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Los Angeles, CA

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Thunderbolt

4.4 (273 reviews)
ModerateBars
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

Thunderbolt Photos

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THUNDERBOLT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Trendy
Intimate

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Recommended Reviews - Thunderbolt

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Composite Notebook menus
Carlie C.

Thunderbolt has been on my list for way too long! I was trying The Parks Finest next door and lo and 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

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

P-Town Boxing Club

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

The pizza doesn't disappoint. You can expect a long wait time during busy hours, especially if it's first Friday.

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

Business owner information

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Michael C.

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7 years ago

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Michael C.

Thanks Vicki! Isn’t Jamal just the best?!

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

A bar focusing on natural wines in Filipino town. Good service and ambiance. Food is in my opinion disappointing but drinks are the focus

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Amazing food and not just for being GF. Amazing variety of interesting cocktails I've never seen.

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4 years ago

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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… 

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