Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Thunderbolt

    4.4 (272 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Closed • 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Thunderbolt Photos

    Business Info

    THUNDERBOLT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Thunderbolt

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Matt V.

    I was beyond impressed with the service and quality of food and drinks. The cheese grits were 10/10. Burger was absolutely delicious and cocktails were composed and perfectly strong. We will return anytime in the area for sure!

    Jayson E.

    Their online menu is a bit buggy, but they also have physical ones inside that people can order. I have been here before and Im not sure if they had a menu change, but it wasn't as I remembered. The food is great, but the alcohol wasn't as good as my previous visit. Theres plenty of seating from inside and outdoor seating. The employees were very helpful and friendly and the ambiance the place has is a great spot for a date night or a casual spot for friends.

    High plains drifter
    Gab G.

    Made a reservation for a Friday night at 8 for 3 of us but could have easily walked in. Fu gwaa falsetto was perfect. Also really liked the High plains drifter!

    La Frutera #4 & Smashed Cucumber & Melons.
    Nikki B.

    The Babes Behind the Bar were at it again. This time our adventures led us to Thunderbolt - an establishment that's been making waves for its inventive savory & texture driven cocktails since it opened in Historic Filipinotown. The award-winning cocktail bar has been named one of North America's best bars for 3 years in a row. The drink menu is also impressive with its illustrations and useful diagrams detailing techniques & flavor concentrations. The Southern-inspired dishes are equally creative and include Gluten Free & Vegan options. The forest green color scheme and terrazzo bar top emit a relaxed, chill vibe. The staff are all friendly and seem genuinely happy to work here. My friend and I sat at the bar. Bartender Tom was fantastic! He was welcoming and enthusiastic about explaining the drinks. Nikki oversees the wine club and she was also amazing! We both ordered La Frutera #4 - am homage to L.A.s fruit carts comprised of Lime leaf Tequila, Watermelon, Sunflower Seed, Coriander, & Lime. It was pretty and delicious! We also had the Pastelito - a plant-based milk punch inspired by the pastry featuring Tequila, Guava, Strawberry Aperitif, Hibiscus, & Coconut. It was well balanced and tasty. Tom was kind enough to give me a sample of the Koji Killer, which tasted like a vacation in a glass! We also shared the Smashed Cucumber & Melons and Buttermilk Biscuit, which came with seasonal jam & whipped butter. The cucumber & watermelon was tossed with Calamansi vinegar & herbs. It was light & refreshing. The Buttermilk Biscuit was fluffy, moist, & big enough for us both to share. If you are a wine connoisseur, my friend suggests signing up for their Wine Club. She's always happy with Nikki's picks. They also have a unique selection of Madeira wine available by the glass, which I'm looking forward to trying on my next visit. *Street Parking

    Chicken thigh
    Jenny T.

    We came here on a Sunday night to meet up with a few friends for dinner before heading to the Ahmanson. Patio seating was vibey and cute. I loved the atmosphere. Street parking was a little hard to find but not too bad and it was free (although the neighborhood is a bit rough). The chicken thigh was very tasty and everyone seemed happy with their meal. We also got the chicken biscuit and streak frites. I thought the steak was ok but the fries were delicious. They have solid ranch here. The hot sauce wasn't my thing but my friends liked it. Service was mixed for us. We had three different people helping us and sometimes communication was missed between them and the kitchen. There was slight push back for sensory requests with separating food until my friend made it clear she was autistic. The servers were all really nice and helpful. The dessert took a very long time and so we cancelled it but then it finally came out, but it was not in a to-go container as requested previously. They were kind enough to give us a refund as we had to run. Table was wonky and we had a bit of a spill and had to wedge the leg for more stability ourselves. Little things but enough of them to get the idea that there was something off. Overall, we had a lovely experience and would come again. Definitely recommend better communication between staff (possibly owner helping) if multiple people are handling the same table.

    Koji killer and Barcelonette
    Breanna A.

    Stopped in after dinner in the area and easy enough the find parking in surrounding streets. Sat down at the bar, bartender was friendly and explained their menu. We decided on the koji killer and the barcelonette. Both delicious well crafted cocktails and honestly everything on the menu sounded so good. Great little spot and super lively with lots of people constantly coming in but never too busy or loud. Cool spot to check out!

    Pastelito - so interesting because it almost tastes like coffee is in it.
    Kasey D.

    Once here, I always have a great time exploring the incredibly curated cocktail menu. Everything is so unique and gastronomy driven. Bartenders are always nice and seem to genuinely enjoy the craft. If you come on a weekend evening, the place is buzzing with a younger crowd dressed like they're about to hit a club and if you're like my husband and I, may feel a bit out of place dropping in after a Kings' game. The only downside is parking. It's rough; street only. There is valet available, but I refuse to resort to valet. lol Be warned: one time we were going to come here with friends from south OC and they closed last minute for a private party who bought them out for the night. Be sure to check their socials for any last minute closures.

    Menu with cool sticker.
    Angela A.

    There's plenty of sports bars around and this is NOT one of them. The location, like anywhere around here, has no parking and you're more than likely going to have to park on a residential street. Perfect spot for a nightcap. The drinks have unique tasting profiles. I'd skip on any food here as this is really a cocktail spot. I only wish they had more vodka drinks.

    Great outdoor patio for celebrations or day drinking!
    Emily G.

    This is my favorite bar! Great decor, chill vibes, amazing music being played, plentiful seating options- outside, booths and bar stools. The food is also delicious - perfect to share with friends. The bartenders are friendly and always down to recommend the right drink.

    Alida H.

    I've been to Thunderbolt three times now. I once sat indoors on a busy Friday night, once outdoors on a more chilled Saturday night, and most recently last night on a slower Sunday night. My first two visits were great. Service was warm, I was impressed by the creative cocktails, and it offered a fun, relaxed vibe. I enjoyed the Fu Gwaa Falsetto, La Frutera and The P-Town Boxing Club "Ode to an Old Fashioned", which became one of my favorites during my last visit almost a year ago. It had a noticeable pleasant pandan note, and was perfectly balanced. This most recent visit, however, was disappointing. I ordered the P-town Boxing Club and it tasted completely different. Basically like straight whiskey. The pandan was barely there, and the drink felt under-diluted, drinking more like a chilled neat pour than a drink inspired by an Old Fashioned. When I mentioned this to the bartender, he dismissed my feedback, telling me that it was "impossible" for it to taste different because everything is batched and none of the recipes have changed. I didn't even realize Thunderbolt's drinks were batched until that moment. As someone who's been a bartender for several years, I understand that batching can save time and ensure consistency, but it can also affect flavor if not handled properly. Things like dilution, storage time, and technique absolutely make a difference. The way my feedback was brushed off felt condescending rather than curious or respectful. Later, he did offer to replace the drink, but by then the gesture didn't feel genuine and I felt uncomfortable accepting. He did end up covering a snack my group ordered and I appreciated that gesture. Overall, I've had better experiences at Thunderbolt in the past, which is why this one was so disappointing. I still think the bar has a lot going for it. Unique drinks, great food, good energy, and a strong concept, but the hospitality and consistency fell short this time.

    Burger was great! The food runner was a lady and she was 5 star!
    Jaymes B.

    Cool vibe for a group of friends. Seems like a Local hangout spot. Bar staff was cool.

    Fu Gwa Falsetto
    Peter D.

    I was drawn to this place due to the fact it was on the NA Top 100 Bars list. Tl;dr: do I think it's Top 100? No. Do I think it was a good experience? Yeah Drinks - we only came here for drinks. I ordered the Barcelonnette as I prefer fruity cocktails. I was pleased with the taste of it and would order it again. My other family members got other drinks and they also liked their drinks (emphasize like and not love). Service and vibes - the reason why this place doesn't get a 5 star rating was because the service and experience aspect. It took 20+ minutes to get our initial order in from getting a table and another 30 to get all of our drinks. In addition, we were in the corner of the bar area and we were prone to our neighbors always bumping into us. With LA's diverse bar scene, I wouldn't be rushing to go back to this place, but I would be open to going to this place again.

    P-Town Boxing Club
    Damon B.

    This place caught my eye a few years back when I was perusing TimeOut LA. It was named one of the best cocktail bars in North America and top in the world. So let's get into it. Cuisine: 4/5. Go for the Fried Chicken Biscuit, if you're down with meat. If you're like any of my Vegan home girls (yawn), then there's also vegan options on the menu. The Mac n Cheese actually slaps. Beverages: 5/5. P-Town Boxing Club comes CORRECT! Serio, if you have a thing for Old Fashions, but rarely order em because many places make whack versions, do yourself a favor and order a P-Town. The P-Town redeemed all the whack old fashions I've had over the years, giving me a solid two piece to my taste buds. 5/5: Barcelonnette & Pastelito. I love Mezcal and Tequila, even more so when it's "thoughtfully" integrated into a fine cocktail. I say thoughtfully because many establishments seem to have hopped on the Mezcal bandwagon and now make whack drinks. These two offerings prove that cocktails with Mezcal and Tequila, when made with care, are works of art. Negroni Nourmand: 4/5. I love Negronis. The first time I sampled this cocktail was memorable, the second time felt a bit off, hence the 4/5. That said, it's still solid. Service: 5/5. Solid, despite one off night. Respect to bro behind the bar playing that head knocking real Hip Hop. Ambiance: 5/5. Coo. Even with all the hipsters, it's still a solid vibe. Enjoy.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 38
    Thanks 18
    Love this 40
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alida H.
    2358
    298
    1701

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chinyere E.
    29
    179
    120

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Rashawn W.
    62
    159
    36

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Thunderbolt

    What time does the kitchen close on Friday and Saturday?

    Is this spot good for large groups?

    Do they have mocktails too?

    Yes, they have mocktails as well

    Is there happy hour?

    Thanks for reaching out, Fernanda! We’re going to bring happy hour back when we resume indoor… 

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    The Evangeline Swamp Room - Mint Julep and Sazerac

    The Evangeline Swamp Room

    4.5(52 reviews)
    1.0 mi•Chinatown

    This is a great bar, with great drinks and great food. Their happy hour specials are amazing and…read morethey also have live piano every Saturday and Sunday! The bartenders are down to earth--real true south attitude (not the fake southern charm kind but the "I've got your back and will kick it in the dirt when you're down and cheers you when you're up" kind) It's New Orleans "themed" but truly a wonderful addition and neighborhood spot for all the Chinatown and east LA residents. Big plus: It's never hard to find parking. Definitely worth the trip or stop on by!

    I would come here all the time if I could... or if I still had that kind of life, which I think a…read morelot of us don't anymore. We went on an early Thursday evening, so it was pretty dead, which honestly I liked. But on the weekends it turns into a piano bar, so if you want the full experience that's probably when you should come. My partner wanted to check this place out, and I had absolutely no idea what I was walking into. I used to live in Savannah, Georgia, and walking in immediately reminded me of bars back there. I've missed places like this. I didn't even bother looking at the menu. I asked one question: "Do you have fried pickles?" "And are they spears?" Check. And check. Instantly passed my very low bar test for a place like this, and they tasted exactly how I wanted them to. Both bartenders were great too. Easy to shoot the shit with. Although I will say... I kind of wished there were just a couple old guys sitting in the corner quietly brooding over their drinks. They also have pickled eggs, which I honestly can't remember seeing at another bar in LA. And if pickled pig's feet are your thing... they've got those too. They've never been my thing. The only thing that really pulled me out of the atmosphere was the giant ring light by the bathroom. I guess you have to keep the younger crowd entertained these days if a live piano player isn't enough. There's also the market next door, which is owned by the same people and looks like it's full of good stuff, but it was closed when we visited. I'm assuming it's open on the weekends too, which is another reason I'd recommend coming, if you want the full experience. One last thing... don't be a dick and order a Ramos Gin Fizz when the place is slammed. We only ordered one because it was completely dead.

    Photos
    The Evangeline Swamp Room - Fried pickles SPEARS NOT CHIPS

    Fried pickles SPEARS NOT CHIPS

    The Evangeline Swamp Room - French Quarter Frozen Irish Coffee

    French Quarter Frozen Irish Coffee

    The Evangeline Swamp Room - Bar interior

    See all

    Bar interior

    The Lucky Tiki - The Lucky Tiki

    The Lucky Tiki

    4.4(60 reviews)
    4.6 mi•Highland Park

    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!

    Photos
    The Lucky Tiki - Tiki hut booth

    Tiki hut booth

    The Lucky Tiki - Sailor at the Bar Entrance

    Sailor at the Bar Entrance

    The Lucky Tiki - The large tiki in the center of the space

    See all

    The large tiki in the center of the space

    Kissaten Corazon - Sunday 9 am Ethiopia Guji Washed Light Roast Smooth and fruit notes

    Kissaten Corazon

    4.4(120 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Chinatown
    •$$

    It was one of those hot days that just happened in LA. The type of heat that is not for Angelenos…read morebecause it breaks our 71 and sunny expectation that almost seems a clause we are provided with when our residence lies within the Golden State. So my plan to walk and explore LA's downtown was nixed. It neededa an extreme-heatcheck. Subsequentlly, I needed a place to chill and sip before my next scheduled thing began. I landed here, and it was cool that I did because I got a break from the heat and was expose to the chill factor of this place that kind of felt I visited my hipster bud while they were right in the middle of their modern and off-center Japanese decoration phase. This place resides within a modern shopping center. Those that have like a parking lot and around have small bussinesses. So mapquest might say one has arrived to the spot, but one must walk into the shopping plaza to find Kissaten Corazon. When I entered, first one passes a living room in a garage like situation. So basically when one enters, they enter via a garage door, and the garage area has to be passed to get to where the main coffee action takes place. The furniture in this area, is not patio furniture, by the way. It is like a coffee table with chairs that belong in like a dude's apartment, where the dude finally learned how to create a home space with furniture that he found from an eclectic collection of places. Thus, as soon as one enters one gets hit with funky-modern. We have cash, we have style, but no cohesion because cohesion does not belong to the young, only disordely mess that doubles as beautiful mixture of pieces that need a home. If one takes care to look at my pictures, of the whole experience, then one will understand that this place is a medly of concepts with a string-running along that when pulled vibrates to the twang of coffee house with Japanese and wine notes. I ordered my coffee and of course I irked the barista. So the menu (I clipped it) has a heading called tomodachi. It was my first time here and I did not know what that meant. The barista tried to explain it. And I was still confused. She was saying things but not really explaining that it was a coffee chain that supplied their coffees to this spot. So it was like having Nestle at the top of a menu and having different coffees from this supplier. I did not understand if she was talking about a machine or what cause at what point she made it sound like it might be a machine by calling it the roaster. But the roaster was the vendor. And to me a roaster can be a machine that roasts beans. Or did I stretch for the stars? It took like three of four questions to arrive at her understanding. In the process, she kind of rolled her eyes in mild exhaustion. But almost as the universe intervened, her cap said, "to be a learner, you've got to be willing to be a fool." And I was a persistent fool with my questions. But I got my appropriate answer. It is what it is. The coffeehouse had people with laptops. The next Interstellar or War and Peace might be written here. One will find others typing here, if one likes to type only when others are doing it too. There is a central picture of a cherry blossom branch behind blue. I wonder why the blue was not pink? Perhaps because my drink was pink, slightly, not like clearly. I got two drinks. The barista that I annoyed helped me pick. The first one was a strawberry drink. It tasted like a sophisticatd Nesquick that was coffee-forward. The Nesquick taste came from the strawberry flavoring. It was rich, sweet, and frankly, hit the spot that needed to be quelled by the outside heat. Easy to like, long for it because the place is not near my pad. I would need a specific trip to get this strawberry coffee and that will happen someday just don't know when. I also got a pour over drink. I cannot remember, which one it was. I did see another barista create the drink. As the pictures show, he used a non-electric pot and filter to make my coffee. The act seemed ceremonial and birth in a place closed to feudal Japan. I wonder if Shoguns drank their coffee a la pourover too? I also took a clip of different tea pots lined up. It was all so cute and spoke of tradition. Take the time to dip a bag of tea leaves into a cup being held by a doily. If not, then is one taking the time to see the world and its tea leaves? As I was there, there was a customer working hard to retrieve a 20.00 dollar refund. She was right. It was owed to her. She had called. And still they could not figure out what the problem was exactly. I wonder if the world was divided into those who would fight for their 20 bucks like this customer and the other half would be people who forget the 20 bucks, where would the percentage lie? Would people seek or forget? I would forget. I ordered two drinks and gulped one, and tasted the second to around half the way to understand this experience better not just get coffee when I needed a break.

    Stuck between a 3 star and 4 star review…read more.. But I will give it a 4 star because the coffee was good.... Sooo, started with the parking situation. Can't park in the parking lot, or you will get towed. Signs all over the place that you will get towed immediately.... parking across the street by a park... dirt parking or anywhere on the area. Then cross the street, walk down 1 block to reach the place... OR watch out for traffic and jaywalk. (Dont recommend this, busy intersection).... Feel like they tried to make this spot look old.. Mixture of antique looking seats and chairs... Decor seems a lil off to me... 90s hip hop music playing... When I asked for pastries, I was told they have 1 day old pastries... YES 1 day old pastry.... so they dont sell?? Or could they be 2 days old instead of 1... oh and at full price, didnt mention half off... etc... Got a lemon ricotta bread... for being 1 day old, it was moist and just OK... not big on flavor... Coffee was good... no drip, only americano or speciality drip... Service was nice... no big interaction Just order, pay and they brought my coffee to me.... Will I go back.. nope!!... parking is a hassle and 1 day old pastries, is just not for me.... If you go... Enjoy ...

    Photos
    Kissaten Corazon - Interior (May 2026)

    Interior (May 2026)

    Kissaten Corazon - Bacon breakfast burrito  Sunday 9 AM  Chill cafe.. great vibes

    Bacon breakfast burrito Sunday 9 AM Chill cafe.. great vibes

    Kissaten Corazon - Cantaloupe milk + matcha (May 2026)

    See all

    Cantaloupe milk + matcha (May 2026)

    Thunderbolt - bars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...