If you're over on the Westside, here are two newly opened spots to pop in and grab a drink.
Brilliantshine (Santa Monica)
Master mixologist Julian Cox (see photo above) – if you’ve had a drink in LA at any top bar in the last few years, you know his skills — and former ink. GM Josh Goldman have taken over a rustic hidden patio behind Tinga in Sanata Monica (formerly Renee’s) for their flagship bar and restaurant, Brilliantshine, offering a menu of primarily craft whiskey cocktails. Looking for a rare Japanese Whiskey? They just might be sipping that in the back bar – since this spot is also serving as home base for research and development of the Cox-Goldman Soigné brand, you never know what they might be concocting on any given night. Pair your drink with a dish of crispy duck leg lettuce wraps or duck egg shrimp fried rice thanks to Executive Chef Richie Lopez who hails from Paiche. With the Cat & Fiddle in Hollywood closing after 32 years, this could be the Westside version of a hot alfresco watering hole but with better food options, serving late-night until 1 a.m. with last call at 12:30. The bar will maintain a small but well curated arsenal of craft, boutique production spirits and fortified wines as well as craft beers from California, so come back and nurse your hangover at brunch from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the weekend.
Bacari PDR (Playa Del Ray)
Most diners regard Playa del Rey as that little town you drive through on your way to or from Manhattan Beach, but a few new eateries have changed all that. One pit stop you must make around happy hour is to Bacari PDR for the Wine & Cicchetti Bar menu. Not only will you catch the sunset over the waves from the main dining room, but you can hang out on the terrace and sip wines by the glass curated by a wine director who knows his grapes. Or grab drink specialty cocktails like the ‘old Cuban’ with rum and Champagne. The Mediterranean tapas are elevated happy hour snacks such as oven roasted bone marrow, crab claw crostini, and lamb stuffed eggplant by Israeli-born Executive Chef Lior Hillel. The dishes are only $8 each or three choices (and entire meal) for $21 are available Monday – Friday from 5-7 p.m. Chin-chin!
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Images courtesy of Andy Keilen (Brilliantshine) and Bacari PDR