The Art of the Dinner Pre-Game
10 LA restaurants that bring the energy I'm looking for
Hey!
Happy June! After a few weeks of sickness, I’m (finally) getting my summer groove back.
Born out of my experience at Gyoza Bar in Echo Park this weekend, I present - 10 restaurants that serve as ideal venues for dinner + pre-gaming combo. In our old old age of thirty-something, “pregaming” looks a little different nowadays. Tequila shots over someone’s kitchen counter have been traded in for cocktail sippin’ at a sit down dinner with pals.
If I’m trying to have a proper night out, I’m looking for a certain liveliness to kick off the eve. I need ambiance - lighting so dark & moody you can barely see your food. Music is LOUD. And, it’s not too far from other bars / places to hop to. Let’s boogie!
Gyoza Bar - This Echo Park joint is solely lit by red paper lantern lights. Music is an intense blend of electronic & house - we were all groovin’ in our seats. (I DM’d for playlist, stay tuned) And finally, most importantly - the gyoza is reaaaal good.
Bars nearby: La Fe, Lowboy, Bar Flores, Gold Room, Dada, Little Joy, Short Stop
Melody - A Virgil Village staple. Rotating food pop ups every night, beer & wine only. You feel like you’re at a house party.
Bars nearby: Real Charmer, Alma’s, Voodoo Vin, The Virgil, 4100 Bar, Black Cat
De La Nonna - An overall favorite dinner spot for groups! The $75 Nonna Pack holds strong - 2 pizzas, 1 salad, a bottle of vino. So good! You should absolutely scoot next door to their bar, The Let’s Go! but you also have all the Arts District bars…
Bars nearby: Eighty Two, Angel City, Arts District Brewing Co, Death & Co, The Mermaid, Wolf & Crane
Checker Hall - Lighting so moody. Music bumpin’. Peek out the windows and you’re overlooking all the folks covering Figueroa & starting their nights.
Bars nearby: Gold Line, Good Housekeeping, The Arroyo Club, La Cuevita, Sam’s Place
Casablanca - I’ve talked about Casablanca a lot but!! The OG dinner + pregame combo and it still hits. Margs so strong, music = LOUD, there’s a buzzy energy in the air as every table is crowded with groups of people ready to have a niiight.
Bars nearby: The Lincoln, American Beauty, The Brig, Roosterfish
Elephante - Elephante is basically a clubstaurant at this point. But vibes are always high and the food + drinks are *actually* good.
Bars nearby: The Georgian Room, Coco Club, Bar Chloe, The Bungalow, Canary
Dudley Market - Dudley is an exception to the dark sexy lighting rule bc the sunset over Venice beach + string lights brings a different but equally sexy kind of energy. Sidewalk sippin’ bottles of natty wine and cosplaying Euro summer. Top tier seafood & a delicious burg. Yup!
Bars nearby: Waterfront, Belle’s Beach House, Gran Blanco, Townhouse, and also all the bars on AK mentioned above!
American Beauty - Really good food in a patio setting, and their bar is just as great.
Bars nearby: There’s a good chance we’re here for the night most of the time, but you can always hop to AK, Main St, or the beach bars!
Gran Blanco - Disco ball is putting in the workkkk at GB. Their new-ish menu is also genuinely great. Groovy DJ at all times.
Bars nearby: In case you haven’t already heard, the West side gets repetitive. See above!
Adams Wine Shop - AWS plays their tunes LOUD loud. Usually a great mix of R&B/funk. You can order a good chunk of Alta’s menu inside, or hop next door for the full restaurant experience after.
Honorable Mentions: Not No Bar (Santa Monica), Market (Venice), Johnny’s (West Adams)
That’s all folks! See ya soon for more summer content I’m sure. Have a great week!