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Nestled in a mini-mall smack dab next to a Blockbuster video, this is by and far my favorite bar in LA. A real neighborhood bar, in fact it’s my neighborhood bar. The bright blue awning stretched across the mini-mall seems to be about the only renovation to this friendly neighborhood tavern that dates back to the 70s. While the awning promises cocktails & dancing you’re much more likely to find just the former, and if dancing starts… trust me it’s ok to be frightened. Weeknights draw the usual barflies in a casual atmosphere where they even post a monthly birthday list of all the regulars. If you manage to make it up on the board well… you decide if you should be proud. I recommend sitting at the bar and chatting up your neighbor. Service is great. Toni bartends on the weekends and is sure to remember your name, Greg is there weeknights and is usually quick to wax philosophical about human nature. Weekends bring in the same barflies with an eclectic mix of locals, college kids, and the occasional slumming hipsters who got lost on the way to Santa Monica.

jukebox: there’s some gems here
crowd: a melting pot of drinkers
bartenders: friendly enough
on tap: full liquor, and nuthin’ but bottles & cans for beer
Your wallet: go ahead and buy a round, but hit the ATM ‘cause it’s cash only