Bigfoot West

For any of you who grew up in the midwest, this is your standard Wisconsin log cabin bar shoved into the middle of Venice Blvd.  And that is a complement.  The bar is hard to miss since the sign is light up by large white light bulbs, like an old theater advertisement on Broadway.  Once inside, it's cozy.  There is a nice happy hour ($5 cocktails) and a bustling crowd.  If you're lucky there will be some live music with a bluegrass band.  This is a great place if you want to escape the "LA scene" for a little drink and a hideout.  The one downside - scrambling for street parking near the bar can be a pain.

Awesome happy hour (from 5 - 9pm) with $5 cocktails. Best part, is you can bring outside food into the bar. If you ask them, they will give you their binder full of take out menu's. You can also order AMAZING empenada's from Venice Bakery (next door) for only $3. The Spinach one is my favorite.

On Tuesday, they have trivia night, which is a blast. It starts at 9, so typically we get there by 830 to get a good seat, and order multiple drinks at the happy hour price. It's a fun cheap night.

Hot DAMN, I love this bar. Sure, I could do without the taxidermy, but that notwithstanding, Bigfoot West is a truly great location to imbibe. It's hip without being pretentious, with a focus on quality spirits and concoctions, and a great, albeit small, draft beer list. Why wouldn't I like it? There's something for everyone at this bar. You want a cheap happy hour cocktail? Check. Craft beer on tap? Check. Delicious whiskey cocktails with a slightly higher price point? Check. Beer and shot deals with cheaper American canned brews? Check. And all within a nice, dimly lit bar with a faux-hunting lodge feel that manages to avoid kitsch or condescension.

You know how sometimes you go somewhere in LA, and it just feels sooooo painfully "LA" that you want to vomit all over yourself? Well, that won't happen here. Yeah, sure, you may find some people dressed up for a night on the town, but you'll also see folks in casual attire, and it really don't matter either way. There's hardly a dress code at Bigfoot West.

I'll be honest and say that I've only been to this location a handful of times, but I've never left disappointed--well, except a couple weeks ago, when I felt disappointed that I WAS leaving to go on to far less satisfying venues. Each time I have visited, I have been more than satisfied with my drink choices and the overall ambiance.

I tend to be a beer drinker at bars because cocktails are ridiculously expensive, but I've had the Bourberry here and it's truly a must-try. Bourbon, muddled strawberries, mint...so good. It's also $12 or $13, which is pretty standard for LA cocktail prices (but still EXPENSIVE!). I also, on one visit, got a shot of Jameson with a pickle juice back for $5 or $6, and I thank you to stop judging right now, because that ish was DELICIOUS. During happy hour, they also have $5 classic cocktails, and you really can't go wrong with a well-made Old Fashioned, can you?

If you're looking for beer, they have a limited draft selection, some good bottle choices, and a rotating cask option, which I think is pretty fancy. There's a patio for smokers. There are multiple food options well within walking distance if you need to fill the ol' belly after imbibing. Hell, there are even other bars you can trot over to if the mood strikes. When combined with decent prices, friendly bartenders, a great vibe, and good friends, what's not to like?

Unless you're here with people who suck...in which case I suggest ditching them and inviting some less shitty people to hang out with. Seriously.