Guidebook for Los Angeles

Bryan
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Drinks & Nightlife

When you walk in the bar, it feels like you're in a different era, with an apothecary theme that focuses on different “tonics” and “remedies.” It’s also a really intimate spot that’s great for dates, with low lighting and a very sexy vibe. You can often find Keli Rivers and Brandon Sass slinging drinks behind the bar. Get the Three Sworn Enemies, their version of an old fashioned. It’s made with Evan Williams bonded bourbon and served on a big rock of ice that they cut in-house. There’s a machine that makes a 300-pound block of clear ice that’s cut down with a band saw. And check out the soda program!
18 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
The Devil's Acre
256 Columbus Ave
18 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
When you walk in the bar, it feels like you're in a different era, with an apothecary theme that focuses on different “tonics” and “remedies.” It’s also a really intimate spot that’s great for dates, with low lighting and a very sexy vibe. You can often find Keli Rivers and Brandon Sass slinging drinks behind the bar. Get the Three Sworn Enemies, their version of an old fashioned. It’s made with Evan Williams bonded bourbon and served on a big rock of ice that they cut in-house. There’s a machine that makes a 300-pound block of clear ice that’s cut down with a band saw. And check out the soda program!
It’s the first bar that I worked for with Future Bars, so I have a sense of nostalgia for it. It’s an American cocktail bar that pays homage to many different traditional bar styles. It’s a warm and inviting place with high ceilings and a mezzanine bar upstairs. The cocktails by John Codd, Nick Rafnson, and their team are fun, unique, and creative! Make a reservation for one of the themed snugs—cozy, intimate booths decorated like bars from around the world. And check out the recently revamped barrel program cocktails; they’ve never been better.
32 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Tradition
441 Jones Street
32 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
It’s the first bar that I worked for with Future Bars, so I have a sense of nostalgia for it. It’s an American cocktail bar that pays homage to many different traditional bar styles. It’s a warm and inviting place with high ceilings and a mezzanine bar upstairs. The cocktails by John Codd, Nick Rafnson, and their team are fun, unique, and creative! Make a reservation for one of the themed snugs—cozy, intimate booths decorated like bars from around the world. And check out the recently revamped barrel program cocktails; they’ve never been better.
A two-level Berkeley cocktail bar features ornate gothic and storybook architecture. It’s upbeat and casual downstairs, where you can watch local sports—I’ve definitely cheered on the Warriors and Giants a few times at this spot. Daniel Sheel and DJ Mull have done a great job making this bar one of the best places to be in the East Bay! There’s live music on Thursdays with local artists and frequent events such as Southern Fried Sundays, a pop up with snacks like fried chicken sliders. It’s also one of the few Berkeley bars to have a pool table.
15 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Tupper & Reed
2271 Shattuck Ave
15 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
A two-level Berkeley cocktail bar features ornate gothic and storybook architecture. It’s upbeat and casual downstairs, where you can watch local sports—I’ve definitely cheered on the Warriors and Giants a few times at this spot. Daniel Sheel and DJ Mull have done a great job making this bar one of the best places to be in the East Bay! There’s live music on Thursdays with local artists and frequent events such as Southern Fried Sundays, a pop up with snacks like fried chicken sliders. It’s also one of the few Berkeley bars to have a pool table.
Kevin Diedrich opened it in what used to be Cantina, which I used to frequent when I first came to San Francisco. Kevin has been named San Francisco’s bartender of the year, and he does some really creative stuff that’s awesome to see. It’s a great, fun environment to be in, with creative cocktails. Ask bartender Adrian Wong if he’s working on something new and exciting—chances are he is.
7 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Pacific Cocktail Haven
550 Sutter St
7 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Kevin Diedrich opened it in what used to be Cantina, which I used to frequent when I first came to San Francisco. Kevin has been named San Francisco’s bartender of the year, and he does some really creative stuff that’s awesome to see. It’s a great, fun environment to be in, with creative cocktails. Ask bartender Adrian Wong if he’s working on something new and exciting—chances are he is.
This bar is from the guys who opened up the first rendition of Big, one of the first bars to go with no menu. Brian Felley and Mo Hodges really did a great job with Benjamin Cooper. It’s a smaller space—you walk upstairs to a lounge and rectangular bar with guests on all sides. It’s a bar where I always feel welcome. In addition to great cocktails and a killer bar team, they also have excellent oysters!
7 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Benjamin Cooper SF
398 Geary St
7 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
This bar is from the guys who opened up the first rendition of Big, one of the first bars to go with no menu. Brian Felley and Mo Hodges really did a great job with Benjamin Cooper. It’s a smaller space—you walk upstairs to a lounge and rectangular bar with guests on all sides. It’s a bar where I always feel welcome. In addition to great cocktails and a killer bar team, they also have excellent oysters!
The theme of this bar seems to change two or three times a year. Each time, they come up with a concept that’s creative and unique. I’ve even seen them paint the exterior of the building to coincide with the introduction of one of their new and ever-changing menus. The cocktails are really different, with flavors and pairings that are sometimes unexpected. They had one with Ancho Reyes, strawberry, and bonito that I thought was fantastic. I’ve also had a twist on a piña colada served in a real pineapple that was just delicious!
281 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Trick Dog
3010 20th St
281 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
The theme of this bar seems to change two or three times a year. Each time, they come up with a concept that’s creative and unique. I’ve even seen them paint the exterior of the building to coincide with the introduction of one of their new and ever-changing menus. The cocktails are really different, with flavors and pairings that are sometimes unexpected. They had one with Ancho Reyes, strawberry, and bonito that I thought was fantastic. I’ve also had a twist on a piña colada served in a real pineapple that was just delicious!

Food Scene

It’s all gold accents and sleek design at this fine dining restaurant. It has a very attractive bar and is one of the best-looking additions to the SOMA area. It’s a place where I’d wear a collared shirt, sport coat, dark jeans, and loafers. Bar manager Anthony Parks has done a great job with the cocktail program. The food pairings are also quite stunning! Check out the spreads and perhaps try a cocktail pairing, or two or three.
16 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Mourad
140 New Montgomery St
16 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
It’s all gold accents and sleek design at this fine dining restaurant. It has a very attractive bar and is one of the best-looking additions to the SOMA area. It’s a place where I’d wear a collared shirt, sport coat, dark jeans, and loafers. Bar manager Anthony Parks has done a great job with the cocktail program. The food pairings are also quite stunning! Check out the spreads and perhaps try a cocktail pairing, or two or three.
It’s the most classic Irish Coffee experience in town and a real San Francisco institution. It’s a good place to meet up with a bunch of buddies in the morning to get your day going—a little caffeine, a little bit of booze. Have a few Irish coffees and then try a Nutty Irishman, which is basically an Irish coffee, but using Frangelico and Irish cream instead of the Irish whiskey.
105 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Buena Vista
2765 Hyde St
105 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
It’s the most classic Irish Coffee experience in town and a real San Francisco institution. It’s a good place to meet up with a bunch of buddies in the morning to get your day going—a little caffeine, a little bit of booze. Have a few Irish coffees and then try a Nutty Irishman, which is basically an Irish coffee, but using Frangelico and Irish cream instead of the Irish whiskey.
The classic Tommy’s margarita is pretty much the version that we make in almost all the bars I run. It’s a very simple, naked margarita: tequila, lime, agave, salt rim if you want it—but no orange liqueur. It’s just really simple and classic. I’ve heard that Tommy’s has one of the best tequila selections in the world. What makes drinking here special is Julio Bermejo, who is often behind the bar. If you get the chance to sit in front of Julio, that’s the way to go. He’s such an amazing guy. He really cares about what he does and is full of knowledge—he’s basically the ambassador of tequila.
33 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Tommy's Mexican Restaurant
5929 Geary Blvd
33 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
The classic Tommy’s margarita is pretty much the version that we make in almost all the bars I run. It’s a very simple, naked margarita: tequila, lime, agave, salt rim if you want it—but no orange liqueur. It’s just really simple and classic. I’ve heard that Tommy’s has one of the best tequila selections in the world. What makes drinking here special is Julio Bermejo, who is often behind the bar. If you get the chance to sit in front of Julio, that’s the way to go. He’s such an amazing guy. He really cares about what he does and is full of knowledge—he’s basically the ambassador of tequila.