Best Drinking

READERS' CHOICE

Best Hip Bar: Standard Rooftop Bar

2nd Place: Golden Gopher

Best New Bar: Library Bar

2nd Place: Edison

Best Happy Hour: McCormick Schmick's

2nd Place: Pete's Café

Best Cocktail: Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar's Black Dahlia

2nd Place: Pete's Downtown Martini

Best Wine Bar: 626 Reserve

2nd Place: Red Dot Bistro

Best New Lounge: Blue Velvet's Poolside Lounge

2nd Place: e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge

Best Last Call Bar: Casey's Bar Grille

2nd Place: Bar 107

EDITORS' CHOICE

Best New Bar: Seven Grand

Best Beer Pint: Library Bar's Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout

Best Art Walk Drinking Destination: Banquette

Best Drink With a View: Bonaventure Brewing Company Patio

Best Hidden Gem: Far Bar at the Chop Suey Café

BEST HIP BAR

Far from being Downtown's best kept secret, the Standard Hotel's rooftop lounge remains a triedand true destination that lures droves of partiers who might otherwise head west to the SunsetStrip. Ideal for those with retro fetishes, everything from the quaint lobby services to the stereo-equipped, waterbed loveseats scream "Swingin' '60s." Meanwhile, the placid glaze of the rooftoppool, the model-sexy wait staff and the frisky club banter provide a celebrity oomph that mostDowntown bars can't match. Just don't expect retro prices, because you are paying for the killerambience. At 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotel.com.-Evan George

BEST NEW BAR

The Library Bar, which opened last November, defies the common cookie cutter that has been usedfor some of Downtown's most popular bars. Rather than pander to the keg party crowd, owners WillShamlian and Michael Leko tastefully cater to Downtown residents and workers. Their goal: to be atop-notch neighborhood bar first, a "destination" bar second. With simple, sleek and only slightlygimmicky decor, the rooms are impressive but casual. The mahogany bar encourages after-workimbibing, and there is a comfortable parlor and backroom lounge. Library Bar's standout feature,however, is its beer menu: With seven quality craft brews on tap and a dozen more in bottles, this isan artisan bar at its finest. At 630 W. Sixth St., suite 116A, (213) 614-0053 or librarybarla.com.-EG

BEST HAPPY HOUR

It's the happy hour food prices that keep people coming back to McCormick Schmick's for after-workfestivities. The $1.95 menu offers treats like chicken wings, a hamburger with the works and a friedportabella mushroom. Why choose? Order the whole spread and take what you want - it still costsless than an average meal. But what also makes MS stand out as a happy hour destination, even asDowntown's post-work options multiply, is its outdoor seating, large tables and consistency. Youknow what you are going to get, right down to the penny. At 633 W. Fifth St., fourth floor, (213) 629-1929 or mccormickandschmicks.com.-Kathleen Nye Flynn

BEST COCKTAIL

Biltmore Hotel Gallery Bar's Black Dahlia

Perhaps the only drink named for a murder victim, the ornate Gallery Bar's Black Dahlia remains apopular option, with 10 to 20 served on busy nights. The $14 beverage includes Absolut Citron,Kahlua and Chambord and is served in a martini glass with an orange garnish. The name, of course,comes from the late Elizabeth Short, an aspiring actress who was last seen leaving the Biltmore onJan. 9, 1947, and was found eviscerated near the Coliseum six days later. These days, some crimebuffs drop by the hotel, sidle up to the bar, order a Black Dahlia, and pull out a book to read aboutthe famous murder. Cheers! At 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com.-Jon

Regardie

BEST WINE BAR

The equation is perfect: A well-lit, high-ceilinged space with a long curving bar and plenty of smalltables. Visitors are greeted by original artwork hanging on the amber-colored walls, soft strains ofhip-hop filtering through the speakers and friendly service. An ample list of wines by the glassincludes whites from Italy; rosés from Chile; and plenty of California vintages. Located on SpringStreet between Sixth and Seventh, 626 Reserve is a welcome end to any workday, as well as theperfect place to grab a drink during the Art Walk. The bar also features a selection of salads, smallplates, sandwiches and sweets. Don't miss the zingy red pepper hummus drizzled with olive oil andserved with warm pita. At 626 S. Spring St. B, (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com.-Lea Lion

BEST NEW LOUNGE

Opened this spring, Blue Velvet's poolside lounge has become a fast favorite among the stylish set(Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel Bilson are big fans). Just beyond the glass walls that separate the finedining restaurant headed by Chris Morningstar, revelers crowd the pool and lounge on plush seatingor stake out cozy nooks. A fire pit warms things up on colder nights. You'll be tempted by theinventive martinis infused with herbs and tea, and delectable options such as the Monte Cristosandwiches, crab beignets and Indian-spiced lamb skewers. Open weekdays from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. At750 Garland Ave. (off Eighth Street), (213) 239-0061.-Kathryn Maese

BEST LAST CALL BAR

Over the last 35 years, Downtown's venerable Irish pub has seen the neighborhood grow and changeas new residents have brought more bar crawling and late night drinking to the area. Casey's nevercloses early and at last call it almost always has a crowd. It's no wonder, really. After dancing forhours at La Cita or Bar 107, or having a late dinner at Pete's, Casey's classic wooden booths anddark, mahogany bar is a dependable place to catch your breath and wash down the night with onelast drink. At 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com.-KNF

BEST NEW BAR

Stylish, laid back but still full of energy, Seven Grand is the place to go for a serious whiskey fix.Bartrepreneur Cedd Moses has turned the former Clifton's Silver Spoon into a cheeky venuecelebrating whiskey culture. Plaid carpets and hunting dioramas give way to mounted stag heads,vintage wallpaper and a beautifully backlit bar displaying nearly 200 whiskeys. The specialty menu

also boasts some wickedly good mint juleps served in silver cups as well as inventive creations likethe Big Mak - freshly muddled blackberries mixed with Maker's Mark bourbon. The expertly trainedmixologists are clad in white shirts and ties, a nod to the way things used to be done. Now that's howyou kick it old school. At 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737.-KM

BEST BEER PINT

Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout At Library Bar

Five years ago, the telltale sign of a bar that catered to beer connoisseurs was having Guinness ondraft. With high-end beer quickly becoming America's newest beverage obsession, that no longerflies. Although other Downtown establishments are catching on, the best pint currently flows at theLibrary Bar in the Financial District. The Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout (made by North CoastBrewing Co.) is a rich, bitter and sudsy concoction that gives off hints of fresh bread and darkchocolate. Poured as cold as ice and as black as tar, the brew packs an alcohol-heavy zing but isfrothy enough to gulp. Just make sure to get any actual studying out of the way first. At 630 W. SixthSt., suite 116A, (213) 614-0053 or librarybarla.com.-EG

BEST ART WALK DRINKING DESTINATION

Surely nobody would confuse the streets of Downtown with the cafe-lined boulevards of Paris. Butthe intersection of Fourth and Main does exude a certain Euro sensibility thanks in part to the petitecafe and wine bar Banquette. Serving strong espresso, fine wine and rich desserts among other tastytreats, the cafe is a second home to many of Gallery Row's artsy types. During the Art Walk on thesecond Thursday of each month, Banquette buzzes with every kind of Downtown denizen you couldimagine. Of course, while you are sipping a chilled glass of pinot grigio, sitting at one of the smallsidewalk tables, chatting about all the art you have just seen, you might forget, just for a moment,that you are not in the City of Light. At 400 S. Main St., (213) 626-2768 or banquette-cafe.com.-LL

BEST DRINK WITH A VIEW

Bonaventure Brewing Company Patio

One could make a case for the Standard's rooftop bar with its swanky clientele, but who wants todeal with the bouncers and the lines? In jeans and a T-shirt or suit and tie, you'll be comfortable anyway you come as you sip a handcrafted ale at the sprawling patio at the Bonaventure Hotel. Thenewly remodeled space features stylish lounge furniture and a tasty half price happy hour menu withitems like crab cakes, Vietnamese-style spring rolls and chicken satay. There's just something to besaid for sitting amid Downtown's high-rises and twinkling lights rather than towering above them ona rooftop. It's a more intimate experience, one you'll want to continue well beyond the summermonths. At 404 S. Figueroa St., #418A, (213) 236-0802 or_bonaventurebrewing.com.-KM

BEST HIDDEN GEM

Far Bar at the Chop Suey Café

Just beyond a narrow alley entrance off First Street lies one of Downtown's best hideaways. Locatedin the back of Little Tokyo's Chop Suey Café (formerly the historic Far East Café), the Far Bar andLounge is an open-air oasis strung with twinkling lights and surrounded by towering brick walls.Order a cocktail from the small horseshoe bar and have a seat on one of the comfy couches. Theappetizers are so-so, but the ambience is spectacular. At 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or

chopsueycafe.com.-KM

page 24, 7/23/2007

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