Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Virtual Happy Hour: Celery Cocktail At Republique

You've made it through Monday, and darn it, you deserve a drink. Just because we're giving souls, we're going to share one of our favorite sips as of late. It's simply called Celery, and it's being served at Walter Manzke's new restaurant Republique on Miracle Mile.
It has the hallmarks of a few of our favorite drinks -- the tartness and acidity of a margarita, and the heat and celery salted rim of a bloody mary. It straddles the line of sweet and savory, and packs some serious heat. (Sriracha lovers, this one's for you.) Plus, it's a bright green color, meaning you can totally justify it as your green juice for the day.
To make the crucial element of the drink, the staff at Republique juices 1 bunch of celery to 6 serrano peppers, meaning they get a seriously kicking liquid to start with. That's then mixed with pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, cane simple syrup, and Chinaco tequila. It's served on the rocks -- or one giant rock, rather -- with a ground celery seed and sea salt rim.

The stunning space at Republique (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
The cocktail was created by Erik Lund, who worked with Julian Cox over at Rivera and how oversees the program at the La Brea Avenue restaurant.
It's perfect for sipping any day of the week, really, but that spice will certainly wake you up if you've got a case of the Mondays. And relaxing in Republique's gorgeous space, which was formerly the home to Campanile restaurant, doesn't make for a bad way to start off the week, either.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?