Anyone know anything about the new owner of the Broadway Alehouse? Here is the story: http://toddrickallen.com/tag/broadway-ale-house/ I always thought they had a decent tap list, and sometimes even better than decent, but a really weird vibe that kept me away...
Agreed. It was nice to have another craft beer option on the Promenade I suppose, but after a promising start, the beer selection slid downward in a hurry before its closure. And then there was the fact that they were blasting techno at about 5pm when I was the only patron in the place last time I was in. Weird vibe.
Went there once about a year and a half ago? Anyways, the tap list was good but the vibe was just so wrong. It seemed like it could be profitable but there was just nothing that would keep me there to buy more than 1 round. The place made me want to leave.
I stopped in here once. Had a bottle of Consecration at a really good price. The vibe there was definitely strange. I've passed by a number of other times and there was always lots of loud techno music, flashing lights, and what sounded like karaoke. Interesting to hear about some of the details of what was going down there. Hopefully the new owner gives that spot a better name.
So, I guess that's a no - nobody knows anything about the new ownership. Apparently, they are not on BeerAdvocate, which isn't a particularly encouraging sign...
OK, went there last night and here is my report. This was what was on tap last night: Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat Stone Pale Ale Alesmith Nut Brown Blue Moon Julian Hard Cider Guiness Full Sail Amber Delirium Tremens Ommegang Aphrodite Kronenburg Pilsner Carlsberg O'Hara's Irish Stout Fat Tire Firestone Velvet Merkin Woodchuck Pear Avery Maharaja Allagash White Black Market Hef Allagash Black Belgian Strawberry They have a "bottle list" but most items were unavailable due to fridge repairs. It wasn't too extensive either. If I were them I would create an extensive list of ageable imports. You have Red Stripe but no Aventinus? Looks like they have wine, mixed drinks, and I think I spotted a few bottles of sake as well so it's not strictly a beer bar. Thoughts on the tap list. Not a ridiculous, omg, drooly list but a mix that I see them trying to cater to specific groups of clientele. If I had to request something it would be that it needs more hops! Also, I thought they could have used a more extensive glassware selection. I saw a bunch of Chimay glasses but not a drop of Chimay on the premises. And Duvel tulips have a specific purpose due to the nature of Duvel. Get some different tulips and fill them to the top otherwise it looks like you are short pouring and puts out a bad impression. Plus, prices and abv, please show me next to the beer, I would like to know. On to the vibe. Last time I was here this place just seemed weird. This time it seemed relaxed. I had read reviews in the past that they had cranked up techno music or something playing so that you could barely hear but the music was just right. A nice blend of 90's rock/alternative that you could hear but still have a conversation without screaming into someones ear. The decor though needs some help, it's very confused. On the back wall you have a giant Andy Warhol Campbell soup can and then everywhere else you have tintypes for beers, particularly a lot of European beers. I did like the lights over the bar, the hanging bare bulbs. I would also ditch the curtains in the front, just makes it look weird. They don't serve food but you can bring in whatever food from the outside that you want. The bartender was very nice and attentive. He seemed to know a little about beer but I would have him read up some more on styles just so he can really give more input on the beers when customers have questions. Nothing like being able to tell the style and some flavor descriptors about a beer to inquiring customers. So, to summarize, I would return. If I owned the place I would focus on the following: Give it an identity. It doesn't have one. It's just this weird mix blend of beer and odd that needs to be fixed. Make your tap list more local. Seriously, it's California!!! Get the small local breweries (Eagle Rock, El Segundo, Strand, etc.) they would love you for it and you would be getting damn fresh delicious beer. Extend the bottle list. I would have more of the imports on it and some other Cali stuff that you can get. Get the right glassware. A smattering of pints and incorrect tulips is not gonna work. You wanna be serious about beer get serious about glassware, some of us really care. That's about it. I think people should give this place a chance. It truly has potential.
Great write up. The subtext seems to be that if they are serious about beer, they haven't done anything to make it apparent yet. Oh, well. The space (with all those taps) has such potential...
Thanks for the info. Not a bad tap list by any means, but it doesn't sound like there's any reason to choose Broadway Alehouse - and the aggravating insanity of the Promenade - over Library Alehouse or the Daily Pint. But I'll keep it mind if I'm in the area.
Nice job on the review for us geeky folks. I do need to make it to LA more. I really should learn the train schedules. Cheers!
