There are few things more stressful than last minute Christmas shopping and the idea of entering a crowded mall with just days to go is enough to give even the jolliest of shoppers anxiety. Luckily here in L.A., booze is rarely behind. Many of the city’s shopping centers offer elevated drinking and dining options to help you take the edge off that holiday pressure. So give yourself a break while on that shopping blitz and grab a drink at one of these five mall spots.
The Crack Shack at Westfield Century City
While there is no shortage of Happy Hours around Los Angeles, The Crack Shack thinks outside the coop from its cocktails to its shareable bites. Newly opened at Westfield Century City, home to Amazon Books, H&M and Sephora, this gourmet fried chicken concept is ideal for a post shopping drink. Sit out on the patio and enjoy the Hot Mess, a smoky margarita made with mezcal, ancho reyes, honey, lime, and grapefruit or the Resting Beach Face tiki cocktail with pineapple rum, orgeat, vanilla, grapefruit, lime and tiki bitters.
The bar is also serving up a refreshing Strawberry Frosé Slushie and a spritz cocktail, the Let’s Get Fizzical made with aperol, prosecco and an orange twist. For the ultimate HH cheers, pick up a token for the Moët & Chandon vending machine, which gives you a personal-sized bottle of bubbles. Happy Hour runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.on Black Friday which includes $4 off these specialty cocktails, $3 off beer & wine, and some delicious Crack Snacks like Fried Pickles, Chicken Lollipops and Spicy Biscuit Sliders.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; Crackshack.com; @getcrackshacked
Bacari G.D.L at The Americana at Brand
Part of The Americana at Brand shopping center which includes Barneys New York, Lululemon and Tumi is Bacari G.D.L., an Italian-inspired restaurant focusing on fire-roasted dishes made in the new wood stone oven and incorporating Mediterranean influences from Executive Chef Hillel’s Israeli heritage. In addition to a delectable menu, which includes standouts such as Ricotta and Beet Gnocchi, Smoked Mushroom Pizza and the Hummus Trio, Bacari offers expansive list of imbibing options. For cocktail lovers, try the Beeting Heart made with gin, mezcal, beets, jalapeno, lemon, house grenadine and sea salt, or the Harley Sidecar made with rye whiskey, dry curacao, simple syrup, lemon and a scotch float. If you are really shopping til drop, Bacari also offers a 90 minute open bar for just $25 which gets you unlimited house red wine, house white wine, prosecco, sangria or Bacari beer.
747 Americana Way, Glendale; bacarigdl.com; @bacariGDL
Mixology 101 at The Grove
The Grove may be L.A.’s most popular shopping destinations during the holiday season thanks to its 100-foot Christmas tree and festive Santa Village. It’s also home to one of the sleekest bars in the area; Mixology 101. The big open air space, located on a separate mezzanine level near The Original Farmers Market serves up wine, beer and some of the fiercest specialty cocktails. While you’re out picking up a new iPhone at the Apple Store or a pair of Jordans from Nike, stop by and try the Jamaican Sangria with Appleton 12 yr. Rum, Kirk & Sweeny Rum, Dark Hour Cabernet Sauvignon, creme de peche, orange juice and honey syrup or the Black Manhattan with Old Forester Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Amaro Averna and angostura bitters. Don’t forget to a grab a nibble when you are there. Fuel up with the Sliders made with grass-fed beef, piquillo peppers and black garlic mayo or the Tom Kha Noodles made with ginger, kaffir lime, wild mushrooms, spicy oil, cilantro coconut milk, lime, soy aminos and rice stick noodles. And keep your eye out for some fellow famous shoppers. Jennifer Lopez, Adam Levine and Joe Manganiello have all been spotted getting their mix here.
6333 W. 3rd St., Ste O20, P20, Los Angeles; mixology101la.com; @mixology101la
Tocaya Organica at Beverly Center
After what seems like a decade of construction, the newly re-imagined Beverly Center is finally coming together. Alongside shops like Bloomindales, several new drinking and dining concepts have moved in including Tocaya Organica. The Madera Group’s 3,000 square foot space marks Tocaya’s ninth location in Southern California. Tocaya’s menu of chef-prepared tacos, burritos, bowls and salads feature only the highest quality organic and sustainable ingredients served in a hip and sophisticated fast casual setting. A diverse menu of deliciously bold flavors uniquely starts out as vegan, with guests having the option to add both vegan and non-vegan proteins such as carne asada, achiote chicken, sea bass, adobo tofu and more. A carefully curated beverage program compliments the cuisine with house-made aguas frescas, juices and coffees. and handcrafted margaritas. Guests can also indulge in beer, wine and specialty margaritas made with a choice of strawberry, passionfruit, tamarind, hibiscus, pomegranate, or classic lime.
8500 Beverly Blvd. Unit 107, Los Angeles; Tocayaorganica.com; @tocayaorganica
DISTRICT at The Bloc
The Bloc is a vibrant, open-air urban center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Encompassing a full city block along LA’s iconic 7th Street corridor, The Bloc connects the financial, fashion, jewelry and theater districts plus the 7th Street Metro Center Station, where four DTLA lines converge. In addition to a Macy’s flagship, Mr. G’s For Toys and T Mobile store, the space hosts a number of bars and restaurants including the DISTRICT. The dining concept focuses on foods grown sustainably by local farmers and unparalleled ideas from food purveyors around the world. Standout dishes include Espresso Baby Back Ribs, Truffle Crab Salads and the Mac n Cheese Skillet.
In addition to superior eats, the custom and classic cocktail program is award winning for unique, out-of-the-box creations that are sure to keep your taste buds wanting more. Try the Beetnik made with roasted apple and beet infused Applejack Vodka, lemon and dill or the Opium with Bombay East Gin, Pamplemousse, rose water, Lemon Campari, Lillet Rose and Riesling. DISTRICT also hosts Happy Hour daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge featuring $6 beers, $7 Moscow Mules and $6.50 select wines and well drinks.
711 S. Hope St., Los Angeles; districtdtla.com; @districtdtla
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