Glendale: Cocktails at The Famous

As craft cocktails become more and more mainstream, you can find good drinks at bars outside the city’s center. Located in nearby Glendale, the Famous is spacious, has an interesting selection of spirits and the cocktails are good. I consider it a bonus it’s across the street from the busy mall. After shoe shopping, I can get a tasty beverage! Or I have popped in after a show at the nearby Alex Theatre. Although it was very busy on a Saturday night, the bartender took the time to chat. It amused me greatly when he asked what were my preferred specs for a Negroni because the bartender felt the Campari formula has changed. I asked him to make me his preferred Negroni and he likes using Calisaya instead which he felt was closer to the original Campari formula. But if you must use Campari, he uses less of it and ups the gin and sweet vermouth. Apparently the current Campari is “too sweet” for him. Either way, it was still a delicious drink.

I recently went back and I liked that it was quieter on a Wednesday. I didn’t bounce around variations of my favorite drinks. Instead, I took a look at the drink menu.

I’m glad my friend ordered the Winter Solstice because I love Sage from Art in the Age. The boozey drink is my favorite type of opening drink.

Winter Solstice – Clear Creek pear brandy, Art in the Age Sage, Combier orange, Miracle Mile bergamot bitters

I ordered the Brickwork because I was outted as a whiskey (or in this case, whisky) fan. Using another from the Art in the Age line, Snap makes this cocktail a great choice for winter. Famous Grouse is also one of my favorite Scotches for cocktails. It’s great for mixing with.

The Brickwork – Famous Grouse Scotch, Art in the Age Snap, Benedictine, Angostura bitters

There are a couple of seasonal takes on classic cocktails that sound like I must try like the Autumn Crush (Old Granddad bonded bourbon, lemon, honey, fresh cranberries) which is their take on a Gold Rush. At the Station (Templeton rye, sarsaparilla/ Aquavit syrup, Angostura bitters, orange oil) is The Famous’ take on an Old Fashioned. And their eponymous The Famous (Evan Williams bourbon, Averna, Luxardo maraschino, dry vermouth, orange bitters) is their take on a Black Manhattan. The Famous is really a great whiskey bar. And gin. And tequila. And rum.

Also try the Cherry Lime Ricky with Russian Standard vodka. Based on a soda fountain classic, the drink features vodka, sour cherry syrup, lime, acid phosphate and soda. It’s a refreshing cocktail.

We were on a schedule so I didn’t have a chance to try more drinks but I’ll be back.

The Famous

154 S Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204  —  (818) 241-2888

 

© The Minty 2014