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The Edison
From The Owner of The Edison
About The Edison
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Hand-crafted Cocktails
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Selected Wines
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Live Music
With the opening of Andrew Meieran's new industrial cathedral, Downtown is once again the place to be in Los Angeles. The Edison presents a marriage of refined industrial architecture and art deco chic - a world class lounge that retains the mechanical artifacts from its history as downtown LA's first private power plant. The grand staircase spectacularly descends into the depths of the historic Higgins Building. The Edison revitalizes the art of the classic, hand crafted cocktail with house specialties designed just for the space old-school bourbons luxuriously transformed with a house made lavender & honey infusion. A small, upscale menu of food and drinks. The Edison offers a respectful nod to LA's famed nightlife that haunts Ciros & Coconut Grove and continues to punctuate billiards. You can also enjoy an early evening retro juke box for nightly Cocktail Hours. …
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What Our Expert Scouts Say
May 15, 2013
One of the first LA bars to master the steampunk vintage look, this back-alley hideaway is a hit for mellow after-work drinks and livens up later in the night.
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March 04, 2013
1920's feel type of place with happy hour from 5pm-7pm on a weeknight. I love their sliders because it comes with arugula and their truffle mac and cheese is outstanding.
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January 21, 2013
One of the best bars in LA, located in the historic first power plant in Downtown. Delicious cocktails and a unique fun setting make for the perfect night. They also have regular live entertainment. For Valentine's Day enjoy the Queen of Hearts Ball!
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October 18, 2012
Aerialists, burlesque, silent films, history, the 1st approved "Disney" drink ever, and the newly hired Chef Saito is why I love the Edison. Pork belly pizza. Let's start there ...
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November 02, 2007
Possibly the best bar in LA period. I've been to a lot of bars in this city--and all over the world--and this has to be one of the most gorgeous I've ever seen. I like that it's real, not showy with whistles and bells (or more likely lights that change colors and fun on the walls). It's just classic, refurbished old machinery from what used to be (i think) LA's first water and power plant. I love the secret alley entrance. The happy hour offers 40% off drinks. Nighttime shows are more flapper-y than burlesque but that's the basic idea. And they are short and sweet, more of a converstaion piece than conversation stopper. Drinks are interesting. I only wish they had more of a wine list --- I don't think they have one at all! On weekends, it is packed and you must make reservations, but the good thing is that there's no bottle service or table minimums. The food is pretty good if you are hungry. I wouldn't say it's destination dining, but it's not bad if you want a nibble while you enjoy your cocktail. Crowd is mixed and cool and it doesn't get overly crowded. Nice smoking patio up top.
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Tips for The Edison
March 20, 2013
Is going to ruin Los Angeles with it's
"hipster" youthful vibe and lack of concern for what will happen if the "hipsters" take over Los Angeles just because they got paid to do so...
The proof is in the emptiness...Clifton's Cafeteria has been closed for over two years now and the patrons of the once great restaurant are questioning the intentions of the owner of this said Club, The Edison, on his deed and his word... Also, Clifton's, doesn't need a bar and a speak easy...the establishment was built off of Truly Kind, Caring, and Worthy Christian Values to serve its customers, whether a living resident of the near by "Skid Row" to the (shall I dare say) Moderately Impoverished...
So for those who are apart of the youthful revolution... Enjoy what you have already instead ruining already beautiful history...
.Also, the nineteen-twenties are over and have been over for over ninety years! If you truly wanted life in LA, you should accept and help fix the life that already is there... Trust me, Los Angeles would greatly appreciate it....
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April 26, 2012
Nice!. The owner is a great guy and the bartenders are very skilled and friendly. They get drinks quickly, socialize even when it's busy, and have a great time doing it.
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December 30, 2011
Bad Food Bad Service- Why would you?.
Spent a few times here for cocktails and food. Cool place with lots of antiques and old time history but....
dealing with the bad service along with food that tastes like it came from a vending machine is something else.
Why would you spend $100 or more and end up chasing down the waiter (or worse-complaining at the bar because you cannot find the waiter)- endig up with food (calamari that tasted like it was soaked in salt) and cheese bread (most likely made 4 days prior)??
Sorry Barbara, but your company is going downhill fast. Best sort it out before he CLOSED sign is posted.
Spend your time and money somehwere better. With all the choices in LA....why would you???
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November 11, 2011
Bad Bad Bad. BAD BAD BAD ........ Disgusting food, horrible service, very very very rude staff and the mangers tops it. Security guards are bunch of nasty people. They made $500.00 out of our table and treated us in a worst way possible. Would never go back there and I DO NOT RECOMEND any one to go.
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October 18, 2011
"Stepped back in time". Went here on a weekday; Didn't have any trouble getting in or any problems with the dress code. Great place for a drink or even a romantic date. I do admit that the bar service is a little slow. Great atmosphere, feels like you stepped back in time. Would recommend to friends to see.
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July 21, 2011
Cool decor, but forget about conversation. This is a really hip spot and fun to experience once or twice. But if you're on a date or really wanted to relate to the people you are hanging with you'll have to scream all night and probably won't get very far in getting to know them better.
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March 28, 2011
No specialized service, all crowds, all scene.
The typical crowd at this place is very mixed. There's the afterwork corporate types, the headshot types, the Jersey Shore types and yes, Steampunk and Vintage scenesters do show up. In order to get service, seating or anything remotely convenient at Edison you have to make a reservation or come extremely early. Anyone who shows up here after 9:30 expecting elbow room and a quick drink is going to have a terrible night. Bar service can take a long time. Food comes out relatively quick, but their wait staff is often overwhelmed.
The ambiance of this place is unique and esoteric with an early 20th century bohemian theme. Ask for specific tables at least a week in advance when making dinner reservations, as spots closer to the floor show allow for no conversation. They sometimes have burlesque acts, sometimes live bands and sometimes DJ's. If you enjoy swing or couples dancing, there is the occasional night for that. Look out for the guys who hang around the bar - some of them are slimy 50 somethings who think it's ok to grab women by the elbows.
The Green Fairy who comes by with Absinthe shots is uber cute, but be forewarned that the shots are weak.
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March 13, 2011
Great Place but service non existend. It is worth it for the ambience and decor. Dress code important and that is a blessing. Even if you go earty say 9 pm on a weekend you have to struggle to get a drink, as for food .....forget it. Do not go there hungry. I wonder how Edison can make money since the bar is solid blocked by some people that do not move away from it, no visible servers, and most of the people do not hold drinks in their hands. If you are late after 10.30 pm there is a block length line outside while the inside is packed anyway. So good luck. Bottom line is worth to see it once and that is it.
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December 30, 2010
the experience is good - but that's about it. The edison is a very cool place to experience. very dark, goth ambience. but I was charged 10 dollars for someone to take my backpac and place it on the floor 2 feet away from where I was standing. when I said I didn't want them to take it they told me I was not allowed in. I pointed out that 5 people just passed with their backpacks on and they didn't get charged. they could have cared less. whatever...welcome to L.A
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Won for:
Over-30s Singles Scene
(2008)Singles Scene (2007)
Nominated for:
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(2009)
Lounge (2009)
Singles Scene (2009)
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Happy Hour (2008)
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Lounge (2009)
Singles Scene (2009)
French Fries (2008)
Happy Hour (2008)
Hot Dog (2008)
Spot for a Secret Affair (2008)