East
The East comprises some of my favorite Los Angeles neighborhoods. Along the river and near Dodger Stadium is Elysian Park, Frogtown, Atwater Village, the parks(Echo, Glassell, Cypress & Highland) nearby Eagle Rock, Glendale, Pasadena, Silver Lake, Mt Washington, Lincoln Heights and past East LA to San Gabriel Valley
Finally good coffee in Eagle Rock
While it may have a stupid name, Loop Espresso Club (in the former Coffee Table Lounge space) is an upgrade for all of Colorado Blvd. Avoiding the trap of minimalism common with most modern cafes, Loop gives the vibe of a cigar bar in a faraway metropolis.
1954 Colorado Blvd
Footsies
Remember in 2006 when Footsies made Spin magazine's "Coolest Bars in America" list? Oh, never mind, you moved here in 2016 and after getting kicked out of FIDM, you only heard of Footsies when you started staying in your best friend's back house in Mt. Washington (it's Cypress Park, quit telling people you live in Mt. Washington). Well, after a few makeovers, Footsies is still really cool. You should go any night when DJ Short Shorts is spinning. Open 5pm - 2am 2640 N Figueroa St 323-987-0050
Crawford’s
Crawford's on Beverly (across from the Original Tommy's Burger) is a drab yellow brick building with a sign on either side of the door that reads "Fried Chicken & Ice Cold Beer". If this seems out of place in modern LA, then you wouldn't be surprised to find out that the inside is a trip back to a Texas dive bar. Pool tables and a jukebox sit at one end, while large leather booths squeeze in as many people as possible. They have boiled peanuts and cheap Bud on draft. The fried chicken (their website claims it's the best in LA) can be ordered hot or not, with only a few side options available. The best thing about Crawford's, though, is that when you step out those doors, you don't have to worry about your reproductive rights. Fried Chicken $13 Budweiser $3 2616 Beverly Blvd 213-568-3133
The Hermosillo
Gentrification rolled through Highland Park quick but I can honestly say this is one of the few spots that kept the small town energy that you can still enjoy a beer at. 323-739-6459 5125 York Blvd