National Mezcal Day is Sunday, Oct. 21 and there is no shortage of Los Angeles spots to celebrate the smoky spirit. From signature sips to tasting parties, check out 10 bars and restaurants to hit up this weekend.
Corner Cantina
Corner Cantina in Downtown L.A. boasts a menu focused on fresh and bright ingredients with Cal-Mex flare with dishes like quesadillas, tacos and nacho platters. There are options for vegans and non-vegans, as well as more than 100 mezcals, tequilas and sotols on the menu, all served in a lively and vibrant setting. For Mezcal Day, try the Woah.. No! made with El Silencio Mezcal, allspice, pineapple juice and lime.
630 W. 6th St. 116-B/C, Los Angeles; cornercantinala.com; @cornercantinala
Bacari GDL
Bacari GDL is a Venetian-inspired wine bar serving Italian style, Mediterranean inspired tapas dishes called cicchetti alongside an incredible bar program highlighting a rotating curation of small-production wines, unique cocktails and eclectic beers from around the world. The under the radar cocktail program includes the Beeting Heart, featuring mezcal, gin, beets, jalapeno, lemon, house grenadine and sea salt.
757 Americana Way, Glendale; Bacarigdl.com; @bacariGDL
Viviane
Viviane, the poolside restaurant tucked inside the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills, will team up with Los Vecinos mezcal for a complimentary tasting on October 21. Guests will learn more about mezcal, sample several types of the liquor and enjoy one of Viviane’s signature cocktails.
9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills; vivianerestaurant.com; @VivianeRestaurant
The Roger Room
Los Angeles’ iconic, award-winning craft cocktail bar The Roger Room, recently rolled out a number of new cocktails to help ease out of those summer fling blues and transition into the fall season. The Fugitive, created by Matt Wise is made with Ilegal Mezcal, lime juice, liquid alchemist tamarindo, liqueur kummel, aquafaba, cardamom bitters and nutmeg. What makes this drink so delectable? The Ilegal Mezcal is a 100% agave Espadin with varietal notes of sweet and spicy peppers, balanced by grapefruit, pineapple and blood orange. A deep smoke and gentle burn make it the perfect cocktail ingredient. Tamarind is a pod-like fruit that is often found in South Asian and Mexican cuisine and this is an L.A.- based syrup made from the tamarind fruit. Liqueur Kummel dates back to 16th-century Holland; the clear liqueur is flavored with caraway seed, cumin, and fennel, making it taste a bit like liquid rye bread, with anise flavors and other spices lingering around the edges. It is smooth but intensely savory. Aquafaba means “bean water” and is derived from the liquid in a can of chickpeas. It’s used here as a plant- based substitute for egg whites and brings frothiness to the cocktail.
370 La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood; Therogerroom.com; @therogerroom
Birds & Bees
Go beyond margaritas for Mezcal Day with Birds & Bees, a 1950s themed mid-century modern underground cocktail bar in DTLA. The bar offers the Elysian Paradise made with date infused mezcal, blistered guajillo, tamarind, lime, and pineapple. Inspired by the classic Eastside neighborhood, this cocktail will become your new favorite spin on the spirit.
207 S. Broadway (basement) Los Angeles; Birdsandbeesla.com; @birdsandbeesla
The Crack Shack
Interested in a little fried chicken with your mezcal? The Crack Shack, gourmet fast casual fried chicken concept from Chef Richard Blais, serves up the Hot Mess, a smoky margarita made with mezcal, ancho reyes, honey, lime, and grapefruit. Sit out on the patio or grab a seat at the bar and cheers to our new favorite liquor.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; Crackshack.com; @getcrackshacked
Toca Madera
West Hollywood’s modern Mexican hot spot, Toca Madera, is fully embracing this mezcal movement. Beverage Director Charity Johnson is stirring things up with a cocktail menu curated with a “farm-to-glass” philosophy, using only fresh, seasonal ingredients and the finest selection of liquors to match.
8450 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles; tocamadera.com; @tocamaderala
Madre
Madre owner Ivan Vasquez is pulling out all the stops for the national celebration of his favorite spirit. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Madre will offer $5 house mezcal shots and $8 mezcal cocktails, as well as live music from La Victoria 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a DJ from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. For an additional ticket price of $50, Madre will offer tastings from 11 different mezcal brands, alongside one signature cocktail, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Participating brands include Marca Negra, Los Javis, El Jolgorio and Ilegal Mezcal.
1261 Cabrillo Ave., Ste 100, Torrance; Madrerestaurants.com; @madre_national
6th & La Brea
6th & La Brea provides a one-of-a-kind, contemporary brewery and restaurant experience with forward-thinking menu offerings curated by Chef Jihee Kim, house brews crafted by award-winning brewer, Noah Regnery, and California-driven cocktails, spirits, and wines. The beverage program features mezcal-based favorite, the Sea Smoke featuring tequila, mezcal, ume, lime and spicy thai bitters.
600 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; 6thlabrea.com; @6thlabrea
Granville WeHo
Granville WeHo is West Hollywood’s go-to spot for approachable, globally-inspired food – with warm hospitality and good vibes. Granville uses only the freshest, highest quality ingredients, with a staggering selection of handcrafted cocktails, craft spirits, wine and beer. Mezcal aficionados can check out Granville’s Palomita featuring El Silencio mezcal, grapefruit, kaffir lime and brown sugar or opt for the Medicina cocktail with El Silencio mezcal, honey syrup, ginger and lime.
8701 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; Granvillecafe.com; @granville
Salazar
Even after Mezcal Day has come and gone, Salazar’s mezcal-focused bar team (and 60+ collection of hard-to-find bottles) helps keep the celebration going. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 7, the Frogtown restaurant kicks off its new series of mezcal classes, offered every first and third Wednesday of the month. Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite for $40.
2490 Fletcher Dr., Los Angeles; Salazarla.com; @salazarfrogtown
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