Night Tap Blog

Last Call with Good Bad and Fab’s Jenny Wu

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin

Time for another round of Night Tap’s “Last Call” Expert Series, featuring exclusive interviews and info from LA’s nightlife & cocktail experts.  Today we are catching up with Jenny Wu, the creative mind behind Good, Bad And Fab - style and musings of an Asian fashion lawyer working in LA and living life in the Fab lane.  Jenny is a fixture at red carpet events and shared insights on her favorite LA musings with Night Tap.

What do you love about nightlife in LA?

I love how eclectic LA nightlife is.  Venues transport you to a different place in time.  There is an escape that comes with exploring different nightlife scenes.  If I’m in the mood to go to a 1920’s vintage bar….there I am.  Places like The Edison are so dramatic and allow my imagination to run wild.

What is your favorite drink in LA?

I absolutely love the Pomegranate Mojito’s at Magnolia, a cute little bar tucked away in Pasadena. The Pomegranate Mojito’s are amazing.  And you get your antioxidants too so it’s good for you. It’s the perfect combination of ingredients that gets me happy and in a celebratory mood. And Magnolia is always packed with a ton of celebrities so I always see someone famous!

Describe your perfect night on the town.

My perfect night would start with a fashion show at the Vibiana.  It’s a gorgeous old church that’s been converted to an event space. Seeing the models walk down the runway, with the beautiful church décor in the background is so dramatic. Only in LA can you see a fashion show in a church.  After that, I would head to Bottega Louie for some sausage pizza.  I love everything there but I’m especially obsessed with the thin, crispy pizza.  I love the vibe at Bottega Louie; the high ceilings project the sounds from different conversations to create an energy that reminds me of my travels to San Francisco. It’s very fun and upbeat.  From there, I make my way over to the Falls which my favorite bar in LA. It’s small and there is not a lot of signage from the outside so it can be easy to miss.  But once you are inside…it’s majestic. I love the dramatic wall décor and the way the bar in the middle displays alcohol makes me want to drink more.  I end the night across the street at Syrup Dessert for Belgian waffles with fresh fruit and ice cream. It’s the perfect late night treat after a long night.

What not-yet-opened spot are you looking forward to seeing?

Greystone Manor.  I have been hearing a lot of crazy buzz about that place and can’t wait to go. From what I’ve heard, inside is very grandiose and dramatic.  I love that it is a supperclub so you can get dinner + drinks to enjoy the full night on the town without having to go from venue to venue. And I always like to check out the latest Hollywood hot spots.

What was your first LA nightlife experience?

I was in college and went to one of those 18 and over clubs called the Palace. I don’t think it still exists, but it used to be promoted on Kiss FM.  Me and a group of friends wanted to party but we didn’t know where to go.  Kiss FM said the Palace was cool so we went.  I remember long lines and very random/mixed crowd. It was a mega club with several different levels.  After a while I got lost and couldn’t find my friends. Somehow I got pushed on stage and started dancing with all the crazy girls. My friends spotted me on stage and dragged me down.  It was a really fun night, and even though I never went back, it was a fun introduction to nightlife in LA

It’s 2 AM and you are leaving the bar. Where do you go for late night munchies?

Any taco truck.  I love the Kogi truck but it’s not always around. Any and all tacos taste delicious at 2 AM. I LOVE crane asada and a little green sauce. Tacos Mexico is another favorite. And King Taco is always a classic. And Kouraku in Little Tokyo has the most amazing fried rice and ramen.  It soaks up all the alcohol after a long night and you are good to go.

Where should Night Tap run it’s next deal?

I would say a Downtown LA experience. People seem to gravitate towards downtown more and more…there is a lot happening down there. It would be fun to shine a spotlight on downtown.  I think when people think nightlife the first thing they think of is Hollywood.  Night Tap could help shift the spotlight to Downtown. It’s a very convenient place to party and you have a little bit of everything. I would love to do a bar crawl in conjunction with art walk to get a little bit of culture before going a little crazy.

Love this feature? Check out some of our other Last Call Features:

Caroline on Crack

Eater LA’s Kat Odell

Finer Things LA

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5 People You Should Never Drunk Text and Why

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Danielle Robles

Let’s face it, we’ve all committed the cardinal sin of whipping out our iPhones after a few boozy libations to send a text to, well, pretty much anyone who will listen (read Texts From Last Night for some hard proof people). And while drunk texts can definitely provide us with limitless entertainment the following day, there are just some people in our phonebooks we should never, ever drunk text, no matter how messed up we are! Why? Cause trust us, no boss needs to know how much we “fzjucking” hate them or our shitty ass job at 4 am, do they? Anyway, here’s our list of the top 5 people you should never drunk text and why.

Your Ex-GF/BF

This is a given. Nothing good has ever come from a drunk text to an ex. Maybe you have had one too many cocktails, and “your song” is playing on the jukebox and you feel yourself slowing spiraling into a melancholy state. DON’T DO IT!! Texting an ex not only tells that person you aren’t over them, but that you are so lame that you can’t have fun without thinking of them. Unless you are calling your ex for a no-strings-attached late night booty call, fight the urge, you’ll thank me tomorrow.

Your Parents

Anyone who is close to their parents knows that a once a day/week/month check in is the right thing to do. This, however, is not something that should ever be done through a drunk text message. Even if you’re at the bar and your Dad texts you to ask you if you want to go to the Lakers game next week, wait until you are coherent enough to formulate an “adult” response to any texts coming from the parental unit. Chances are, a drunk text to your parents will not soon be forgotten (unlike texts between your also drunk buddies) and may be used against you or brought up at a family Christmas dinner for everyone’s entertainment.

The Person You Are Newly Dating Or Aspiring To Date

After dating for a few months, your significant other will be used to your drunken text messages and sloppy voicemails after a night out; but save these messages for after getting to know someone first. You want to make a good impression on your future Mr./Mrs. and late night “What are you doing?” “Let’s get naked” text messages are sure to send that person running scared. Unless, of course, that was your plan all along — then text on my friends. Text on.

Your Boss

No matter how bad you have the hots for your boss, after a few tequila shots is not the time to act upon those feelings. Drunk texting a boss is not only incredibly awkward, but could also get you fired. Same goes for texting your boss about a promotion, your work load, or anything else applicable to work. In fact, texting your boss is just a bad idea in general; drunk or not. My advice? Put all colleagues and people you work with in a separate category in your phone to refrain from accidently texting while drunk. You don’t want to be that person who has to do the walk of shame. To work. On a Monday morning.

Your Grandparents:

Grandparents are special because they are those people that can brighten any day. They make fresh squeezed lemonade and warm chocolate chip cookies when you come over, and tell stories about the “good ole days.” Don’t ruin that special relationship you have with your Grandparents with a drunk text or dial. Nine times out of ten they won’t be able to understand a word you are saying and even if they do, would you really want your sweet old Granny seeing you as the drunken idiot you are? Even if your Vet Grandpa also enjoys washing his evening down with a few bourbons, try to stop yourself from drunk texting your Grandparents. It’s just bad form.

Don’t worry Night Tappers, there are plenty of people who would appreciate your drunk texts. Roommates, college buddies, the people sitting across from you at the pub, and bootycalls are all appropriate choices to drunk text. Just be careful where you send those precious intoxicated messages though, because while memories fade, text messages are forever. Real friends don’t let friends drink and text.

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Happy Repeal of Prohibition Day!

Posted on December 4, 2011 by admin

Tomorrow is a monumental day in the history of this country…it is the anniversary of the day that Prohibition was repealed.  In hindsight, it is ludacris (yes, we spelled it like the rapper) to think banning alcoholic beverages would eliminate social problems. People are way too fucked up for social problems to be eliminated.  Alcohol just eases the pain of those issues. Plus, drinking is fun and is directly responsible for our favorite social interactions.

So today we drink in celebration of our freedom to legally drink whenever the hell we damn please.  And if you are in LA, HERE is a guide to some of the best spots to enjoy Repeal Day courtesy of Caroline on Crack and Squid Ink.

Take advantage, man. Take advantage….

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Link Love: Proving why Yale is Amazing and More

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

Links to get your weekend going…

1. Yale shows why they deserve to be the #1 ranked college (Eater)

2. The most disgusting drinks ever (AskMen)

3. Smell like Moonshine (Primer)

4. Chill your bubbly while bathing (Hammacher Schlemmer)

5. Pigs & Pints this weekend at Biergarten (Food GPS)

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Best Drinks You’ve Never Heard Of – Stroh Jagertee

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

After a day of braving the mean winter weather, there is nothing better to warm up your bones and get your buzz on than a hot mug of Stroh Jagertee. Take one sip, and you’ll feel like you’re at a boozy lodge up in the Alps. It tastes great, warms you up, and something about the combo of hot and alcohol hits the spot… fast.

Jagertee literally translates to “Hunter’s Tea” (because there is nothing better than a boozed up drunk man in the forest with a gun), and is a potent combo of overproof rum, sugar, spices, and a smattering of fruit. Based on a recipe dating back to 1864, this drink pretty much embodies everything great about the holidays. This shit tastes good, and has won quite a few awards to prove it. It is a staple across Europe during the winter, and is starting to make its mark here in the States.

One of the best parts about this drink is how easy it is to make it. Mix 1 part Stroh’s Jagertee to 2, 3, or 4 parts water (depending on how stiff), and you’re ready to drink! And at a solid BevMo Member’s price of $26.99 for a pretty enormous bottle, you won’t be breaking the bank.

So light up the fire, don your ugliest Christmas sweater, forget about the eggnog, and pour you and your friends a piping hot cup of Jagertee.  You’ll be warm and giggly before you know it.

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Booze With Benefits: 4 Skin Nourishing Cocktails You’ll Wanna Sip On

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Elizabeth Mitchell

There’s nothing we love more here at the Night Tap office than booze with benefits, except maybe friends with benefits, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, screw detox this weekend and drink to your skin—here are 4 of our favorite skin nourishing cocktails served straight up from renowned celebrity esthetician and author of Skintervention, Scott-Vincent Borba.

BORBONADE

The Facts: Adding pomegranate juice or Borba Clarifying Skin Balance Water to your cocktail helps strengthen the immune system, remove toxins and improve skin clarity.

What You’ll need: 1.5 ounces vodka, 4.5 ounces lemonade, .75 ounces pomegranate juice (or Clarifying Pomegranate Skin Balance Water), 1 lemon slice

How To Make It: Pour all of the ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with a lemon wheel. 

THE SPONGE

The Facts: Lychee fruit is known for boosting moisture levels, which keeps skin smooth and firm.

What You’ll Need: 1.8 ounces of vodka, 1.8 ounces of luychee syrup with pulp (or Replenishing Lychee Fruit Skin Balance Water) and 1 lemon.

How To Make It: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Combine all the ingredients and shake well. Strain the mixture into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist. 

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

The Facts: Grapes and acai berries help soften fine lines and wrinkles, increase elasticity and renew the skin’s natural glow.

What You’ll need: 1.8 ounces of vodka, 1.8 ounces of dark grape juice concentrate (or Age Defying Acai Berry Skin Balance Water) and 1 lemon.

How To Make It: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Then pour all the ingredients in and shake well. Strain the mixture into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist if you like. 

FLAWLESS

The Facts: Pomegranate helps remove toxins and improve clarity of the epidermis.

What You’ll need: 1.8 ounces of vodka, 1.8 ounces of fresh pressed pomegranate seeds (or Clarifying Pomegranate Skin Balance Water) and 1 lemon.

How To Make It: Grab a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Combine all of your ingredients and then give it a good shake. Strain the mixture into a chilled, stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

And make sure to take your vitamins, specifically, Drinkwel, the world’s first multivitamin created especially for drinkers.

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5 Places to Gobble Down Dinner this Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Danielle Robles

Turkey Day is approaching very quickly and let’s be honest, not all of us are top chefs. For those of you who are less fortunate in the kitchen and the thought of cooking a Thanksgiving dinner makes you break out in hives, fear not—we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 spots in L.A. that will not only do the cooking, but also the cleaning up, this Thanksgiving.

Cecconi’s

Esquisite Executive Chef Andrea Cavaliere is whipping up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner including free range turkey, seasonal veggies and mouth-watering truffle mashed potatoes. Mmmm!

8764 Melrose Ave, WeHo 

2pm-1am 

$45 adults, $25 kids under 10

Asia de Cuba

Try a unique twist on traditional fare with this Asian-Latin fusion restaurant in the Mondrian Hotel. Cuisine includes Cuban pumpkin soup, char sui beef short ribs and turkey roulade.

8440 Sunset Blvd., WeHo

$69 per person

Akasha

This trendy new American cuisine joint in Culver City is serving up Thanksgiving dinner complete with a pie buffet! Cauliflower bisque and cheddar and gruyere mac and cheese will also be on the menu. And um, did I mention a pie buffet?! I think we just died and went to heaven!

9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City

Noon-7pm

$65 for adults, $35 for children under 12

Delphine

image via bisbash.com

This sassy joint at the W Hollywood offers a four-course Thanksgiving dinner including raw bar selections such as oysters and ceviche. Wash the tryptophan away with some French champagne and a few scoops of brown sugar bourbon ice cream.

6250 Hollywood Blvd, LA

5pm-10:30pm

$55 per person

Tavern

Tavern’s Thanksgiving dinner includes both a traditional turkey dinner and a vegan option of stuffing and wild mushrooms persillade, sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts—for those not thankful for meat.

11648 San Vincente Blvd., LA

1pm-7pm

$65 adults, $35 kids

Breathe a sigh of relief, many restaurants in L.A. have special Thanksgiving menus to help the cooking-impaired. Wouldn’t you rather get dressed up for a night on the town, than set your house on fire? I think Smokey the Bear would be very thankful.

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Under the Influence with Art of Charm’s AJ Harbinger

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Welcome to Under the Influence, our series featuring exclusive interviews from LA’s movers and shakers.  Today we are catching up with AJ Harbinger, the guy behind The Art of Charm, a collective of nightlife enthusiasts who teach guys skills to be comfortable in their own skin…and get the girl.  The Art of Charm crew drops knowledge on their weekly podcast here.

What is the best night spot to pick up the opposite sex in LA?

I have always loved the vibe and unpretentiousness of The Woods on La Brea. Everyone there is down for some drinks and dancing by the jukebox, and its dimly lit corners allow for a bit of privacy to get to know someone. That said, after drinking at The Churchill on a few nights recently I have to say that place has a chance of becoming my new favorite spot. They have done a great job with the layout, and the upstairs is perfect for mingling with various groups.

The Woods

What is your favorite icebreaker when picking up a girl?

One of my favorites has to be “You look like trouble” with a smile and solid eye contact. But honestly “Hi” works just as well.  At The Art of Charm, we believe that your body language and attitude play a far greater role in your success with women than any pickup line can.  But a good icebreaker can help…that’s why we put together a free iPhone app that has loads of icebreakers (http://theartofcharm.com/iphone)

What do you love about nightlife in LA?

I love the fact that with a vibrant social network you can gain access to so many amazing events and experiences that are just not found elsewhere.  The weather and ever changing night life in LA has made our transition from NYC quite easy.

What is your favorite drink in LA?

My favorite drink is definitely the Mezcal Barbacoa at Rivera downtown.  This drink has such complexity with the smoky Mezcal, bell peppers and, of course, the beef jerky.   I really love a strong drink with a spicy kick so I just can’t stop at only one.

Describe your perfect night on the town.

My perfect night on the town definitely begins with some pork belly sliders at Animal followed by drinks at The Dime on Fairfax.  The dishes at Animal always blow my taste buds away and the DJ at The Dime never disappoints.  After a couple drinks I head to The Roger Room. We would definitely finish the night at the back bar at Harvard & Stone to sample the always changing drink menu.

The Dime

What was your first LA night life experience?

My first LA experience was about five years ago on a business trip with a buddy.  It was a late flight and we landed in Hollywood after midnight.   Of course, we mistakenly thought we could drink till 4am like in NYC, so we were amped to get out and party.  After bouncing around on Cahuenga for some drinks, we ended up sneaking into Avalon for some after hours.  After sharing a story with a bouncer about our LA experience, he let us slide on stage and we danced our asses off with the DJ’s crew.  I have always been amazed at what social skills and persistence can get you in this town.

Where should Night Tap run its next deal?

I am absolutely in love with this new burger joint on Cahuenga named Fukuburger.  It is like a bar/food truck/restaurant with these amazing Japanese fusion burgers.  I am so happy this place moved in and I can’t stop telling people about it.  You guys definitely need to run a burger and fukubomb combo deal with the Fuku crew.

Fukuburger – Photo Courtesy of Eater LA

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Best Drinks You’ve Never Heard Of: Arak

Posted on November 21, 2011 by admin

You’re sophisticated. You’re a jet-setter. You’ve seen the world. And you also have a thing for drinks that change colors. Get ready to impress your friends with a cold, refreshing glass of Arak. Trust us, it will knock your socks off.

About Arak 

Arak is an anise-flavored liqueur made from distilled grapes. Known affectionately by aficionados as Lion’s Milk (because, apparently, drinking Arak requires a lion’s strength), it is the official drink of Lebanon, consumed heavily in Turkey and Cyprus (known locally as Raki and Zivania, respectively), and has a flavor somewhere in between traditional Greek Ouzo, and French Pastis. While traditionally a table drink, Arak tastes good enough for pre- or post-dinner, or even pre-gaming before heading out. And, with average alcohol content exceeding 60%, a few glasses of this will set you up for an epic night.

How to Serve It 

Don’t let its transparent appearance fool you. Arak is a moody drink, and a bad pour will result in a glass filled with something that looks like curdled milk. But fear not – follow a few simple rules, and you’ll have the perfect pour.

  • Fill a pitcher with 1 shot of Arak per glass you plan to serve.
  • For each shot of Arak, add two shots of water.
  • Put two ice cubes in each glass.
  • Pour the prepared Arak over the ice cubes, and enjoy.

Your friends will not only be impressed with your magical ability to turn water into milk, but will be pleasantly surprised with the remarkably smooth concoction you’ve made them, and inevitably tipsy with its deceptive strength.  Believe us, it packs a punch. Roar.

Where to Buy Arak

For the adventurous ones among you, feel free to explore the side streets of Glendale, or frequent your local Middle Eastern market for a bottle of Arak. For a much easier solution, BevMo carries a couple brands.  Head on over to your local branch, or if you don’t have a local branch, order online. You won’t regret it!

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Link Love – Weekend Edition

Posted on November 18, 2011 by admin

Things to do and articles to tap this weekend:

1. Get your pamper on with Spaphile at Tiato this Sunday.  Free entry with code: Night Tap (RSVP HERE)

2. First look at new pre-Beverly spot, Sherbourne (Eater LA)

3. 86 Rules of Boozing (Modern Drunkard)

4. Drinks to the mood of the music you are listening too (Drinkify)

5. A good label makes a drink better (Design Your Way)

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