Sassafras (1233 N Vine St., Los Angeles, 90028; 323.467.2800) is joining Los Angeles’ collection of distinct and popular bars like Thirsty Crow, Bigfoot Lodge, Bigfoot West, Oldfield’s Liquor Room and La Cuevita. Sassafras is the 1933 Group’s largest and grandest bar and it’s opening September 14th.
The 3,000 square foot space has a porch, living rooms and several fireplaces. They are literally bringing the south to Hollywood. The deconstructed home was transported to Hollywood and reconstructed in the middle of the bar. The deep-old south plantation feeling is truly from the South with cascading moss and the authentic vintage pieces they spent years collecting. Check out the big bear, the 19th century courting couch transplanted from Louisiana, the Frederick Douglass portrait and a circular old dry-cleaning rack that spins around over the bar, dangling bottles of barrel-aged cocktails
Sassafras will feature barrel-aged cocktails inspired by sassafras root flavors, which, along with sarsaparilla root, have traditionally flavored root beer. Grab a spot on one of the soda fountain bar stools and order a barrel-aged cocktail (mai tai, Manhattan), something from the absinthe fountain or try the Toasted Pecan Julep (a rum and brandy take on a mint julep that uses house made toasted pecan liqueur and fresh mint) or a Sassafras Royal (with rye, sassafras bitters and house-brewed sarsaparilla). They also have herb-infused ginger beers (also made in-house) for the Build-a-Buck menu, where you can pick a spirit and then a ginger beer flavor to craft your own buck cocktail (a “buck” or a “mule” is a cocktail comprised of a spirit, citrus and ginger beer—like a Moscow Mule or a Dark and Stormy). Broke? Poor patrons spin a gambling wheel for free libations in back.
They will also feature live Americana, southern and roots music. Live bands will play New Orleans style, up on the balcony. So, get ready for a place that will transport you to a place where people talk a little slower, the tea is a little sweeter, and the women are sweeter still. Sassafras will be open 7 nights a week from 6 pm-2 am.
