In any season, watching your favorite sports team takes on various faces, as do the bar scenes across the City of Angels. For true fans, sports play a major factor in day-to-day activities and which location is best for the after work crowds. Without an NFL team here, the local attention rotates between the LA Clippers, Kings, Lakers and the Dodgers (who made the playoffs this year!). That is not to say the NFL does not have a fan base, and L.A. has plenty of sports bars around to satisfy any devotee. But what about those wanting to watch a game in a more sophisticated atmosphere, less dive bar, more upscale lounge?
Recently, we visited two classier options located on opposite sides of Downtown Los Angeles that offer creative libations and notable bar food; and of course, are great for catching a game. The Mixing Room mixes it up in the expansive J.W. Marriot at LA Live, and to the north, The Bunker Hill Bar & Grill which overlooks the city, just above the sloped street level.
The Mixing Room
Hotel guests, local downtowners and suited professionals get a bevy of craft cocktail choices at The Mixing Room. Opening daily at 4 p.m., the upscale lounge prides itself on its comfortable and roomy corner venue. Flat screen televisions span the walls above and behind the long bar running across the only wall absent of windows. The food menu complements the cocktails and aged spirit with options like the creamy cheese plate or juicy bacon-topped burger, which is only available during local NHL and NBA games. With an additional outdoor space, the warm SoCal weather allows for great al fresco dining and the location regularly hosts food-truck style options outside.
The Bunker Hill Bar & Grill
Also boasting a laudable outdoor space, The Bunker Hill Bar & Grill from the restaurant group behind LA’s Wokcano sushi chain and downtown's Le Ka, offers a tasty menu of Asian-influenced bar food. The buffalo and Korean BBQ chicken wings are perfect for an after work game. Their menu includes delectable tacos like pork belly and cow tongue, while the spicy crab tempura sushi rolls highlight its Asian roots. The Truffle Burger strays a bit outside of the general menu theme, but is quite the accomplishment and a favorite among the sports crowd. Rich in truffle flavor, the burger is juicy and worth the finger-licking drips. Pair any entrée with any of their many craft cocktails, we suggest the margarita with spicy salt. In addition to treating diners to tasty food and drink, large flat screens on all the walls and on the patio play sports daily. During the week seats are filled with after-work viewers and on Sunday, football starting at 11 a.m. draws downtown locals to the airy space.
While sports fans span all generations, it's probably time that your venue for watching such said revelry should match the level of sophisticated adulthood that you've so elegantly achieved. Put down those PBRs, your Glenlivet on the rocks is waiting.
