I was just looking through my backlog, and realized I'd never posted a review of this, one of my favorite places in Long Beach for fancy cocktails! Obviously they're closed right now due to coronavirus, but hopefully they'll be open again soon, cause there aren't that many places where drinks are all $13 and they don't have a happy hour that I've been willing, even excited, to visit multiple times - I can only think of a handful, and this is one of them. All their bartenders have been super knowledgeable and super friendly, and all their drinks are extremely creative (and delicious, obviously - and yes, I think I've tried all of them, or at least the majority. Their "Trafalgar Bandit" is one of my favorite cocktails anywhere - though I like asking for it a bit spicier, cause I'm weird like that. They're all good, though.) And I love how *classy* the place feels - in visual ambiance, but also, more importantly, in music (it feels like a proper speakeasy both in genre and, especially, in volume, i.e. you can actually have a conversation, even later at night when a lot of bars have cranked it up to "drunk person" volume.) Plus there's always something just so satisfying about speakeasies, about walking into what clearly looks like an employee entrance (because it absolutely used to be a store-room before they turned it into a 3rd secret bar behind the second one. p.s. Mezcalero: also highly recommended, and *does* have a happy hour. So I usually planned a trip out such that I hit the end of Mezcalero's happy hour until 7, which was conveniently right when What Lola Wants opened.) Also, not on the menu, but at least as of the last time I was there before everything shut down, they also had the ability to make a fantastic fresh-applewood-smoked rum old fashioned (one of my my all-time favorite classic cocktail variants, smoked rum old fashioneds.) Back when The Harbor was still good, it was hard to justify paying $13 for a smoked old fashioned when I could get one for $7 on their happy hour, but The Harbor is a joke now (I knew an era was over there when they said they got rid of the cocktail smokers), and $13 for a really good smoked old fashioned is entirely reasonable. (I'm sure you could get one with whiskey if you wanted, but I strongly recommend it with rum. That is sort of their thing here.) Nice to be at the sort of bar where I'd feel confident asking any of their bartenders for it. I don't even necessarily know all their bartenders, but from the ones I have interacted with, and from knowing who their head guy is, I'm confident they're all great. The only issues I had with this bar (other than obviously it's a bit pricey, so I didn't come here *as* often as some other bars that were cheaper or had happy hours), were the limited hours (and they weren't *always* ready to open right at 7 in my experience, either), and one that will likely not be an issue, at least for a while: that the room is pretty small, so when it's not busy, it feels cozy, but when it is busy, it feels cramped, so I'd only really recommend it when it's not as busy. Obviously this review is based on how they were before the closure. Obviously I'm also planning on going there right when they reopen, to make sure nothing's changed. ;)
Gabrielle Harden Herrera
Super unique spot, Jason and Nicholas really took care of us. The Trafalgar Bandit was my pick
Andrea V.
...Lola gets, and we do too! This hideaway within Mezcalero focuses on delicious and creative zero-waste cocktails. The menu is brief, but they'll willing to whip up something else with the ingredients on hand. After trying half of Mezcalero's mezcal and tequila-centric menu (not on one night!), It was time to venture down the little staircase to explore the rum drinks offered in this tropical lounge. Our bartender, Sam was knowledge and friendly while helping us decide which items to explore. This was a fun little spot and I'll be back very soon. Their hours are a bit limited compared to Mezcalero, but check it out if you are in the area, it's like a little vacation within a bar!
Thad Hogan
Great cocktails fun atmosphere
Cj Schulz
awesome little place will be back
Bianca Elizabeth A.
A small hidden speakeasy spot inside Mezcalero's in Long Beach. Cocktails were delicious and presentation was fun. Bartenders and staff are friendly and prompt in the execution of service to guest. Fun atmosphere while the Dj spins some fun funky tracks. We will definitely Be back to showcase this fun spot to out of town guest and friends.
Candice d.
I love a speak easy! Really good vibes, amazing bartender & top notch drinks! Highly recommend!
Steph H.
STEPH JUDGEMENT: An adorable bar-within-a-bar that does the kitschy rum drinks thing right and is zero waste, too! I first heard about this place in the LB Post and was intrigued: a bar INSIDE an existing bar? It's hidden away inside Mezcalero, to be exact, which was already one of my favorite bars in LB! When the hubby and I decided to pay them a visit we had a hard time finding it! We had to ask the bartender at Mezcalero, and he pointed us down a short flight of stairs that led to what looked like the back office and a restroom. At first glance, the sign to the bar may look like a sign to the ladies' room, which was my mistake. Once we finally got inside, we were impressed by its kitschy/classy glamour. A leopard-print upholstered bench ran around the perimeter of the space, punctuated by some small tables, allowing for a surprising amount of seating in such a small space. There was additional seating at the marble-topped bar, the low-backed bar chairs covered in plush salmon-pink fabric. There was also a generous amount of vintage black velvet pin-up paintings. We were the only ones in there when we bellied up to the bar, so it was a good opportunity to chat with our friendly bartender (also named Stephanie). She informed us that it was a zero-waste bar, meaning they use materials that would otherwise be discarded to make and garnish their drinks in creative ways--pretty cool. But how are the drinks? They don't have a huge menu, but all the items all sounded very interesting. I finally settled on the Rumbunctious (peach, coffee ground-infused santa teresa rum, licor 43, sailor jerry, saffron cherry bitters, spiced chocolate bitters, fresh lemon) and the hubby went for There's Always One Hundred Grand (banana-infused santa teresa rum, rum bar overproof, oleo saccharum, cilantro stems, fresh lime). Both were complex and delicious--definitely not your run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter cocktails. Also, bonus points for using cut banana leaves as cocktail "napkins"! We loved the chill, low-key ambiance and are looking forward to our next visit.
I was just looking through my backlog, and realized I'd never posted a review of this, one of my favorite places in Long Beach for fancy cocktails! Obviously they're closed right now due to coronavirus, but hopefully they'll be open again soon, cause there aren't that many places where drinks are all $13 and they don't have a happy hour that I've been willing, even excited, to visit multiple times - I can only think of a handful, and this is one of them. All their bartenders have been super knowledgeable and super friendly, and all their drinks are extremely creative (and delicious, obviously - and yes, I think I've tried all of them, or at least the majority. Their "Trafalgar Bandit" is one of my favorite cocktails anywhere - though I like asking for it a bit spicier, cause I'm weird like that. They're all good, though.) And I love how *classy* the place feels - in visual ambiance, but also, more importantly, in music (it feels like a proper speakeasy both in genre and, especially, in volume, i.e. you can actually have a conversation, even later at night when a lot of bars have cranked it up to "drunk person" volume.) Plus there's always something just so satisfying about speakeasies, about walking into what clearly looks like an employee entrance (because it absolutely used to be a store-room before they turned it into a 3rd secret bar behind the second one. p.s. Mezcalero: also highly recommended, and *does* have a happy hour. So I usually planned a trip out such that I hit the end of Mezcalero's happy hour until 7, which was conveniently right when What Lola Wants opened.) Also, not on the menu, but at least as of the last time I was there before everything shut down, they also had the ability to make a fantastic fresh-applewood-smoked rum old fashioned (one of my my all-time favorite classic cocktail variants, smoked rum old fashioneds.) Back when The Harbor was still good, it was hard to justify paying $13 for a smoked old fashioned when I could get one for $7 on their happy hour, but The Harbor is a joke now (I knew an era was over there when they said they got rid of the cocktail smokers), and $13 for a really good smoked old fashioned is entirely reasonable. (I'm sure you could get one with whiskey if you wanted, but I strongly recommend it with rum. That is sort of their thing here.) Nice to be at the sort of bar where I'd feel confident asking any of their bartenders for it. I don't even necessarily know all their bartenders, but from the ones I have interacted with, and from knowing who their head guy is, I'm confident they're all great. The only issues I had with this bar (other than obviously it's a bit pricey, so I didn't come here *as* often as some other bars that were cheaper or had happy hours), were the limited hours (and they weren't *always* ready to open right at 7 in my experience, either), and one that will likely not be an issue, at least for a while: that the room is pretty small, so when it's not busy, it feels cozy, but when it is busy, it feels cramped, so I'd only really recommend it when it's not as busy. Obviously this review is based on how they were before the closure. Obviously I'm also planning on going there right when they reopen, to make sure nothing's changed. ;)
Super unique spot, Jason and Nicholas really took care of us. The Trafalgar Bandit was my pick
...Lola gets, and we do too! This hideaway within Mezcalero focuses on delicious and creative zero-waste cocktails. The menu is brief, but they'll willing to whip up something else with the ingredients on hand. After trying half of Mezcalero's mezcal and tequila-centric menu (not on one night!), It was time to venture down the little staircase to explore the rum drinks offered in this tropical lounge. Our bartender, Sam was knowledge and friendly while helping us decide which items to explore. This was a fun little spot and I'll be back very soon. Their hours are a bit limited compared to Mezcalero, but check it out if you are in the area, it's like a little vacation within a bar!
Great cocktails fun atmosphere
awesome little place will be back
A small hidden speakeasy spot inside Mezcalero's in Long Beach. Cocktails were delicious and presentation was fun. Bartenders and staff are friendly and prompt in the execution of service to guest. Fun atmosphere while the Dj spins some fun funky tracks. We will definitely Be back to showcase this fun spot to out of town guest and friends.
I love a speak easy! Really good vibes, amazing bartender & top notch drinks! Highly recommend!
STEPH JUDGEMENT: An adorable bar-within-a-bar that does the kitschy rum drinks thing right and is zero waste, too! I first heard about this place in the LB Post and was intrigued: a bar INSIDE an existing bar? It's hidden away inside Mezcalero, to be exact, which was already one of my favorite bars in LB! When the hubby and I decided to pay them a visit we had a hard time finding it! We had to ask the bartender at Mezcalero, and he pointed us down a short flight of stairs that led to what looked like the back office and a restroom. At first glance, the sign to the bar may look like a sign to the ladies' room, which was my mistake. Once we finally got inside, we were impressed by its kitschy/classy glamour. A leopard-print upholstered bench ran around the perimeter of the space, punctuated by some small tables, allowing for a surprising amount of seating in such a small space. There was additional seating at the marble-topped bar, the low-backed bar chairs covered in plush salmon-pink fabric. There was also a generous amount of vintage black velvet pin-up paintings. We were the only ones in there when we bellied up to the bar, so it was a good opportunity to chat with our friendly bartender (also named Stephanie). She informed us that it was a zero-waste bar, meaning they use materials that would otherwise be discarded to make and garnish their drinks in creative ways--pretty cool. But how are the drinks? They don't have a huge menu, but all the items all sounded very interesting. I finally settled on the Rumbunctious (peach, coffee ground-infused santa teresa rum, licor 43, sailor jerry, saffron cherry bitters, spiced chocolate bitters, fresh lemon) and the hubby went for There's Always One Hundred Grand (banana-infused santa teresa rum, rum bar overproof, oleo saccharum, cilantro stems, fresh lime). Both were complex and delicious--definitely not your run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter cocktails. Also, bonus points for using cut banana leaves as cocktail "napkins"! We loved the chill, low-key ambiance and are looking forward to our next visit.
yummy drinks and lots of fun!!
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