Lesley Jacobs SolmonsonOn December 5, 1933, America got to drink again. The country had been dry for 12 years due to Prohibition, but FDR thought that it was time for a change.
His famous comment — ” I think this would be a good time for a beer” — sums it up aptly. So, today, go have a beer, some wine, or a cocktail and live it up. Below is a list of some of the city's Repeal Day celebrations. Let freedom ring!
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Bigfoot West; Credit: 1933 Group
WHAT:1933 Group Bars (Bigfoot Lodge, Bigfoot West, Harlowe, La Cuevita, Oldfield's, Sassafras, Thirsty Crow)
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
WHY: All 1933 locations will be offering $1 Repeal Day cocktails (limit two per person).
WHERE:Bigfoot Lodge, 3172 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles; Bigfoot West, 10939 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles; Harlowe, 7321 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; La Cuevita, 5922 N. Figueroa Blvd.
Los Angeles, Oldfield’s Liquor Room, 10899 Venice Blvd., West Los Angeles; Sassafras, 1233 N. Vine Street, Los Angeles; The Thirsty Crow, 2939 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.
Sassafras Old Fashioned; Credit: 1933 Group
WHAT: Cafe Del Rey
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, all day
WHY: Celebrate Repeal Day by the water with 1933-inspired gin cocktails for $6. Selections include the Monkey Gland, Blackberry Bramble, and Ramos Gin Fizz.
WHERE: Cafe Del Rey, 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey.
WHAT: Chianina Steakhouse
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5
WHY: Chianina turns itself into a speakeasy for one night only. Entry is through the back door of the restaurant where food, drink, and music with a 1930's tone will be available. (Reservations for dinner recommended.) Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest 1920's garb. Caviar and champagne servers will circle the room all night.
WHERE: Chianina Steakhouse, 5716 E 2nd St, Long Beach.
WHAT: Cole's Red Car Bar
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. on
WHY:Campari cocktails are $5. Plus there's live jazz.
WHERE:Cole's Red Car Bar, 118 East 6th Street, Los Angeles.
Magnolia House Bar; Credit: Magnolia House
WHAT:Magnolia House
WHEN:Friday, Dec. 5, 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
WHY: Repeal Day with a French twist. Perfect for folks not centrally located as it's in Pasadena. Vieux Carre cocktails for $10.
WHERE:Magnolia House, 492 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena.
WHAT:On the Rox/Stillhouse Whiskey at the Roxy
WHY: Stillhouse Moonshine celebrates Repeal Day with free whiskey and live blues.
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5
WHERE: On the Rox,9009 Sunset, Los Angeles.
WHAT: The Raymond 1886
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
WHY: Another Pasadena favorite serving up a brown-bagged cocktail called the Last Sip. New Happy Hour selections from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. will be available ($5 house wine, $4 bottled beers, half-off well drinks, dAily Cocktail specials $7).
WHERE: The Raymond 1886, 250 Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.
Sassafras Old Fashioned; Credit: 1933 Group
WHAT:Townhouse and Del Monte Speakeasy
WHEN: 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
WHY: The event at the Townhouse starts with a Roast Pig Feast. At 7 p.m., listen to Repeal Day stories from Richard Foss, author of “Rum: A Global History.” The talk includes classic punch bowl selections and three cocktails to go with the talk, plus tunes from DJ Mark Maxwell. Brad Kay and His Ragtime Quartet performing old jazz. Note: Whenever the bell rings, 1933 pricing will be in full force for an hour.
WHERE: Townhouse and Del Monte Speakeasy, 52 Windward Avenue, Venice.
Tickets available at repealday.nightout.com
WHAT: Tunnel Bar
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
WHY: This retro bar is serving up a Mad-Hattan (with rye and housemade chipotle/vanilla bean elixir), as well as a French 75 and a Sazerac, Step into the past through Tipple and Brine on Ventura Boulevard.
WHERE: Tunnel Bar, 14633 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks.
Brooklyn Cocktail; Credit: Venice Whaler
WHAT: Venice Whaler/Crabshell Bar
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 a.m.
WHY: Sip the Brooklyn Cocktail for one night only. This pre-Prohibition classic offers up the combination of rye, Carpano Bianco vermouth, Torani Amer, and Luxardo maraschino. This is a one-night only $6 special.
WHERE: Venice Whaler/Crab Shell Bar, 10 West Washington Blvd., Venice.
Lesley blogs at 12 Bottle Bar, tweets at @12BottleBar and is the author of the book Gin: A Global History. Her book The 12 Bottle Bar, co-written with David Solmonson, was released on July 29. Email her at ljsolmonson@gmail.com. Want more Squid Ink? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
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