MessHall

Address: 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, United States
Tel: +1 (323) 660-6377

Style: Cocktail bar

With a nostalgic and whimsical summer camp theme, MessHall has been packed ever since it opened in September 2012 in the hipster enclave of Los Feliz. Enthusiastic groups of casually dressed locals enjoy comfort food with a modern twist in a sprawling, sleek interior. Subtle design touches include a wall of metal, cafeteria trays and stylized merit badges, while the spacious patio features glassed-in fire pits that evoke campfires.

Bartender Erik Lund, who was previously at Rivera, features classics and signatures in a cocktail menu that's divided into Citrus/Refreshing and Aromatic/Boozy. The classic Brown Derby (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, grapefruit, honey) is a nod to the building's famous former tenant, the last of the historic Brown Derby chain of restaurants. Lund has fun with his cocktail names, such as The Hallucinogenic Whimsies of Banana Man: pisco, absinthe, banana, lime, orgeat, Peychaud's Bitters. For something more spirit-forward and smoky, try the Aromatic/Boozy section for The Downtime (Between Euphoria or Bitter Disappointment), made with Kilchoman Islay whisky, Cynar, Benedictine and Regan's orange bitters. Other sipping options include a deep list of bourbons, ryes and Scotch whiskies, as well as a rotating selection of American craft beers and West Coast wines.