Right in the heart of wild West Hollywood, casual cocktail spot Bar10 is relatively subdued compared to its surroundings. The speakers may be blasting Britney and Ke$ha, but the bar never gets too rowdy. Bar10’s interior is spacious but sparse, with a single pool table and high-tops that seem less likely to be used for dancing and more for drinking and dining. Its menus are similarly simple, with a restrained selection of straightforward dishes like “drunken” mac and cheese, burgers, salads and flatbread pizzas that make it easy for even the most fickle of patrons to settle on an order. But let’s talk drinks, which are the main draw here. By virtue of its name, Bar10’s cocktail menu is curated down to 10 unique creations. The best part? Each is just $10 a pop. Perhaps our perception is a bit skewed, but in a city where $12-$14 craft cocktails have become the norm, it feels like a never-ending happy hour. If only parking in WeHo were so simple.
Vitals
Good for: Drinks and dinner before more raucous plans take hold. You may end your night at The Abbey or Revolution, but you can get off to a good start here. $10 drinks across the board not only ensure that you can drink more of them, but also that it’s easy to split the bill when the time comes to move on.
The scene: A young, mostly male, mostly gay crowd congregates weeknights after work for drinks, light bites and Santa Monica Boulevard people watching before hitting the town. Of course, you can’t be in WeHo and not offer brunch, and so weekends from 11am to 4pm are reserved for this sacred local tradition, complete with obligatory bottomless mimosas ($15).
Drink this: The Basic Bitch seems to be the most popular drink on the menu, and not just for its delightful name. A refreshing and light blend of Hanson’s ginger vodka, coconut water and blueberries, it felt rejuvenating, almost good for us—like a post-spa treatment spritzer. Plus, you know, blueberries have antioxidants. In the Gin Flower, fresh sage complements the botanical and floral notes of Hendrick’s gin and St. Germain to create bright, sophisticated layers of flavor, while the Saladito combines mezcal, honey, lemon and cayenne for a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, sour and spicy. If you’re looking to kick-start the evening, the aptly-named Bad Boy, a potent dose of Tullamore Dew whiskey, Remy Martin, lemon and orange juice, could be just the fuel you need.
Our tip: If you're into oysters, stop by during happy hour (Mon-Fri 5-8pm, Sat & Sun 4-8pm) when Bar10 offers them for just $1 each.