Thirsty Crow

It was a late summer evening when I met a friend of mine at the Thirsty Crow. The many hipster denizens lined the horse-shoe bar, clad in faux geek glasses, brogues, and v-neck shirts. Along with the equally low-lighting and the dark hickory floor panels—the dusty smell that rose from it—the place evoked a masculine air: a tavern hardened by erstwhile roughness. Though there were many clienteles, there was a relaxed quietude about the place, especially as the papery and sultry croon of bluegrass droned out of the Juke Box. The Thirsty Crow is nestled amongst a slew of tattoo parlors and local, organic eateries on the far end of Sunset Boulevard just before it transgresses into the more squalid depths of C. Chavez. To me, the location, the white twenty-somethings (myself included, let’s be honest) were like a moving, living chasm between tinsel town and choking poverty. It’s like traipsing along the margins of danger and squalor, but at a safe enough distance from it. This adroit location does much in the way to evoke that saloon style I found alluring, in spite of the nascent gentrification of Echo Park. What’s more, they specialize in whiskey and nothing harkens back to those old frontier days like those sanguine pungent notes. So, if you’re a scotch or bourbon kind of guy or gal, there are a bevy of choices from their menu—their specialty being Old Fashions, of which I had several. This place is achingly humid in the summertime, even in the evening. It was like being in a sauna that reeked of old socks, and such a musty smell complements the décor wonderfully, but it’s much more difficult to enjoy when you’re on the cusp of having a heat stroke. As the sun settled behind the cityscape, and the murmurs in the bar continued unperturbed, the barback (I believe he was), proceeded to light candles and place them at every table. It was perhaps a pretentious move, as the bar itself is in a way affected, but it facilitated the low-lighting aspect that I found so pleasing and so intimate. There will surely be another day where I will imbibe several more Old Fashions within the Thirsty Crow.

this place was #1 WAY TOO SMALL #2 WAy TOO DARK!!! so if you have tanned skin you won't be seen #3 WAY TOO noisy to hear the person across from you so I suggest you either go with a fun crowd or your boy or girl cuz it's too tiny drinks wise it was okay, their mint mojito was refreshingly minty their other drinks have a good mix and amount of alcohol so you don't feel cheated with sugar and syrup and they put real herb like huge leaf which is kind of cool but it's way too small that I felt so claustrophobic I couldn't focus

It's a popular spot for the east side so be sure to get there before its too late especially on the weekends or you'll find yourself standing by the bar. Otherwise, it's a good bar to grab a refreshing drink as per the mixologists' menu or you can keep it simple with a variety of quality whiskeys. The decor is pretty fun, makes you feel like you're in an old Disney Gold Miner/Pirates of the Caribbean ride with its rustic decor. Staff is professional, speedy, and intent on making a solid cocktail. It's a great place to sit, talk, and hang with friends and not the scene for impromptu dance floor parties. Also no impromptu bands, which is a plus. It can get a little rowdy and difficult to hear a conversation at times but after a couple of drinks, who can ever tell such things?

I'm a Westsider, but when I'm on the hipper side of things, I make it a point to drop by the Crow. I love the staff here, and the drinks are on point. I've never had anyone pour a drink there that I had to send back or question. They pour them stiff, they pour them well, and they pour them to spec. And their selection of rye is really good, Geoffrey or Rahad can point you in the right direction if you're feeling adventurous. The ambience used to bother me, I thought the speakeasy presentation was a little overdone, but it's grown on me with time. Parking can be a pain, but that's to be expected on this block. Come early, or come near closing time...anything between could get sticky depending on the night.

Order the Thirsty Crow. It's bound to give you a buzz after one and the refreshing mint leaves, and sweet dark cherry compliment the Whiskey and ginger beer concoction. Of course, if you love your whiskey straight up, well this is your new haven. There is a great selection of fine whiskey, and the kind bartenders will take care of you. I recommend tackling the bar first if you decide to come here during the late night hours. Seating is extremely limited as well. The crowd is your general Silverlake hipster scene, which means most people are into their own business of friends. The decor has an old-timey feel and even their own stuffed crow drinking whiskey. I recommend the Thirsty Crow, because of the good energy of fun partying folks, the feel of a speakeasy, along with the body numbing whiskey.

I remember when this place was called Stinkers - that's right, a skunk themed bar (it is in Silverlake after all) which was pretty fun as the skunk tails used to lift when someone ordered the special and fill the air with dry ice 'spray'. Well, things have changed from the tacky yet fun to the button down and subdued recreation of a real 1920s speakeasy... kind of a sign of the times in a way. But for anyone else who hasn't been here, the great thing about this place is that everything has relics from that era from the gas lamps, the 'drunk test' steady game thing which buzzes, the recreation of the flooring and the smoking area which feels like a saloon - even down to the borax soap in the bathroom is dispensed like back then from an old pump. The whole thing gives the feeling of stepping back in time. Great quality drink menu, especially if you like whiskey and neat drinks. It's a bit pricier but you really only need one. The mood here is a lot more mellow. Try to arrive early because you will otherwise have to wait out front until someone leaves per capacity rules. Try to find street parking a quarter mile east, or even off a side street as it is near impossible to find late night. Unless you're willing to drop a lot for valet. Tip: to get in faster, dress like someone would from the era. it seems to work for getting you in faster probably because of the ambiance, and it just makes you look sharp in general.

High-end cocktails and wine for $5 every single day makes this my go to, especially since it's a quick walk from my house. Things get pricey after HH (I wish I could stay here longer) but you're paying for quality booze so it's to be expected. I love to order up a big plate of organic grub from LOCAL right next door, they will bring you your food and you can eat in the bar while you drink. Of course, LOCAL has beer now....decisions, decisions.