Refreshing Drinks You Need to Try Before Summer Ends
Summer is the perfect excuse to get together with loved ones, to relax on DTLA rooftops, and to make happy hours a part of your weekly routine. What's better than enjoying summer nights out to dinner with the family, daytime rooftop parties with friends, or casual patio happy hours with coworkers? Summer cocktails...that's what. Top-notch, handcrafted refreshments make any summer experience that much more enjoyable, am I right? Labor Day will soon come and go, but we'll hold onto that summer feeling (and that summer heat) just a little while longer. Here are a handful of cocktails in DTLA to try before summer officially comes to a close. Cheers!
Trio at Takami
Located on the 21st floor, Takami has Happy Hour Monday thru Friday from 4:30 pm until 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 5 pm until 7 pm. This space features a sleek indoor/outdoor lounge area. Being on the 21st floor, you can imagine the view alone is worth the visit. The dress code is a little more lax than one might assume -- tshirts and shorts are fine. There's a nice selection of featured cocktails for only $7! On our visit, we tried three: the Yuzu Collins (Gin with Yuzu juice, Lychee sake, fresh muddled grape and strawberry and a splash of soda), which had a very unique taste that might not be for everyone. The Bellini Cocktail (Prosecco with Pama & St Germaine Liqueurs) is probably a very safe champaign cocktail. And my personal favorite was the Absolut LA (Absolut Blueberry-Acai Vodka, splash of Raspberry Couture topped with Fresh Lemon Juice), which was a nice refreshing summer drink. There's also a variety of Happy Hour appetizers between $6 and $9 if you come with a little appetite. Overall, Takami is a nice, yet casual and reasonably priced Happy Hour.
Sky Tai at OUE Skyspace
There's a recent addition to the OUE Skyspace observation deck -- a full bar. You still have to purchase a ticket to Skyspace, but if you're going anyway, it's a really nice perk. It has bright and simple decor with tables facing out to the surrounding 360 degree views. Don't plan on partaking in any happy hour special here, but do check out their list of specialty drinks and chat with their super friendly bartenders. I tried the Sky Tai (Bacardi Rum, Pineapple, Lime, Orgeat, Pernod Absinthe and Bitters) for $14, which is basically their take on a Mai Tai with a much more fitting name -- very tasty! There is a small selection of lite bites including hot dogs, hummus and beer cheese & pretzel if you need to put something in your stomach before heading down the Skyslide. Unfortunately you can't take your drink outside on the observation deck, but I would definitely recommend going up around Happy Hour, taking some pictures on the deck (don't forget the wings), and catching the slide just before you catch sunset.
Supermoon at Spire 73
Spire 73, the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, is open daily from 4 pm to 12:30 am. After 8 pm there is a $25 entry fee, so get there early. The dress code is "smart casual", which generally means no shorts, sandals, or t-shirts. To access this sky high rooftop bar and lounge, take the elevators to the lobby of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown and then head towards the bathrooms where you'll find another elevator that will take you to the 73rd floor. There' s plenty of fun seating options -- cozy nooks for two, larger conversation areas, and an extra lengthy bar for even those a little weary of heights. There's a slow moving water feature for ambiance and multiple fire pits for cooler evenings. We tried a couple of specialty drinks on our visit. The Green Thumb (vodka agave, cucumber and mint) was $18 refreshingly spent. For those looking for something sweeter, try the Supermoon ($18). This slushy-like blend of vodka, berries and mint should hit the sweet spot. Sure, like most hotel bars, the drinks are a little pricey, but the entire experience is definitely worth every cent.
Paloma at Corner Cantina
Some of you might know this spot as Sixth Street Tavern, but this little gem was recently reinvented and reintroduced to the community as Corner Cantina -- a fresh, modern punch of colors and textures in a perfect location that screams "local hangout". There are 5 different palomas on the menu, but we went with the Frozen Paloma because of summer and all. Although Corner Cantina offers both indoor and outdoor seating, we recommend grabbing a table on the patio -- it's the perfect gathering spot to sit back and relax with good food, refreshing drinks and local vibes.