02/10/09

Why Verdugo is Awesome

by Route66Pubs

Great rotating tap selection, with amazingly knowledgeable staff. Well worth the trip despite not opening until 8pm and not having food. This is definitely one of the best beer bars in LA if not California or the US. The taps range from hard-to-find rarities to everyday needs, the staff is wonderously knowledgeable, and the patrons are both beer experts and locals who know how to find a great spot. This is definitely one of the best upcoming places in LA to be seen!

07/11/08

Stiff drinks

by Rustyslvrlk79

I went there last night which was a thursday. I'd been there before on a friday and it sucked and I was in a bad mood so I didn't expect much. Don't get me wrong it's a cool joint. Good stiff drinks and that's always nice. The place was loud, the music is good and you can smoke outside, another plus. But throw a rock and you can find that anywhere in town. The main draw to this little dive bar in a shady neighborhood? a HOT BARTENDER named Silver. She was super cool, sweet, gorgeous and fast behind the bar.

PROS:

Stiff drinks.

Smoking patio.

Good music.

My future wife behind the bar.

CONS:

Kinda far if you're not in the neighborhood.

Hipsters.

Cholos.

My future wife behind the bar.

Sleepy Glassell Park gets its first Eastside-hipster-class watering hole, complete with lounge, outstanding beer selection and take-home sales license.

by Tara Lis

Hidden in a residential corner of Glassell Park just a stone's throw from the Glendale Freeway, this signless beer bar might not seem like much from the outside, but one step inside (and a glance at what's on tap) and it's obvious this place is sophisticated beyond its environs. The smart-looking lounge has just the right amount of design--think handsome beamed rafters, black-lacquered diamond patterns and an antique oak bar--to lure scruffy barhoppers from nearby Eagle Rock and Highland Park. While night crawlers may come for the novelty of uncharted drinking territory, they also stay for the beer--there are more than 65 selections of artisan brews, with 18 taps. The vibe is cool and loungey, and there's none of the door drama that accompanies most Hollywood drinking dens. Smokers dig the backyard picnic table space, the bar's ostensible biergarten.

03/31/08

Best dancing without a dancefloor.

by callmenovak

I was hesitant the first time my girlfriend told me about the Verdugo. I tend to frequent places that make me feel comfortable and are close to my house (I live in Highland Park). The second I walked up to the door, I knew that this was going to be one of my regular weekend destinations. It's hidden, which makes it secretly cool. I love the jukebox at The York, The Golden Gopher, 7 Grand, and The Old Towne Pub, but you can't dance at any of those places. The Verdugo doesn't have a jukebox, but the music on Friday nights will make you get up and dance. There is a huge smoking patio in the back and a lounge room that is great for groups. I prefer to hang out at the bar, I get drinks faster that way. People go for the beer selection, I go for the heavy handed scotch pouring. Parking is slim if you get there after 10pm, unless you have an 'in' with the door guy. The crowd is usually pretty 'fun-loving', and the bartenders are great. Put your dancing shoes on or not, but it doesn't hurt to try something new. And in this case, you may find yourself going back again and again. Word.

• Pros: Crowd, Music, Great Hidden Location
• Cons: Parking

02/28/08

WEAK DRINKS

by roob3

Two stars because they DO NOT serve stiff drinks. I'm not a beer drinker so maybe some people will enjoy their selection, but if you are looking for cocktails, this isn't the place. The owners won't even allow the bartenders to serve Long Islands? What bar does that? So when you end up ordering a Jack and coke you end up getting a weak drink that will run you about $7 to $8. Not really worth it....

• Pros: Welcoming, clean space
• Cons: WEAK DRINKS, small,

01/01/08

what a find!

by towncruiser

i stumbled across this place and it is spot on! i thought i knew beer, but i've never even heard of the gems that they carry...and they're all tasty. pretty stiff drinks and at good prices too. overall solid set-up with a nice patio, lounge, djs, etc. worth taking a look.