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Where To Drink Whiskey in Los Angeles

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(credit: hotelbelair.com)

When looking for the best places in Los Angeles to drink the golden goodness, we've found several whiskey-focused bars to satisfy even the most discerning connoisseurs. Also gaining in popularity with many LA bartenders, whiskey cocktails are popping up on cocktails menu throughout the city with recipes that pair the golden spirit with everything from citrus and honey to bitters and other unique ingredients.

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(credit: Julie Wolfson)

The Daily Pint
2310 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-7631
www.thedailypint.net

On a recent foggy winter night, we headed to Santa Monica with Michel Dozois of Névé Ice to find out if The Daily Pint really did have the west coasts largest selection of single malt scotches. Their wall-mounted menu seemed to corroborate their claim. We pulled stools up to the bar to study the flight menus. Along with several locals (and a few customers who had had a few too many) we ordered drams of Ballechin, Mackillop's, and Tomontoul. Owner Philip McGovern shared recommendations, poured drams and beer all while he surveyed the jovial patrons crowding his bar.

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(credit: Julie Wolfson)

Seven Grand
515 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-0737
www.sevengrandbars.com

At Seven Grand downtown walk up the dark stairway and past the trophy game heads to enter the hunting lodge themed bar. The Seven Grand menu lists a more than 200 whiskey varieties and several unique cocktails concoctions. The Seven Grand whiskey Society offers monthly tastings and classes. Order a dram, pull out a pool cue, and enjoy the night like one might after a good fox hunt. Weeknights are best as the weekends tend to get the kind of crowded that may look more of a fraternity party than a relaxing place to unwind after a long day of work.

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(credit: Julie Wolfson)

Rosewood Tavern
448 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 944-0980
www.rosewoodtavern.com

On a block of Fairfax among the Jewish bakeries and skateboard shops, Rosewood Tavern is a casual neighborhood steakhouse. Opened by restauranteur, George Abou-Daoud, the menu reveals his love of single malt scotch, Irish whiskeys, and craft beer. Pair a dram with everything from their beef dip sandwiches to their steak and ale pie or Indian inspired dishes.

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(credit: Julie Wolfsom)

£10
Montage Beverly Hills
225 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 499-4199
www.montagehotels.com

For the ultimate experience in drinking single malt scotch there is only one destination that is not to be missed. This is the place to impress a business associate or celebrate a special occasion. The exclusive £10 bar inside Scarpetta at The Montage is a hidden playground for whiskey enthusiasts. The cocktails options are equally compelling with the Jimmy Mac that bartender Nicholas Vitulli with make tableside by stirring Averna amaro, Benedictine, and Regan's orange bitters with Macallan 18 and serving it over a ice sphere made with water flown in from Scotland. With a food menu of decadent bar bites, this is the place to sit back, relax and enjoys hanging out with the high rollers. If Macallan Brand Ambassador Eden Algie is in the house get ready for some colorful storytelling and an education about every aspect of making whiskey.

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(credit: Julie Wolfson)

The Roger Room
370 N La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 854-1300
www.therogerroom.com

Several Los Angeles bar menus feature whiskey cocktails including The Roger Room ordering a Japanese Maple is the way to go. The Roger Room bartenders made this inspired drink with Yamazaki, lemon, maple syrup, frothed egg, topped with a spray of bitters in the shape of a hand.

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Neat
1114 N Pacific Ave
Glendale, CA 91202
(818) 241-4542
www.neatbarglendale.com

Aidan Demarest opened Neat in Glendale and likes to serve his spirits to honor the name of his new bar. For everyone who likes to drink their whiskey Neat this place is worth checking out.

Edison Bar Downtown LA-
(credit: Juan Tallo)

Edison
108 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0000
www.edisondowntown.com

The always swanky Edison also has a respectable list. I spent a memorable night there a few years ago when President Obama was elected. The impossibly hip crowd could hardly contain their excitement. Many toasted their candidate with glasses of whiskey.

Other Picks

In Studio City at Black Market Liquor Bar, the Amber & Embers cocktail features smokey Laphroaig scotch, Clement sugar cane syrup, and bitters. At Michael Voltaggio's ink., Devon Espinoza combines Famous Grouse with lemon, ginger, clover honey, angostura bitters. The picturesque bar at newly renovated Bel Air Hotel serves Rolling Fog Over Mt. Fuji made with Hibiki Whiskey, Aperol, lemon and eggs whites. All of these balanced cocktails feature the whiskey in combination with flavors that bring our the best in the spirit.

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