I'm flying into LA tomorrow afternoon and will be staying downtown for the week. Besides Bonaventure brewing which is next door to my hotel, which beer bars/bottle shops should I look into? I will also have no car, so the closer the better. Cheers, Chad
Blue Palms isn't too terribly far from downtown, haven't been since they moved. They have great burgers and fries and are a destination beer bar. Their tap list: http://bluepalmsbrewhouse.com/pages/beer.html Wurstkuche is one of the belgian fries, sausages and craft beer style gastropubs. I've been to the Santa Monica location several times. Here's a link to their beer menu: http://www.wurstkuche.com/Drink.html There are a lot of similar gastropubs around but LA is the type of city where things are much easier if you have a car. Let me give you some restaurant suggestions near downtown too. LA is a fantastic food city, arguably the best in North America. Near downtown is little tokyo if you like japanese food. Shin sen gumi (ramen), Katsuya (tempura), Shabu Shabu House (better, but quite expensive shabu at Kaguya). For sushi, Sushi Gen, Mako Sushi and Toranoko are all well rated by those in the know, I haven't been to any of those though. Drago Centro, Baco Mercat, Spice Table, Umamicatessen, Lazy Ox, Bottega Louie, Mexicali Taco Co. Mo Chica, any of these places will give you a fantastic meal. Enjoy LA! I wish I wasn't moving this month, too much good food and drink here.
Far Bar (1.5 miles), Wurstküche (1.5 miles), Little Bear (2 miles), Sunset Beer Company (2.3 miles), Mohawk Bend (2.9 miles), Beer Belly (3.5 miles) are all good places for draft beer within 5 miles from your hotel. Sunset Beer Company and J & T Ramirez Liquor (4.1 miles) are good bottleshops. There is also a great sushi place three places down from Far Bar called Enya Sushi. Wurstküche has great sausages.
(1) Far Bar (2) Far Bar (3) Far Bar ....if you're walking Metro: Blue Palms, Beer Belly, Father's Office for a burger and beer (off the Exposition Line in downtown Culver City)
So far I've checked out Public School (meh, but I got a few ticks), and Far Bar. Fucking awesome. I love the shady alley entrance. I may end up back there tonight. Thanks for the suggestions
Check out Wieland Underground. It's right next to Bonaventure and usually has a few decent taps, as well as a good cocktail to boot! :-)
Sounds like you've made some great choices & already have the best suggestions already posted. Far bar and or Wurstkucke are your best local "destination" bars in the area if your walking, imo. Mohawk bend is also worth the trip if you take a Cab/taxi (or don't mind a 6 mile trek round trip in this heat) Another spot you can walk to, which is craft focused (26 taps) but is not a desitination bar unto itself is Spring Street Bar. It's 0.8 miles from the Bonaventure, or less then a 20 min walk. Just tossing them out as an option for that area if you wanted to stay even closer. Cheers.
if you are willing to drive about 10 miles, i'd go check out 38 degrees alehouse in alhambra. The ALWAYS have amazing beer on tap. For example, they had angel's share, pliny, abyss, sculpin, and parabola on tap all at the same time. You will not be disappointed
