Mary CarreonAs we all know, Culver City has gotten very trendy in recent years. Home to famous spots like The Culver Hotel and Sony Studios, Culver City has developed a unique niche, according to one bartender we talked to: “It's where the hipsters go to hang out when they're not on.” Whether or not that's true, there's no question that their bar scene in quite popping. Here are their ten best watering holes.
See also: The 10 Best Bars in Silver Lake
Credit: Mary Carreon
10. Ugo Wine Bar
The dimmed lighting, lit candles, Italian food and plethora of vino make the Ugo Wine Bar a perfect date spot. The service is friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable about wine. No snobby service here! The mellow atmosphere is a pleasant change from the typical hectic bar scene. Of course good wine is always expensive, so plan accordingly! 3865 Cardiff Ave. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-204-5645
Credit: Mary Carreon
Located on the outskirts of Culver City, Bigfoot Lodge West lives between a video game store and an old bakery on Venice Blvd. The decor looks as if the Country Bear Jamboree built it. They're known for having an impressive whiskey menu, and have a mean, mean Manhattan. (Their mixology sister bars, Oldfield's, Bigfoot Lodge, and Thirsty Crow, are also boss.) During happy hour, drinks are only $5. 10939 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90032; 310-287-2200
Credit: Anne Fishbien
Father's Office has an extensive beer selection and their delicious Office Burger. The restaurant/bar is a perfect setting for groups, as the booths are big and the bar is massive. Although expensive, make sure to ask about the beers that are not on the menu. They're worth it. 3229 Helms Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90034; 310-736-2224
Credit: Bernie Wire
7. City Tavern
Beer on tap available at the table! This trendy gastropub gets packed fast which makes the parking situation a little irritating, but the beer is good, the food is equally as good, and the layout is awesome. 9739 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-838-9739
Credit: Mary Carreon
Located across the street from Sony Studios, the 75 year old dive bar is a Culver City landmark. The pours are stiff, the food is good, the prices are cheap (very cheap) and the service is friendly. Oh, and the bar offers karaoke during the week and live music on the weekends on the weekends and live music during the week. Beware though: it gets really, really loud. As a Backstage regular told us, “my advice to anyone who wants to make Backstage a home is have ear plugs readily available at all times.” 10400 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-839-3892
Credit: Mary Carreon
The booths are set up like study tables with adjustable desk lights, and the menus look like classic black and white speckled composition notebooks. The best part about Public School 310 is the happy hour, (or “recess” as they call it), menu. It's ten dollars for three glasses of wine, and that's the priciest deal on the menu! They also offer a variety of craft beers on tap, and the service is worth a good tip. 9411 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232; (310) 558-0414
Credit: Mary Carreon
The Blind Barber is hard to find because from the front it looks like a place to get a haircut. Once you walk in past the barber shop area and pass through what looks like a utility closet, you enter into a hall way that leads to the hidden bar in the back. The speakeasy vibe is fun, and the bartenders are quick! 10797 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-841-6679
Credit: Mary Carreon
3. The Bar at the Culver Hotel
Known as the “Historic Culver Hotel,” the upstairs bar/lounge is the place to go on a Saturday night for serious socializing. The bar is small, so talking to others is basically mandatory. The lush 1920s vintage décor makes the lounge very trendy, which attracts a young, hip crowd. The bartenders are theatrical when making drinks, too, as they toss glasses in the air and catch them while mixing your cocktail. You will leave with a great buzz. . 9400 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-558-9400
Credit: Mary Carreon
Owned by the same people who own Bigfoot West, (and other great mixology spots), Oldfield's Liquor Room is the local time warp in Los Angeles. The classic cocktails, atmosphere, music and décor effectively capture a late 1950s, early '60s vibe. Get your Mad Men on, and briefly forget who you are. 10899 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034; (310) 842-8066
Credit: Mary Carreon
1. Seventy 7
Tucked in an alley behind the Bank of America on Culver Blvd lies Seventy 7. The small candle lit lounge makes you feel like you're in an underground club far, far away from here. The bar's trendy, yet oddly seductive, ambiance makes all concept of time go out the window. What goes down behind the bar is what makes Seventy 7 special. The staff knows exactly how to make a strong drink taste great. Cocktails come fast, the bartenders are down to earth, there's live music and the food is tasty. What else is there to ask for? 3843 Main St. Culver City, CA 90232; 310-559-7077
See also: The 10 Best Bars in Silver Lake
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