Koreatown: Checking Out The Walker Inn

 

I finally checked out The Walker Inn on New Year’s day. Walker wasn’t going to open following New Year’s Eve but the number of reservations convinced the team people still wanted to drink the night after a world-wide party night. Plus, it was Friday night! I caught them between menus (they change menus every 4-6 weeks) so they were still running some favorites from the holiday menu as well as some throw backs.

My party of four agreed our favorite drink was the Jack Frost. I’m down for anything minty and it was simply delicious as I took in the refined decor of Walker. Before the Normandie Club opened, I had met a carpenter/ leather worker/ bartender who told me about Walker and I couldn’t wait to check it out. Over the months of enjoying drinks over at Normandie, I always meant to pop my head in but knew I needed one night to simply enjoy Walker without a mini bar crawl. Although, you most certainly can bar crawl without ever leaving the building because Walker is inside Normandie Club. Make reservations or head to the back and hope there’s room for you.

The menus are very simplified. You won’t find complicated ingredients listed but rather a few key words to set the mood. I got what the drinks were made of after much eyelash fluttering.

Jack Frost – tequila, pear, lime, creme de menthe

 

The next time I go to Walker, I’d love to sit at the gorgeous bar. It reminds me a bit of a library, a very estoric boozy library. My usual drink is a Manhattan and I always delight in finding variations. I tried the Sticky Bandits, a Manhattan variation,  served with white chocolate pieces shaped like doves. It was romantic and beautiful.

Sticky Bandits – Elijah Craig 12-year-old bourbon, cocoa nib-infused Cynar, cocoa nib distillate, Cointreau, sweet vermouth, Terry’s Chocolate Orange

 

 

I can’t help but love a good presentation. The Bad Santa came in a flask that was poured over a block of ice. Christmas may have passed but we can enjoy candy canes all year long. It’s essentially a cold, sweet minty vodka drink that’ll warm your toes and nose.

Bad Santa – peppermint bark infused-vodka

 

And if you need another warmer, the Campfire that came with s’more for snacking, heats you up though it’s not a hot drink. The bourbon and graham cracker infused drink is crying to be sipped around a fireplace– or a campfire!

Campfire – Elijah Craig 12-year-old bourbon, graham cracker infused cocoa nib distillate, cane syrup

 

When you go to the Walker Inn, it’s more than just a night at the bar with a couple of drinks. It’s a whole experience. Usually the bar will start you off with a welcome drink. In this case we got the cranberry cordial which was made with dry hopped cider and cinnamon tincture.

 

One of my friends loves wine and in particular wine. She says pink wine makes her happy. When a drink is called Rose All Day, you should just order it. It turns out it’s not made from rose wine at all but it gives you that same sort of happy, pink, delicious buzz. That’s the feeling of joy one gets when drinking rose on a warm summer’s day (or really, any time).

Rose All Day – vodka, pamplemousse liqueur

I can’t wait to check out Walker again to see what’s on the menu now.

 

The Walker Inn (inside The Normandie Club)

3612 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020  

 

© The Minty  2016