Lost & Found, 11700 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Toni, the bartender, was friendly and knowledgeable about alcoholic beverages; however, her service spoke louder than her words. That night, I was looking for an interesting bar and I found a great dive bar. Lost & Found had inexpensive drinks, and the regular crowd makes the bar genuine and cozy for any newcomer. Toni asked me why I picked this bar and my answer was that the bar picked me! People are like seasons-they change over time. People who’ve only had one or two drinks are completely different after their fifth or sixth drink. She seemed to enjoy people’s changing behavior after a few drinks; she said it’s like having multiple personalities in one body. Some people kept talking about Israeli currency; Shekels. I wasn‘t nosy, but I overheard lots of bizarre conversations among the crowd. “Try and Love” by the Eagles was playing on the fabulous jukebox and was Toni’s favorite song. This dive bar was getting more interesting by the minute. Near the bar was a board for the regular’s birthdays. I asked Joseph, who sat near me, if his name was on it. He smiled sinisterly and said, 77 years ago he was born on January 1st and this year he celebrated his birthday at “Lost & Found” with family. He spoke about his “better half”; he proudly said she doesn’t know where he hangs out. Steve, his friend and another regular, just smiled about everything. Dominique, another person who sat near me, sipped her vodka cranberry and picked lots of good music: James Brown, Barry White, etc. Toni explained to me that dive bars have rules like: if a drinker puts his empty glass by the edge of the bar it means they want a refill. That night, I realized the meaning of the saying “knowledge is power”: I learned about seasons, behaviors, rules, fidelity and most importantly, good times. Unfortunately, I left early but I am looking forward to find myself here again.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Barragan's the disguised bar
Barragan’s, 1538 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
There is a great bar disguised as a restaurant for Dodgers fans or anybody who enjoys an alcoholic beverage. Wednesdays are happy nights because Margaritas are $2.75 all day. The restaurant is located near the Dodgers stadium and provides their fans with an enjoyable hangout. Barragan’s is a family business that has been running for as long as 48 years - in other words, they know how to treat a client. That night, I went to the Dodgers stadium to watch a game but, due to the lack of seats, I left. Luckily, I found this hangout when I noticed all of the commotion by the entrance of the restaurant. I was curious, I walked inside and I found a bar packed with happy people. As I approached the bar, Ramiro, the bartender, was friendly and popular among the clientele. Rosa, who sat near me, ordered a Margarita and a shot of Wabo tequila. She seemed happy and friendly. There was a DJ and another bar on the second floor; I was amused by the eclectic crowd and lots of laughter among them. Wednesday nights the place stays open till midnight with special prices on drinks. The second floor has a patio that both smokers and drinkers use for relaxation. The Dodgers game was shown on every television that they had, so I felt like I was in the stadium. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost, so I left the place but I wasn’t sad for their loss, rather, I was happy for my bar discovery.
There is a great bar disguised as a restaurant for Dodgers fans or anybody who enjoys an alcoholic beverage. Wednesdays are happy nights because Margaritas are $2.75 all day. The restaurant is located near the Dodgers stadium and provides their fans with an enjoyable hangout. Barragan’s is a family business that has been running for as long as 48 years - in other words, they know how to treat a client. That night, I went to the Dodgers stadium to watch a game but, due to the lack of seats, I left. Luckily, I found this hangout when I noticed all of the commotion by the entrance of the restaurant. I was curious, I walked inside and I found a bar packed with happy people. As I approached the bar, Ramiro, the bartender, was friendly and popular among the clientele. Rosa, who sat near me, ordered a Margarita and a shot of Wabo tequila. She seemed happy and friendly. There was a DJ and another bar on the second floor; I was amused by the eclectic crowd and lots of laughter among them. Wednesday nights the place stays open till midnight with special prices on drinks. The second floor has a patio that both smokers and drinkers use for relaxation. The Dodgers game was shown on every television that they had, so I felt like I was in the stadium. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost, so I left the place but I wasn’t sad for their loss, rather, I was happy for my bar discovery.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Majestic Crocker Club
The Crocker Club, 453 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
I‘ve walked through this neighborhood before; however, I’ve never seen the majestic entrance of this bar until that night. As I walked downstairs to get a glimpse of it, I saw the main bar and it immediately brought a smile to my face due the touch of elegance that it had. I couldn’t help myself but to explore every corner of the venue. This bar was filled with class that used to be a bank in the early days. Today it has changed to a totally different experience: to a glamorous parlor. The owners, Vincent Terzian and Thomas Turner, obsessed and thought over every detail in the bar to achieve the grandeur of the 1930’s era. The original bank circular vault door remained intact for pure decorative purposes which provide a powerful feeling of security. There were semi private wooden booths for intimate meetings. Every table was lit by candle light which gives a romantic vibe to the ambiance. There is a Ghost Bar which is semi hidden and located in the far back room. It is named after haunted spirits that occupied the space. Jaime, the good looking bartender, said that Crocker Bar happy hours are on Wednesdays to Fridays from 5:30pm till 7:30pm, and that means $5.00 for all well drinks. Jaime was friendly and frankly his smile was enough to give me a buzz. That night, Art Walk was taking place in the area, therefore I left almost immediately. Nevertheless; I would like to come back for another spooky time in this grand bar.
I‘ve walked through this neighborhood before; however, I’ve never seen the majestic entrance of this bar until that night. As I walked downstairs to get a glimpse of it, I saw the main bar and it immediately brought a smile to my face due the touch of elegance that it had. I couldn’t help myself but to explore every corner of the venue. This bar was filled with class that used to be a bank in the early days. Today it has changed to a totally different experience: to a glamorous parlor. The owners, Vincent Terzian and Thomas Turner, obsessed and thought over every detail in the bar to achieve the grandeur of the 1930’s era. The original bank circular vault door remained intact for pure decorative purposes which provide a powerful feeling of security. There were semi private wooden booths for intimate meetings. Every table was lit by candle light which gives a romantic vibe to the ambiance. There is a Ghost Bar which is semi hidden and located in the far back room. It is named after haunted spirits that occupied the space. Jaime, the good looking bartender, said that Crocker Bar happy hours are on Wednesdays to Fridays from 5:30pm till 7:30pm, and that means $5.00 for all well drinks. Jaime was friendly and frankly his smile was enough to give me a buzz. That night, Art Walk was taking place in the area, therefore I left almost immediately. Nevertheless; I would like to come back for another spooky time in this grand bar.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Royal T with Lolitas
Royal T, 8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA
This is L.A’s first Cosplay Café (costume roleplay) owned by Susan Hancock. In this bar, Susan has created a fantasy ambiance that reflects the “Lolita” subculture. The bartender Ricco informed me that Royal T opened 1 year ago; it’s a combination of an art gallery, shop, and café that offers alcoholic beverages as a bar. Waitresses are dressed as “Lolitas”, and the clientele create a bond between Americans and Japanese. Lolita is a unique fashion style with a gothic touch. The fashion is a subculture in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian children clothing and costumes from the Rococo period. The movement started in the late 1970’s and popularized throughout Japanese youth and adult culture. Today in Japan, it’s common to see people wearing “Lolita’s” fashion. This new wave movement has begun to spread in Los Angeles. Susan Hancock is an artist and collector; her impressive art collection reflects her passion for Lolita’s subculture. Susan’s passion spills over her art and into her bar with Royal T’s Lolita event that occurs twice a month. The Lolita events attract rather interesting crowds. As I kept admiring the fashion, Daniel Franzese, an actor, introduced himself to me. He had an art exhibition about superheroes. He informed me about the “Lolitas”; and it seems that I was the only one in the event lacking information. I was impressed by how normal the abnormal is; in other words: crazy is the new normal. Royal T isn’t just a shop, but a comic scene. “Zippercut”, also known as Mandy Ma (she is a regular) served cupcakes and people seemed to love her Lolita’s outfit. Today I don’t have to go to the movies to watch comics, I just have to go to Royal T and enjoy beverages with a “Lolita”.
This is L.A’s first Cosplay Café (costume roleplay) owned by Susan Hancock. In this bar, Susan has created a fantasy ambiance that reflects the “Lolita” subculture. The bartender Ricco informed me that Royal T opened 1 year ago; it’s a combination of an art gallery, shop, and café that offers alcoholic beverages as a bar. Waitresses are dressed as “Lolitas”, and the clientele create a bond between Americans and Japanese. Lolita is a unique fashion style with a gothic touch. The fashion is a subculture in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian children clothing and costumes from the Rococo period. The movement started in the late 1970’s and popularized throughout Japanese youth and adult culture. Today in Japan, it’s common to see people wearing “Lolita’s” fashion. This new wave movement has begun to spread in Los Angeles. Susan Hancock is an artist and collector; her impressive art collection reflects her passion for Lolita’s subculture. Susan’s passion spills over her art and into her bar with Royal T’s Lolita event that occurs twice a month. The Lolita events attract rather interesting crowds. As I kept admiring the fashion, Daniel Franzese, an actor, introduced himself to me. He had an art exhibition about superheroes. He informed me about the “Lolitas”; and it seems that I was the only one in the event lacking information. I was impressed by how normal the abnormal is; in other words: crazy is the new normal. Royal T isn’t just a shop, but a comic scene. “Zippercut”, also known as Mandy Ma (she is a regular) served cupcakes and people seemed to love her Lolita’s outfit. Today I don’t have to go to the movies to watch comics, I just have to go to Royal T and enjoy beverages with a “Lolita”.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
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