Laurel Hardware's New Mexican-Themed Mezcal Bar | A Mezcal Lover's Paradise
One of my favorite restaurants in LA, Laurel Hardware has officially launched its New Mexican-themed Mezcal Bar! As one of West Hollywood's all time favorite restaurants since 2012, Laurel Hardware has expanded beyond their incredible farm-to-table cuisine and lavish cocktails to a sophisticated and swanky Mezcal Bar.
It's located at the front of the restaurant behind an intriguing curtain, leading to the gorgeous private room featuring comfy velvet chairs, dim mood lighting, and a prohibition-style bar. The Mezcal Bar boasts a sexy speakeasy vibe and its clear that the co-owners, Dean McKillen and Phil Howard wanted to develop an intricate, unique aesthetic that could only be found at Laurel Hardware.
For those that are unfamiliar with Mezcal, it's a distilled spirit that can be produced from many varieties of Agave plants. It is produced in several different states in Mexico, the most prominent being in Oaxaca.
I got the chance to try out the Mezcal Bar the other day and was so impressed. As a former NYC resident, I am totally familiar with (and a huge fan of) speakeasies, mezcal bars, and any type of venue that offers a very exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience. There are very few speakeasy bars in LA, and it's refreshing to finally have one in the neighborhood that truly does the ambiance, the food and the drinks right.
The Mezcal Bar features seasonal mezcal-infused cocktails and contemporary Mexican cuisine. The handcrafted menu items include mouthwatering guacamole with pomegranate seeds (my favorite), Chilled Lobster Tostada, and Tuna Crudo to name a few.
The cocktails are next level and will be a new obsession for any serious cocktail or mezcal lover! I was able to try a few, and just with a few sips I could tell how carefully crafted and designed these cocktails to bring out the delicious notes of mezcal and aromatic ingredients.
My favorite was the Lupita, consisting of Rums of Jamaica & St. Croix, Lemon, Vanilla and Fresh Pineapple. I also loved the Lila Downs, with La Nina Mezcal Espadin, Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Absinthe, and Rosemary Mint Foam. These are the definitions of serious cocktails! Not only were the cocktails mixed to perfection, but their presentation was up to par with the potent, swanky characteristics of the drinks themselves.
Being able to enjoy these divine cocktails in such a luxurious space provides the ultimate destination for a local, elegant night out. Between lounging in the bar's plush chairs amongst vintage mirrors, hand-carved wood floors with Italian-imported marble inlay, and Art Deco-inspired ambiance, in addition to providing top quality Mexican f&b, the venue truly takes you into another realm that you can't get anywhere else other than Laurel Hardware.
Photography by: EDLT Photography
