Where: Los Angeles
What: Silver Lake Bar PlaceList
Who: Alex Barbatsis is the bar director at Bar Angeles, Silver Lake’s newest neighborhood joint that slings pizzas, pastas and salads and carefully yet whimsically crafted cocktails. It’s a playful environment that never takes itself quite too seriously. A bubbly beverage is named after bubbly pop singer Marie Osmond's "Paper Roses"—with mezcal, damiana flower liquer, lime agave and cava rose, while a particularly heavy-hitting cocktail is named for the wrestling move, Whisper in the Wind—with gin, blanc vermouth and apricot liqueur. When asked to describe Silver Lake, the bartender says, “Everyone is pretty affable and currently dresses like The Eagles.” Since the good people of Silver Lake seem to like to take it easy, we asked Alex to clue us in on some of his favorite places to relax with a drink around town.
Bar Angeles Bar Director Alex Barbatsis
Whisper in the Wind
Meatball pizza courtesy of @heatherplatt
Bar Angeles
Alex Barbatsis: The food is amazing but shareable, almost family style. Housemade pasta and pizza, refreshing salads, but all meant to encourage a having a dinner, talking, catching up, sharing stories, relaxing. The bar is an extension of that, but most people chat with each other while sitting at the bar, to friends and strangers. My proudest drink on the menu is Paper Roses because I didn't enjoy sparkling cocktails for a long time, so I decided to make one I enjoyed.
Akbar
AB: I've spent a lot of time here drinking cheap and playing the best jukebox in town. Craft Night on Wednesdays is the best, making crafts and drinking. Additionally, there is a Piano Night, a RuPaul's Drag Race night and a variety of dance nights. The bar up front is fun with a great dance floor located in the back. Say hi to Albert and the crew if you go.
Tiki-Ti
AB: Squeeze into the oldest Tiki Bar in LA and get "Ray's Mistake". It's a great place for chatting with people as you'll probably be sharing a table with someone interesting.
Barbrix
AB: My girlfriend's favorite spot with a great wine selection. Brunches are crazy, but Monday you'll more than likely catch us hanging for the great happy hour and dollar oysters. I love dollar oysters!
Jay's Bar
AB: It's right across the street from Bar Angeles, serves good beer and whiskey. Done and done. Plus a bonus for being dark inside and having a tasty happy hour burger.
Edendale
AB: A great bar in a huge space. When I get dragged to brunch—be warned I am not a morning person—it's usually here because the drinks are great. The black coffee and Aperol Spritz are a great morning combo.
Bar Keeper
AB: Bar Keeper is not a bar per se, but they do sell booze so it sorta counts in my book. There’s an amazing selection of spirits, the best variety of bitters and just about any tool a bartender could want. I cruise over every other day to pick stuff up. I am saddened they’re closing early next year. Hopefully, there is a new location opening up soon. Note: Bitters make a great gift because they do not spoil or take up much space and they’re always fun to play with.
Bar Angeles courtesy of @kellilamb_
Bar Angeles courtesy of @clackman
Akbar courtesy of @glenalen
Akbar courtesy of @bowenstead
Tiki-Ti courtesy of @tiki_chippy
Barbrix courtesy of @barbrixwinebar
Jay's Bar courtesy of @jaysbarla
The Edendale courtesy of @theedendale
Bar Keepercourtesy of @barkeepersilverlake
Bar Keeper courtesy of @barkeepersilverlake
Header Image courtesy of @clackman
