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Upstairs

  • Bars
  • Downtown Historic Core
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
  1. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanLefty Lucy at Upstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  2. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanNegroni at Upstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  3. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanKentucky Mai Tai at Upstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  4. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanAmazing Frocen Drink at Upstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  5. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanLamn sausage flatbread at Upstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  6. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanUpstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  7. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanUpstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  8. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanUpstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  9. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanUpstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
  10. Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
    Photograph: Jakob N. LaymanUpstairs Bar at the Ace hotel
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Time Out says

3 out of 5 stars

Look good—but not like you're trying too hard—when visiting Upstairs, a Moroccan oasis perched atop the trendy Ace Hotel. A sluggish elevator is your key to getting inside (or rather, outside) the buzzing, open-air roof deck, swathed in an exotic canopy and scattered with hip Downtowners clutching plastic cups—just precaution for the pint-sized dipping pool off to the side. You’d be surprised at how many people can fit into it after a few drinks. A DJ in shades (despite the near-midnight hour) spins cool electronic beats as the city lights glitter below. It’s definitely one of the better rooftop lounges in LA, mainly because of the surplus of seating. With two bars and an attentive waitstaff, getting a drink has never been so easy.

Vitals

Good for: An after-work schmooze or reunion with old friends. The drinks are fine; where Upstairs shines is with its food. The Middle Eastern bites here are superb: cucumber and watermelon salad ($11), spicy lamb sausage flatbread ($15) and ricotta toast ($12). Head over early to snatch a cushy couch along the edge of the rooftop for stellar views, and get your order in before the crowds hit.

The scene: Hipsters and Hollywood types are a given after 9pm, but before that, it’s a predominantly laid-back, after-work crowd. On any given night, the funky-casual vibe draws imbibers of all ages. The common denominator? Eclectic style. Let’s just say that Upstairs is home to some of the finest people-watching in town.

The playlist: Upstairs employs a wide variety of DJs, so depending on when you go, what you’ll hear could range from golden oldies to house music. Whatever it is, it’s loud, so you better like it. Tip: Check the events calendar on Ace Hotel's website in advance of your visit.

Bartender says: These are not the most accommodating of bartenders. They’re more of the order-and-move-aside types. But what did you expect from one of DTLA's hottest destinations? If you have any questions, you'd be wise to intercept a server instead—oh, and stick to the menu.

Drink this: One of the pricier cocktails on the menu, the Kentucky Mai Tai ($14) is a peculiar twist (or, shall we say, complete overhaul) on the tropical drink we all know and love. There's mezcal, plus bourbon, lemon, Liquor de Peche, Cynar and orgeat. Shake all of that up and the result is somehow very dull—perhaps it was an off-night. For something less boozy, Lefty Lucy ($13) is a surprisingly easy-to-drink concoction made with chile liqueur, peach liqueur, ginger, lime and yellow chartreuse. Sweet and bubbly, it's the quintessential ladies cocktail. Upstairs' Amazing Frozen Drink ($13), which changes seasonally, was actually quite decent (though calling it "amazing" is a stretch). On our visit, it was a jalapeno-infused tequila slushy that went down a little too easy. Punch ($100) is an option for larger parties, and there’s always wine (red, white, rose and sparkling), as well as six types of beer—Budweiser ($7), for example.

Written by Danielle Jacoby

Details

Address:
929 S Broadway
Los Angeles
90015
Opening hours:
Daily 11am-2am
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