The 10 Best Bars in Silver Lake

By Paul T. Bradley Thu., Feb. 14 2013 at 4:00 AM

As we were told by a mouthbreathing, knuckle-dragging jerk at one of the very bars described within, Silver Lake grew up a long time ago. So that's why we feel no need to treat it like some pegged-pants screw-up who only chugs cheap pilsner. In fact, some of the bars in the following list of Silver Lake's ten best watering holes are, in fact, respectable. So take a knee, slugger. We're gonna get you straightened out.

Voice Places user: therubadu

10. Casita Del Campo
Let's start off with an old stand-by that never needed growing-up. Tucked off of Hyperion, behind ivy walls, the Casita hides a massive restaurant space and a small but lively cabaret theater. Between the two, the 50-year-old establishment's bar churns out the strongest margaritas around. It's hard to resist their hacienda-style charm, especially when you're getting ripped to the tits (real or otherwise) and taking in an amazing drag show. 1920 Hyperion Ave. LA 90027; (323) 662-4255

9. The Thirsty Crow
The Thirsty Crow may be one of many trendy chain bars, but they seem to have grasped the appropriate aesthetic for the maturing side of Silver Lake. They play hip-but-not-too-hip tunes, have an extensive whiskey-based cocktail menu and maintain a dark and cleverly adorned interior. Above all else, the bartenders are of the highest quality and composure, even when it's 20 deep on a Friday night -- frequently erring on the side of a heavy pour. 2939 W. Sunset Blvd. LA; 90026 (323) 661-6007

Marissa Lynn

8. EL Cid
El Cid boasts terraced descent below the sidewalk, made dramatically charming by greenery and outdoor seating. Fueled decently tasty drinks and catering to a more theatrical crowd, they've also cornered the flamenco market in L.A. Oh, and they've got bands, too. 4212 W. Sunset Blvd. LA; (323) 668-0318

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Stagger Rex

hey guys, whats going on over here? can i play too?

Johnny O's

1 Like

you mean 10 best gentrified bars serving the incoming wannabe hipster yuppies

LA Weekly

I appreciate the feedback on my careless phrasing. It's great reminder to watch my words. Thank you!

Paul T Bradley

I'm curious, where in the post -- under my byline -- do I refer to Silver Lake as the East Side? And Julian, buddy, while I respect your facility with a thesaurus, I question your people pre-judgement skills and bong-belched pseudo-philosophy. I don't edit the LA Weekly's Facebook posts, a very nice over-worked and underpaid person does. Aaron, relax man, it's a beautiful day out there.

Aaron Mendoza

It's what u want to be at ur middle- aged u bumb

Paul T Bradley

What's a hipster?

Milko Rivera

only out of town transplant hipsters think silverlake is east LA. To a native angeleno, calling silverlake or echo park the "east side" just makes you look like a clueless ignorant prick who is scared to venture out of your little gentrified bubble.

Julian David Segovia

A cross-eyed cartographer with myopic diffidence would better understand that the Eastside of Los Angeles begins nowhere near Echo Park/Silver Lake, but in fact > EAST of the L.A. River... relative to the greater history of Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles. Respectfully speaking, geometro revisionism from East Coast transplants such as Paul T. Bradley does nothing more than a disservice to the citizens of Los Angeles and to those reading from far-flung liquid crystal displays around the world. Writing and publishing misinformation infects the ignorant en viral masse and devitalizes our collective culture like a plague, which given enough time through repetition… a lie eventually becomes a truth. Mr. Bradley is most likely an affable human being with no malicious intent to disinform the unsuspecting cyberliterati . 7____7 Nevertheless, Paul T. Bradley’s expertise in journalism should be a philosophical reminder that he shouldn’t unwittingly or otherwise inadvertently sow the seeds of division between those whose antecedents in Los Angeles span the greater legend of truth. Sincerely, Julian David Boyle Heights Flats/East Los City of Angels… EastSide. Over & Out

Aaron Mendoza

La Weakly staff are a bunch of LA implants

Andreissz Kunningham

eastside? wtf. I'm going to unsubscribe

Chris Zippert

don't come to silverlake tonight, multiple DUI checkpoints.

Dan Ortiz

Silver Lake is the East side? Hmmm... someone needs to look at a map!

Nicholas Pell

Yeah, I'm sort of amazed that this slipped through.

Mario Carrera

Somebody like Salty food

Bebe Castellanos

yay for chachas! :)))

Bob Gomez

Eastside? Get a compass! What next, North Central?

Luis Saldivar

Someone at LA Weekly is smoking some bad stuff.... or they are just not from L.A.... or maybe they mean East Hollywood? LOL!

Osvaldo Javier Mendoza Gonzalez

Silver Lake is Not the Eastside!

Eder Herrera

It's pretty odd how silver lake is considered the "east" side haha.

RowenaHills

No, no, and no. This is a terrible list. If you turn it upside down it's better, but still no. I do have to admit I'm smarting from the lack of historical knowledge or any acknowledgement of how many of these nite spots started their existence as--or were until quite recently--lesbian or gay or Latino, or alloftheabove, hangouts. But still, and again, no. Just no.

Motor27

The venues shouldn't be included on this list, because, lets be honest, their bars and bartenders SUCK. Edendale is incredible and isn't even included! Whoever wrote this article, didn't do their research, or the writers are trying to protect their own favorite bars from the masses.