The American whiskey shelf at Far Bar in Little Tokyo.
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Far Bar
)
Topline:
If your father is into whiskey, L.A. is a playground right now. There are several bars which have a wide, wide variety of global brands, and the ambience to go with them. We offer you a flight of some of the city's destination whiskey drinking spots.
Why it matters: Because whiskey comes in hundreds of different varieties (for real — Tam O'Shanter has 700) and you need to at least try some of them in this lifetime.
Why now: It's often true that while Mom is fairly easy to spoil on her special day, Dad.... let's just say it's a challenge. But you and Pop in a bar with a glow on your faces — well, now you're talking.
Read on... for other spots that boast whiskey offerings.
If your dad is like mine, he's generally the more difficult parent to shop for, especially for Father's Day. Maybe it's because he's not as forthcoming with what he's into or as effusive about receiving gifts as Mom.
No, Dad's a tough one, especially when you're looking for a way to show your lifelong appreciation of his advice, guidance, and jokes. But if yours is at all into whiskey, I got you.
The following spots around Los Angeles are perfect for treating the old man to the best the whiskey world has to offer, whether it be during happy hour at a chill neighborhood spot in Silver Lake or for cigars, a beard trim, and rare whiskeys at a deluxe Beverly Hills lounge.
Far Bar (Little Tokyo)
The Japanese whiskey shelf at Far Bar
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Courtesy Far Bar
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Look for the iconic neon "Chop Suey" sign on the historic Far East building on 1st Street and enter the narrow alley to this Little Tokyo bar. Then choose from the wide variety of delicious Asian-inspired bar bites and hearty entrees to lay down a base for the night of drinking ahead.
Whether it be with wasabi fries with a shiitake miso burger or chashu pork and bacon fried rice, Dad will be set to dive into the whiskey selection, which includes over 300 bottles. More than 40 of those are Japanese whiskies.
If he's unfamiliar but curious about the category, ease him into things with the Little Tokyo flight of Hibiki Harmony, Nikka Coffey Malt, and Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt. Or if you always wanted to splurge on Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year, they have it for $175. (Note: that's one shot. But it's a sublime experience, we're told!).
However, that's a mere drop in the bucket compared to the $300 Yamazaki Puncheon 2022 Limited Edition, a hard-to-find single malt that's been aged in American oak puncheons. Twice the size of the average barrel, this allows the whisky to mature slowly, creating a complex and rich sipper that is coveted by connoisseurs and collectors.
Thirsty Crow (Silver Lake)
Thirsty Crow's warm, inviting bar
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Danielle Bernabe
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This Silver Lake neighborhood saloon by the hospitality group behind bars such as Highland Park Bowl and Idle Hour is a go-to for happy hour every day (between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on most days and all day on Sundays and Wednesdays). But since $14 boilermakers with Jameson don't exactly say "I love you, Dad, thanks for raising me," have him peruse the bar's spirits list for the good stuff.
There are more than 120 whiskies — 40 of which are Louisville's finest.
Thirsty Crow general manager Taylor Johnson recommends William Larue Weller Limited Edition as "a true collector's pour worthy of celebrating Dad."
There's also George T. Stagg 144.8 Proof — one of the highest-proof bourbons on the market — for those who want something bold, intense, and unforgettable.
The Tam O' Shanter (Los Feliz)
Tam O'Shanter's wall of scotch
(
Caroline Pardilla
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The 103-year-old Tam houses one of the largest whiskey collections in the city with about 700 offerings, 450 of which hail from Scotland.
Its "Great Wall O' Scotch" was installed in the 50s by co-founders Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp to house bottles they collected during their travels. The display case still exists today as a nod to its past, and it has since broadened its offerings to include other types of whiskey.
For Father's Day, there will be a brunch with corned beef hash and Bloody Marys. But if your old man is a whiskey lover, treat him to dinner where he can feast on a thick prime rib and end the night tasting through a flight of bourbon, scotch, or rare single casks from renowned Scotch distributor, Gordon & MacPhail. Currently that $165 flight of four includes Aberfeldy 16 Year 2003, Balblair 30 Year 1989, Bunnahabhain 28 Year 1989, and Scapa 29 Year.
The Whisky Bar at The Maybourne Beverly Hills
For the dapper dad who enjoys the finer things in life, there's this spot with balcony seating off the Beverly Cañon Gardens in Beverly Hills where one can lounge while sipping rare whiskey and smoking fine cigars. The Whisky Bar, located on the mezzanine of The Maybourne Hotel, has upgraded its cigar selection from its 10 Pound Bar days and now features more than 1,000 humidor-housed cigars.
The Maybourne's The Whiskey Bar
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Kensington Leverne
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For the holiday, the bar is hosting a special event where, for $180 a person, Dad can take home a hand-rolled cigar and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and unlimited Glenmorangie whisky cocktails. There will even be a Gornik & Drucker barber on site for beard touch-ups or a hair trim. Those who can't make the event will be able to walk in after 5 p.m.
Yes, there's a $100 minimum, but it includes a whiskey tasting flights or a signature Old Fashioned spotlighting special whiskeys, like the Full Sinatra with Frank's go-to whiskey brand, Jack Daniel's. Here it's the higher-proof single barrel mixed with a cigar cordial and bitters.
Old Man Bar
It's like the Old Man Bar was made for dads everywhere: an extensive bourbon selection, a record player, hunting lodge aesthetic, and special burger nights? Check! The cozy bar connected to Southern-style restaurant Hatchet Hall in Culver City boasts over 80 bourbons.
Owner Louie Ryan was one of the first in L.A. to purchase a barrel of bourbon, and the bar has a collection of old whiskey barrel selections from years past.
Old Man bar cocktail and vinyls
(
Ashley Randall
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Dave Purcell, director of beverage for the LAM Ryan Hospitality Group, is now behind the curation of the whiskey list (about 140 strong) which includes esoteric bottles.
Here, you can find something for every price range, from Elijah Craig Small Batch ($15) to Russell's Reserve 13 Year ($40) to Willett Family Estate Single Barrel 19 Year ($255).
But for those with a taste for something international, there's also a smattering of scotches and Japanese whisky, including the splurge-worthy Takamine 26 Year. The bar fills up quickly and Father's Day is Burger Night, so it's a good idea to arrive as soon as the doors open at 6 p.m. to grab a booth.
