Mikkeller Bar DTLA

Los Angeles, California

This L.A. outpost of international superstar brewer Mikkel Borg Bjergsø’s namesake beer bars reproduces his formula for a great beer destination.

What it is:

L.A.’S downtown used to be a rundown no-go zone, and one of its most ambitious beer bars used to be a tire shop. Things change, and the now vibrant and bustling downtown L.A. is home to a veritable paradise for beer lovers. Mikkeller Bar DTLA serves a selection of Mikkeller’s San Diego–brewed offerings alongside hard-tofind imports and plenty of local favorites.

Why it’s great:

While the tire shop’s sign still rises above the revitalized building, the Mikkeller fingerprints are all over this upscale beer hall. The energetic vibe is infused with the brewer’s trademark irreverence, and the menu is beer- and share-friendly. But the real draw is what’s on draft. Mikkeller Bar offers almost sixty taps of the best beer from around the world, with kegs divided into four different serving temperatures (from a chilly 39°F/4°C for the lagers to a balmy 55°F/13°C for stouts and cask ales). The impressive attention to craft-beer service details does come at a price: Eight-ounce pours of rare, aged, and imported beers can top $15, but you’ll still find pints of IPAS and sessionable styles for less than $8. If you’d rather not contend with the evening crowds, plan a weekend visit for a decadent beer brunch. —John Verive

DETAILS Hours: 5 p.m.–midnight, Monday–wednesday; 5 p.m.–2 a.m., Thursday & Friday; 10 a.m.–2 a.m., Saturday; 10 a.m.–midnight, Sunday. Address: 330 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Web: mikkellerbar.com/la/