I’ve been to the Golden Gopher several times before but just have never bothered to review it. Maybe because I wanted to keep it to myself…and the thousands of downtown denizens. It’s such a cool place to hang out–a refreshing change from the Westside and Hollywood scene.
Sitting on the smoking patio looking through the strung-up lights at the tall buildings above, you really get a sense of city life, like you would in San Franciso or New York. The crowd is made up of young professionals with a sprinkling of artsy loft dwellers, and it’s a fair mix of men and women. The decor makes it possible to keep both sexes entertained. There’s a huge TV screen for those interested in the sports game of the moment as well as tabletop arcade games but sports bar leanings are offset by the elaborate chandeliers, tasteful decor and charming gilded gopher table lamps.
Happy hour is until 8pm but it’s just $1 off drinks. Nothing really stood out from their specialty cocktails list so I just stuck to my usual poison. No food, but you have the option of ordering pizza to be delivered from a place down the street. But the thing that sets Golden Gopher apart from all other bars: Liquor to go. They have their own liquor store near the entrance where you can get fairly priced liquor, cigarettes, disposable cameras, etc. And if you live in the area, you get the option of having liquor delivered to your door.
I wish the GG was closer though. I just don’t feel comfortable getting liquored up so far away from home. But I suppose I could kill time sobering up by playing Pac-Man.
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417 W Eighth St
Los Angeles, CA 90014-3000
(213) 614-8001
Cross Street: Hill Street
[...] But I say try Downtown on Ice once just for the experience of ice skating in Downtown L.A. Apparently there are free holiday concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Perhaps afterwards you can even go across the street to the Biltmore Gallery Bar for an Irish coffee or saunter down the street to my fave, Golden Gopher, to warm up. [...]
[...] It’s already that time of year again — fantasy car shopping time. Seems like just yesterday we had an L.A. auto show, or rather January of this year. I’ve always done these in the daytime but now that I see it’s open til 10 most nights, I’m thinking this would be fun to do first and then head up the street to Figueroa Hotel’s Veranda Bar or even the Golden Gopher for drinks and wishful thinking after. And hopefully that way you’d avoid the crowds (read: families) and actually get to sit in your dream cars uninterrupted. Mine is obviously the Giugiaro-designed Mustang above but I don’t know if we’re allowed to sit in it, let alone play with those scissor doors. Boo. [...]
[...] After a two-hour concert in the elements (brrrr! 52 degrees!), you might want to saunter on down to the Golden Gopher on 8th Street for a nice warming cup of whiskey. Yum. [...]
[...] Places that I think would be cool for throwing a bday party downtown are Seven Grand (obviously) and Golden Gopher. The Edison is fabulous and so beautiful but it doesn’t have a patio. But it is huge and I think they have dancing there since there’s a stage and a place for a dj. But I’d suggest getting there before 9 if you have a large party. Even at 8pm so you can take over a bunch of seats. [...]