10.04.2011

Next Door Lounge


1154 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.465.5500
www.nextdoorhollywood.com
twitter.com/nextdoorlounge


Parking: $6 Valet or Street Parking (check signs about towing before 7pm!)
Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Time: 5-8pm
Drink Deals: $4 Craft Beer, $6 Wine, $8 Cocktails
Food Deals: $3-6 Bar Bites

Looking for the bar? Look for this guy!

If you don’t know by now, Next Door Lounge is the hottest new bar in town. Seriously. You can’t swing a you-know-what without reading a post about this speakeasy themed bar in Hollywood. Now with head bartender, Joseph Brooke, named as People’s Choice Winner in Table 20’s Best Bartender contest, it’s clear where people like to go for a really good drink. On my recent visit to Next Door Lounge, I got lucky with a seat at the bar and cocktails made by the infamous bartender.

From sitting at the bar, I must say what I think makes Joseph Brooke so popular is his customer service. He takes his time to find out what patrons like and he checks in with them to make sure that they like their drink. Most bartenders find themselves too busy to care and who knows how they’d react if you asked them to make something over, but not Mr. Brooke. He’ll offer to remake it to your tastes… but don’t worry – his drinks are so great that it’s not necessary.

On my first visit to Next Door Lounge with my friend Kyle*, I had the French 75 cocktail ($8), a gin cocktail with lemon juice, sugar, and prosecco. I’m not much of a gin drinker, but the drink was so good that I ordered another. Unfortunately, for my second visit to the bar, the drink was no longer offered at happy hour price. It is regularly priced at $12 so I stuck with the happy hour menu and ordered the Tommy’s Margarita ($8). I’ve rarely met a margarita that I didn’t like. However, what makes this one stand out is the froth created from the cocktail being shaken, not stirred. Spoiled by the mixology movement, I just love a cocktail that’s taken a good shake.

French 75

Tommy’s Margarita

Thankfully, the happy hour food menu had no changes for my second visit. My friend Carrie & I had the Spinach & Goat Cheese pizza ($6) that I had on that first trip. It’s a nice, hearty eat that is fitting for dinner and perfect for sharing. We also ordered the Tostadas de Tinga de Pollo ($8), 4 mini chicken tostadas that are out of this world! They are not featured on the happy hour menu, but at $8 it’s a pretty good price and so good that you will not be sorry. In fact, it’s the type of dish where you’re sure to clean your plate and slap the hand of anyone who tries to take it before you’re done.


Spinach & Goat Cheese pizza

Tostada de Tinga de Pollo

I definitely would like to return to Next Door Lounge, but I just don’t know when. It’s a great spot for girls night out and an even more perfect place for a date. In fact, most, maybe all, of the tables were reserved on both of my visits. I prefer places that I can just walk right in and grab a seat, but with food, drink & service this great, I guess I can’t keep Next Door Lounge all to myself.

-JG

Rating: 4.5 Martinis

*Follow him on twitter. He’s HILARIOUS.

Next Door Lounge on Urbanspoon

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