Talk about being transported to a Polynesian wonderland in the center of Highland Park. Lucky Tiki…read moredoes exactly that with the ambiance and detailed decor. I came with my buddy after a Dodger game and even though we lost the game, we were able to drown our sorrows with delicious tropical cocktails in unique and fun glassware adorn by elaborate garnishes. The service was also first class. Our bartender, Jo, was not only attentive but a great conversationalist who gave us great recommendations on which drinks to choose. Needless to say we had a wonderful time and really enjoyed ourselves after a difficult loss.

5 stars for the vibe and ambiance, 4 stars for the drinks, and 3 1/2 stars for the food…read more You ring a bell on the outside of this speakeasy attached to Highland Park Bowl and wait for someone in a Hawaiian shirt to come get you. You enter and are immediately transported into a tiki-like hut that's small and intimate. They have a wide selection of drinks, all served in a unique and fun glass. Many of the drinks have a "flame" element to them with makes it kitschy, though the prices for cocktails were on the higher side. Favorite drink of the night was a Painkiller. The food was ok. We got the soup dumplings (4 stars, much spicier than I expected), the crab rangoons (3 1/2 stars) and the Hawaiian Pizza (3 stars -- this was rather small and lacked seasoning) The service was great! Our primary server was fun, personable and definitely was having a good time. This is the perfect spot to grab a drink or two before moving on to game of bowling, or to grab dinner at one of the many spots in Highland Park. Thanks for a fun time Lucky Tiki, we had a blast!

Been here plenty of times in the heart of little Tokyo. Ambiance is amazing! Brilliant set up and…read morelots of whiskeys. Just wish they a monthly menu with different drinks to complement their usual ones.

Super cute bar that lowkey turns into a live music venue on Saturdays, located in the heart of…read moreLittle Tokyo. Went for drinks in the evening and was able to snag a table, later in the evening a DJ popped up and it was a vibe! Cute for intimate groups and date night at least before live music starts- it got a little loud at the end. Drinks were good, lots of sake and overall alcohol options!

Met here with friends for a drink and light bite. We tried their pita bread with a few different…read moredips. The pita bread was seriously phenomenal. The hummus and tzatziki were great too. I ordered a hibiscus cocktail and it was wonderful. It was quite strong as well which never hurts :p. We were there during the golden hour which made the views lovely. I will definitely be back!

Just wanna say the bartender named vlad seriously seems to not like his job. I came in with a…read morecouple of girlfriends one of whom is mute and communicates through sign language or by typing on her phone. She typed her drink order in large flashing letters and showed it to him so she could clearly communicate what she wanted, and he responded, "f*n relax," apparently assuming she was rushing him. She literally cannot verbally communicate her order. It was incredibly rude, insensitive, and embarrassing for her. Afterward, I noticed several other reviews describing negative encounters with what appears to be the same bartender, which makes this even more concerning and prompted me to share my experience. Please remind your employees that not everyone has the privilege of being able to communicate in the same way, and a little patience and basic human decency go a long way. I sincerely hope management takes these complaints seriously.

The moment I stepped into this restaurant, I immediately fell in love with the decor. We went…read morearound sunset, and the golden-hour lighting made the space even more beautiful. I was instantly so glad we chose this spot to celebrate our anniversary because it was the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Now, let's talk about the food! Everything we ordered was delicious, with the exception of the Korean aguachiles, which we probably could've skipped. We also tried the bluefin bibimbap, oysters, and the oh-so-tender short rib that practically melted in our mouths. But the most unforgettable dish was also the simplest: the Korean fried chicken. It wasn't necessarily something out of the ordinary, but it sure tasted like it. The perfect crisp, flavor, and seasoning had us eating every last piece right down to the bone. Our server also made the experience even better. She gave us some of the best recommendations and were incredibly attentive and friendly throughout the entire meal. We absolutely loved this restaurant and are already planning our next visit!

I'd describe this as a hipster Korean restaurant…read more Came for an early dinner with a girlfriend, and we ordered the BLUEFIN TUNA BIBIMBAP, STEAK TARTARE IN A STONE POT, CRISPY KIMCHI PANCAKE, and ASSORTED LETTUCES, HERBS, and SSAMJANG. For dessert, we had the BINGSOO. We probably could have skipped either the tuna bibimbap or the steak tartare since both came with rice, which we didn't realize when ordering. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the steak tartare--it was my favorite. The bingsoo was pretty much what I expected: a nice, refreshing way to end the meal. Wouldn't order it again.  ENJOY! PS: There is valet parking, but I was able to find street metered parking!

We came to The Obscure for a friend's birthday and had such a fantastic night. This is definitely…read moremore of an experience than just going out for drinks. The atmosphere is immersive, theatrical, moody, and every nook and cranny of this place is beautifully detailed. Our group embraced the requested all-black dress code, and I was a little disappointed that some other guests didn't play along. When a place puts this much effort into creating a particular world, dressing the part really does make the experience more fun. The spirits themselves were excellent. We tasted vodka, whiskey, and rum, and all three were remarkably smooth, interesting, and clearly very high quality. I loved that the tasting was guided rather than just having drinks dropped in front of us. The storytelling and presentation made us pay attention to what we were actually tasting and gave the evening a nice sense of progression. We also happened to be there while comic artist Matt Harley of Marvel fame was sketching, which felt perfectly suited to the setting and made an already unusual night even more memorable. The space is gorgeous: candlelight, artwork, strange little details everywhere, dramatic lighting, beautiful glassware, and even the outdoor fire element. There's so much to look at that you feel like you're discovering something new every time you turn around. Our whole group LOVES Halloween, so this felt like the absolute perfect way to kick off spooky season. It has exactly the kind of dark, mysterious, slightly magical atmosphere we were hoping for without feeling cheesy or gimmicky. We loved the rum so much that we ended up buying a bottle, which also granted us Level 1 membership, so this definitely won't be our only visit. Such a fun choice for a birthday celebration, date night, or a night out with friends when you want something completely different from the usual bar experience. We're already looking forward to going back and seeing what our new membership unlocks.

If you're seeking for an unique cocktail experience in Arts District where they give you a bit of…read morehistory and storytelling with each spirit & cocktail, then you're at the right spot! Saw numerous content on Instagram and knew I had to give it a try. You can only purchase your tickets via the Fever App! I've been here twice, once last year for Season 1 and last week for the Halloween event! Both experiences were a lot different and I'm wondering if the format that we got from the Halloween event is now the standard. Previously, you had a lot more time to drink and enjoy the main room, but with the recent Halloween event, I did feel a bit rushed. We did go to another area, which was pretty cool, but I do think a little bit more time in the main room would have been nice. We didn't really get to check out the Marvel artist this time...At the end of the experience, they lead to you a members only bar, which is pretty cool. I know it's a sales pitch for membership at this point, but it's merged so seamlessly by that point, when you're a bit buzzed, it doesn't matter anymore! They do have the spirits that you've tried for sale, but unfortunately, the one we all wanted to buy (The rum?) was still in the process of being approved for bottling. So sad, we'll have to come back or ask our friends who bought a bottle to let us know when they have it ready for sale. Note, when you buy a bottle, it gives you Level 1 membership and access to member only events! Each spirit/cocktail is pretty strong so they do offer non-alcoholic drinks, but I believe the entry ticket is still the same price whether or not you are drinking alcohol or not. Recommend eating beforehand to absorb all the alcohol. Having an uber/lyft ready is nice so you're not driving under the influence. My friends and I want to do this again, but perhaps at an earlier time slot for more time to sober up or when we have a staycation weekend in LA where we can uber to and from places.

Flores has been my favorite spot for nearly seven years. Best cocktails and ambiance in Echo Park…read more On a Sunday, the patio is a perfect hangout. And the bar turns into a fun dance party esp on queer nights. Their staff are babes and help make it a great experience. You can tell they work hard and always put so much care into their cocktails while making people feel welcome. A kind of spot I go for just one and want to stay for three.

The atmosphere inside was so nice and had a really fun, relaxed vibe. I especially loved the large…read morewindows and the seating area by the window. It was such a nice spot to sit, take in the view, and enjoy our drinks. The decor was beautiful and gave the place a stylish but comfortable feel. The young man in the front that checked our ID was so friendly . The drinks were really good and definitely made the experience even better. It's a great place to come and relax, enjoy some drinks, and take in the atmosphere. Overall, I really liked the vibe, the window seating, and the drinks, and I would definitely come back again.

The Library Bar: A Story Worth Revisiting…read more If I were reviewing the Library Bar like a book, I'd say it had me from the first chapter. The atmosphere is the kind of setting a writer could easily get lost in--dim lighting, shelves of books, cozy corners, and just enough old-library charm to make you forget you're sitting in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. It was the perfect setting for my Forbidden Chapter birthday gathering celebrating banned and challenged books. The food was great, the drinks were great, and the atmosphere was even better. We talked, laughed, discussed books, and simply enjoyed being together. It felt intimate, interesting, and a little different from the usual birthday celebration--which was exactly what I wanted. Now, every good story needs a little conflict, and in this one, it was parking. Finding parking nearby was definitely the least enjoyable chapter of the experience. Give yourself extra time if you're driving. But once I walked through the doors, the parking frustration became a footnote. Great setting. Great food. Great drinks. Wonderful atmosphere. My only complaints are the parking and the fact that this story doesn't have a sequel in my neighborhood. If it did, I'd definitely be a regular.

Library Bar is honestly my favorite local spot because the vibes stay vibing I keep coming back…read morefor midweek happy hour, good music, and the overall energy. Food is hit or miss overall, and the sliders perfectly represent that lol. Sometimes the meat tastes fresh, seasoned, and so good... and sometimes it absolutely does not. Today was unfortunately one of those days Dear gods don't let me get sick. Very inconsistent Also the well vodka tastes like punishment so drink at your own risk. So I never benefit from happy hour prices. And one time after my birthday get together there, my friend had her card number stolen (card was charged there a couple weeks later) and had a hard time getting ahold of anyone after, which wasn't great. Service is cool, not amazing, but somehow I still keep coming back because the vibe wins every time.

I've been going to different little bars these last couple of months. Every time I ask for a…read morespecific drink- PENICILLIN - I always get told they can't make it because they don't carry certain ingredients. It's ginger & honey, like c'mon.. I came across The Grayson & without hesitation X made it for me. He was so nice about it and he definitely didn't make me feel like I was asking for too much.. By far it was one of the best drinks I've had in a while. I'm a Redondo Beach local & I would absolutely make the drive down to LA just to have X make me another PENICILLIN. If you haven't already, give it a try!

Came here on a Friday night before heading out for night time plans. I learned that there are 4…read morespots all in the building. This is ultimately the first big room you see after passing the eatery at the front entrance. I got a yummy cocktail! Was the perfect balance of the use of passionfruit. Honestly felt like I could easily chug it...which I did! Haha

We had a lovely evening at The Green Room. Sofia was awesome in terms of accommodating us every…read morestep of the way. She always came around to see how we were doing and had no issues with guiding first-timers right to our seats. The thematic concepts of each dish and drink were so clever and exquisite. Filet Mignon Sammie and Uncrustables in a lunchbox had so much character. In perfect Castaway fashion, we got a lovely "dinner and a show" when ordering drinks such as Tiffany Prefers Cocktails. And...the view of the cityscape was definitely everything to write home about. This is what we came for. The Green Room highlights the character of LA in so many ways. Loved it!

The Green Room... I am not sure why service gets such a bad rating- never had any issues with that…read more I like their signature cocktails and food options... l am giving them 4 stars only because of the most recent experience that I had... I checked the hours, and it said this place closes at 11. My friend and I came at 9... and guess what... the place was closed. Why? I don't know. We were just told that they'd decided to close early that day. Mind you, Castaway was still open that night. Why would a bar close before its posted hours? ‍

Thunderbolt has been on my list for way too long! I was trying The Parks Finest next door and lo…read moreand behold but what did I see? Thunderbolt!!! Post dinner drinks had me very excited! We walk in and the place is beautifully done inside! Chill ambiance, nice materials, cool tile and artwork . We chose a booth, but there were plenty of seating options on a Sunday earlyish evening. The menu? Whoa! Wtf in a great way!!!! They explain the science behind how they create every elixir aaaand how they are so sustainable! #1 sustainable bar in North America and apparently #24 of top 50 bars in North America! We tried the: Fu Gwaa Falsetto: SO cool! They used a bitter melon, which is hard to include in things, and made a dope drink! The sprinkles on top were my fave and tied the drink together. Koji Killer: dessert drink for sure, but I kinda needed a second one delicious! Barcelonette: refreshing, light, lovely P Town Boxing Club: a little disappointed that I couldn't taste the pandan as much, didn't get as much of a distinct flavor Hops Don't Lie: canned, refreshing, my partner like it! The servers/bartenders were so cool and knowledgeable about the menu, they even brought us samples and let us know if we didn't like something they'd replace it! And did! Will definitely be back to try more concoctions

I tried this spot when I was looking for an after work place for my girlfriend and I. First…read moreimpressions,I like the vibe and music of this place, definitely seems chill and a spot for locals. The wait staff was super nice and the service was prompt and attentive. I went on a Monday, right after they opened at 5 pm, it already people sitting at the bar. The crowd was very chill, very typical Echo Park low-key characters, quite a few seemed to know the staff well. The food and drinks were all fine to me, I had a couple old fashions, my girlfriend had a specialty drink with brunt orange something, she liked it. We tried the chicken thighs, fried green tomatoes, and the chicken biscuit. They all were good, my only issue, the chicken biscuit item is not served on a biscuit like I was thinking , its just on a sandwich bun essentially. Overall, I would go again maybe on a Friday or Saturday night to see the difference, if any of the crowd and vibe.