finest evening attire or favorite party pants.”

Photo by The Edison

The Edison – Bootlegger’s Ball
On New Year’s Eve, The Edison presents the Bootlegger’s Ball, featuring Lyndsay and the All-Nighters, aerialists, dancers and “a host of gifted eccentriques to accompany you on a unique and unforgettable journey into 2012.” Tickets include The Edison’s legendary Midnight Toast. Tables include desserts and special New Years favors. Tickets start at $75. Doors at 7pm. Table reservations and pricing: 213.613.0000.

Eveleigh – Roaring 20s Soirée
The Wayback Machine will be in effect at Eveleigh, which is not only presenting a Roaring Twenties Soirée, but is also thoughtfully serving an all-day brunch on January 1, 2012. Both dinner options include a 5-course Prix Fixe Menu; the Late Seating includes a champagne toast at midnight and access to The Uptown Five jazz quintet and NYE festivities starting at 9:30pm.
Early Bird Seating: $75. Late Seating: $95. Reservations at OpenTable or call 424.239.1630.

The Cocktail Party features a 1920s-inspired cocktail menu created by head barman Dave Kupchinsky, an open bar from 10-11pm, live jazz quintet entertainment and piano, countdown to 2012 and complimentary champagne toast. 1920′s cocktail attire suggested.
$50 per person. 9:30pm-2am. Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/event/2669132447?ref=ebtn

On New Year’s Day, Eveleigh is serving an All Day Brunch with classics from the dinner menu to help with recovery from the night before, as well as REHAB with the best hangover remedies from the bar.
11am-10pm. Reservations at OpenTable or call 424.239.1630.

The Golden Stag
Take the Wayback Machine to the historic Park Plaza Hotel, where LACMA Muse and Sypher Art Studios present The Golden Stag, a Roaring Twenties style party.
Featuring:

• Performances by Brent Canter, Elliot Deutsch Big Band, Astra Dance Company, Alice Underground, and more
• Midnight champagne toast and fireworks display
• Absinthe bar
• 18-piece orchestra

Fellas and Flappers: $50 (includes champagne toast); Big Daddies and Leading Ladies: $150 (includes reserved table service with hosted bar). 8pm. Tickets: 323.857.6010.

Harvard & Stone
Harvard & Stone is throwing its first New Year’s Eve party with special performances by Lil’ Jenny and Molly D’Amour, accompanied by the H&S band and DJ Aaron Castle’s rock’n'roll oldies. Your all-inclusive ticket features an all-night open bar with craft cocktails, punches, American microbrews and bottomless champagne. Tickets $100 per person. 8pm-2am. Use promo code “harvardandstone” and get a 20% discount: www.eventbrite.com/event/2650177753?discount=harvardandstone

La Descarga – Havana Nocturne
Four words: gangsters, dames, booze and gambling. That’s what La Descarga has in store for guests at its Havana Nocturne, a 1920’s-themed night that includes premium open bar, Latin orchestra, burlesque dancers, passed apps, and a Havana-inspired casino. The three biggest chip holders at the end of the night will receive some great prizes. The dress code is formal and the theme is gangsters and dames of the 20′s. Tickets are $200 per person, includes gratuity, and are limited to 150 guests. To purchase tickets, email nye@ladescargala.com.

Neat – New York New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve, Aidan Demarest is keeping it simple at his Glendale bar Neat: no cover or reservations, live music, champagne toasts at 9pm and midnight, and Chinese takeout to soak up all the spirits (served neat, of course). What’s the over-under on how many times Don’t Stop Believin’ gets played that night?

Next Door Lounge
Looks like the Wayback Machine will be in overdrive this New Year’s Eve as Next Door Lounge transports guests to a glamorous Masquerade Party set in 1920’s Hollywood. Live jazz and classic black and white films provide the backdrop as you enjoy cocktails by Joseph Brooke and bites from the Next Door staff kitchen. Tickets are $75 per person and include a welcome drink, masquerade mask, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast. Ticket reservations: reserve@nextdoorhollywood.com.

From 10:30pm to 1:30am, Picca is hosting a Late Night Industry Party with open bar (beer, wine, pisco shots, punch) and bites for friends, family and industry patrons for just $40 per person. Space is limited and pre-paid reservations are required.

Providence
At Providence, Chef Michael Cimarusti ushers in 2012 with a sumptuous Market Menu that rings in the new year with delicious style. Market Menu items include wild Japanese buri, wild New Zealand John Dory, and American Wagyu style beef. Early seating is 5:30 and 6pm, late seating at 8:30 and 9pm. $195 per person, $260 with wine pairing. 323.460.4170.

• Luxury Tequila Flight ($100) – John Rivera Sedlar’s 6 Year Aged Anejo, Milagro Romance & Herradura Suprema
• Mezcal Flight ($25) – Vida, Chichicapa, Joven Ilegal

Other NYE specialty flights include single malt Scotch, rum and American whiskey. Reservations after 9pm will receive a complimentary glass of cava. Reservations suggested, walk-ins are welcome: 323.933.5300.

Seven Grand – World Whiskey Flight
Like Big Bar, Seven Grand is also going global on NYE with its World Whiskey Flight, a private tasting featuring eight of the best whiskies in the world as chosen by members of the Seven Grand bar staff:

• Parker’s Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon ’Barrel Finished’ (10 Years Old)
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye
• Hakushu 12 Year Old Japanese Whisky
• Scott’s Selection Littlemill 1984 (distillery closed)
• Connemara Peated Cask Strength
• Lark Single Cask
• Talisker Distiller’s Edition (11 Years Old)
• Scott’s Selection North of Scotland 1964 (45 Years Old)

Punch reception at 5:30pm, World Whiskey Flight at 6pm, event opens to the public at 8pm. Tickets are $120, includes gratuity and appetizers: http://7grandnye.eventbrite.com.

Photo by Tasting Kitchen via Facebook

The Tasting Kitchen
At The Tasting Kitchen on Abbot Kinney, Chef Casey Lane is offering three five-course menu options with French, Italian, Moroccan, and Spanish inspired flavors that will appeal to meat lovers, seafood fans, and vegetarians alike. The “All” Menu features Apicius Duck Confit with kumquat preserve, and puntarella; the Pescatarian Menu features Tagliarini Nero with squid and serrano chile; and the Vegetarian Menu features Truffled Egg with polenta and fall vegetable salad. Wine pairings for each menu are also available. $90 per person, $45 for wine pairings. 310.392.6644.

Click to view.

The Varnish – Soul Shakedown Party
From its location in the back of Cole’s, The Varnish will be dancing to its singular beat on New Year’s Eve with a Soul Shakedown Party that features unlimited craft cocktails, bottomless Bols Genever punch and the 2nd Annual Varnish Twist Contest, hosted by Varnish GM Chris Bostick. Rare groove and soul classics will provide the imbibing soundtrack to the event, which will take place from 9pm-2am. Tables in the intimate venue are available for parties of two, four and six. Seating for New Year’s Eve is limited, reservations are a must.
$125 per person (gratuity included). For reservations contact Chris Bostick at 213.622.9999, or email thevarnish@thevarnishbar.com.

Photo by Wood & Vine

Wood & Vine
Wood & Vine is presenting a five-course or seven-course prix fixe and two seating options for its New Year’s Eve menu. First seating is 6-7pm and includes a Celery Root Shooter, Dungeness Crab Salad, House-Made Spaghetti, Seared Branzino, Paso Prime Rib Eye, and Butterscotch Pot de Crème. The second seating is 9-10pm and includes the previous plus Roasted Scallop, Roasted Venison Saddle, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. First seating $55; second seating $75. 323.334.3360.

Still basking in the glow of its victory in last month’s 213 Nightlife Zombie Bar Competition, Seven Grand is hosting a Thanksgiving Eve bash sponsored by Wild Turkey, natch. On Wednesday, November 23rd, guests can sip a signature punch special made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, fresh citrus juices, spiced apple cider, fresh cranberries, and fall spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The punch will be available all night for $6 a glass, and $1 of every glass sold will be donated to a local shelter for Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Seven Grand’s outdoor space will feature a traditional Corn Hole Toss with tournament-style turkey bean bags. Winners have a chance to take home fun prizes, including the Grand Prize: a fresh turkey stuffed with…wait for it… a bottle of Wild Turkey.

Thanksgiving Eve Bash
Presented by Wild Turkey
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Featuring:

• Wild Turkey Signature Punch Special ($6/glass)
• Corn Hole Toss
• Grand Prize – fresh turkey “stuffed” with Wild Turkey

Seven Grand
515 W. 7th St.
2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
www.sevengrand.la

Kentucky River Fish Kill Punch photo by Anne Fishbein, courtesy of 213 Nightlife.

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, an annual celebration of “America’s Native Spirit” that first took place in 2007, when the Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Senator Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) on August 2nd of that year. While the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival are on many a spirited bucket list, Angelenos can vicariously join in the festivities by enjoying Kentucky’s finest in cocktails all over town. Our round-up begins in Marina del Rey, heads east into downtown, and ends in Pasadena. Of course, you have all month to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month, and nearly all of the cocktails will be available after September, so please imbibe responsibly.

Delia's Elixir | Photo: Basement Tavern

Located inside The Victorian in Santa Monica, the Basement Tavern reportedly sells the largest volume of Buffalo Trace Bourbon west of the Mississippi, and a big reason is Delia’s Elixir: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, agave nectar, raspberries and lemon ($10). Stop by for Bluegrass Wednesdays, when the intimate space is transformed into a good ol’ Kentucky home.

The brand new SmithHouse in Century City features food by Top Chef alum Angelo Sosa, 120 beers on tap, and a cocktail menu created by the powerhouse trio of Jason Bran, Damian Windsor and Simon Ford. Arm yourself with a Black N’ Bulleit (Bulleit Bourbon, Cassis, Blackberries, and Orange, $12) and then reload with a classic, a Bulleit-based Old Fashioned.

In nearby Beverly Hills, Sosa’s fellow Top Chef All-Star Alex Reznik is in the kitchen at La Seine, which offers the Milley Lane: Knob Creek Bourbon, lemon, honey, egg white, and Aleppo pepper ($12).

Be sure to catch the Tim Burton exhibition at LACMA before it ends its five-month run on October 31st, then head to Stark Bar for the Secret Cocktail, made with bourbon, applejack, egg white, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and grenadine ($12).

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel offers plenty of options for the bourbon lover. In the Library Bar, the ever-inventive Matt Biancaniello can create a bespoke bourbon cocktail with the freshest seasonal ingredients, or ask for his Kentucky Bubble Bath, made with Bulleit Bourbon, housemade lavender syrup and a Cynar float. Also located on the lobby level is Public Kitchen and Bar, with The Bistro Sidecar: Basil Hayden Bourbon, lemon, and Cointreau ($9). Upstairs, The Spare Room features signature creations like the Kentucky Glove Box (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse and lemon) and the State Fair, made with butter-infused bourbon, cherry wine and smoked salt caramel syrup.

Located in the historic Taft Building, Wood & Vine offers two bourbon-based cocktails from its “Dark Booze” section: the Black Manhattan (Maker’s Mark, Averna Amaro, Luxardo cherries) and The Sophisticate (Kentucky Vintage bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari, flaming orange), both priced at $12.

Just east of Paramount Studios, the recently renovated Osteria La Buca has a short and sweet cocktail list that includes the Bronx: Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, and Bitters ($12).

Baby’s First Bourbon was on the opening menu at Harvard & Stone, and it remains the bestselling cocktail at the Thai Town venue: Bulleit Bourbon, St. Vincent Orgeat, lemon juice and Angostura Bitters.

In Los Feliz, Big Bar does a version of the classic Los Angeles Cocktail: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and egg. Shaken into a rich, creamy texture and topped with freshly grated nutmeg, it’s a great drink to transition into the crisp evenings that lie ahead.

Downtown’s JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE is another hotel with a quality craft cocktail program, as featured in The Mixing Room and its Sweet Reserve: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Grapefruit, and Honey ($13).

Earlier this year, Seven Grand debuted its first-ever seasonal menu, divided between classics and original creations like the Duck Hunter ($13): Limited Edition Seven Grand Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula and Amaro Lucano.

And last but not least, the current bestseller of the 1886 Summer Cocktail Menu, the Bourbon Peach Smash: bourbon, peach, mint and lemon.

Photo: Cafe del Rey

Gingered Bourbon Lemonade
Recipe courtesy of Cafe del Rey
Ingredients:

• 1.25 oz citrus-infused Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• 1.5 oz freshly made Sour Mix
• .5 oz Housemade Simple Syrup
• .75 oz Cointreau
• 2 oz lemon-lime soda
• 3 lemon wheels (quarter-inch slices)
• Fresh ginger, cut into 20 matchsticks
• Candied ginger, skewered

Instructions:

• Muddle fresh ginger with simple syrup.
• Add bourbon, Cointreau, and Sour Mix.
• Add two slices of lemon and shake four times.
• Pour into footed pilsner glass, top off with additional ice if needed and lemon-lime soda.
• Garnish with candied ginger skewer and lemon slice.

Tickets are only available online at Eventbrite and are on sale now. General Admission tickets cost $49.00 and include a 6-ounce tasting glass and wristband, which gives access to all the participating 213 bars and unlimited beer tastings from 3pm to 8pm.

Limited VIP Tickets are available for $69.00, which gives Crawlers early entry into the festival at 1pm, a full two hours before General Admission. Besides the extra sampling time, VIP ticketholders will also get to try exclusive pours from the brewers, as well as enjoy beer cocktails from 213’s mixologists.

To help soak up the suds, Evan Kleiman (host of KCRW’s Good Food) has invited some of LA’s favorite gourmet food trucks to take care of Crawlers along the route. Cole’s and Casey’s will also be offering food at their respective locations.

2nd Annual LA Craft Beer Crawl
Saturday, August 13, 2011
1pm-8pm
Featuring:

• Unlimited samples of 60+ craft beers
• Food trucks curated by Evan Kleiman

Participating bars:

• Broadway Bar
• Caña Rum Bar
• Casey’s Irish Pub
• Cole’s
• Golden Gopher
• Las Perlas
• Seven Grand

General Admission tickets: $49 (3pm entry)
VIP tickets: $69 (1pm entry)
lacraftbeercrawl.com

Visit the event’s Facebook page and follow its Twitter feed for updated info and participating breweries.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Heal the Bay, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean.

L to R: Victor Novak, Christina Perozzi, Hallie Beaune, Cedd Moses, Evan Weinberg, Jeremy Raub, Mark Jilg.

8th Street Bottle Shop
Earlier this week, 213 Proprietor Cedd Moses, Perozzi and Beaune hosted a sneak preview of the LA Craft Beer Crawl at Golden Gopher, featuring a meet and greet with the founders of four acclaimed local breweries participating in the Crawl: Mark Jilg (Craftsman Brewing), Victor Novak (TAPS Fish House & Brewery), Jeremy Raub (Eagle Rock Brewery) and Evan Weinberg of Cismontane Brewing Company. (Check out a video clip of Jilg speaking over at Drink Eat Travel.)

During the preview, Moses and The Beer Chicks announced that they are building on their LA Craft Beer Crawl partnership to open the 8th Street Bottle Shop, a craft beer specialty store located just inside the entrance to the Golden Gopher. The 8th Street Bottle Shop will be housed in the space where guests could previously buy spirits to go, thanks to the Gopher’s 1903-era liquor license, which provides for on-site and packaged liquor sales.

Going forward, The Beer Chicks will curate the beer lists at all of 213’s bars, as well as consult on management and staff training. “We recently revamped Golden Gopher’s craft beer menu and are adding taps and bottles across the 213 bars,” noted Perozzi. “We wanted downtown dwellers and bar patrons to take home the same great beer experience 213 bars provide in the way of personalized service and craft selections.”

Among other services, the Bottle Shop’s staff will offer special tastes and advise on flavor profiles and food pairings. The Beer Chicks will rate and review the beers, and patrons will be able to peruse the store’s “beer bible” for descriptions.

The 8th Street Bottle Shop officially debuts on August 13th, during the LA Craft Beer Crawl.

8th Street Bottle Shop
Golden Gopher
417 W. 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA  90014
(213) 614-8001
213nightlife.com/goldengopher

Dagny Taggart

Earlier this month, Seven Grand debuted its 2011 Spring-Summer cocktail menu, its first all-new seasonal drink list since the acclaimed whiskey bar opened in 2007. While seasonal cocktails have been offered at Seven Grand since its launch, many of the bar’s signature drinks have remained on the menu, until now. According to General Manager Angus McShane, Seven Grand serves over five hundred Old Fashioned cocktails every week, along with other classics like the Sazerac, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour and Mint Julep. All of these cocktails are such favorites they don’t need to be listed on a menu. “Given the awareness of the style of drinks we offer, we researched drinks from the same era, focusing on classic cocktails which were simple in their ingredients, but embodied a unique characteristic using whiskey as the base,” said McShane.

With that in mind, the Seven Grand crew looked at cocktail history from the mid-1800s to the present to develop its new Original and Vintage cocktail menus. The collaborative effort was led by McShane, a native of Australia who was previously the GM at The Edison, and was part of the opening team at Copa d’Oro. Perhaps McShane’s strongest influence on the new drinks is a global sensibility, a notable change from Seven Grand’s previous focus on featuring American bourbons and ryes in its cocktails.

Following is Seven Grand’s seasonal list of Original and Vintage cocktails.

ORIGINAL COCKTAILS

• Duck Hunter ($13) – Limited Edition Seven Grand Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula, Amaro Lucano.
• Keihi Cocktail ($12) – Yamazaki 12 Year Old Japanese Single Malt Whisky, lemon and grapefruit juices, simple syrup, grated cinnamon.
• Dagny Taggart ($14) – Glenlivet 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Aperol, Torani Amer, rinsed with Ardbeg 10-Year.
• Irish Vandal ($11) – Jameson Irish Whiskey, lemon and grapefruit juices, simple syrup, muddled raspberries.

VINTAGE COCKTAILS

• The Scofflaw ($11) – Old Overholt Rye, Dolin Dry Vermouth, lemon juice, grenadine, Regan’s Orange Bitters.
• Whiskey Crusta ($12) – Famous Grouse Blended Scotch, lemon juice, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Angostura Bitters.
• The Boulevardier ($13) – Old Weller Antique 107, Carpano Antica Formula, Campari.
• New York Cocktail ($11) – Wild Turkey 101 Rye, lime juice, grenadine, brown sugar, absinthe rinse.

Kentucky River Fish Kill Punch

In addition to the cocktails, Seven Grand has also added two punches, each able to serve up to ten guests. The Original Cocktails list features the Kentucky River Fish Kill Punch ($85): Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Rye, Aperol, grapefruit juice, prosecco, grated nutmeg. The Vintage menu offers the Canadian Punch ($90), a Jerry Thomas classic from 1862 made with Rittenhouse 100, Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum, demerara sugar, pineapple, lemon, and Fever Tree soda.

New York Cocktail

The 2011 Spring-Summer cocktails will be offered for around six months, before they make way for an all-new Fall collection.

Seven Grand
515 W. 7th St.
2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
www.sevengrand.la

Photos by Anne Fishbein, courtesy of 213 Nightlife.

Food & Wine Cocktails 2011

The cocktail recipes are once again organized into chapters focused on a particular spirit. John Coltharp (The Tasting Kitchen) heads the Whiskey chapter, dipping into a few recipes from his Seven Grand repertoire as well as more recent creations. Standouts include the Scotch-based August Collins, the Presbyterian’s Aversion (with rye, Averna amaro and ginger syrup), and the Descanso Beach Smash, inspired by a 2008 trip to Catalina Island.

The book opens with a “Cocktail Clinic,” which includes how-to’s, a list of Essential Spirits, a glassware and bar tools guide, and new features like the Beginner’s Cocktail Guide and Cocktail Trends (in: salted cocktails, vinegar; out: housemade bitters and meaty drinks). Also new for 2011 is a collection of Chef’s Cocktails, a nod to the increasingly blurry line between chefs and bartenders in high end restaurants. David Lentz (The Hungry Cat Hollywood) and mixologist Jeremy Allen contribute the Four on the Floor, so named for its four equally-proportioned ingredients and the duo’s love of muscle cars.

As always, F&W features Party Food recipes to serve with the cocktails. Look for the Sichuan chile-fueled Numb Nuts by Lukshon chef Sang Yoon, and the Creamy Onion Dip from Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook of Animal.

In the book’s directory of the Top 100 American Bars, New York leads the way with seventeen bars, followed by Los Angeles and San Francisco with twelve bars each. Unlike some of the L.A. bars listed in Esquire magazine’s latest compilation of the Best Bars in America, I can recommend all of F&W’s picks:

• 1886
• Copa d’Oro
• The Edison
• La Descarga
• Las Perlas
• Musso & Frank Grill
• Rivera
• Roger Room
• Seven Grand
• The Tasting Kitchen
• Tiki-Ti
• The Varnish

To its credit, Cocktails 2011 travels down the 5 to include a few bars from San Diego: Craft & Commerce, El Dorado and Noble Experiment. On the downside, F&W (like Esquire) neglected to list Seal Beach’s beloved 320 Main. It’s time to start the campaign for 2012 right now, who’s with me?

Food & Wine Cocktails 2011

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Food & Wine
• Retail price: $14.95
• www.foodandwine.com

The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place this Saturday, and Angelenos can watch “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” enjoy tasty cocktails and BBQ, and raise money for Japan disaster relief at the same great event. On Saturday, May 7th, Seven Grand, Bulleit Distilling and X-Zero Protective, in association with the USBGLA and the Nippon Bartenders Association, present a special Kentucky Derby Viewing Party. The event is a fundraiser for the American Red Cross and its ongoing efforts in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

The emcee for this Derby Day bash is the fabulous Hollis Bulleit, the World Ambassador for her family’s Bulleit Bourbon and the recently released Bulleit Rye Whiskey. Bulleit will be handing out prizes in a raffle, with proceeds (along with all donations at the door) going to the Red Cross for Japan relief. As of April 28, 2011, the American Red Cross had raised more than $197 million for its Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response, including more than $4.5 million in text donations.

Seven Grand is opening its doors early for this special event, which has a suggested donation of $10 at the door for entry. To get everyone in the mood for The Run for the Roses, the bar will be serving Bulleit Bourbon punch, Bulleit Rye Old Fashioneds, and of course, the “very dream of drinks,” Mint Juleps. And to go with the cocktails, Spring Street Smoke House is serving its classic American BBQ.

Bulleit cocktails, BBQ, and Japan relief: now THAT is a winning trifecta!

NOTE: In order to attend this event, you must RSVP to Jason Schiffer: jason@usbgla.com.

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
Saturday, May 7, 2011
12pm-4pm
RSVP required
$10 suggested donation at the door
Featuring:

• Emceed by Hollis Bulleit
• Mint Juleps, Bulleit Bourbon Punch and Bulleit Rye Old Fashioneds
• BBQ from Spring Street Smoke House
• Raffle

All donations at the door and raffle proceeds go to the Red Cross for Japan relief.

Seven Grand
515 W. 7th St. (2nd Floor)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
www.sevengrand.la

Traveling on the trolley of death #bloggerbarhop

February 1, 2011 1:18 am via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@SavoryHunter

Aaron Tell

This dispatch from the Death Trolley was sent on the final leg of the Blogger Bar Hop, a night of revelry with a motley crew of gin-soaked bloggers, bartenders and random passers-by who were shanghaied along the way.

The idea for the bar hop was hatched a couple of months ago, during a holiday party at Musso & Frank. Caroline on Crack and I were talking about a bar crawl organized by Simon Ford, who had taken a group of L.A. bartenders for a night on the town that is now the stuff of legend. Caroline thought there should be a similar event for bloggers, and broached the idea to Aidan Demarest, who in turn talked to Erick Castro. A few sips of our Gibsons later, and Plymouth Gin was on board as the sponsor. Demarest would curate the hit list of bars and book the transportation, while Caroline would coordinate the blogger invites.

A couple of weeks later, an email was sent out to recruit a team to storm the gates of some of the best drinking establishments in the city. Answering Caroline’s call to action were me, Aaron, e*star LA, Food GPS, L.A. Cocktails Examiner, L.A.-O.C. Foodventures, Elina Shatkin (Squid Ink, Toque), and LAist Editor Lindsay William-Ross. The Blogger Bar Hop would be the ultimate test of our cocktailing abilities; only the strong would survive this mission and weak livers need not apply. Who would be found wanting? If the Blogger Bar Hop was a war movie, who would be that one guy showing everyone photos of his sweetheart back home? Who was going to be the redshirt of this landing party?

On the itinerary were some of Demarest’s favorite bars, including a few familiar names from his CV: “To me these bars represent a broad range of styles and atmosphere. And you can be sure at all of them that any time you go you’re getting a great drink.”

Plymouth Gin punch bowl at The Spare Room.

FIRST STOP: THE SPARE ROOM

The team assembled last Monday night at The Spare Room, Demarest’s new bar and gaming salon in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. To help identify us (as if we weren’t going to be noticeable), I brought some supplies left over from our Burning Man luau, including a box of leis and a special accessory for Demarest:

We haven't had a drink yet and Aidan has used his coconut bra for a cup #bloggerbarhop (@ Spare Room at The Roosevelt) http://4sq.com/i8n0SY

January 31, 2011 8:11 pm via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Aidan Demarest prepares a scorecard for the bar hop.

Demarest told us to fill out scorecards to track our drink tally; the winning blogger would get a free game of bowling at The Spare Room. To keep us honest, each cocktail on the card had to be initialed by a bartender.

Our welcome cocktail was Castro’s dangerously good Blogger’s Brew: Plymouth Gin, pineapple gomme, velvet falernum, fresh lemon, Earl Grey tea and spices. Castro nicknamed his drink the “L.A. Christmas,” after the spices that call to mind those bone-chilling, 50-degree Los Angeles winter nights.

The bar's signature cocktail, the Spare Room Snap.

Next up was one of Demarest’s creations, the Spare Room Snap: rye whiskey, SNAP, lemon juice and freshly grated nutmeg. As I mentioned in my opening night review, the bar’s namesake cocktail is a great drink; well-balanced between spice, gingery bite, and the tart lemon.

You Drink Our Milkshake

Then came a White Russian variation called the You Drink Our Milkshake, made with vodka, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao and cream. Another winner that was rich, velvety, and so very drinkable.

Some of the bar hoppers loosened up with a few frames of bowling, while others gave the photo booth a try. In the meantime, a punch bowl appeared by the bowling lanes. We were still at our first stop and we were already three or four drinks in.

Fortunately, it was time to leave and we headed downstairs to our chariot. Joining us for the epic journey were Castro, Spare Room bartender Naomi Schimek, and Lindsey Nader, the former PDT bartender who is creating the cocktail menu at the upcoming Son of a Gun.

According to Demarest’s plan, we would spend about 45 minutes at each bar, then hit the road. With such a tight schedule, there was no time to look for stragglers; once Demarest said it was time to go, if you weren’t on the trolley you’d be cabbing it back. To make sure this didn’t happen, we were each assigned a number to sound off each time we were ready to leave a bar. (No joke, more than one bar hopper was saved from getting left behind this way.)

We board the Trolley of Death!

Demarest had stocked the trolley with beer, champagne and a bottle of bacon-washed bourbon he dubbed “Figgie Smalls.” (Naturally, none of these items would count towards our scorecards.) As we turned onto Hollywood Blvd., Demarest skillfully served the champagne; when he said that he could pour champagne “while driving the Indy 500,” you had to believe him:

Aidan pouring champagne on a moving trolley without spilling a drop, he's a pro! #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:12 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Like any proper tour guide, Demarest would occasionally grab the microphone to point out landmarks, offer safety tips (“If you fall off, tuck and roll”) and keep us in line, with mixed results. As we continued east, rowdy passengers began haranguing pedestrians. Considering half the trolley was open and exposed, Lindsay summed up our somewhat vulnerable situation:

On a sightseeing trolley getting sloshed rolling thru east Hollywood. We might get shot at tonight. #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:21 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@SquashBlossom

Lindsay William-Ross

We made it through the gauntlet and pulled up to Big Bar in Los Feliz. Our arrival instantly turned the intimate bar’s vibe up to eleven; my sympathies to anyone who was there for a quiet Monday night drink. The consensus favorite cocktail seemed to be Bar Manager Juan Sevilla‘s excellent Merry Widow:

At @bigbarlosfeliz loving Juan Sevilla's Merry Widow: #PlymouthGin dry vermouth, benedictine, bitters & absinthe rinse #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 9:56 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Another standout was a Clover Club that Elina let me sample. Sevilla and Alcove Cafe owner Tom Trellis sent out plates of delicious bar bites, which were devoured faster than chum during Shark Week:

#BloggerBarHop Stop #2: @bigbarlosfeliz Merry Widow cocktail, and why have I not had the bacon wrapped, goat cheese filled dates before?

January 31, 2011 9:47 pm via TwitterrificReplyRetweetFavorite

@foodgps

foodgps

Demarest decided to kidnap bartenders at each stop, so as we left Big Bar we were joined by Sevilla, Mia Sarazen and Rich Andreoli. We attempted to do a quick stop at Tiki-Ti, but sadly it was closed; the Trolley of Death pushed on. Esther and others braved the biting wind as we traveled north on the 110 towards our next stop:

If your hand touches mine and it's frozen, it's bc I chose to stay in the rear, open aired part of the trolley on the 110. #bloggerbarhop

January 31, 2011 10:44 pm via ÜberSocialOrigReplyRetweetFavorite

@estarLA

estarLA

Marcos Tello and Erick Castro

THIRD STOP: 1886

As we walked into a busy 1886, we were welcomed with coupes of Rose Parade Punch: gin, roses, cucumber and soda. Marcos Tello (who would ride the Death Trolley as well) gave a brief welcome speech before we enjoyed more libations from Garrett McKechnie and Danny Cymbal:

Drinks @1886bar during #bloggerbarhop; I got the gin gin mule http://twitpic.com/3vdjxx

January 31, 2011 11:03 pm via TwitpicReplyRetweetFavorite

@LAOCfoodie

H.C.

For the trip out of Pasadena, I joined the hardy group seated in the open part of the trolley, warming myself with occasional swigs of Figgie Smalls. There may have been PBRs and Edison beer involved, too.

The Death Trolley rolled into downtown L.A. and our next stop, The Varnish. Logistically, it made sense to go downtown after the other bars, but of course this meant that the later stops on the itinerary would have to deal with a group that was on the far side of a dozen drinks. Varnish GM Chris Bostick told me later he was following our bar hop tweets and, like a captain preparing for an approaching storm, was able to batten down the hatches before we arrived.

#BloggerBarHop Stop #4: The Varnish (@213nightlife) a quick but effective stop. Devon Tarby makes a good Death and Taxes.

February 1, 2011 12:47 am via TwitterrificReplyRetweetFavorite

@foodgps

foodgps

Devon Tarby was a rock star, handling regular customers and ginned-up bar hoppers with equal aplomb. Caroline asked Tello to make her a Manhattan, “for old time’s sake.” I was dancing with Schimek when it was suddenly time to leave; all those drinks must have had the cumulative effect of compressing time, because it felt like we had just walked in.

The wheels had really started to come off the rails by the time we hit Seven Grand:

What round is this? (@ Seven Grand w/ @estarla @carolineoncrack) http://4sq.com/eYR5Xc

February 1, 2011 12:31 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

Memories are scattered and fuzzy at this point, but the bar was definitely two or three deep and the clock was ticking on our stay (not that any of us were in dire need of more liquor). I’m pretty sure I ordered a WhistlePig Manhattan. I may have even drank some of it before a quick departure order was given.

Then it was back on the road, as we headed into the homestretch of the bar hop. Friends like Dan Cox were continuing to track our progress, and it seemed like they were having a good time drinking vicariously through us:

Reading #bloggerbarhop is even more entertaining than Justin Beiber on Letterman! BRING IT!!!

February 1, 2011 1:13 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@DanCoxPR

Dan Cox

Our penultimate stop on the bar hop was the Original Tommy’s in Hollywood, where Demarest loaded the trolley with a massive to-go order to help us soak up some of the gallons of booze. There’s a vague memory of Food GPS taking his leave at this point, burger in hand.

Pitstop for burgers and fries #bloggerbarhop (@ Original Tommy's Hamburgers) http://4sq.com/h96NHX

February 1, 2011 1:39 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@LAOCfoodie

H.C.

Then we were back where it had all started. Only this time, we had to navigate a packed Roosevelt lobby and the queue to enter The Spare Room. We were all a bit gin crazed at this point, so copious amounts of water were all we could handle. Well, maybe a bit of dancing, too.

When the dust had settled, most of the bar hoppers had acquitted themselves admirably. Sure, there was sloppiness in abundance, but fear not, dear reader; we watched out for each other. No one was left behind and collateral damage was confined to a few (thousand) brain cells. And who had the winning scorecard? It was a tie between Esther and Lindsay, who both logged 22 drinks:

@SquashBlossom Oh we certainly didn't drink the most but we were coherent/nerdy enuf to keep score + ride OPENAIRTROLLEY @carolineoncrack

February 2, 2011 11:57 am via ÜberSocialOrigReplyRetweetFavorite

@estarLA

estarLA

The chicken scratches on my own mangled scorecard got progressively worse with each stop, so I’m impressed they were even able to write anything towards the end of the night. Free bowling and props to both Esther and Lindsey for riding in the open section of the Death Trolley all night!

Esther was kind enough to let me and Caroline crash at her place, and the morning arrived rather abruptly with the sound of her smoke alarm going off. (Naturally, no one moved.) As I sat up on the couch, I went through the usual post-boozing checklist: phone, wallet, camera; everything seemed to survive the crawl intact. Well, almost everything:

OH @ThirstyInLA: "Did I sit on a burger?" #bloggerbarhop #hangover

February 1, 2011 11:09 am via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@Carolineoncrack

Caroline on Crack

Fortunately, I had a change of clothes with me and didn’t have to wear the jeans with the Tommy’s chili patch on the back pocket. For brunch, Esther suggested we meet Lindsay at The Hollywood Corner for some much-needed sustenance and Blogger Bar Hop debriefing. Unfortunately the Bloody Marys weren’t available, but Caroline and I managed:

Beer, it's what's for breakfast. (@ The Hollywood Corner w/ @estarla @carolineoncrack) http://4sq.com/dEKEPb

February 1, 2011 11:56 am via foursquareReplyRetweetFavorite

@ThirstyInLA

Thirsty in LA

No doubt about it, Caroline is a pro. Not only did she jumpstart and help organize the Blogger Bar Hop, she consistently tweeted throughout the night and also documented the shenanigans in an awesome Flickr album:

For the curious, pics from last night's @drinkenglishgin #bloggerbarhop http://bit.ly/dFZ13l

February 1, 2011 9:02 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Carolineoncrack

Caroline on Crack

Many thanks to Aidan Demarest, Caroline on Crack, Erick Castro, Plymouth Gin, our trolley driver, and of course all the bartenders who helped make the Blogger Bar Hop a night that none of us will soon forget. Or remember, for that matter. Cheers!

More coverage of the Blogger Bar Hop:

• Caroline on Crack – And Then It Was All a Blur
• e*star LA – All Aboard: Blogger Bar Hop on the Trolley of Death
• L.A. Cocktails Examiner – Drunkocalypse Now

Bring your friends and wile out with Caña GM Allan Katz on January 25th.

Caña Rum Society
The first Rum Society meeting of 2011 will take place on Tuesday, January 25th. Since the year is still young, Caña GM Allan Katz and Rum Society co-host Matt Robold (RumDood) have selected some younger rums (rested for one to five years) for sampling.

Tuesday’s special guest is Sagatiba Cachaça Global Ambassador John Gakuru, who will lead a tasting of Sagatiba Velha. In addition to the Velha, members will also sample a Rhum J.M. bottling, and then taste English Harbour, the Rum Society’s first rum from Antigua.

Rum Society members who want to look like rock stars to their friends should bring them to Tuesday’s meeting, where Caña is offering complimentary memberships (limit 3 per member). Tuesday will also mark the official debut of Caña’s winter cocktail menu of “new originals and recently unearthed classics,” many of which have been making appearances at Caña in recent weeks.

Seating for Rum Society is available on a first-come, first-served basis so RSVPs are strongly recommended.

Caña Rum Society
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
8pm
RSVP: canareservations@gmail.com

Caña Rum Bar
714 W. Olympic Blvd. (entrance at Flower)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 745-7090
www.canarumbar.com

Pedro Shanahan checks on a whiskey price at a recent tasting event.

Seven Grand Whiskey Society
A week after Rum Society, Seven Grand’s Whiskey Society will meet on Tuesday, February 1st. Beginning at 6:30pm, Seven Grand will be handling Whiskey Society sign-ups and membership renewals. This year, single membership will be $70 and VIP will be $125, which includes an additional guest to all Whiskey Society events.

Memberships include:

• Seven Grand t-shirt
• Seven Grand Poker Chips (good for a well cocktail)
• Whiskey Menu Checklist (to track the whiskies you’ve tasted)
• Copy of the 2011 Whiskey Bible by Jim Murray

The featured whiskey for the February 1st meeting is the new Private Selection from Woodford Reserve, selected by Whiskey Society leader Matt Wallace and Seven Grand GM David Fleisher on a visit to Kentucky last year. Other whiskies to be sampled are TBA.

Beginning with this meeting, some changes are ahead for the Whiskey Society. The monthly meetings will be often be lead by Seven Grand staff and start to focus on some of the more obscure whiskies in the bar’s collection, not just familiar brands. In addition to the monthly meetings, members can expect invites to additional whiskey tasting events.

As of the February 1st meeting, Wallace is handing the Whiskey Society reins over to Pedro Shanahan, who will be Seven Grand’s new “Spirit Guide” and will helm the Whiskey Society going forward. After February 1st, RSVPs and Whiskey Society communications should be sent to pedro@213downtown.la.

Seven Grand Whiskey Society
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
7pm (membership sign-ups beginning 6:30pm)
RSVP (this event only): matt@213downtown.la

Seven Grand
515 W. 7th St. (2nd Floor)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
www.sevengrand.la

Wherever you go on New Year’s Eve, please celebrate responsibly: Metro is offering free fares on all Metro Buses and Metro Rail Lines on Dec. 31st, and Y Drive or a taxi is just a phone call away.

Cheers to a fantastic 2011!

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2010: Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 to Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011

Click to view

213 Nightlife – New Year’s Eve Downtown LA

• 8pm-2am
• General Admission ticket: $119
• VIP ticket: $250
• Tickets and info: www.nyedowntownla.com

213 Nightlife is going all-out with a New Year’s Eve Downtown LA crawl that takes place at eight of its bars. (See below for what’s happening at The Varnish.) For $119 General Admission, New Year’s Eve revelers can enjoy a plethora of unlimited drink offerings, midnight champagne toasts, and live music at Broadway Bar, Caña, Casey’s, Cole’s, Golden Gopher, Las Perlas, Seven Grand and Tony’s Saloon.

213 is offering a special $99 early bird price to the first 200 guests to purchase tickets online.

Featuring:

• Casey’s Irish Pub – Open bar well spirits, 11 craft beers and wine. Gram Rabbit live, Special Guest DJs.
• Caña Rum Bar – Daiquiri Bar and fresh handcrafted cocktails served all night. The Icy Hot Club of California serves up “vintage gypsy jazz with a modern twist.”
• Broadway Bar – Open bar on all wells, all night. DJs B-Mix and J-Cru spin 80′s, Disco and Funk.
• Cole’s French Dip – Open Champagne Cocktail Bar with house-made and branded bitters, plus Cole’s classic cocktails all night.
• Golden Gopher – Open bar on wells, beer and wine all night. DJ Mike Turski spins rock ‘n’ roll til 2am.
• Las Perlas – Open bar features the Las Perlas House Margarita, Spiced Daisy, El Jimador Tequila and cerveza. “Indie Big Sonic Heaven” with DJ Darren Revell and Kapsoul.
• Seven Grand – Vieux Carre, Manhattan, and Bourbon Fix cocktails featuring Jim Beam Rye, Wild Turkey Rye, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon well spirits. Or call for Maker’s Mark. Music by Deacon Jones All-Star Blues Revue, with Artwalk Jamal and Special Guests.
• Tony’s Saloon – Open well bar with select premium cocktails all night. “Rock and twang” with Paul Chesne and Guest DJs.

The General Admission ticket allows entry to the eight bars included in the event. However, the ticket does not guarantee entry; for obvious safety reasons each venue must observe its respective capacity limit. With that in mind, 213 Nightlife is also offering a limited number of $250 VIP tickets. These no-wait line passes guarantee entry and ups the ante to premium pours at all eight bars throughout the night. Needless to say, whichever ticket you buy, early arrival is strongly suggested.

The Varnish – Rare Groove New Year’s Eve Soul Revue

• 9pm-2am
• $125 per person (gratuity included)
• Unlimited craft cocktails
• Bottomless Bols Genever punch
• Midnight champagne toast
• Countdown to 2010 by the Apple Sisters
• Reservations: (213) 622-9999 or email thevarnish@varnishbar.com

The Varnish will be dancing to its own beat on New Year’s Eve, with an all-inclusive $125 ticket that features unlimited craft cocktails, bottomless punch, a “Served with a Twist” contest, and more.

Tables in the intimate venue are available for parties of two, four and six. Seating for New Year’s Eve is very limited; for reservations contact Varnish GM Chris Bostick at (213) 622-9999, or email thevarnish@varnishbar.com.

Click to view

1886 Bar / The Raymond – Good Old Days Are Back Again!
Nothing like a new year to start fresh, and with that in mind, Pasadena’s 1886 Bar and The Raymond welcome 2011 with the optimism and nostalgia of Good Old Days Are Back Again! For a $20 cover, guests at the recently-opened 1886 will enjoy entertainment, champagne toast and special bar menu.

The Raymond will offer guests two dinner seatings on New Year’s Eve. The early and late seatings will each have prix fixe menus that feature Chef Tim Guiltinan’s innovative, contemporary cuisine. Guests who opt for the late seating will also enjoy party favors, entertainment and a midnight toast.

Dinner reservations can be made at (626) 441-3136.

1886 Bar

• 9pm-2am
• $20 Cover
• Party Favors
• Entertainment (TBA)
• Champagne Toast at Midnight
• Limited Bar Food Menu will be offered with special items

The Raymond – Early Seating

• 5pm-7pm
• 5-Course Prix Fixe Menu
• $90

The Raymond – Late Seating*

• 7pm-9:30pm
• 6-Course Prix Fixe Menu
• $105

*Also includes Party Favors, Entertainment & Champagne Toast at Midnight

Bar | Kitchen
Since taking over Bar | Kitchen in October, Alex Day and David Kaplan (Proprietors LLC) have revitalized the O Hotel’s restaurant and lounge with new menus and an understated interior that more closely matches the boutique hotel’s classy vibe. For New Year’s Eve, Bar | Kitchen offers its mix of high quality and affordability with two options: a Prix Fixe Dinner and Booze & Bites.

The Prix Fixe Dinner features a 3-course menu of seasonal American cuisine from Executive Chef Vahan Tokmadjian, which includes a glass of sparkling cava with dessert. (The chocolate pot du crème with whipped cream and fleur de sel is superb.)

The Booze & Bites Menu offers an open bar with specialty cocktails, beer and wine, plus a midnight toast. To go with the libations, passed trays of bites will be served until midnight, including bruschetta, flatbreads and chorizo skewers. Booze & Bites drinks will be served until last call.

Prix Fixe Dinner

• 6pm-11pm
• $55
• 3-course menu (includes glass of sparkling cava with dessert)

Booze & Bites

• 8pm-2am
• $35 plus tax & tip
• Unlimited cocktails, beer and wine
• Sparkling midnight toast
• Passed bites

Reservations for the prix fixe dinner are required and can be made by calling the O Hotel at (213) 623-9904, or emailing Azzi Kashani at azzi@ohotelgroup.com.

Photo: Big Bar

Big Bar – NYE x 9

• 4pm to 12am
• Different internationally-inspired cocktail every hour
• Complimentary champagne toast at midnight
• Open until 1am

Big Bar is living up to its name by celebrating New Year’s Eve nine times on Friday. Starting at 4pm, Big Bar will feature a different internationally-inspired cocktail every hour, so guests can welcome 2011 with friends around the globe. Add in a free champagne toast at midnight, and you’ve got the makings of a world-class New Year’s Eve.

4PM GMT (London, Lisbon, Reykjavik, Casablanca, Dublin)

• Sugar Rose: vodka, orange bitters, rose water, sugar

5PM EGT (Scoresby Sund – Greenland)

• Scoresby Sund Buck: spiced rum, apricot liqueur, lime, ginger

6PM BRST (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo)

• Carioca Velha: Sagatiba Velha Cachaça, lime, Angostura bitters, mint, sparkling wine

7PM ART (Buenos Aires, Santiago)

• Pisco Sour: gran serape Pisco, lemon, egg white

8PM AST (Halifax, La Paz, San Juan)

• El Cantante: Bacardi 8, lime, elderflower, rhubarb bitters

9PM EST (New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Havana, Lima)

• Manhattan: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters

10PM CST (Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Mexico City)

• Grito Suave: añejo tequila, amaretto, lime

11PM MST (Phoenix, Denver, El Paso, Edmonton)

• Canadian Maple: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters, lemon

12AM PST (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver)

• Los Angeles Cocktail: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, vermouth, lemon, egg white, nutmeg

Copa d’Oro

• $20 cover
• Complimentary bottles of champagne and party favors for all reservations
• Entertainment: Special Surprise Guest DJ & Expanded Dance Floor

Reservations

• Available for parties of six or more
• Phone: (310) 567-3030
• Email: info@copadoro.com

Copa d’Oro is already jammed on weekends, so on New Year’s Eve expect the volume at the Santa Monica nightspot to go to 11. Head bartender Vincenzo Marianella is bringing in reinforcements for the big night: according to a Huffington Post Q&A, Zahra Bates (Providence) will be joining Marianella behind the bar on Friday.

The Edison

• Doors 8pm
• General Admission: $75
• Premium Table Reservations: $300 per table and up
• Entertainment by The Yard Dogs Road Show
• Tickets: edisondowntown.com/tickets/index.php?eventid=744

Venues don’t get more stunning than The Edison, which is ringing in the new year with its mix of cocktails, champagne and music. General Admission Tickets ($75) include a champagne toast and passed desserts at midnight. Premium Table Reservations start at $300 per table and include a bottle of copper-clad Beau Joie Champagne and a dessert plate.

Entertainment will be provided by The Yard Dogs Road Show, a “hobo cabaret” that fuses Vaudeville with modern rock.

Click to view

First & Hope – A New York New Years

• Prix Fixe Seatings starting at 4:30pm
• Live Music in Fedora All Night
• Party Favors & Giveaways
• Best Cocktail Dress & Sharp Dressed Man Contest
• Champagne Toast
• East Coast and West Coast Countdowns at 9pm & 12am
• Reservations: (213) 617-8555 or visit FirstAndHope.com

First & Hope is doing the bi-coastal thing with its New York New Years celebration, featuring East and West Coast countdowns, champagne toast, live music, and a Best Cocktail Dress & Sharp Dressed Man contest.

On New Year’s Eve, First & Hope is offering several prix fixe dinner seatings, with the earliest one beginning at 4:30pm.

Update 12/22: First & Hope has announced that Alain Giraud will be the guest chef on New Year’s Eve. Pricing and details for the prix fixe dinner options have also been revealed, with seating available in the main dining room or in Fedora, featuring Brenna Whitaker.

Pre-Theatre Seating (4:30 & 5pm)

• $85: 3-course in main dining room
• $110: 3-course in Fedora (live music)

Premiere Seating (7:30 & 8pm)

• $120: 4-course in main dining room
• $140: 4-course in Fedora (live music)

Late Seating (10:15pm)

• $95: 3-course in main dining room
• Fedora opens to everyone

First & Hope is giving away a New Year’s Eve prize package (valued at over $500) that includes a pair of tickets to see New Year’s Eve with Kristen Chenoweth at Walt Disney Concert Hall, plus dinner for two at First & Hope. Tickets are for the 7pm concert, and a gift card to First & Hope is for $200. The contest ends at noon on Dec. 29, and the winner will be notified that day. To enter, visit www.firstandhope.com/nye/.

Click to view

La Descarga – Havana 1909

• 9pm-2am
• All-inclusive ticket: $150
• Black Tie required
• Premium Open Bar all night
• Complimentary Hand Rolled Cigars
• Midnight Toast
• 7 Courses of passed appetizers and desserts
• 8-Piece Band and dancing
• Reservations: nye@ladescargala.com

For its first New Year’s Eve celebration, La Descarga is using the Wayback Machine to transport guests to an elegant black tie affair set in Havana, circa 1909. Included in the $150 ticket is an all-night open bar, champagne toast, multi-course apps and desserts, live music and dancing. And to ensure you have plenty of room to shake your money maker, attendance for Havana 1909 will be limited to 150 guests.

Photo: Rivera

Rivera

• Prix Fixe Dinner – First Seating: $70
• Prix Fixe Dinner – Second Seating: $100
• Champagne toast (Second Seating)
• Reservations: (213) 749-1460

Unlike the open bar frenzy of last year, Rivera mixologist Julian Cox will be mixing a couple of New Year’s Eve cocktails to pair with the Prix Fixe Dinner menus. The First Seating will be five courses for $70 per person, and the Second Seating will be seven courses for $100 (includes champagne toast).

Photo: The Tar Pit

The Tar Pit – A Revival, Happening.

• Doors 8pm
• $95 per person
• 10-course passed appetizers
• 2 specialty cocktails
• Midnight champagne toast
• Music by Vintage Trouble
• Reservations: info@tarpitbar.com

For a swellegant New Year’s Eve, The Tar Pit is offering cocktails, champagne and passed apps for an all-inclusive $95 admission. Vintage Trouble performs “live-wired, straight-shootin, dirty-mouth’d pelvis-pushin’ juke music” starting at 10:30pm.