The Drinks: A remarkable array of cocktails bursting with lots of sass, tropical taste and colorful vibes
The Location: Mar Vista
The Vibes: Tiny, intimate, Westside
Good for: Alone, dates, very very small groups (not recommended for kids)
When-To-Go: Opens at 5 p.m. daily; closes at midnight, Sunday – Thursday and at 2 a.m. Friday & Saturday
The $$ Factor: Cocktails are $12 - $15
The Names behind the scenes: Owner David Kuo and Beverage Director Gaby Mlynarczyk
The 4-1-1: Although Accomplish Bar’s menu technically only comprises beverages, you can also order and eat “Taiwanese soul food” from the adjacent restaurant, Little Fatty
Parking Situation: Nearby metered street parking, which can be scarce
I’ll Be Back…: For the margarita! And the eastern standard! And the pearl diver!
Ten years ago, I never could’ve imagined that I’d utter the words “Let’s meet in Mar Vista!” to a friend on a Friday or Saturday night. But lo and behold, a lot could change in a decade, and a lot most certainly did. What used to be a sleepy, nondescript neighborhood wedged between Venice / Marina del Rey to the west and the 405 freeway to the east has laid down roots to become a trendy destination, with a burgeoning dining / social scene that has restaurants and bars sprouting up around Venice Blvd. and nearby side streets, in between Centinela Ave. and Inglewood Blvd.
One of these bars in particular that’s putting Mar Vista on the map is Accomplice Bar. This tiny rectangular-shaped establishment may only be one room, but it’s not surprising to find it packed to the brim with locals, couples on date nights and groups of friends on any given weekend. Dark greyish-navy blue walls, cork and blonde wood fixtures and stark white shapes floating from the ceiling all work together to create a cozy, enveloping atmosphere, as bartenders whip up creative cocktails that have as much flavor as they have flair.
Accomplice Bar offers its own upscale renditions of traditional cocktails such as margaritas, Mai Tais (pictured below), and pisco sours, that are organized into three categories: riffs, classics and specials. By no means have I tried all 20 drinks on the menu, but, I can say that the handful of ones that I've sampled have been excellent, from the presentation down to the taste. Each one seems to have its own little personality, too, whether it’s the type of glass it arrives in, the type of garnishes adorning the concoctions or how liqueurs get paired with certain ingredients, from allspice and pineapple in the margarita, to bourbon and egg whites in the "whiskey (sweet +) sour."
Here are a few other libations that rank high on my list:
I’d first recommend anyone to start off with one of the most popular orders, the “this is not a tiki drink,” pictured below. While it’s as pretty to look at as it is to sip, I think it’s a great introduction into all that Accomplice can offer — something sweet, something potent and most certainly, something well-crafted. It includes mescal and sherry, orgeat, pineapple and passionfruit.
I’ve kicked back quite a few margaritas in my lifetime, but Accomplice Bar’s version has to be by far one of my faves. Like any other margarita, it includes tequila...but, that’s where the similarities end. Thrown into the mix is pineapple, falernum (a type of syrup), blue majik (a derivative of the sea algae spirulina) and firewater, all mixed together and then topped off with allspice. It’s a tropical masterpiece indeed!
Keeping on the tropical trend, the pearl diver is one of two specials and it's made with two types of rum, guava and Gaby's gardenia mix, according to the menu. A server shared that it also has hints of vanilla, coconut and other flavors. Even though it’s packed with a lot of fruits and sweet ingredients, it’s definitely not overbearingly sugary. It’s been my favorite so far.
For my whiskey fans, the “whiskey (sweet +) sour” may be up your alley. It’s a light mixture of bourbon whiskey whipped together with amaretto ginger and either egg white (or aguafaba, an egg white substitute for vegans). As it name suggests, it’s on the sweeter side, but still has a nice little kick.
There's also about nine classic cocktails including mint juleps, negronis and pisco sours. The eastern standard, pictured below, falls into this category. While it only comprise four ingredients — vodka, cucumber, lime and mint — it has just the right balance of each element, so that there’s not one that’s overpowering any other.
So the next time you’re in the mood for visiting a neighborhood bar with a vibe that’s super chill and laid back and serves up exemplary cocktails that are way above your standard well drinks, definitely consider heading over to Accomplice Bar in Mar Vista.
See you there soon!
For more information:
