Genever

Genever is a bar at 118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, California, and was ranked No. 50 on the World’s 50 Best list in 2023. It polished gin-focused mixology while honoring Filipino heritage through every cocktail. Founded by Roselma Samala, Christine Sumiller, and Patricia Perez, Genever emerged from a New Year's Day brainstorm in 2013 and a Kickstarter campaign.

Opening in March 2018 under Beverage Director Kelso Norris, the bar quickly earned recognition among North America's leading cocktail destinations. The name "Genever," referencing gin's Dutch predecessor, reflected its focus on gin and cocktail heritage. Genever's cocktail program used Filipino and Asian-Pacific ingredients, including calamansi, panutsa palm sugar, pandan, and sago. The seasonally rotating menu showcased house-infused spirits and botanical-driven creations, with signature gimlets and gin & tonics that evolved based on available botanicals.

This Los Angeles cocktail bar offered craft cocktails that celebrated both technical precision and cultural storytelling. Each drink incorporated custom infusions and botanicals. Designed by Natalie Kazanjian, the intimate Art Deco interior featured sage banquettes, gilded walls, and romantic lighting. The compact space's warm aesthetic centered service around the bar counter.

Staff guided guests through the menu in an inclusive setting. The intimate setting often drew a full room. Though Genever closed in early 2023, its legacy endures as a model for culturally rooted luxury bars in Los Angeles. This award-winning establishment proved that authentic storytelling, innovative mixology, and community connection could create an unusual cocktail experience.

For those seeking inspiration from Los Angeles's most groundbreaking bars, Genever's influence continues to shape the city's cocktail landscape, demonstrating how cultural heritage and premium craftsmanship can redefine luxury hospitality.