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 is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
Mohawk Bend Promises Craft Beer Revolution in Echo Park
Tony Yanow must not know the term ‘hangover’. Having successfully poured California-only pints at Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank for years, Yanow recently began his own version of the power hour, with a co-conspirator role in the summer’s best pop-up beer garden ColLAboration and some ribbon-cutting on the gigantic new Golden Road Brewing that he’s bringing to Atwater Village. You’d understand, then, if his highly anticipated new beer venture Mohawk Bend in Echo Park feels a little woozy.
Thankfully, it doesn’t. In fact, Mohawk Bend is so well thought out, such a carefully executed vision, that more than a few minutes in the long-shuttered former theater will have you smiling at Tony himself and saying “I’ll have what he’s having”.
Now coasting to an impending opening in the space on Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park, Mohawk Bend has been the stuff of blogger legend for months, with plenty of expectations and an already missed soft-opening date. After all the ballyhoo, however, one thing remains clear: they found the right beer. Well, beers actually.
In keeping with the ‘All Craft. All Draught. All California’ manta from Darts Away, the 70+ taps will focus on kegged-up versions of many of the Golden State’s best suds. There is also a shockingly well-stocked California only full bar, in addition to the six CA-centered wines available by the glass. Instead of focusing on the spirit-of-the-moment, bar manager Keith Taylor is working hard alongside Yanow to keep a commitment to left coast alcohol of all kinds, which is no small feat in a space this size, where a run on bourbon could leave the whole state high and dry.
Support for LAist comes from
Likely, the vibe at Mohawk Bend won’t let that happen. The patio out front encourages people watching and comfortable conversation over slow-sipping booze, while the immediate interior is stocked with small tables and booths for those smart parties that opt for a bite with their brews. As the long open room fades to the back, a large communal table takes center stage, while still giving a livelier crowd room to mingle and jostle for another round. But just when you think the space is going to be overrun by the ‘stand and scream over the music’ crowd, floor-to-ceiling single pane factory windows shave off a nice chunk of space for one of the better indoor patios we’ve seen. The ceiling extends near to heaven, with skylights for an ambient glow. At night, the warmth and orange-y backdrop come from a large fireplace along the original back brick wall.
Food from the open kitchen opposite the large bar focuses on fan favorites: small pizzas, flat breads, fish and chips, but are tweaked here and there to allow for vegan-friendly alternatives. While the focus at Mohawk Bend is unequivocally on the beer, Yanow again has done his best to execute a vision that offers more than just his simple Darts Away menu of sausages and snacks.
With so much ink spilled on Mohawk Bend before it has even officially opened, it’s refreshing to see the details haven’t gotten away from Tony Yanow. Instead, he’s created a space that pushes Echo Park and the entire focus on true craft beer in Los Angeles forward, towards a more sustainable - and exciting - future.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
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?
Best of LAist