Hi all, I'll be staying near the Los Angeles County Library next week, and I'm on the prowl for good fresh beer. I remember there being a nice bottle shop in a corner building a few blocks east, maybe southeast, of the library, but the exact location and name escape me - any ideas? I'm also interested in any suggestions on good shops or tap lists within walking distance. It's a huge city, and I can't find a way to sort by zip code on the app, so I'm hoping the locals can offer some advice. Thanks!
You're probably thinking of Buzz at the corner of 5th and Spring. There's also Weird Beers on 7th in between Broadway and Spring. Less selection, but seen some good stuff there before - most notably FW Parabola and Kern Just Outstanding If you're near the library, the closest beer bar is probably Public School. They have some rotating taps with a couple decent selections. The dart boards in the back are also nice. Crazy crowded after work for happy hour though.
Going by a quick street view map, Buzz absolutely looks like the place I remember. Thanks! Not too concerned about post work happy hour; I'll be slaving away then.
Spring Street Bar and Sixth Street Tavern (same ownership) are also quite close and put their beer lists online. I know at least Spring Street Bar has been getting the hoppy Alpine goodies lately (Nelson, Duet, Hoppy Birthday) Far Bar in Little Tokyo is also close - either walking or via Uber. I believe they list their offerings on TapHunter now, but it's usually a little bit behind. The Escondite usually has great burgers and usually some good beers on tap - it's on the border of Skid Row though, so be careful of the route you take to get there.
City Tavern is on the pricier side if you miss happy hour but they have a pretty wide local selection as well.
I honestly don't know what "gnarliest prices" means. Am I getting a deal, or will I be weeping for my wallet's sudden weight loss?
Most bottles are a good $1-2 higher than you see elsewhere in the city. For the occasional hyped/limite release, it can get downright ridiculous. The example I always cite is Firestone's Velvet Merkin, which they were trying to sell for almost double the price of places like BevMo, where it was also widely available. They also now offer you the option of opening up any bottle you buy in store to enjoy in their bar area... for an additional $3 or so per bottle.
I'm sure abecall will love that place since it reminds him so much of his favorite beer bar in Sacramento. Why does it seem like every city has an overpriced place like that? I like far bar too, but their signage on their property says something else. chop suey maybe? That's at least what I remember from my visit in January.
Based on this thread, I visited Weird Beers this week. It's a tiny but cool place. I work in Downtown, so it's walking distance for me, and I'm sure I visit it again. I had no idea it was there.
