Indie Rock Bakery Endorses: Twin Bars
In astronomy, the term binary star refers to two stars orbiting around each other. True binary stars are bound together by gravity, and so they are intensely affected by their proximity to each other. So it is with twin bars.
Twin bars describes a phenomenon in which two bars of approximately equal caliber reside in close proximity to each other—certainly within walking distance, preferably within a few blocks. Twin bars should be similar enough in terms of vibe, dress code, price, etc. that you can move back and forth between them seamlessly. However, each bar in the binary system should be sufficiently unique to provide a welcome change of scenery.
The main appeal of a twin-bar system is diversification. If, for example, you encounter a long line at one of the bars, you may find a spot at the companion bar. Maybe one of the bars is cash-only and the second takes credit cards; you can start at the first and finish at the second. Or maybe the crowd at the first bar isn’t to your liking—try the second one and see if you have better luck. It’s always nice to have options, and sometimes bar-hopping is more fun that closing a place out.
Because of their built-in flexibility, twin bars are a good choice for those nights when you don’t have a specific destination but just want to get out of the house and have a few drinks with some friends. Following are a few examples of twin bars.
One of my favorite pairs comprises Echo Park stalwarts The Short Stop and Little Joy. This is a quintessential binary system. The bars are within a block of each other, and each has something to offer. Little Joy is divey and low-key, while the Short Stop is a bit more polished and lively.
In Los Feliz, the Drawing Room and Ye Rustic Inn are just across the street from each other. Do you want to play magnetic darts? Go to the Drawing Room. Do you hope to see Keifer Sutherland doing karate at 9 a.m.? Try the Rustic. In Silver Lake, check out The Cha Cha Lounge and The Red Lion Tavern.
In WeHo, there’s Jones and Formosa Cafe. In Hollywood proper, Three Clubs and Vine Bar made a decent pair, but I’m not sure what’s up with Vine Bar these days (or if it’s even open). Hollywood also offers multiple-bar systems. For example, there’s the hipster trinity of Beauty Bar, Star Shoes and Cinespace (in fact, you migh as well throw in The Burgundy Room). Downtown also offers clusters of bars. The Redwood and La Cita are within a stone’s throw, for example. Golden Gopher, Broadway Bar and Seven Grand are not quite as close, but you can definitely hit them all in one night.
And if you’re on the West Side, move. Just kidding, but you’re on your own.
