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Best beer bar in L.A./Santa Monica

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by bruindre, Apr 6, 2013.

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  1. bruindre

    bruindre Initiate (0) Jun 20, 2009 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I'm going out to LA in a few weeks and wanted to poll the BA community. If I had to pick one spot - between Santa Monica and downtown LA - that had a killer beer selection, what would you recommend?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 bruindre, Apr 6, 2013
  2. hopsputin

    hopsputin Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) Apr 1, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    The Library Alehouse and Father's Office


    Both in Santa Monica, like 5 mins away from each other
     
    #2 hopsputin, Apr 6, 2013
  3. Srsly

    Srsly Crusader (496) Mar 21, 2010 California

    If you're only going to one spot, I suggest you check the tap lists and decide for yourself (that's my usual strategy). Personally, I like Surly Goat, Blue Palms, or Mohawk Bend. Other people like Beer Belly, Verdugo, Tony's Darts Away, or Far Bar. All of them but Far Bar (as far as i know) post and update their list regularly. Surly Goat usually has the best stuff, but is expensive and has a club feel on weekends. Blue Palms is usually more mellow, but it's on the edge of Hollywood so on weekends it can be difficult to drive and park nearby. Mohawk has the most taps, and they're all from California. It's a little tough to park there too, but it's a huge space so even when it's crowded it's not that bad. It also helps that it (along with Verdugo) is the most convenient for me.
     
    #3 Srsly, Apr 6, 2013
  4. erichxedge

    erichxedge Crusader (451) Nov 29, 2009 California

    Surly Goat is my favorite spot. 5/6 dollar beers and Baby Blues BBQ is three spots down and delivers
     
    #4 erichxedge, Apr 6, 2013
    Aexoonge likes this.
  5. bruindre

    bruindre Initiate (0) Jun 20, 2009 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Thanks for the early feedback. Before I moved to MA, I'd been to Father's Office (both locations - I preferred the Montana Ave. location, but was always tough to get a group in there). I've also been to West 4th/Jane - cool spot, but not the biggest selection (what they have has usually been decent, though).

    I'm more curious about the downtown LA scene - always ignored it, even years after Staples brought a lot of publicity - and business - to that area. Any place I ought to look at in downtown?
     
    #5 bruindre, Apr 6, 2013
  6. teamizm

    teamizm Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2005 California

    Far Bar, Buzz Wine and Beer store, Little Bear. I'd suggest searching the forums. There has been (what feels like) 15 threads in the last 2 weeks asking about beer bars and stores in LA. Some very detailed DTLA ones as well.
     
    #6 teamizm, Apr 6, 2013
    bruindre likes this.
  7. rboinski

    rboinski Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2012 California

    Baby blues is a GREAT suggestion. Surly Goat for the beer of course
     
    #7 rboinski, Apr 7, 2013
  8. Wowcoolman

    Wowcoolman Pooh-Bah (1,574) Sep 25, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Tony's Darts Away
    Runner up : Library Alehouse
     
    #8 Wowcoolman, Apr 7, 2013
  9. ChazMania

    ChazMania Pundit (902) Jun 13, 2006 California

    Library Alehouse is where I had my transformative beer moment (come on, you've likely all had one!) and it was in 2001 with a Stone IPA.
     
    #9 ChazMania, Apr 7, 2013
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