Lost Property

Step inside this enchanting lair—where bartenders are easygoing, drinks are wholly original, and unclaimed property is free—and you quickly forget that you’re in Tinseltown or, at least, in a room attached to the most touristy beer hall in Hollywood (33 Taps, formerly Dillons). They like it dark here, so dark you can hardly see your date, as well as solid gold Oldies kept low. That’s because conversation is king inside this windowless, mid-century-inspired space decked out in dark wood and leather, chopped up vintage luggage, crystal decanter light fixtures and a collection of unclaimed thrift store finds. Want a used fedora? What’s lost is yours, no strings attached. Then there’s the drink program: 13 artisanal swills crafted by Crossroads veteran Jeremy Lake to satisfy almost every flavor profile. Got a sweet tooth? The Perfect Daiquiri ($12), made with two types of rum, lime and sugar, has you covered. For the more adventurous, the Howard Hawks ($13)—a frothy blend of egg whites, rye, coffee-infused rum, lemon, lime and an absinthe rinse—should do the trick. Meanwhile, co-owners Rhino Williams and Matthew Jacobs have hand-picked 50 international whiskeys, hailing from Scotland to Taiwan, beckoning you from behind the stick. Take a seat. Let the skilled barkeeps guide you. You’ll be here awhile.

Vitals

Good for: Sipping scotch Mad Men-style, in the dark; getting tipsy and sharing a skillet-baked chocolate chip cookie (just $7) with a date; or grabbing pre-theater drinks you can count on—because, let’s face it, getting a no-fuss libation near the Pantages is not so easy. All in all, this is a Hollywood hideout fit for serious drinkers, so come curious. And maybe plan on taking the nearby metro so you can really enjoy yourself.

The scene: Let’s just say there was a guy with an impressive mustache seated next to us at the bar during our visit. So yes, hipsters have made their way to Lost Property, along with dress-to-impress Hollywood scenesters. But you’ll also find a handful of honest-to-goodness cocktailers—folks that truly appreciate the art of the drink—around the bar. Ambience is laid-back, but this is still a respectable place, so leave your loud, drunken antics outside. Lost Property is a covert, quiet remedy to a chaotic corner of Hollywood, and patrons would like to keep it that way.

The playlist: During the week, it’s all ’60-'70s rock—Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Beatles. Though not exactly fitting with the speakeasy aesthetic, it jives well with the lounge's casual air. On weekends, it’s a whole other joint—clubby, to say the least, with DJs spinning until closing time.

Bartender says: All of the juices (mainly lemon and lime) used in the drinks are hand-squeezed and pressed in-house. Williams says it’s the key to making the best cocktails possible. He also believes there is always time for a well-made daiquiri, or what he calls “DTO” (Daiquiri Time Out). And let me just say, if ever there was a time to stop everything and drink the refreshing classic, Lost Property would be the place to do it. Made with not one but two types of rum, plus the usual lime and sugar, the Perfect Daiquiri ($12) is in fact perfect—balanced in every way.

Drink this: When it comes to whiskeys—old, rare, you name it—they have it, including Highland Park 15-year ($22), Kavalan Single Malt ($22), and Re:Find rye (take your time with that one; it’s $45 per dram). Don’t miss out on a unique experience to sample so many fine spirits. In terms of Lake’s top-notch cocktails, another goodie is the aromatic Widow’s Kiss ($14), a boozy blend of rye, apple brandy, chartreuse, benedictine and bitters, topped with a lemon twist—something to sip delicately. Then move on to the Bartender’s Choice. On our visit, my date asked for something smoky and got a mezcal margarita with a kick ($14): Del Maguey Vida, hellfire bitters, and a pinch of cinnamon and chili, stirred and poured over an ice sphere. It was downright delicious. Beer and wine drinkers will find relief from a good selection of bottles and taps.