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To get to Spire 73, the new rooftop bar at the Wilshire Grand (and the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere), isn't so simple. Enter the building through the hotel entry floor, zip up to the sky lobby on floor 70, and from there (depending on the crowd and wait time), take a second elevator to floor 73, or wait in the increasingly common line to get to that second elevator. If you've ever been to Perch, you're familiar with this process, but unlike Perch (or any other rooftop bar in downtown/Los Angeles/California/North America) the experience from about 900 feet up is staggering.
Not only is Spire 73 one of the highest points in Los Angeles, but it's also located on the outer edge of the downtown loop (the zone circled by the 110, 101, and 10 freeways), meaning that it's a clear view out to the Hollywood sign, downtown Glendale, Dodger Stadium, Orange County, Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and Santa Monica. Or, if your interest is more architecturally-focused, the crown and spire of the Wilshire Grand still loom over the rooftop bar, giving night-time imbibers a light show and a reason to crane their necks up.
And since watching the Southern California sunset on an empty stomach is a faux-pas, Spire 73 has you covered. The cocktail list is covers a healthy range, and the Korean influence (the Wilshire Grand is owned by Korean Airlines' parent company Hanjin Group) appears in such drinks as the "Korean Paloma", a traditional paloma with the addition of sweet grain-based makgeolli, or the "Seoul Margarita", a tequila and mezcal-based margarita with the addition of Korean pear juice.
Spire 73 also stocks a deep list of beers, wines (yes, rosés, too), and even small plates to tide over your hunger. Order the "FB&J" for some decadent nostalgia (the "FB" stands for "foie butter" and the "J" is balsamic strawberry jam), or go big with the $275 "Ossetra Caviar Sunday".
Ultimately, your order will be an added bonus to the experience, as Spire 73 is built for the views. Oh, and make sure to bring a light jacket—it gets windy up there.
Spire 73 is located at 900 Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles, and is open daily from 4pm to midnight. (213) 688-7777
