5 Bars in Culver City to Consider
In recent years, Culver City has slowly become a destination spot with new art galleries, farmers’ markets, restaurants and even theatre. For those who don’t want to travel to Hollywood, Downtown or even nearby Santa Monica, finding a local bar within stumbling distance is king. Culver City has no shortage of dive bars (Cozy Inn, Tattle Tale, Cinema Bar, Scarlet Lady Saloon). And there are other choices such as wine bars Ugo or Bottlerock, kitschy Bigfoot Lodge West, the chic bar inside the Culver Hotel or even bars at restaurants like Akasha and Fraiche.
A-Frame: For the more picky cocktail enthusiast
Here are five more to consider-
The Irish Bar: Irish Times
3267 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034-3709
(310) 559-9648
There’s something inherently fun about Irish bars. While Irish Times seems like your typical pub with bar food, a pool table, live music, a jukebox plus an assortment of loyal locals. You’ll be wondering why you never come to this spot to get your cheap drinks on. Don’t ask for a craft cocktail here. Get beer (they have Stella on tap). Or if you’re feeling fancy, try a Jameson and ginger. There are even posters advertising this fine beverage. You could try getting an Irish Car Bomb but depending on the mood of those loyal locals, you might want to reconsider.
The Get Crazy Stripper Pole Bar: Rush Street
9546 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-837-9546
Named for Chicago’s Rush Street, this bar and restaurant serves a rather Californian menu. It gets busy for happy hour and it’s “off the chain” in horribly outdated slang for Culver City. The two-story joint has a stripper’s pole upstairs and two outdoor patios. When it gets super packed on weekends, don’t try to converse with the bartenders on the finer points of vodka. They’ll either tell you that vodka in the skull-shaped bottle is terrible or simply hand it to you. The later will probably get you in trouble.
Your Nice Restaurant Bar: Ford’s Filling Station
9531 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232-2618
(310) 202-1470
Some may not consider bars at hotels or for that matter, restaurants for their evening’s imbibing but Ford’s Filling Station just started a great late night Happy Hour. On Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 11 p.m., you can enjoy ½ priced well drinks, draft beer and $5 house wine. One night, a whiskey and soda cost $3 leaving you plenty of cashola for late night bar bites. Oh, Chef Ford is Ben Ford, Harrison Ford’s son. But don’t be impressed by that tidbit, more impressive is Chef Ford worked at Chez Panisse for two years. Hold up the bar by trying one of their Rickys (with a spirit of your choice- pick rum! Pick vodka! Pick something!).
Come for the Grub, Stay for the Craft Cocktails: A-Frame
12565 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90066
(310) 398-7700
The craft cocktail scene is exploding in L.A. and pretty soon, cocktailians might be able to find a drink made with farmers market ingredients, esoteric liquors and home-made bitters just about anywhere. One of the new spots is A-Frame, Roy Choi’s picnic food restaurant sprung from an old IHOP. A-Frame’s cocktail list reads like a handbook for monks, girls who fell in love with St. Germain 3 years ago and the more picky cocktail enthusiast.
Hidden Gem: Mandrake
2692 South La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 837-3297
For hipsters lost on the Westside, never fear, come find your alternative hairstyled brethren at the Mandrake. With no signage other than a tiny blue neon sign that says “bar,” The Mandrake is easy to miss on La Cienega between Venice and Washington. Fortunately, the area features an artwalk and this bar is a welcome place to hang out in between galleries. The bar features a short list of classic cocktails, homegrown mint, tree trunk tables and eclectic music. The gallery room and back patio (where the mint is grown) is in use but most crowd around the long bar. I have discovered they make excellent mint juleps (which really is just a tumbler of whiskey, brown sugar and a few mint leaves) and delightful Manhattans. Also try their Bloody Marys with a spicy peppery vodka.
By Shauna L. Der, theminty.com
Follow her at twitter/theminty
