The Spare Room's Naomi Schimek was trained by the best: Audrey Saunders.

Audrey Saunders, famed mixmaster from New York’s Pegu Club who kickstarted the modern mixology movement, has returned to L.A. at least for tonight. She left La Brea’s Tar Pit last year but is going to be in Hollywood to celebrate Naomi Schimek’s new role as director of beverages at the Spare Room! Audrey, who won Best Bar Mentor at the Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards this year, had trained Naomi back in their days at Tar Pit together.

So she’s helping Naomi debut the new fall cocktail menu by providing her own guest cocktail menu for the night. Fans of her fine work will want to stop by the Spare Room to see this lady of libations in action. Check out what she’ll be serving up via my post on Squid Ink, which also includes a cocktail recipe by Naomi.

And here’s just some of Naomi’s own fall cocktail list. Lots of tasty stuff to be had.

• Amoxycillin: Amaro Nonino, Laphroaig 10, ginger, lemon, honey
• Remembrance: Bartlett pear soaked Fino Sherry, Plymouth Gin, Bianco vermouth, rosemary
• Robert Frost: Magic Hat #9 Ale, apple cider, amaretto, lemon
• Thanks Grandma: Jamaican Rum, hazelnut and allspice liqueurs, cinnamon spiced pumpkin, cream, nutmeg

TONIGHT at 8pm

Spare Room at Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90028 (map)
(323) 769-7296
Facebook: Spare Room
Twitter: @SpareRoomHwood

Spare Room's new beverage director Naomi Schimek and the departing Aidan Demarest.

A new bar but without a specialty cocktail menu? Unheard of! Especially in this day and age of hot L.A. mixologists and must-do cocktails. But Aidan Demarest — well-known bar guy who’s managed places like the Edison, Schmeven Schmand and the Roosevelt’s Spare Room — told me for an interview I did with him for LA Weekly‘s Squid Ink that he’s done talking about cocktails. So for his brand-new bar Neat, which opens up in Glendale on October 8, he’s focusing on spirits.

No well-crafted cocktail menu, except on the occasional guest bartender night, just “deconstructed” drinks arriving on pallets: spirit served neat alongside a glass of mixers. Think vodka with a side of ginger beer and lime for a Moscow Mule. No stemware here, just rocks glasses.

And the venue, which takes the place of ol’ beer bar Side Bar, will strip away all the Moroccan filigree down to the bar’s original mid-century foundation. A simple bar and a simple menu. Aidan wants to return it to its straight-drinking roots. Here are a couple of outtakes from my interview with him.

I don’t want to build it up too much because it’s not as interesting and it’s certainly the tiniest remodel I’ve ever done but the remodel of this place, the decor, it’s a mid-century bar. It’s built in the ‘50s. It’s a mid-century Glendale bar. Underneath [the old Moroccan decor] is this great Post- World War II bar that I’m sure every car salesman and cop in Glendale hung out at and had a beer right before he went home. That’s what I loved about it. It reminded me of a Boston local. And you could tell the emphasis was on the bar. It was really a bar. I’m bringing it back to a bar and it already is so awesome to watch.

The only big difference we did was create this shrine to liquor. There’s going to be 30 feet of liquor that run the length of the bar. It’s 3,500 square feet. It’s not that big at all but it’s all you need. There’s a lot of space in a bar that is superfluous. This is a bar and tables and chairs and there are two booths in front that are great. And he has a dj thing. I’m going to do some entertainment. There’s a cabaret license so there’s going to be djs and bands. It’s not a speakeasy, it’s a bar.

My fave part of the interview with Aidan was to hear him talk about the distillers, who will also be showcased at Neat:

Watching that process has always fascinated me because I know how much work it is. And those guys, those distillers and the master distillers they can taste a sunny afternoon in 1975. I swear to god, they’re amazing. I had such admiration for that when I first got into this business and I met some of those guys. And they’d be like, ‘Here’s why I do this…and it’s on this side of the rickhouse because there’s an open window over there that got busted out in World War II, we never fixed it so the breeze blows right in and out and I always use that barrel when I wanna soften up the last..’ literally. You’re like, ‘Whhhat?’ There’s like 8,000 barrels in there and the guy is like, ‘The one by the window over there is softer.’ No really. That’s a true story. We’re talking about a place that’s as big as a mall and he’s like, ‘I told them never to fix that window ‘cause it just does so well. We’d have squirrels get through it though.’ That’s amazing and all that goes into a glass or a bottle, unknown to anyone.

Neat will have a private industry opening on October 7 but will open its doors to the public on October 8. Can’t wait!

Neat
1114 N Pacific Avenue
Glendale, California 91202 (map)

Jimmy and Yume Han of Beer Belly.

Beer Belly craft beer bar is opening in Koreatown this Friday, and it seems to possess all the elements of what make a beer bar great: 1) an impressive selection of affordably priced, handcrafted beer on taps; 2) tasty bar bites; 3) beer-serious owners; 4) knowledgeable beertenders; and 5) parking.

The Bruery's Mischief Gone Wild from Jimmy's private stash.

The owners, Jimmy and Yume Han, are so young, attractive and hip, I wondered what their intentions were for opening up such a place. But after interviewing them for LA Weekly’s Squid Ink, getting past their sound byte tendencies and learning of their passion for craft beer as well as checking out their new digs, I see that they’re really serious about it all. They may be fairly new to the beer world but they’re eager to learn, open to suggestions and always willing to try something new.

And the beer community has embraced them, garnering them advice from the best in the business, like Ryan Sweeney of the Surly Goat and Verdugo Bar, Mark Craftsman of Craftsman Brewing Company and of course the Beer Chick herself, Christina Perozzi, who had not only trained Beer Belly’s staff of beertenders but helped the Hans curate their tap selection. Although according to her, they already had a good grasp of beer and “get it.”

During my sneak peek visit last week, I got to check out what they’re planning to have on tap for their grand opening night this Friday: beauties like The Bruery’s Rugbrod and Craftsman Cabernale. At the time there was also Black Market Brown Ale, one of my new favorites, but Jimmy said he might have to switch it up since he’s been drinking that and the Eagle Rock Populist IPA while setting up the bar. Who could blame him? But I do really hope it’s still there for the opening.

Don't mind the dust. They're still setting up.

There will be a rotating list of beers on 12 taps which Jimmy promises will be recession-friendly, “nothing over $10.” And in the fridge is a selection of bottled beer like Rogue Chocolate Stout, Dogfish Head’s Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew as well as picks from Jimmy’s own private stash, a collection he’s amassed over the years with rarities like The Bruery’s Mischief Gone Wild.

For non drinkers who tag along with their beer-drinking friends, there is also a nice selection of artisanal sodas like Blenheim Ginger Ale (yay!) and Waialua Mango Soda. And a couple bottles of wine for those into that.

Naturally there will also be food, but a small and simple selection of shareable dishes. The night I went they had specially made boar bratwurst by Grindhaus Sausage Truck served with highly addictive onion stout jam that I wanted to use on EVERYthing. There was also asparagus, French fries with potato aioli featuring bacon fat and roasted beets and tofu salad with Asian pear and honey sesame vinaigrette. There was talk about meatball skewers but unfortunately they were not yet available.

Beer Belly bar bites. Say that 5x fast.

The bar is actually set up looking more like a restaurant than a beer bar. There aren’t bar stools at the bar or high tops, mayhaps due to license restrictions, but there is a drink rail. And seating is restaurant style with table seating at a bench along the wall and a couple of tables by the front, floor-to-ceiling window. It’ll seat 35 comfortably but 50 folks can squeeze in.

The space, designed by MAKE Architecture (who did Bodega Wine Bar), is beautiful and modern what with three different stains of mahogany on the walls and even ceilings, a very shiny concrete floor. Outside, striking street art by MR44 wraps around the exterior.

Beer Belly definitely stands out in this area of Korean barbecue joints, mom and pop shops and karaoke studios. A good thing considering it’s located off the street, tucked in away off the main drag. Hopefully, since it’s in walking distance of the Wiltern, possesses its own parking lot and offers a such a well-done beer list, it’ll be a destination for beer connoisseurs. Add to that that Biergarten, home of the Glutster burger and a decent beer selection of its own, is just up the street (less than a mile away) and you’ve got yourself a nice little beer bar crawl.

More photos of Beer Belly after the jump.

Beer Belly
532 S Western Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90020 (map)
(213) 387-2337
Facebook: Beer Belly
Twitter: @BeerBelly_LA

It’s going to be a crazy party weekend what with Cinco de Mayo kicking things off then George Clooney’s birthday, Kentucky Derby and Mother’s Day.

Wednesday, May 4

Quatro de Mayo at La Descarga
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Eve with a rollicking good time at La Descarga. The Camarena taco truck will be serving up food from 9:30p to 12a, free for early arrivals. There’s even talk of a nacho bar. Yum! And you can’t have a Cinco, er Quatro celebration without tequila and mescal drinks and shots. Drinks, which include the Wet Baquiri and Kraken Micheladas, will be specially priced from $8-$10. And getting the crowd moving will be none other than StreetGourmet LA blogger Bill Esparaza leading the band all night. Get there early cuz it’s going to go off.

• 8pm-2am. La Descarga, 1159 N Western Avenue, Los Angeles (map).  (323) 466-1324.

Thursday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo
I don’t celebrate alcoholidays at bars but here are some lists of where to get your tequila on: Love Happy Hour and Thirsty in LA. And if you just want a quiet celebration, here’s my LA Weekly Squid Ink list of where to get your well-done margarita alternatives.

Friday, May 6

Sipping on The Clooney at Lago
In honor of the most handsome man in the world’s birthday (sorry, bf!), Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica created The Clooney cocktail. Sounds very bitter with its use of Oro Blanco grapefruit, blood orange, Aperol but maybe the No. 209 Gin and St. Germain will help. The cocktail, which will be available Friday through Sunday, is priced $8 a glass and $20 a liter. Could be just the thing to get Mom: Clooney!

• Friday-Sunday. Locanda del Lago, 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 451-3525.

Saturday, May 7

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party at the Los Angeles Athletic Club
Downtown’s storied athletic club will be throwing the ultimate Kentucky Derby screening party featuring a Southern food buffet, a Kentucky-inspired cocktail menu and a Maker’s Mark whiskey tasting. For those who can’t sit still there’s live music by Gypsy Jazz band Icy Hot Club, indoor horseshoes games and even a Derby.com room where you can log onto the Kentucky Derby site and place your bets. The $25 admission includes a free Mint Julep in addition to all of the above.

• 1-4pm. $25. Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. 7th Street, Downtown (map). Reservations: (213) 630-5200.

Chocolate and Wine Tasting at Compartes
This would be an awesome Mother’s Day gift. For $18-$20 you get four specially made organic chocolate and wine pairings. The wines are provided by Moe’s Fine Wines down the street from the chocolate store in Brentwood. Reservations are recommended. You can email info [at] compartes.com or call (310) 826-3380.

• 7-9:30pm. $18 advance, $20 door. Compartes Chocolatier, 912 S. Barrington Avenue, Brentwood (map). (310) 826-3380.

Aidan Demarest topping off his own Enlightenment beer cocktail.

Every pro drinker has a hangover remedy in their back pocket, be it Advil and lots of Gatorade, a pile of greasy bacon or, for the masochist, a morning jog. I’m a fan of the hair-of-the-dog remedy. Granted, I only employ this method when I have nothing to do for the rest of my day but it is more fun than all of the above.

Now, one has to be careful with their hangover-curing cocktail of choice. You don’t want one too strong that will just knock you into your next hangover, or one too light with all the personality of a glass of water. Fortunately author Kinglsey Amis documented Evelyn Waugh’s aptly named Noonday Reviver in his book, Everyday Drinking. It combines the curative effects of gin (thanks to the herbs) and ginger beer and the burp-inducing effervescence and hardiness of the stout beer in one restorative cocktail.

The cocktail is currently served at the Spare Room in Hollywood but thanks to mixologist Aidan Demarest, who shared his version of the recipe with me, you can make it in the low-light quietness of your own home.

For other beer cocktails available around the city, check out my list in LA Weekly‘s Squid Ink. By the way, last night I had dinner at Library Alehouse in Santa Monica, and they, too, have a beer cocktail menu featuring classic ones like Snakebite, Black and Tan and Shandie.

Evelyn Waugh’s Noonday Reviver
By Aidan Demarest of The Spare Room

• 2 ounces Plymouth Gin
• Half pint Guinness
• Ginger Beer

Combine gin and beer and fill to top with ginger beer.

Chocolate Stout
By Alex Straus of Bon Vivants and Hemingway’s Lounge

• 3 ounces Old Rasputin Stout
• 1 ounce Chivas 18
• 2 dashes mole bitters
• 1 dash Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail tin, stir and served up in a chilled cocktail glass.

The Peche Mel Bellini
By Brooke Williamson of The Tripel

• 2/3 parts Scaldis Peche Mel Belgian peach beer
• 1/3 parts cava sparkling wine
• Fresh peach puree

Combine the peach beer and cava and top with the peach puree.