Today didn’t start out as a pub crawl. I don’t know what happened, to be honest.

We wanted to check out the two new breweries that popped up recently downtown and it just kind of snowballed from there.

Let me first say this. I don’t care what anyone says, the best bars in LA are downtown. Fact.

Downtown has held an enigma for me since I moved here ages ago. What is it about this historic place with so much potential that had everyone abandoning it by nightfall?

It reminded me of a city that gets overtaken by vampires after dark. All the businessmen and women rush home after work to avoid being attacked.

When I used to visit my friend down there, we’d wander around this ghost town, filled with the freakiest kinds of drug riddled zombies. It was exciting discovering these amazing bars hiding on the scariest of streets. I felt like no one but USC students and adventurous hipsters would dare live down there.

The downtown revitalization joke has been going on forever.

It’s finally happened! It makes me smile to see actual humans walking around after nightfall. Not a vampire in sight! Streets that formally only had a pawn shop and a Carls Jr now have trendy eateries and bustling bars.

Every time you turn around, a restaurant is opening where Gary Busey once went to score his crack.

While we were waiting for our friends to show up, we started at Far Bar in Little Tokyo.

Far Bar is a cute, mostly outdoor little spot featuring a tasty looking menu. We just had a drink and ran, so I don’t know about all that.

347 E 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 617-9990
http://www.farbarla.com

Asian Zombie

Next we headed to the Artist’s District to check out the soft open of Angel City Brewery, during the remodel of their new warehouse.

Once they finish the remodel, they’ll bring back all the art they had as well.

We ordered a few half pours ($3 each) and eventually tried all of their beers. I especially loved the IPA, the Eureka! Wit (tasted like bananas) and the French Sip (herbal infusion).

Really great beers, casual, open space, (they don’t serve food but often have food trucks in the parking lot) friendly staff and the best buzz you can get for just a few bucks without having to venture to Skid Row.

And who wants to run into Nick Stahl or Edward Furlong anyways?

216 S Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 622-1261
http://www.angelcitybrewery.com

Note the last beer, the French Sip. Tastes like sharing a beer with someone who's been eating a French Dip. SO good!

French Sip and the Angelina IPA

They're very generous with their samples

"The last time someone slide down that ramp, they had to go to the ER"

After grabbing a bite to eat, we headed to the Los Angeles Brewing Company, located on Broadway near 8th.

What sets this place apart (besides the fact that it’s enormous and they feature the largest flat screen TVs I’ve ever laid eyes on) is that they HAVE 100 BEERS ON TAP!

The selection is overwhelming.

Unfortunately, they seemed to have run out of all of their own brews, which I found very odd. They have a full menu of gourmet eats.

The vibe is young and casual with a splash of sports bar and a hint of college cafeteria. The tables and chairs aren’t much to look at. Which makes me think they expect them to be abused by wasted USC students.

750 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-0500
http://www.labrewingco.com/

Big ass seats

This place is enormous!

One of my very favorite downtown bars is the Golden Gopher. You won’t fine many bars with as much character (or as old, their liquor license is from 1905).

They have a great craft beer selection which you’ll guzzle down as you play Ms Pacman tournaments with your friends right after having paid a visit to the photobooth.

If you haven’t consumed enough booze for your liking, you can purchase a bottle on your way out at their very own “Liquor To Go” booth. Their ancient liquor license allows them to offer such a wonderance.

417 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-8001
http://www.goldengopherbar.com

Not a chipmunk.

Golden Gopher also features it's own liquor store, thanks to it's still valid 1905 liquor license

The best part about the Golden Gopher, Ms Pacman tables!

Our final, dramatic stop on our tour lead us to Library Bar, on Hope St. near 6th.

More of a scene than the Gopher, this place is hoppin’ around midnight. I had to spill a drink on someone just so I could steal her seat!

I was kind of done at this point, so I didn’t take many pics. It’s a busy bar. With Books.

THE END!

630 W 6th St
Ste 116-A
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 614-0053
http://www.librarybarla.com

You can't have a Library bar without books