Seven Grand

High-profile developer Cedd Moses (Golden Gopher, Liquid Kitty) continues his downtown domination by converting the second floor of the original Art Deco Clifton's Cafeteria building into a traditional Irish whiskey bar. (In fact, it's one of the largest whiskey lists on the West Coast.) Catering to an after-work and neighborhood crowd, the pub features strong drinks--with over 100 types of whiskey--low lights, pool tables, and a laidback, if not hunter's-lodge vibe ... yes, those are stuffed animal heads on the walls.

Editor's Tips

Parking:: Downtown isn't getting any less crowded, especialy with Bottega Louie right across the street. Best to find valet or park at a nearby pay lot.

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User Reviews (39)

ambiance	95.0% positive	“Its a fun place with a good vibe.” “Nice atmosphere, drinks are moderately priced.” “Street parking is best if you can find it, but otherwise, the lot on Grand between 7th and 8th is an affordable and safe option.” “Outside balcony does not have the best view, but it's still a good place to have a smoke.” “It was a bit strange trying to foster a cool atmosphere on a Friday happy hour, and then ask eveyone to mind themelves and be quite as if they were in grade school.” “It is a relaxed bar with masculine decor, a long bar counter, great rock music playing in the background, and a few pool tables for the lucky few that arrive early enough to get them.” “Hands down, Seven Grand makes the best drinks in downtown, they really are serious (in a fun way) about drinks and have creative ones (ask for the Ginger Rogers-- not on the menu).” “It's also a decent place to take a date as it's dark and sultry, with just enough seats to get cozy and chat.” “If you enjoy whiskey, fantastic drinks, great service, and a cozy environment this would be your bar of choice.” “Cool decor with lots of leg room; so it not too crowed.”
drinks	82.81000137329102% positive	“The drink s were good and the staff was nice (sick of Hollywood attitude).” “Hands down, Seven Grand makes the best drinks in downtown, they really are serious (in a fun way) about drinks and have creative ones (ask for the Ginger Rogers-- not on the menu).” “Great bar area, service was a bit slow but the drinks were delicious (I recommend the big mac).” “If you like classic drinks they know how to make them here, but don't brush it off as merely a classic drink bar because they use a variety of ingredients including elderflower liquor and ginger in some of their drinks.” “best whiskey bar in LA” “It's dark, swanky, and often overcrowded, but the drinks are absolutely amazing, yet pricey.” “To the left is the very beautiful bar, displaying a enormous selection of Scotch and whiskeys along with a very good selection of beer on tap.” “One of the best bars in downtown for a high-quality drink!” “Seven Grand = officially my newest favorite bar.” “great bar should consist of the following:” “The staff is knowledgeable about their whiskey, and deadly serious about their amazing cocktails -- they're part of the recent resurgence of the "craft of the classic cocktail.” “If you enjoy whiskey, fantastic drinks, great service, and a cozy environment this would be your bar of choice.” “Gorgeous place, good drinks, too crowded” “sign of a good bar is when other bartenders come to hang out during off hours.” “Also, the waitresses wear cute little tartans & kilts so you guys that do make it in get a 'whiskey shooting catholic schoolgirl hottie' to serve you the delicious drinks so stop whining.” “Don't get angry though -- be patient -- and you'll see that the guys behind the bar give whole new meaning to the phrase "good bartender.” “Try their signature whiskey sour - it may be the best drink I've ever had.” “Service can be a little slow on the weekends due to the crowd, but you always get a good drink.” “It's a nice downtown bar where the crowd isn't too posh.” “went for a drink and the service was so incredibly horrible that we laughed about it for the first ten minutes.” “That said, the drinks were great and the selection of whiskey was amazing.” “Yes, they have the Jackalope room to rent out but your drink orders will still compete with the tavern full of other guests.” “brushed it off as a joke, but, he really did give me a horrible drink!” “They were completely slammed, it took her longer to WHINE about waiting so long than it would of to order her drinks.” “Me and two other guys got there first and posted up on the balcony with our overpriced (but good) drinks.” “Not a spot I would spend my whole evening out, but a great place to stop by and get a drink.” “I've read other reviews that claim that they don't allow big groups in together, but this might have been partially because this isn't really the kind of bar that you would go to with a big group.” “Seven Grand is arguably the best whiskey bar in Los Angeles.” “It is a relaxed bar with masculine decor, a long bar counter, great rock music playing in the background, and a few pool tables for the lucky few that arrive early enough to get them.” “Dark, leather, marble, whiskey bar, pool table, smoking patio, cigars for sale, very cool old building, 3 blocks from my apartment.” “Get here earlier in the night for excellent one-on-one service -- the place gets crowded later, and given the care and attention each drink gets, the bar can get a little wait-y at times.” “Nice atmosphere, drinks are moderately priced.”
food quality	100.0% positive	“Great bar area, service was a bit slow but the drinks were delicious (I recommend the big mac).” “they even use fresh fruit, cinnamon, ginger, and zest!” “Also, the waitresses wear cute little tartans & kilts so you guys that do make it in get a 'whiskey shooting catholic schoolgirl hottie' to serve you the delicious drinks so stop whining.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Hands down, Seven Grand makes the best drinks in downtown, they really are serious (in a fun way) about drinks and have creative ones (ask for the Ginger Rogers-- not on the menu).” “They have a huge selection (meaning over 100 kinds) of whiskey, and the bartenders are great.” “Great bartenders, great selection of whiskey, and cool crowd.” “To the left is the very beautiful bar, displaying a enormous selection of Scotch and whiskeys along with a very good selection of beer on tap.” “If you like classic drinks they know how to make them here, but don't brush it off as merely a classic drink bar because they use a variety of ingredients including elderflower liquor and ginger in some of their drinks.” “That said, the drinks were great and the selection of whiskey was amazing.” “Nice atmo, killer whiskey selection” “Do not go to Seven Grand and support this psychotic staff, no matter how great their Scotch selection is!”
overall	87.5% positive	“Very nice place, like an old gentleman's club.” “The patio is the best place for elbow room.” “Outside balcony does not have the best view, but it's still a good place to have a smoke.” “Not a spot I would spend my whole evening out, but a great place to stop by and get a drink.”
service	86.54000282287598% positive	“The staff is friendly and helpful.” “(BIG NOTE: BUY YOUR HOTTIE 1 SHOT AND SHE'LL BRING YOUR DRINKS FASTER-They encourage their staff to be 'involved' I've Learned...)” “Also, the waitresses wear cute little tartans & kilts so you guys that do make it in get a 'whiskey shooting catholic schoolgirl hottie' to serve you the delicious drinks so stop whining.” “great watering hole tainted by obnoxious staff way too eager to turf out paying customers once it hits closing time.” “Don't get angry though -- be patient -- and you'll see that the guys behind the bar give whole new meaning to the phrase "good bartender.” “Get here earlier in the night for excellent one-on-one service -- the place gets crowded later, and given the care and attention each drink gets, the bar can get a little wait-y at times.” “great watering hole tainted by obnoxious staff” “They have a huge selection (meaning over 100 kinds) of whiskey, and the bartenders are great.” “The bartender might not want to be bothered with taking the time to offer you a good suggestion.” “The other bartenders looked like decent folks who don't yell at two young ladies just wanting a beverage.” “Formerly one of my favorite places in LA, the Seven Grand desperately needs to hire new staff.” “The staff is knowledgeable about their whiskey, and deadly serious about their amazing cocktails -- they're part of the recent resurgence of the "craft of the classic cocktail.” “Dark, refined, relatively quiet, leather seats, knowledgeable bartenders, over 100 types of whisky, Chimay on tap.” “The drink s were good and the staff was nice (sick of Hollywood attitude).” “The most absurdly terrible bartender ever” “Where else can you order whiskey, scotch and bourbon from all around the world and play pool with interesting, good looking people?” “Do not go to Seven Grand and support this psychotic staff, no matter how great their Scotch selection is!” “sign of a good bar is when other bartenders come to hang out during off hours.” “Awesome bartenders” “Great bar area, service was a bit slow but the drinks were delicious (I recommend the big mac).” “Great bartenders, great selection of whiskey, and cool crowd.” “But I can certainly imagine that the staff and bouncers could be pretentious, that's just the vibe I got.” “If you enjoy whiskey, fantastic drinks, great service, and a cozy environment this would be your bar of choice.” “went for a drink and the service was so incredibly horrible that we laughed about it for the first ten minutes.” “However, on more than one occasion, the staff changes demeanor dramatically from service with a smile as you order up your tab to "get the [expletive] out" once they decide to close.” “The bartenders are not pretentious, which is the way it should be.”
value	50.0% positive	“The biggest kick I got out of the night was watching a table of 22 year olds smoking fine cigars and sipping expensive whiskey out on the patio.” “Street parking is best if you can find it, but otherwise, the lot on Grand between 7th and 8th is an affordable and safe option.” “It's dark, swanky, and often overcrowded, but the drinks are absolutely amazing, yet pricey.” “Me and two other guys got there first and posted up on the balcony with our overpriced (but good) drinks.” “They have a huge selection (meaning over 100 kinds) of whiskey, and the bartenders are great.”
wait time	70.0% positive	“They were completely slammed, it took her longer to WHINE about waiting so long than it would of to order her drinks.” “It is a relaxed bar with masculine decor, a long bar counter, great rock music playing in the background, and a few pool tables for the lucky few that arrive early enough to get them.” “Great bar area, service was a bit slow but the drinks were delicious (I recommend the big mac).” “went for a drink and the service was so incredibly horrible that we laughed about it for the first ten minutes.” “Service can be a little slow on the weekends due to the crowd, but you always get a good drink.”

06/05/11

THUG Bouncers turn CLASSY to TRASHY

by nmch

Used to feel like your walking into a classy speakeasy.. Now it feels like your walking into RIKERS ISLAND PRISON with the THUGGISH and AGGRESSIVE bouncers working the door. The gangester thuggy vibe at the door is enough to turn Seven Grand from a respectable establishment when a Gentlemen would go to get a drink, to the equivalent of any overhyped trendy come and go nightclub.

I have been going to seven grand ever since it opened (mid 2007) and I really enjoyed it at first, even the doormen used to be polite, greeting you as you enter and treating customers with respect and courtesy. Unfortunately it has changed dramatically since then. I had an AWFUL experience there last night and will probably never return.

I had some important clients visiting from New York, they were staying downtown. We decided to meet at Seven Grand. I arrive a little early (knowing it was a sat night) I get right in fine. My client texts that she is at the downstairs bar in the restaurant , I tell her I will come meet her then bring her back upstairs to 7grand bar.

I walk down the stairs I am still holding a beer from upstairs, the bouncer yelled at me that I can't take my beer outside, I explain to him calmly I wasn't trying to go outside, just into the other bar. He says "NO! You will NOT be doing that. Get rid of the beer" I say back "ok, sorry about that. be right back" I walk upstairs to put my bottle down at the bar. When i return he puffs his chest out and gives me a mad dog look. I ignore it and walk into the restaurant. I didn't see the client at the bar so I decided to go back upstairs

(I was in the restaurant no longer than 2-3 minutes) as I start to walk back up the stairs to Seven Grand the same bouncer says "Your not going up there" I let him know I was already up there and I still have a tab at the bar. He answers "too bad, i don't give a sh**, your not going up"

This was about 10:30pm I am wearing a suit, I am calm not causing any trouble, not drunk.. and I have a tab at the bar.. I calmly explain that I have a tab and I am meeting clients up stairs. In a THUGGISH and THREATENING tone the bouncer says if you want to pay your tab you have to get to the end of the line, wait there and then once we let you in you can pay. At this point I get upset, I let the bouncer know I no longer even want to stay and drink at Seven Grand, and I will go somewhere else with the clients, just let me get my credit card.

He wouldn't let me EVEN GET MY CREDIT CARD! They PUSH me out the door and make me stand off to the side. At this point I go find another bouncer who looks like the head bouncer, I tell him its unacceptable and I need my card. He tells me I have three options. 1. Wait in line, 2. pay him to get in or 3. close your tab and leave.. INSULTED and shocked by the EXTORTION attempt, I let him know I just want my tab. He radios the stairway bouncer to let me up.

I go up to the bar and proceed to tell the bartender what happened. He was quite friendly and gave me some free-drink casino chips for next time I come. I tip him 50% and leave. I don't think I will ever return to be honest with you. Even though i LIKE the bartenders and I like the decor.

The way I was treated by the doormen was completely unacceptable, I understand they have to deal with a lot of attitude and drunk patrons however I was in a suit, very polite, not intoxicated, and I was coming to have several drinks with my guests and spend $.

If i was the management I would be embarrassed to have my curb appeal and rep tarnished by the ignorant THUGS they have working the door. I am one of your original patrons, and generally a larger spender when I visit your establishment and feel angry about the EXTORTION attempt and ATTITUDE i was treated with.

I thought Seven Grand was the spot for a Gentleman's Gentleman, unfortunately it has changed.

My clients and I went to another bar, walked right in and had a great night.

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03/27/11

Long line, small dance floor, crowded, bad music

by t0paz

We got there at 11:15 on a Sat night and waited 45 minutes to get in because they had 3 birthday parties in the place.

If you were attending one of the parties you had a password you gave the doorman and you skipped the line.

The place is tiny and it was packed. The dancefloor is almost non existent.

The crowd was obnoxious and the music was mostly gangster rap. I won't be returning.

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03/30/10

Whiskey Central

by djjewelz

A sign of a good bar is when other bartenders come to hang out during off hours.

With over 100 whiskey selections, you can find yourself parked here for a long time exploring the extensive list. Come during off peak days and relax at the bar or shoot some pool. It's also a decent place to take a date as it's dark and sultry, with just enough seats to get cozy and chat.

Be careful on the hot nights (thur-fri), the place gets packed. Street parking is best if you can find it, but otherwise, the lot on Grand between 7th and 8th is an affordable and safe option.

It also doesn't hurt that the grilled cheese truck is often parked in front of Seven Grand on Thursday nights.

Pros: Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey
Cons: Parking, Packed on weekends

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02/22/10

A man's bar.

by ronnielee

A great bar should consist of the following:

#1. Vast Selection - They have a bunch of beer on tap and have an extensive whiskey selection. That's pretty sexy. Word is, real men drink whiskey. I mean, I couldn't respect a man with a canto-berry cocktail.

#2. Sexy Decor - Just the fact that you get to walk up some plaid stairs makes it almost exclusive. It's dark, rich, and swanky in a good way. The pool tables and the lack of frills makes it a very manly bar. By manly, i mean a lot of men. not "it smells like balls and sweat".

#3. Serious Eye Candy. - HOT pieces of ass here. Trust me. Lots of men.

So there you have it. Seven Grand = officially my newest favorite bar.

Anything else and I might as well be drinking in yo mama's basement.

Pros: Dark, swanky
Cons: it's downtown

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11/01/09

Don't Go Anywhere Else for Whiskey

by Michael Fran

Where else can you order whiskey, scotch and bourbon from all around the world and play pool with interesting, good looking people? The music is great, like most Ced Moses bars, as is the interior. The back room is great for private parties. If you're lucky enough, see if you can find out about the monthly Whiskey Society pours and tastings.

Seven Grand

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What People Are Saying About Seven Grand

Randi Schmelzer

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Editor's Tips

06/05/11

THUG Bouncers turn CLASSY to TRASHY

by nmch

03/27/11

Long line, small dance floor, crowded, bad music

by t0paz

03/30/10

Whiskey Central

by djjewelz

02/22/10

A man's bar.

by ronnielee

11/01/09

Don't Go Anywhere Else for Whiskey

by Michael Fran

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