Thunderbolt

This is the kind of cocktail bar that feels easy to like from the moment you walk in. Thunderbolt combines serious drink making with a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere, so it works just as well for a casual night out as it does for people who care deeply about cocktails. The menu is known for inventive, technically precise drinks, but the room never feels stiff or self important. Its spot near Historic Filipinotown, Echo Park, and Downtown gives it a broad, lively crowd without losing its local feel. Good bar food adds to the appeal, making it somewhere you can happily stay longer than planned.