This review was originally written in 2015 and has since been updated to reflect recent changes.
Approaching the imposing orange door to E.R.B. (Everson Royce Bar, technically speaking), it’s hard to know what to expect behind it. The concrete exterior of the downtown Arts District haunt seems intentionally non-descript. A bold neon sign above the door reads simply “BAR”—the small plaque beside it, “everson royce bar, est. 2015,” verifies the bar’s identity. Inside, the bar is not only bustling, but bright; the large, elegant space is bathed in soft light, illuminating its features in a way that feels warm and inviting. Out back, a spacious patio offers ample seating for drinking, dining and stargazing through the twinkle of overhead light strings. The bar bites menu includes one of the city’s best burgers, plus other additional snacky things.
The warmth of E.R.B.’s atmosphere extends to its service, too; despite a packed house, the bar felt remarkably personal. It turns out that the guy walking around like he owns the place in fact does, and he’ll deliver your drinks, to boot. Not only did co-owner Randy Clement indulge our every query about the cocktails and food, but the Silverlake Wine boss also provided some insight into the inspiration behind the bar and its predecessor, Everson Royce, a wine shop in Pasadena: they’re named after Clement’s twin sons, Everson and Royce. It wasn’t just us, and it wasn’t just him—beyond our table, we observed Clement and his staff treating every patron with the priority of a VIP. Simply put, this place knows how to make you feel special, and in this town, that goes a long way.