Bourbon Street style drinking can be found in the heart of Hollywood at Royal Bar. The super fun, no-frills New Orleans-inspired patio bar opened in March of 2015, and while you don’t have to be half naked or covered in beads to enjoy, the essence of the southern party town is going strong.
“I was born and raised in Southern Louisiana,” says owner Joshua Kopel. “Being a transplant, I yearned for a taste of home, hence the creation of Royal.”
Royal, named after Royal Street in the New Orleans French Quarter, may be best known for its selection of signature frozen daiquiris, served via giant round slushy-esqe machines to mimic’s NOLA’s best dive bars.
“We have five seasonal flavors,” says Kopel. “Popular flavors range from Sweet Watermelon, to Arnold Palmer, to Orange Dreamsicle and they change all the time.”
While the frozen drinks are totally fun, they certainly aren’t the only lively libations offered. The Royal cocktail menu is stacked with craft concoctions including The Cajun Vacation, made with house-mojito blend of Cruzan rum, mint syrup and lime.
The House-Made Zima made with Effen vodka, calpico, lime, lemon, sugar and club soda and The Green Go Boom made with Cruzan rum, Hornitos tequila, Effen vodka, Nolet’s gin, cointreau, pineapple and melon.
The Redneck Rivera, made with Ketel One vodka, aperol and tropical fruit juices and The Swamp Water, made with Effen vodka, Nolets gin, Hornitos tequila, Cruzan rum, pineapple, lime, lemon and curacao, are both served in a pineapple and made for two.
Of course, you can’t call yourself a New Orleans style bar without a Hurricane and Royal certainly serves up a Category 5 with theirs, made with Cruzan passion fruit rum, orange, lime and pineapple.
To pair with your down-south drinks, dishes courtesy of Bastard Son like Fried Oyster Po’boys and Pig Fries (aka waffle fries with pulled pork, shredded cheddar cheese and hickory BBQ sauce) are on the menu.
Take advantage of Tiny Tuesdays from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. where snacks such as Fried Catfish Tacos and Pulled Pork Sliders, as well as Frozen Daiquiris, Coronitas and Miller High Life beers are all just $2 each. Happy Hour is also offered daily from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. featuring $6 cocktails, $8 frozen daiquiris and $4 – $6 bites like Fried Pickles and Crab Cake Sliders. And when the sun goes down, revelers can get down and dance to a live DJ.
“Royal is a local watering hole, everybody’s home away from home” says Kopel. “Whether its drinks with friends after work or a wild night out, we suit everyone’s needs.”
Royal Bar details
6541 Hollywood Blvd. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90028, www.theroyal.life, @royalhollywood
Open: Daily 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
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