As the wave of holiday popups flood the LA bar scene, it’s hard to stand out among the mistletoes and Diabetes-inducing candy cane flavored cocktails. Enter the Kimpton Everly Hotel’s Ever Bar, who’s proving that holiday themes don’t have to be cheesy. This year they decked the entire lounge with a cozy ski lodge motif, complete with trees lining the walls, a giant mountain of gift-wrapped presents, and a warm nook with a virtual fireplace (because the environment, obviously)
It’s not all fun and games when it comes to their drinks, which are festive but still maintain Ever Bar’s sense of style and class. Some favorites include the Leatherneck (Garrison Brothers Bourbon, and Apple Amaro Ginger) and the aptly named Hans Gruber, aka the most bad ass version of eggnog you’ll ever have (Horseradish and Green Apple infused Boulard Cavados Copper, Whole Egg, and Nutmeg). A few rounds of the Winter Solstice (Casa Noble Reposado, Dry Curacao, Chocolate Bitters) will have you contemplating if you’ll be naughty or nice this month, and then end the night with a tasty Loving Cup (served hot, with Smith & Cross Rum, Cynar, Espresso, Clove whipped cream) or Gingerbread Man (Bols Genever, Biscotti liquor, Amaro Ginger, Cinnamon and a Gingerbread Cookie on the side) for a botanical flavorful twist.
Led by Bar Director Dan Rook, Ever Bar is achieving the unthinkable: to make a great hotel bar not feel like a hotel bar.
With virtually the same team since the bar’s opening a couple of years ago, Rook is building a sense of community rarely seen in LA with creativity, a quirky personal touch, and guts. Every quarter the lounge will celebrate an interesting, sometimes obscure, sometimes not, theme which might involve drink menus printed on cds, cocktails inspired by Oscar-nominated films, or even artwork featuring Simpsons-like cartoon versions of the staff. They have live music acts every week, and most remarkably, they throw a mean New Year’s Eve party with NO COVER. You’re going to want to get in here while you can.
1800 Argyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA
