The Varnish

118 E 6th St, Los Angeles
(213) 265-7089

Recent Reviews

Brian B.

Yes. All you could want in a cocktail bar. The drinks are on point and the feel is perfect.

Doyeli Chakraborty

No food was available, they were ran out of snacks too by 11 pmKid-friendliness: No kids allowed

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 5

Suri M.

Speakeasy tucked behind LA's oldest bar, wend your way between pool players to enter this dark loud hideout. Live music every Monday night, you never know who will join the local talent. Fancy cocktail menu, and they actually welcome you to ask questions and make up new drinks. Workers are surprisingly cheerful (my FoR is Brooklyn though, so...) They use giant ice cubes to keep drinks colder longer which is a nice touch. Restrooms are ok. Open late. Don't wander around outside unless you really know the area. Better to get a cab.

OscaR P.

This place is amazing good drinks and the ambiance was amazing had a good time. The sever was really good in suggesting drinks to us and they even have a secret drink menu

Ricardo P.

It smaller than I thought and I had gone to listen to some chill indie band with my date. The drinks were good but the bartenders were taking too long to get to me.

Alberto

Place blows. You cant sit at the bar or even speak to the bartenders. Impersonal and bizarre. Also the bartenders just regurgitate drinks from Diffords Guide. Embarrassing. I asked for a daiquiri with a fernet modification and the server got confused. Might as well go to one of those robot bars. I couldn't wait to leave.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Ryan Halsey

Really creative menu, and overall awesome experience! The bar itself and the atmosphere is really unique, and a great spot when you’re downtown.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Bartender's Choice

Geoff R

Now that it’s a little more worn-in and unchanging I think I like it even more. RIP Sasha

Priscilla S.

Parking for this place was hectic. Don't look for free parking, pay for parking. This bar is located in the back, do not wait on the bench as stated on the sign. Simply open the door and walk in or flip the light switch which isn't stated anywhere. We order a few drink and they all taste amazing! The drink mixologist did a phenomenal job creating tasty drinks. The drinks were about $20 and beers were $8. The main reason we came was for the live music. That did not disappoint at all. They had a live trio band playing jazz which played amazing.

Destiny C.

drinks were really good! we went during happy hour on a friday night and it was really fun. the vibe was great and good music was played. Cisco made us great drinks and even served us one he made on the spot. definitely would come again.

Robin Fahy

go there, you will not

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Natalie Marrero

This spot is great!Highly recommend as a great spot to have a date, catch up with a friend or even solo enjoy a delicious cocktail!I had two “bartenders choice” and was NOT disappointed.I can’t wait to go back here!Drinks average about 20 per. The only food they serve are nuts. If you want to eat you can go eat else where for a proper meal, perhaps Coles.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bartender's Choice

Daniel G

The servers/bartenders do a great job of creating cocktails based on your preferences. Very cool staff, nice vibe.

Tobias

The cocktails were great and the guys there are very hospitable. Definitely

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Brooke Martino

Had to wait for a table which ended up being a booth like a restaurant. I expected something more upscale for a “speakeasy”. The server was standoffish. After waiting for a table we then waited another 20+ minutes for drinks. Two ordered from the menu (which is small/limited with little variety) and one cosmo. The on menu drinks were so so, mostly filled with ice, and the cosmo was horrible. I’m baffled at the price point that they weren’t able to deliver on a standard cocktail. I expected more from a place marketing itself as a cocktail bar. Hard pass.

Atmosphere: 2

Service: 1

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