An email exchange between me and my co-worker who was looking for a place to take some cocktail-loving out-of-towners.
From: Co-worker
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:51 PM
To: Caroline on Crack
Subject: RE: Where to go….
Yo,
That girl’s sister and brother-in-law are coming out for the long weekend. They’re big on bars. Good, fun cool ones.
This is your area “expertise,” what’cha got for recommendations?
From: Caroline on Crack
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:53 PM
To: Co-worker
Subject: RE: Where to go….
What’s their idea of fun?
Here are just my faves: Copa d’Oro in Santa Monica, The 
Edison in Downtown, The Association in Downtown, Bar Lubitsch in WeHo, Ivan Kane’s Cafe Wa s in Hollywood, Father’s Office 2 in Culver City.
From: Co-worker
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:56 PM
To: Caroline on Crack
Subject: RE: Where to go….
I have no idea what their idea of fun is. She’s never been to LA (they live in DC) so something that’s sort of LAey.
The Edison is definitely a go. I’ve been wanting to go there for a year.
From: Caroline on Crack
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 3:01 PM
To: Co-worker
Subject: RE: Where to go….
Well, I like the following bars for the following reasons:
Copa d’Oro is created by a renowned mixologist. You can either 
build your own cocktail, have the bartender create something for you or pick one of their award-winning specialty cocktails. It’s also just around the corner from the Promenade if you want to take in some shopping or a movie before or after.
The Association in downtown has vintage cocktails that are only $10. But I think it gets crowded over the weekend. If you go, it’s best to go before 10.
Bar Lubitsch in WeHo is where I had my blogiversary. Great vodka bar with music and dancing in the back room.
Ivan Kane’s Cafe Wa s in Hollywood is great if you want to feel like you’re in Paris. They have a cool absinthe bar upstairs and just debuted their new specialty cocktail menu. It’s swank though. Their cocktails are about $12-$15. It’s also within walking distance of the Hungry Cat (great for gourmet cocktails), The Well, The Bowery, etc.
Father’s Office 2 is better than the SaMo location cuz it has a full bar and more space.
BTW, what’s “LAey”? Like douchebag celeb spots? In that case I’d 
say Coco de Ville in WeHo, Sky Bar, Foxtail. So many.
From: Co-worker
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 3:06 PM
To: Caroline on Crack
Subject: RE: Where to go….
I think I’ll be going to Copa d’Oro, The Association, and Ivan Kane’s.
LAey could mean a lot of things. There’s just a different vibe from East Coast bars where it’s either frat guys or finance douchebags. The ones you suggested are perfect.
(who needs Frommers when I have you?)
Ha, great recs and I love how you posted the email exchange. I’ll also throw in Tiki-Ti since it’s such an LA institution — and it’ll tide your co-workers & visitors over between the drive from downtown to Hollywood ;)
Agreed, all good choices, love that Association made the list.
Would like to throw in my $.02, as I have east-coast drinkers consistently show up on vacations. Note that my friends are typically beer, not cocktail, drinker and these recs are beer-centric:
–for an east-coasty feeling bar in a good neighborhood (i.e. a good way to spend a few hours), I would recommend Village Idiot on Melrose. While the look is New Yorky (exposed brick and rafter, open kitchen), the crowd is LA hipster/professional.
–For similar New Yorky feel, I would also recommend Delancey on Sunset. Good crowd, good drinks/beers and after a dinner or pizza you can pop over to Mission Cantina (next door) for tequila.
–East Coast drinkers also love outdoor drinking. You have various options here, but some of my faves are Library Ale House in Santa Monica, Red Lion in Silver Lake and I guess either Standard (both pool bars have great views.)
–Finally, I typically take folks from out of town to a music venue in LA–typically the Troubadour. While nothing terrific in the way of bars and drinking, I feel like East Coasters like the intimacy and appreciate good music.
yeah, those out of towners – they LOVE the standard’s poolside bars. i think that’s very LAey. also there’s viceroy for the poolside bar, huntley for the oceanside view. i kinda like cabana club too (for their cabanas) :P
Good recs, peeps! I love it when you guys make suggestions!
I find anywhere I can do a little bar-hopping, as you never know what the crowds will be like. Jumping around downtown or Main street or Abbot Kinney or Sunset in Echo Park usually works well, so you can walk, drink, duck out when necessary.
But it’s good to stay close to home, so cabs are cheap and you can get beschnozzled as you like…speaking of which, is it time for a bloody mary yet or what? It’s Sunday after-all.