“Ice is the bartender’s flame.” – ERIC ALPERIN, OWNER
the
Varnish 118 E 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90014 213.265.7089 www.213nightlife.com/thevarnish
Located in the back of Cole’s in Downtown LA, you’ll find The Varnish, a dimly-lit room with the sounds of smooth jazz wafting through the air. A speakeasy bar that promises to serve you the coldest drink you’ll ever have, negative 9 degrees Celsius. Bartenders clad in suspenders are creating classic cocktails with a focus on consistency and precision. All walks of life come through their door and each guest is treated equally, such as they treat their cocktails. You could say this is a cross between a destination bar and a neighborhood bar with a diverse set of clientele. Bring in your Beef Dip and let your worries from the day melt away—unlike the ice in your drink. This bar uses specialty handchipped ice cubes that are designed to maintain the desired temperature while not melting and 48 |
| AUGUST 2015
diluting your cocktail. Sip on the Smuggler’s Notch made with rum, brown sugar cube, orange bitters, an orange twist and a float of absinthe. A drink that represents the bar’s ethos of simple, classic and strong. This original cocktail was created by Eric Alperin, the owner of The Varnish. It’s a cross between a rum Old Fashioned and a Sazerac. This drink was inspired by a bottle of Havana Club 7 Year as a gift from someone traveling abroad. He created a cocktail that really showcased the spirit. Throughout The Varnish, there is an attention to detail, technique, and an appreciation for the classics that is greatly appreciated amongst its patrons. The focus here is definitely hospitality, and you can thank General Manager Max Seaman for making sure your water glass is always full!
HOUSE RULES Our process takes time; thank you for your patience. We are first come, first served and we don’t take reservations. We cannot accommodate parties larger than six people. No vulgar language or loud behavior please. Disrespectful attitudes towards other patrons or our staff will not be tolerated. Cocktail attire is admired, not required. You are welcome to order sandwiches to go from Cole’s for consumption at The Varnish but not sides or desserts. Cole’s drinks are allowed to be finished at The Varnish but we insist that you order cocktails from us when seated.
NATIVE KNOWLEDGE: Their Clinebell machines make big, slow-frozen, crystal-clear ice blocks to keep your drinks the perfect temperature. We promise.