Hollywood Lounge Draws Inspiration From Ernest Hemingway

When you enter the world of Hemingway’s Lounge, you are thrown back into a time before computers, Internet, cell phones and television.

Stacks of more than 10,000 hand-selected books fill every inch of the walls and pile up to the top of vaulted tin tile ceilings. Even the bar’s structural pillars are stuffed with classic reading material.  Vintage typewriters fill several shelves, adding a touch of nostalgia, and impressionist artwork takes you straight into another era.

Aged-wood furniture and private booths with burgundy velvet couches blend seamlessly with striped curtains and exposed brick walls. Radiant chandeliers shine down on rich wooden floors and add to the glow from wall sconce lanterns and candlelit tables.

According to VIP Hostess, Hilary Morrison, the beverages at Hemingway’s are constructed by the bar’s in-house, critically-acclaimed mixologist, Alex Straus.

“Our cocktails are made with fresh juices, fruits and unique spirits," Morrison said. "We have our Hemingway’s cocktail menu and a cocktail menu that changes seasonally."

The bar also has an extensive collection of whiskey and unique spirits. A variety of craft beers are available on tap and run about $5 - $6.

Drinks on the specialty menu ($16) are named after Hemingway’s books and include carefully constructed selections such as:

The Old Man and The Sea – fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and a spoonful of sugar, white rum

The Garden of Eden – vodka, strawberries, basis, touch of champagne with a strawberry on top

A Movable Feast – rye whiskey, fresh sage, berries, honey, lemon, bon vivants gold rush bitters

I sampled all three of the above and would highly recommend any of them; they are well worth the price. My favorite was A Movable Feast, it comes with fresh blackberries on top, which are an added bonus after finishing the drink.

Hemingway’s doesn’t serve food, but its prime location at 6356 Hollywood Boulevard allows for ample options for grabbing a pre-bar bite. The bar’s clientele is typically a mixture of Hollywood elite and trendy lounge goers. There is a bouncer outside and lines form on weekends so arrive early if you plan on making Hemingway’s your Friday or Saturday night destination.

Hours: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday – Friday, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday

Cover charge: No

Dress code: Hollywood dress to impress, no casual attire

Features: Full bar, ample seating area, private booths, comfortable couches, outdoor smoking patio

Payments Accepted: Major credit cards

Best Nights: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

Music: DJs

Drinks: specialty cocktails, whiskey, unique spirits

Average Drink Price: $5 beers - $16 specialty cocktails

More Information: www.hemingwayslounge.com