SipWatchTweet: 5 Best Places for Manhattans in L.A.

Drinking (responsibly) and tweeting go together like champagne and sushi. I’m the one who coined, Sip. Watch. Tweet. but I’m far from the only person who does it. Sommelier I am, bartender I’m not. So at home, when I’m sipping and tweeting, I’m sipping wine. But what about those times when only a perfectly stirred Manhattan from a seasoned bartender will do? Hashtag Manhattans In LA.

I enjoy sipping around town, putting my liver on the line just for you. This time, the cause is to bring you the five best places to get Manhattans in Los Angeles.

Sassafras quickly became one of my favorite Hollywood bars mostly because of their rocking chick bartenders. I applaud skilled women in this industry and they have the best at Sassafras. When you go, get a Vieux Carre. I know! But I’ve always considered a Vieux Carre the French Manhattan and it’s perfection here.

Sassafras Vieux Carre and Manhattan

Still in Hollywood, this time The Pikey on Sunset. The famed Hollywood British pub not only has the best farm to table seasonally changing food porn they also house some of the best barmen. If you’re a fan of amaro, ask for a black Manhattan. It’s not on the menu and it’s bitterly delicious.

The Pikey Black Manhattan

To the west, to the west… West Hollywood that is. Taking off on Santa Monica Boulevard with the 60s aviation themed bar, Now Boarding. Not only is it the perfect hang out to chill after work, they cater to your specific taste. When I asked John for his take on a spicy Manhattan he brilliantly crafted, stirred and poured me heated, liquid perfection. Whether you’re more sweet than spicy or are a classic Manhattan purist, Now Boarding has your back.

Now Boarding The “spicy” Manhattan

While you’re on Santa Monica Blvd. you do not want to pass up Harlowe. Harlowe, the sister bar of Sassafras is like a grown up, Hollywood glammed up, boozed up soda shop. Barman Johan has a “secret” way of making a rye Manhattan that is the epitome of, Hashtag Cocktail Porn and will make you want another…and another…

Johan Stein’s Rye Manhattan at Harlowe

I couldn’t leave out the South Bay. Don’t sell them short, west side. While the South Bay may be slowly upping their craft cocktail game, even sports and dive bars have perfected their classic cocktail game. Specifically, Simmzy’s by the Manhattan Beach Pier. Sit down at the bar, order a Maker’s Mark Manhattan and take in the perfect ocean views while sipping the perfect classic cocktail. Stirred. Never shaken.

Simmzy’s Makers Mark Manhattan

Sassafras
1233 N Vine St
Hollywood
323-467-2800
Twitter: @SassafrasHW
IG: SassafrasSaloon

The Pikey
7617 W Sunset Blvd
Hollywood
323-850-5400
Twitter: @ThePikeyLA
IG: ThePikeyLA

Now Boarding
7746 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood
323-848-8447
Twitter: @NowBoardingLA
IG: NowBoardingLA

Harlowe
7321 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood
323-876-5839
Twitter: @BarHarlowe
IG: BarHarlowe

Simmzy’s
229 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach
310-546-1201
Twitter: @SimmzysMB
IG: Simmzys

Follow me on:
Twitter: @VinoCaPisco
IG: realcountess
Periscope: @VinoCaPisco

About countessrose

SIP.WATCH.TWEET™ Born and bred New Yorker I now reside in the Los Angeles area. I was a debutante at age 18, Countess at 30, and despite having a bachelors degree in law, I ditched that profession and became a certified wine sommelier. Certified by both WSET Level 4 and the Court of Masters. I am a self-proclaimed connoisseur of California Zinfandel and all Primitivo. Although an actual Italian wine specialist I have an ongoing love affair with Sauternes and insist it’s an aphrodisiac. I’m serious about wine but don’t take wine seriously. I started a wine tasting company, Vino CaPisco [loosely translated in Italian means, I understand wine] in 2004 and began private in-home wine tastings for those who wanted a fun way to learn about wine. We made Sopranos Sangiovese Lovers, Sex and the Bubbly, etc themed tastings. I did that successfully and happily, until I found an urge to cover more than wine. To learn, experience and discover spirits and cocktails around town...and beyond. An occasional wine blogger for Wine Portfolio and Wine Library, I happened upon pairing wine and spirits with television shows and film in 2009 but I've recently began taking it on the road. Drinking and tweeting (and instagramming) from hotels, bars, speakeasys... I'm not a mixologist or bartender, I don't purport to have an education in cocktails or been to bar tending school. But I've been a certified sommelier since 2002 and a cocktail enthusiast and self-taught cocktail connoisseur seriously since 2012. I check out hotel bars, speciality bars, and local favorites. I talk to the mixologists/bartenders, get them to make me an original "off menu" cocktail and then give that recipe to you. If it fits, I'll also pair if with a T.V. show and tweet about it...Sometimes with a drinking game to match. Follow me on Instagram: sipwatchtweet #SipWatchTweet with me on Twitter: @VinoCapisco

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