Hidden underneath an office building at the corner of Broadway and Second St., Birds & Bees offers a refuge for those looking to sip impressively crafted cocktails while escaping the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles. In order to find it, you have to slither down a sidewalk between an open parking lot and the building, make your way down a set of stairs, then find your way through a concrete and brick-lined corridor. It’s not difficult once you figure out where to look, and it’s worth the adventure.
The interior is warm with yellow light and wood tables fill the space. A long wooden bar stands straight-on from the entrance. The spirits that line the shelf were chosen with purpose, and show the establishment’s attention to craft. There are levels of seats and hidden nooks, making it easy to have a private conversation or to find a place for a large group. Come weekend nights, the place is filled to the gills, but weekday happy hours are relaxed and the traffic is light – making it a great spot to wait out vehicle and subway congestion.
Many of the cocktails are named after Los Angeles neighborhoods or celebrities, giving it a nice amount of L.A. kitch without it being overblown. The Little Tokyo Smoke Break (nikka coffey grain, whisky, cream sherry, carpano antica, black cherry and coffee bitters, cherrywood smoke, dried cherry and dark chocolate) is aromatic and rich, and worth the extra dollars. If you’re looking for something a bit brighter and more colorful, steer towards the Elysian Paradise (date-infused mezcal, blistered guajillo, tamarind, lime, pineapple), which is fruity and sweet with a hint of spice.
Birds & Bees calls happy hour “Violet Hour”, and on the menu you can find a number of classic cocktails for $8, along with $6 wines, and $4 Miller High Life, which you can add a shot of Rye or Tequila to for an additional $6 – we’re always fans of a good beer and shot combo. On a hot day, few things are as good as a Daiquiri, and the bar’s version perfectly balances sugar and citrus with a slight tartness.
If you’re looking to escape DTLA’s hubbub, then Birds & Bees is an ideal spot to sip well-crafted drinks.
Find It At:
207 S Broadway B.
Los Angeles, CA 90012