West Hollywood: Employees Only LA Is Now Open

 

Employees Only in West Hollywood has officially opened. The bar from New York actually has several locations around the world including Singapore. EO LA took over the old Baby Blues BBQ space along busy Santa Monica Boulevard.

I attended an industry opening party and checked out some of the cocktails. I can’t wait to go back soon to try the food and the rest of the cocktails.

When we got there, the drink everyone loved was the Mata Hari which is an EO classic. We tried that one along with the Billionaire cocktail.

Billionaire – Baker’s bourbon, Employees Only grenadine, Employees Only absinthe bitters

Mata Hari – Martell Blue Swift cognac, chai-infused Dolin dry vermouth,

 

 

The Heart of the Matter is a Boulevardier variation. EO has infused wild flowers into the vermouth. I love Negronis and Boulevardiers so this one was a favorite.

Heart of the Matter – Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, wild flower-inflused Dolin Blanc vermouth, Campari

 

 

Heading to the back room, we ordered a few more drinks. I love this side room. It’s very art deco and I can imagine a classy cocktail party or a private tasting in this cozy nook. The designers really did a good job at revamping the old BBQ joint into this beautiful new space.

I always like cobblers and using port was a nice change of pace from the sherry cobblers I’ve seen around town.

Rain Dance Cobbler – Plymouth gin, ruby port, rainwater Madeira, lemon, mint

 

The Infinity cocktail was really interesting with the myrtle liqueur. Mirto is made from myrtle berries. I thought this sour-style drink would be really bitter with the addition of Salers, a gentian aperitif but it was actually very well balanced. And since EO uses aquafaba instead of egg whites, vegans can have this drink too.

Infinity – Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, Salers gentian aperitif, Employees Only grenadine, Mirto de Sardegna (myrtle liqueur), aquafaba, lemon

 

 

The Peche Bourbon is loosely in the old fashioned category. You have your spirit, sugar from the creme de peche and bitters. This is a promise of summer and stone fruit in a glass.

Peche Bourbon – peach-infused Smooth Ambler rye whiskey, creme de peche, Peychaud’s bitters

 

The Colonial is absolutely a drink that’s perfect for LA. With our warm weather and recent trend of spritzes, I think this Colonial is the evening answer to a brunch classic. It’s like an evening look to a daytime lounge outfit. Very sophisticated.

The Colonial – Fords gin, Aperol, rose champagne, rhubarb syrup, Himalayan pink salt, lemon

Welcome to LA, Employees Only!

Employees Only

7953 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046  —  (323) 536-9045

 

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