Welcome to Native Son. The Orange County and Inland Empire brewery has expanded into downtown Los Angeles, stepping into the space of former DTLA favorite, Modern Times Dankness Dojo. The new restaurant pays homage to the former DTLA staple, with the same hip and fun atmosphere of the old space (like the below Lite-Brite Wall) while adding a few touches of its own. The former coffee bar has been converted into a Spritz Bar, and now you and your friends can relive the moments with pictures from the newly added photo booth! The brewery has plenty of open space with high tables, bar seating, booths, TVs, great food, curated beers from around the globe, wine-based cocktails & spritzes, and now their own brewed craft beer!
Photo Credit: Native Son Bar DTLA.
“Since Native Son has already been a force in their craft beer, cocktail, and food programs, I want to lead with that same mentality. Honoring the classic, the experimental, and all the in-betweens,” says Head Brewer JP Boudwin. Boudwin has developed three house beers: a Mexican Lager, a West Coast IPA, and a Hazy IPA. The brewed craft beers will continue to grow with a “mix of true to style beers with some small, updated twists as well as more of the newer school styles you see from a lot of breweries these days. Seasonally appropriate and fun all around,” says Boudwin. Beer lovers can choose from 33 rotating beers on tap from the 10-barrel system. For the non-beer drinker, Beverage Director Brock Woolsey has created an impressive list of wine and beer-based cocktails and spritzes, including the Part Time Lover (Mommenpop Orange, Cocchi Americano, Aperitif, sparkling wine, lemon, and mint), Brine & Dandy (dry vermouth, Fino Sherry, orange bitters, and an olive), and Bitter Little Thing (Cardamaro, Punt e Mes, and Amomillado Sherry).
Indeed Native Son has mastered beer and cocktails, but what about the food? Chef Alec Guerrero, an alum of Le Cordon Bleu, has curated a menu that incorporates shareable plates, classics, and innovative takes on bar standards. Highlights include Burgers (all of which can be made vegan), the Downtown Double Sliders made with Angus Beef Classic, iconic pig sauce, American cheese, and kosher dill pickles served on an artisan brioche bun, Grilled Elote, buttery grilled sweet corn, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and paprika, Hummus n Chips, house-made roasted beet hummus and house-made potato chips, Salads, and the mouthwatering Native Fries, perfectly cooked fries smothered in a tasty Cajun seasoning, caramelized onions, and a homemade tangy Thousand Island dressing. Yup, they’re absolutely delicious! Finish off your meal with one of Native Son’s house made sweets, like the Chocolate Cake, Jumbo Cookie, or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. And for those of you who love to brunch, on weekends, Native Son serves a delicious weekend brunch that features something for everyone, including my favorite, Bottomless Mimosas!
Let’s recap. Native Son has a fun and hip atmosphere, a wide range of robust beers, innovative cocktails, and luscious bites. Basically, you have the perfect spot for dinner, drinks, date night, Happy Hour, brunch, and for screening the FIFA World Cup! That’s right, Native Son serves beer specials and breakfast burritos to early-bird soccer fans who want to follow the games. In fact, get ready to rise and shine early Saturday morning because Native Son will be opening at 7:00 am, so you can cheer on Team USA as we take on the Netherlands! $15+; Mondays – Thursdays, 10:30 am – 12:00 am; Fridays – Saturdays, 10:30 am – 2:00 am; and Sundays, 10:30 am – 10:00 pm; 832 S. Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.270.1599
