Wurstküche (Downtown) Beer Hall / Restaurant

Downtown, Los Angeles –

Despite its out-of-the-way location in the downtown Arts District, Wurstküche (“sausage kitchen”) draws a loyal crowd of folksy eastsiders, after-work professionals, and couples on dates who flock in to sample the venue’s legendary sausages, fries, and beer, and to make a few new friends in a communal atmosphere buzzing with energy.

The exotic sausages – including far-out choices like rattlesnake, duck, and alligator – are nearly as big a draw as the twenty-four carefully selected Belgian and German beers on tap, as evidenced by the line of funky individuals extending halfway down the block on any given day.

Once through the red- and yellow-striped doors, drooling regulars place their food orders in a tiny annex before heading into the giant hall with its industrial décor of exposed brick walls and concrete flooring, slightly warmed up by the beamed ceiling and dim lighting.

As in any good beer hall, the space is dominated by wide wooden banquet tables where chattering groups cram onto communal benches to share Belgian fries and a wide array of dipping sauces over a beer or two, while singles opt for the blonde-wood bar or the small café tables off to the side.

When the din of conversation gets to be too much, those in need of a bit of peace can step out to the leafy patio, which offers more seating and a smoking area.

On school nights, Wurstküche is chiefly a feel-good local eatery where jovial strangers come together to share the experience, but on weekends, the vibe ramps up when a DJ shows up to spin energetic grooves, creating a festive vegging point for hipsters before they shuffle off to their next destination.