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Housed inside a refurbished storage room in Los Angeles’ oldest public house ( Coles Bar) The Varnish is an acclaimed dark and moody speakeasy featuring meticulously constructed cocktails made by some of the city’s most lauded bartenders.
OUR ARTICLE
BY: Travis Platt Contributing writerYou’re going to have to work for this one, but it’s worth it. Housed inside a refurbished storage room of Los Angeles’s oldest public house, Coles, you will find The Varnish. Thriving off elusiveness, The Varnish could be easily overlooked by the uninitiated. Make sure it’s past 7 p.m. and traverse past Coles’s main bar — where the original French dip sandwich is rumored to have been created first — and head straight to the back. You’re getting closer to cocktail bliss.
A place like The Varnish defines a city, and the masterminds behind it are dedicated to changing the game in the industry across the nation.
When you reach an unmarked door, you have found one of the best speakeasies in America. Sitting inside this dimly lit room is The Varnish in all of its glory. The bar is known for its heroic cocktails, the drinks here are made meticulously with professionalism and precision inserted into each stir and shake. Live jazz has been known to fill the room more than often, so be prepared to speakeasy and listen up.
With an award-winning reputation, it’s evident The Varnish paves the way for cocktail trends in the United States. If you’re having it at The Varnish, you’re having it first. Ask for the bartender’s choice and put your faith in the drink that you were destined to taste. A place like The Varnish defines a city, and the masterminds behind it are dedicated to changing the game in the industry across the nation.
FIELD TIPS
You’re on a mission to get in, but do yourself a favor and gorge a Cole’s French Dip before your cocktail adventure
The Varnish won the prestigious title of Best American Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail 2012 Spirited Awards in New Orleans
Fell like dancing to that live jazz, order up a Dr. Funk
This is the definition of Speakeasy, and some say gave rebirth to the vintage trend
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PHOTO CREDIT: 213 Hospitality
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