Bar at Parlour Room of Hollywood by Vintage Bar Group

A brand-new bar opens in a really old space in Hollywood tonight. Some of you may remember Red Buddha Lounge (one of my first CoC blog posts ever!), Play or even Goldfinger. Well, now Craig Trager — the man behind The Well and NoBar, both long-standing establishments — has transformed it into the Parlour Room of Hollywood.

True, its name may not be all that compelling but maybe the thought of enjoying classic style cocktails ($5 house martini to $10 specialty cocktails) in a swanky room with antique chandeliers, gold mirrors, puffy green seats, marble-topped tables and lots o’ booths will entice you. The bar will serve up old faves like Blood and Sand, Southside and Pimm’s Cup in addition to a few of their own concoctions. I’ve included the recipes here in case you want to try them at home before you commit.

The Paddy Cocktail, $10

• 2 ounces Powers
• 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
• ½ ounce Grand Marnier
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir and strain into martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.

The Maple Julep, $10

• 3 ounces Woodford Reserve
• 6-8 mint leaves
• ¾ ounce maple syrup

Muddle maple syrup and mint leaves in a bucket glass.  Add ice and bourbon.  Shake and serve on the rocks with a sprig of mint for garnish.

The Metropolitan, $10

• 3 ounces Absolut
• 3 sugar cubes
• Lemon wedge
• 4 raspberries
• Splash of lemonade

Muddle raspberries with sugar cubes, lemon wedge and splash of lemonade.  Add ice and vodka.  Shake and strain into martini glass and garnish with a raspberry on the rim.

Cucumber Cooler, $10

• 2 ounces Bombay Sapphire
• 3 sugar cubes
• 3 slices cucumber
• Lemon and lime wedge
• Splash of soda

Muddle cucumber slices, sugar cubes, and squeeze of lime and lemon wedge in a bucket glass.  Add ice and gin.  Shake and serve on the rocks with a splash of soda and a slice of cucumber garnish on the rim.

The Parlour Trick $10

• 2 ounces Ciroc Coconut Vodka
• Lime juice
• 2 sugar cubes

Muddled ingredients with fresh kiwi, shaken and served in a martini glass garnished with a kiwi.

Don’t feel put off by the Parlour Room’s lux-looking interior, though; this place is for the neighborhoodies, a cool place to chill and get your drink on. Any place that’s serving Schlitz and Old Speckled Hen in cans and has a jukebox can’t be too uppity. Trager said his goal is ”to make everyone who walks into my establishments feel like a celebrity the minute they walk through the door, and to provide those customers a place where the staff not only knows its customers by name but their drink as well.” Nice! I’ll drink to that. I might give that Maple Julep a go.

The Parlour Room of Hollywood
6423 Yucca Street
Los Angeles, California 90028 (map)
(323) 463-0609