Matt B. and I are living with my parents these days, and one of the benefits of this arrangement is…read morethat we can leave the house quite easily after the kids go to bed. We decided to get a drink to celebrate Father's Day, only to strike out at the first two bars we tried--I guess a lot of places are closed at 9:30 on a Sunday. This is how we ended up at Thunderbolt, a buzzy bar in Echo Park, just far enough away that we'd never made our way over. I loved it immediately. Thunderbolt has the friendly, comfortable atmosphere of a neighborhood bar and the hip aesthetic and high-level cocktails of a millennial boozer destination. (Not that young people can't or shouldn't hang out here, but it seems especially geared toward people like us, who drank at Walker Inn a decade ago.) We ended up sitting next to a guy who regularly drives up from Palos Verdes. I guess the place gets pretty busy, but it was ideal on a Sunday night. Happening but not crowded, with just enough space at the bar for us to grab two seats together. The bartender was great, super helpful and welcoming. He also made excellent drinks. Thunderbolt is one of those bars with an encyclopedic illustrated book for a menu. Not a long menu, just a detailed one, with a lot of information available about each drink. We got a Liquid Picnic and a Barcelonnette--just one round to close out the weekend. Both were delicious. The Liquid Picnic was a smooth, savory gin martini made with London dry gin, tomato, citron, vermouth, rosemary, and black pepper. I learned from the book that it used clarified tomato water. (There was also further reading about the clarification process.) The Barcelonnette was a mezcal sour with Suze, passionfruit, and lime, the foam made without egg white through some geeky mixologist process. Thunderbolt is not our neighborhood bar, but we plan to go back when we can to check out the rest of the menu. It's a wonderful place, well worth a jaunt on the freeway.

Was charged three times, totaling hundreds of dollars, and waiting for the pending transactions to…read moredrop (or stay :/) in 3-5 business days is no fun. We can't all be made of money, but this shouldn't have happened.

Great vibes and awesome drinks! Located next to Majordomo, slightly hidden but there's a cute…read morelittle neon drink sign at tne front. Very nice if you want to sit and talk without loud music!

I live right around the block from Apotheke, so it's become my go-to neighborhood bar…read more The drinks here are honestly some of the best I've tried anywhere. They're strong, flavorful, and worth the price. The ambiance is cozy with a nice DJ spinning music, and there's plenty of seating unless it's reserved. I appreciate the outdoor patio where you can smoke, while the inside stays smoke-free. They also change their menu regularly, so there are always new drinks to try. Overall, Apotheke feels like a neighborhood gem I'm happy to visit every chance I get.

Super fun unique atmosphere! I got the house orange wine, was very refreshing. My friend enjoyed…read morethe house red. We shared the hot dog, it was the perfect texture! I wish i got two! We knew we had to try it when we read someone's essay-length review about their experience with the hot dog. The live dj was awesome! Although crowded on a Saturday night, we enjoyed our time. Stop by if you're in the area!

Ended up at this quiet, quaint, moody bar on what I believed was a failed Sunday night because…read moreSticky Rice was closed. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar and had the Chocolate Stout. It was so milky, creamy, delicious... just like me. After a couple more variety of beers, obviously it was time to feast on a classic, timeless all American gem- the hotdog. We ever so gently asked our beer connoisseur, "Excuse me, what comes in the hotdog?" Our mouths already salivating at the prospect of this delicacy. To which the fine gentleman responded "Mustard, mayo and Ketchup." Please remember this important detail, it's crucial to the story. We were feeling very bold as one does when you are glutes deep in a Hazy IPA and a second Stout so We said "Perfect. All three will do." Our eyes were beaming, our spirits were lifting, our bellies were grumbling with anticipation. After a brief three minutes, there she was. The gleaming glizzy. Doused in an intricate, interwoven condiment presentation. So immaculate, so beautiful. With such a moment it was only appropriate that we share the gleaming glizzy Lady and the Tramp style. Yes, sexy indeed. As we hold up both ends of the glizzy to our mouths, locking eyes we simultaneously take one big bite. And then... The most overpowering sensation dominates our mouths, our noses, our eyes even. In a state of shock, teetering on a state of confusion and then rage we jolted. WHAT IS IN THIS HOTDOG??? Because that was not just any plain yellow American mustard. It was a pulsating fire rampaging through our nasal cavities. It was like the world had stood still and we lost sense of gravity. This is not to be confused with a disbelief of happiness. It was a disbelief of deceit. Once we grabbed a hold of ourselves and a grip of reality we waved down the fine gentleman and said, "Is this horseradish???" To which he retorted, "No, everyone asks that. It's Spicy Dijon" Bewildered we looked at each other and knew we were thinking the same thing. A piece of us died that night. In that bar. Because that was Spicy Dijon mustard coursing through our blood, our veins, forever seared in our memories. We were lied to. Made to believe that this gleaming glizzy was normal. Beautiful and unsuspecting. Not even the coldest winter day on the snowy slopes compares to the journey we took with this hotdog. Anyway service 10/10, vibes and drinks spectacular. Will be coming back!

Cool beats! Sick restrooms, nice people, lots of girls here. The music is cool hip slow pace.read more

I can't believe I just barely checked out Gold Line. DJ, Producer and founder of Stones Throw…read moreRecords, Peanut Butter Wolf, opened this bar several years ago next to the Stones Throw office to create a space where DJs can pull vinyl from the walls of his vast collection and throw them on the deck for everyone to enjoy. Not only is there a wide variety of music, but they carry an impressive amount of top tier Japanese whisky, bourbon, rye, scotch, gin, mezcal, tequila, vodka, rum and more! They can make just about any cocktail, but they have some great highballs and signature drinks ranging from $14-$20. I tried the Goldliner, Japanese Old Fashioned and Nitro Espresso Martini and they were all delicious and well balanced. The bartenders are all really cool and service was pretty quick. The disco ball in the lounge area, the wall of vinyl and old photos of iconic artists give retro vibes. My friend DJ'd the night I stopped in and played nothing but 45s of classics for 3 hours. Gold Line would be my watering hole if I lived in the area!

My first and only experience here (so far) was excellent. From the service, to the drinks to the…read morefood. Even the music and vibe was really to my liking. The only thing I I could hope for is better parking. However, it's the area and if you know the area, and you're choosing to go, you deal with it. I parked down on the residential street. Free. I didn't see any signs and I looked. And I didn't get a ticket when I left. But check for signs. Had a reservation. I strongly recommend it. A friend and I were there during the week and it was packed. Bar, restaurant. People were waiting outside to get in. I was there really early but was seated anyway even with my friend not there yet. I don't know if it's the same with a large party. We enjoyed the food (not sure why my pics aren't showing). From the salad to the burger to the dessert and all the drinks in-between. We sat, ate, drank, chatted, listened to the music and soaked in the vibe there. If I lived closer, this would be a regular spot for me to unwind. I enjoyed it that much. May not be for everyone but it definitely felt right for me.

Incredible ambiance for a random Wednesday night. People are talking and laughing like it's totally…read moreFriday night! Some very creative cocktails selections. Many fruit themed. Tried the mango, banana and pandan. I'd recommend the pandan ah it tastes so exotic (especially if you are not THAT into cocktail like me). I just always prefer the subtle flavor for my cocktails lol

The pivotal pre-stonewall activities around this space deserve multiple late night deep dives…read more Extremely accommodating service. They found us a seat w/o a proper reservation, and the place was lively. Ordered the hummingbird, which was unexpectedly herbaceous. Tangy with smoky undertones. Refreshing. I quite enjoyed it. The husband got the bellhop, which he said was fine but not mind blowing. We ordered the Chicken liver toast, fried mozzarella, and chicken sandwich hot and spicy. The husband got the mussels. Chicken liver toast was served w mustard seed and berry compote, which highlighted the buttery fatness. The toast wasn't crunchy and a bit difficult to cut, but the pickled vegetables were fantastic. The fried mozzarella was simple and decently executed, somewhat generic and forgettable. Better than standard mozzarella sticks. The fries were crisp and perfectly seasoned. A+. That chicken sandwich was toothsome and juicy. Def worthy of a repeat visit. I'll be thinking abt this sandwich for a while. Of his mussels, the husband appreciated the spicy broth but was underwhelmed by the crusty bread it accompanied. I had a wonderful experience personally, hence the 4 stars, but proceed with caution.

I've always really liked this place. It's been around a long time and is a bit nicer than an…read moreaverage pub. I've also always loved the burger! BUT... I went tonight, and the price now for a burger and fries is $27. Two years ago it was $17. That's a 58% increase on a burger and fries in two years. The price of beef has increased significantly over the past two years, but not by 58%. A $27 burger at a pub is a reason not return. Stop raising prices crazy amounts. Nobody's going to be able to afford to eat out anymore.

chill vibes great selection of wine and beer. i will definitely be back soon! great music!!!!read more

I wish I loved this place because the food and wine are delicious, but the staff is so incredibly…read morerude. Everything is so overpriced it feels like they are intentionally letting you know you are not good enough to be one of their customers. You can get this type of food and wine at 99 other places with nicer employees, easier parking and much less attitude. The staff behaves as if this was a high school not a wine bar. Do yourself a favor and don't come here. I highly recommend the classic LA ambience at other close by establishments such as The Oaks on Bronson, the Alley in Silverlake or The Cara on Western instead. This place is like a bad Ryan Murphy series. It takes itself way too seriously. I've given them over 4 chances to change my mind since I live around the corner, and they never cease to amaze me when it comes to their entitled snotty staff & overpriced alcohol plus the parking is absolutely impossible! I even had to help customers break out of the parking lot one evening because the gate closes at a particular hour, and the restaurant doesn't even bother to tell you the gates shut at a particular time way before the restaurant closes. you're on your own, good luck getting your car out! avoid this place like the plague. I wish I could get back to $500. I've spent here over the past two years.

Drawing Room during the world cup series is awesome, seats are comfy, drinks are strong and you can…read moretell this place is loved by the locals. Parking is horrendous, definitely walk if you can. They also let you bring in food if you're hungry (check out La Pergoletta or the Thai restaurant thats in the plaza...) whats not to love?

I come to this strip mall from time to time for the alterations next door- and on this particular…read moreSunday, after finishing brunch at a nearby spot, we decided to get a drink before going back home. Only problem is that every spot within walking distance was closed until 5pm. So rather than go home, we popped in here not really knowing what to expect and had a little drink before catching an Uber back home. I liked how the bartender immediately asked for ID from us both. My transition glasses hadn't even changed from dark to light before he asked and I couldn't see him properly, lol, which he actually noticed and acknowledged. My partner got a beer and I got a cider- they're cash only! That said, the prices are still what you're going to find anywhere else, so it kind of feels like they're trying to have their cake and eat it too. A few regulars were inside- I could tell by the way they all seemingly knew each other - which was nice. I imagine this spot gets plenty packed on the weekends or non-Sunday-post-brunch times.