An elegant cocktail bar in the restored Hotel Normandie in Koreatown — serious drinks in a beautiful setting, with a hidden speakeasy within if you know to ask. The cocktails are refined — classic technique, quality spirits — and the Normandie's elegance suits contemplative drinking. Come in the evening for the proper bar atmosphere; ask about the hidden speakeasy, and use the Koreatown location as a base for late-night Korean food. It is a sophisticated, well-made cocktail bar with a secret tucked inside — refined drinking in a restored historic hotel, ideally placed for K-town's after-hours food scene. For a considered cocktail before Korean BBQ, it's the neighbourhood's class act.
Location
Koreatown, Los Angeles
Map
Insider Intel
The French 75 variations demonstrate real range. Anything off the seasonal menu justifies the price point. The absinthe service is theatrical in the best possible way, a ritual that demands you slow down and pay attention.
Date night Tuesday through Thursday, when conversation is still possible and the room belongs to people who chose to be here rather than people who ended up here. Post-karaoke on weekends if you want to elevate the remainder of your evening.
Reservations strongly recommended. Dress like you are trying to impress someone whose opinion matters to you. The bar area is less formal but fills up fast.