Around 6pm yesterday I found myself craving a post-work beer, but there was a problem…I was on the Westside, far from my normal Silver Lake stomping ground. Fortunately, fate was looking out for me. While walking toward the Landmark to catch a film, I happened upon the Bourbon Street Shrimp Company. To be honest, I’ve never heard of it, but with patio doors facing the street I could hear diners digging into their Cajun inspired food. The sign advertising “3 dollar drafts until 8” was all the convincing I needed to step inside.

Often, I’ll find myself at a bar with a friend, say around 6pm, and they’ll have a “special” on for “4-dollar drafts,” the catch being that all they have on tap is Coors. Not at Bourbon Street, here they give you all sorts of options...Sierra Nevada, Fat Tire (a personal favorite), Red Hook, Pilsner Urquell, and Pyramid Hef add to the standard tap-line of Miller and Bud. Couple that with half-price entrees during happy hour on Tuesdays and you can snag a few good beers and a decent meal for under 20 bucks (Just make sure you bring cash, during happy hour it’s strictly debit cards or dollar bills).

And this place feels the way a neighborhood bar should. With a couple flat-screens tuned to the dodger game, chatter around the bar centered on whether or not they could hold on to their lead. Jess, the bartender, is quick with a smile and suggestions for what’s good on tap. Add to that her Evangeline-Lilly-meets-Natalie-Portman good looks and you’ll find more than a few male patrons cozying up to the rail instead of ordering from their tables.

You get the feeling that what’s keeping the place open right now is the regulars, though from talking to a couple of them, it sounds like business is up significantly since the opening of the new Landmark Theatre. Here’s hoping it stays that way, I know I’ll be stopping by during my next peregrination to the Westside.

10928 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 474-0007

Photo by Eric Reyers