Right in the Downtown area you’ll find a number of Bars, Night Clubs, Lounges and mingling spots that are the true gems of Los Angeles. Although I work in the area during the days, I haven’t been able to truly experience all that there is, in a city that is considerably the next Ny State My opinion.

I’ve been to plenty of fashion shows and events but it doesn’t have the same appeal knowing that all along this area has gone under the radar and yet right under my nose.

The Golden Gopher, a bar that has been around since the time that I probably could have had my first legal drink, and yet I never realized all that I missed out on. While at some of the most pretentious bars in West Hollywood that would take that same amount of years just to get into, this is one I’m happy to say that I’ve tried. Not in the most noticeable area, unless you’re sitting at a light on 8th and Olive, if you glance to your right you’ll be able to spot it. If you’re a local then this is most likely your home away from home with an awesome liquor cabinet. It’s actually really quaint when you walk in,

and enough to keep the patrons entertained amongst themselves or by yourself If a drink becomes your last minute date . From a Jukebox, pool table, old early 90s video games and a photo booth, it’s easy to say there doesn’t have to be a minute where you’re the loner at the bar. If you’re with a group of friends even better!  The atmosphere is trendy and the vibe is real cool while people come off the streets just to socialize and have a few drinks.. After an annoying day at work, Morgan and I felt the need to make ourselves comfortable at the bar. Typically, I pride myself of being a non-drinker, but the second your job gives you the urge of throwing those morals out the window….QUIT! So, because my taste palette is still pretty sensitive to the taste of rubbing alcohol: Vodka, or vomit breath; red bull and vodka or spoiled milk breath; a dangerous concoction, I still stick to what I know I’ll enjoy.

Dawn, a Golden Gopher pro for the past ten years, has been shaking, mixing and creating her specialties with precise knowledge of ingredients and senses that would have her customers coming back for more requesting her to raise her own bar. When she does it is a guarantee to be a knock out! I should know because I knocked out in a deep sleep just an hour before I was suppose to meet up with other friends for even more drinks Ain’t that a B***h. Morgan, my drinking cheerleader who has gotten use to prudish ways, had ordered Dawns Polmadon which had a pretty funny story behind it.

Doesn’t it look delish? What started off as a concoction of Vodka, Pomegranate, and Lemon soon was tweaked for one of her customers that wanted her drink made with bourbon. Once she realized that the one change would be better than the last basic mixture, her drink sky rocketed with rave reviews. “If you have a good palet and good patrons, then you should be able to make just about anything” when I asked her if she considered herself to being a mixologist The snobby bartender types. And she is far from that type. I was at first good with just my apple cider beer up until she started describing one of her other popular drinks. The Glacier, a crafted cocktail, inspired by a Sci-Fi show.

Pomegranate, Mint, Lime and a hint of strong! Yeah that drink I had mentioned that knocked me out? …this was it. It was so good that I was sucking on the ice to get the rest of its juices. If you’re looking for a fruity drink where you can actually enjoy the taste and still feel that Dazed and Confused stage then this is the drink for you. Initially I was hoping to meet up with a guy but to my disappointment he never showed yet funny enough I forgot all about him once I had a few sips. Now that’s when you know the bartender did their job!

Now that summer has come to its end Thank god the patio reminds us of how much appreciation you have for the seasons change. Its romantic, its surreal and it’s comforting. Around this time I could definitely see myself turning this into one of my secret go-to places but I still need to try out out all the other neighborhood gems in the the meantime so till then…I’ll be back when I need another pick me upper!

Xox

“Keep It Social”