Where: Los Angeles
What: Drink PlaceList
Who: Angus McShane, partner at Last Word Hospitality (Same Same Thai, Brack Shop Tavern) is no stranger to the late night shenanigans of DTLA, having tended bars at Seven Grand and The Edison. As DTLA's renaissance continues Angus unleashes his personal prescription for a killer night in the heart of the city. Fuel up friends, a wild ride awaits, and it's all on foot.
The Itinerary:
Angus McShane: At 5 p.m. you need to be at
The Varnish when the door opens so you can get the first martini they serve with a homemade pickled onion. Then go across the street to
Las Perlas and ask for a recommendation of mezcal. If they’re serving tacos on the patio, make sure to grab one. After that, go to
Terroni for the end of happy hour and get the prosciutto board and an espresso. Once you’ve refueled, head over to
Brack Shop Tavern, get a shot & a beer, and watch a game. Then head to
Bar Jackalope (hidden inside
Seven Grand) and drink some incredibly rare whisky that you’ve never heard of but the bartender knows everything about. Head over to
Ham & Eggs Tavern for a beer and
Golden Gopher for a shot. For the pros, I like to bounce back and forth, switching back and forth between beer and hard liquor. After that, grab a slice of pizza at
Pellicola Pizzeria, hope you get invited to a roof top loft party, then go find Slim Boogie teaching a breakdancing lesson in one of the Downtown parking structures. At this point, it’s about 5 or 6 a.m. so go to Spring for coffee and get your day started.
Angus McShane, Last Word Hospitality
Brack Shop Tavern
Angus McShane: Happy Hour on the patio is killer. I love talking to the regulars and neighbors.
Bar Jackalope
AM: One of the best spirit collections in the country. Big call, but they can back it up.
Ham & Eggs Tavern
AM: I love this bar. No bullshit and great music.
Golden Gopher
AM: Best pool table Downtown and somehow their shots seem to have more 'shot' than other bars in the neighborhood.
Las Perlas
AM: Since Las Perlas opened I've never called for a drink at this bar—I only ask the bar team for a recommendation and let them blow me away with rare mezcal. Salud!
The Varnish
AM: I used to start my Fridays at 5 p.m. with a Gibson Martini made with Max the GM's homemade pickled onions. Excellent start to the weekend.
The Redwood Bar & Grill
AM: One of the best jukeboxes in LA and who doesn't love a pirate bar? I remember leaving this place with a black eye once—probably well deserved, oddly enough we didn't get kicked out.
Terroni
AM: Always sit at the bar, always take the espresso before you leave.
Hank's Bar
AM: I remember being in here one night and we started bar-backing because there was only one staff member on and the place was packed. We jumped behind the bar and started cleaning and serving—it was a blast. The bartender bought us beers and told us: “get the fuck out of my bar.”
Ace Hotel DTLA
AM: I check out the view on the rooftop to remind myself why I like eating breakfast downstairs at LA Chapter.
Spring
AM: Start the morning out right with their coffee.
Historic DTLA Rooftops
Brack Shop Tavern
Brack Shop Tavern
Image courtesy of Bar Jackalope
Image courtesy of Golden Gopher
Mezcal courtesy of Las Perlas
The Varnish courtesy of @lozahe
Image courtesy of Spring
Header image courtesy of Brack Shop Tavern