Los Angeles
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THE CRAFT BEER scene has been growing in leaps and bounds in Los Angeles over the past five years, with more than 50 breweries popping up all over the City of Angels and producing brews to critical acclaim. Some of the best action has been happening in the South Bay, an area that has been relatively sheltered from tourists and instead attracts locals in droves. Head to Smog City for classic and experimental brews such as the Hoptonic American IPA, Coffee Porter, Careful What You Wish for Sweet Milk Stout, Kumquat Saison and Steamfunk Farmhouse Ale, in a warehousestyle setting in an industrial area of Torrance. 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA, USA. +1 310 320 7664. www.smogcitybrewing.com. At the oceanside tasting room for King Harbour, which is the size of a takeaway ice cream parlour, find over a dozen beers on tap
including the South Bayern Hefeweizen, Orange Tuxedo Witbier, Coconut American IPA and the tropical hopped Tiki Hut IPA. 2907 182nd St, Redondo Beach, CA, USA. www. kingharborbrewing.com. There’s been action on the drinking scene downtown as well, anchored by Seven Grand, with over 300 whiskies in a bar that has the atmosphere of a taxidermy-laden snooker room. 515 W 7th St #2, Los Angeles, CA, USA. +1 213 614 0737. sevengrandbars.com.
Leading the sky-high venue brigade is rooftop bistro Perch, which is spread out over three floors atop a building near the corner of Fourth and Hill Streets. While many come to sip Manhattans and take in the DTLA vista while kicking back on antique furniture to live jazz, those in the know score a table and tuck into the French-so Cal cuisine on offer. Get here early as it packs up late.
448 South Hill St, Los Angeles, California, USA. +1 213 802 1770. perchla.com.
Across from the beach in Santa Monica in a 1947 Bajastyle California bungalow off the entrance of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel is the Bungalow. The bar features a rustic seaside design, outdoor bars, patios, private dining rooms, tree-lined gardens and a cocktail list loaded with Margaritas and Mojitos, while food is courtesy of the hotel’s Fig restaurant. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA. +1 310 899 8530. www.thebungalowsm.com.
Book one of the 700-square-foot Terrace Suites at Hotel Shangri-la
Santa Monica (a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World), which feature full ocean views and access to an outdoor furnished balcony. This intimate Art Deco hotel dates back to 1939 and boasts a year-round outdoor heated pool and a buzzing rooftop bar. 1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA, USA. +1 310 394 2791. www. slh.com/hotels/shangri-la-santamonica/. Get there: Virgin Australia’s Boeing 777s that fly to Los Angeles were recently given a major makeover, with new spacious sleeper ‘suites’ and a staffed bar in Business Class; a revamped Premium Economy that has more legroom and a plated meal service; and a new Economy X cabin that includes noise-cancelling headphones and guaranteed overhead lockers. It’s also great value with flights in Economy on sale regularly for $990 return to LA. www.virginaustralia.com.