Death and Co Los Angeles
Cocktail lounge
Death & Co., East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
ACCOLADES
OUR SCORE
4
'- Named one of “America’s Best Cocktail Bars” by Thrillist (2021)
- Won “Best American Cocktail Bar” at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards (2019)
- One of "The World's 50 Best Bars" by Drinks International (multiple years)
- Awarded "Best American Hotel Bar" at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards for its outpost at the Ramble Hotel in Denver (2019), which may bolster the brand including the Los Angeles location
- Named one of the top “Cocktail Bars in America” by Food & Wine (multiple years)
Please note that accolades specific to the Los Angeles location may not be as extensive or as high-profile as the original New York City location's accolades. Verification of the latest accolades is recommended as new awards may have been received after my knowledge cutoff date.
REVIEW & BAR SUMMARY
Beneath the bustling Arts District of Los Angeles, Death & Co emerges as a subterranean sanctuary where New York speakeasy mystique meets West Coast innovation. This third outpost of the legendary cocktail institution transforms the underground space into an intimate escape, where coffered ceilings, brass accents, and candlelit corners create an atmosphere of refined secrecy that defines luxury cocktail culture in Los Angeles.
Founded by visionary David Kaplan alongside partners Alex Day and Devon Tarby, Death & Co Los Angeles represents more than a decade of cocktail mastery translated for the discerning West Coast palate. The bar's dual-identity concept showcases the team's sophisticated understanding of hospitality, earning recognition as one of North America's 50 Best Bars, ranking 30th in 2023. This acclaim reflects the meticulous attention to craft that has made Death & Co synonymous with cocktail innovation since its New York inception.
The cocktail program at Death & Co Los Angeles elevates mixology to an art form, featuring approximately 25 carefully curated drinks organized by mood and flavor profile. Signature creations like the Oaxaca Old Fashioned blend tequila and mezcal with aromatic bitters, while the Tokyo Drifter showcases the bar's boundary-pushing approach through its harmonious marriage of gin, shochu, and yuzu. The Night Flight demonstrates technical precision, balancing robust Scotch with delicate jasmine and lemon notes, while the theatrical Black Sands captivates with its striking combination of rum, banana, lime, and activated charcoal. Each cocktail reflects the bar's philosophy of relentless innovation, incorporating unexpected ingredients that highlight the unique character of premium spirits.
The experience unfolds across two distinct spaces, each designed to cater to different moods and occasions. The Standing Room Bar welcomes guests with California-inspired pops of color and brass details, offering classics like Japanese highballs with shiso and pear. The main lounge embraces darker, moodier aesthetics reminiscent of the original Death & Co, featuring luxurious Moore & Giles leather seating, Calacatta Caldia marble surfaces, and Normann Copenhagen furnishings. Custom lighting solutions and abundant candlelight create an enveloping warmth that transforms the subterranean setting into an intimate retreat from downtown Los Angeles.
Reservations are highly recommended for this sought-after destination, where knowledgeable bartenders guide guests through the extensive menu with expertise and creativity. The elevated bar food program, featuring dishes like buttermilk fried chicken and mushroom toast, perfectly complements the cocktail experience. For luxury travelers seeking Los Angeles' most sophisticated cocktail destination, Death & Co offers an unparalleled journey into the artistry of modern mixology.
