The new kid on the block from the people behind Silver Lake’s best Cubano, Bolita delivers tropical drinks inside a vibrant setting. Its location on Virgil–just up the street from Squrl and Melody–adds another must-stop locale to the street’s blossoming food and dining scene. It also adds an old neighborhood name to an area criticized for quick gentrification.
Price:
$$
What’s the crowd like?
Hip, but not too hip twenty- to thirty-somethings. The bar gets packed on weekends, for good reason, but this isn’t the too-hip set you’ll find further down along Sunset in Echo Park, meaning you don’t go to Boiita to be seen. People are here for the drinks, good times, and the pie.
What am I drinking?
Cocktails. While beer and wine are both options, you’re here for the Cuban flair, which means choosing one of their many standout cocktails. We lean towards the Chet Baker Manhattan (as rum plays are all the rage these days) or keep things classic in a Tom Cruise way with a Singapore Sling.
Is there anything to eat?
Yes. There are a couple different Cuban bar snacks, but what you really want is that pie calling your name from behind the bar. Get it.
When should I get here?
Bolita buzzes with the kind of electricity that gets even the most lethargic drinkers moving, so plan on it as a first stop before higher energy stops like The Virgil, conveniently located just three blocks away.
Why am I here?
You’re here to have a good time, enjoy good drinks and socialization the way you did before COVID ran roughshod over your communication skills. Oh, and the pie. Who knew cocktails paired so well with pie?!