The Salon at The Federal Bar Debuts With Creative Cocktails

Living in Los Angeles, we all typically like to stay in our little hubs, mostly due to the 24/7 traffic. I myself can get caught up with only hanging in particular neighborhoods simply due to comfort and convenience. But it was worth making the trip to North Hollywood to check out The Federal Bar.

Located in the North Hollywood Arts District – a close-knit and welcoming bohemian enclave of young, urban professionals – The Federal Bar is the spot entirely worth checking out.

Housed in an early 20th-century bank building, The Federal Bar is now a stylish bar and nightclub. Each of the eclectic rooms boast it’s own atmosphere, particularly The Salon, which is located upstairs. Named it The Salon to portray that “old school” vibe, it truly captures something special. The cozy environment invokes the feeling of hanging out in a friend’s living room, the music is played at just the right volume for having easy conversation.

The best part about The Salon is the variety of specialty cocktails they offer, which are as remarkable as the venue itself. The first one I tried was the Eastern Sour. I am typically not a bourbon drinker, but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something different. In this case, I’m happy I did. The cocktail is made with Eagle Rare bourbon, lemon, orgeat, egg white, and angostura bitter. The combination of the ingredients had an outcome of a smooth, creamy taste with just the right amount of sweetness.

Tequila Por Mi Amante – Photo Courtesy of The Federal Bar

The Tequila Por Mi Amante was my next choice. It is made with Pueblo Viejo tequila blanco, chamberyzette, and pickled watermelon. Tequila has always been a go-to of mine, but the pickled watermelon was the game changer. It helped enhance the refreshing taste of the cocktail which has made it one of my new favorites.

Suissesse – Photo Courtesy of The Federal Bar

A cocktail that you should not look past on the menu is the Improved Whiskey Cocktail. It includes Rittenhouse Rye, maraschino, Peychaud’s bitters, and one key ingredient which is butterfly absinthe. Absinthe is usually the ingredient that most people have no interest in. It makes it easy to skip over to the next option on the menu, but in this case, it completes the drink. The cocktail is spritzed with absinthe, which is equivalent to “adding the cherry on top”. It is essential for this cocktail and completes the drink as a whole. The drink showcases absinthe in a more pleasant manner since it is not overwhelming and you can barely taste it.

The Horse’s Neck – Photo Courtesy of The Federal Bar

Besides the venue itself and the cocktails being more than impressive, the staff also deserves a round of applause. Each staff member I had engaged with projected positive energy and frequently checked in with all customers making sure they were comfortable and helped with any needs. Moral of the story, if you are looking for a classic, chic place to hang out and have drinks, The Salon at The Federal Bar is the location to fulfill your needs.