Flappers, suspenders, jazz music, and romance—The Edison, downtown LA’s nostalgic lounge, is a blast-from-the-past into the 1920’s. Focusing specifically on the prohibition era, The Edison blends history, art, and science into a unique speakeasy, alive with culture, cocktails, and good company.
Last Friday, December 5th, The Edison debuted their new Barrel of Bathched Woodford Reserve Bourbon, that was hand-picked by the Bar Managers Aidan Demarest and Michael Geist straight from Kentucky. In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition, The Edison hosted an exclusive tasting of their newly opened bourbon. The event brought together those with a keen appreciation for fine spirits, and those who felt it necessary to honor the folks in the 1920’s that kept drinking alive. Many attendees donned suspenders and bowler hats for the special occasion, while the women on staff outfit flapper dresses on a regular basis. Miles Mosely and his band performed the entire night, pleasing the entire space with their jazz sounds. With the costumes, music, historical artifacts, and architectural relics, The Edison made for a true-to-the-times speakeasy experience. And what better way to ring in the 75 th Anniversary of legal drinking, than with more legal drinking!
The dedicated crowd feasted on decadent pulled-pork sliders, sweet desserts, and yummy gin and bourbon punch. To chronicle the event, author Dan Dunn read passages from his newly released book, "Nobody Likes a Quitter". As a man who claims to drink professionally for a living, he provided a perfect anecdote for the toast. When the shots of Kentucky bourbon were finally taken, the general consensus was that the whiskey was well worth celebrating for!
The Edison has been featured in Esquire Magazine as "One of the Best New Bars in America", and they were also featured as "One of LA’s 10 Best New Bars‘ in Los Angeles Magazine. If you are looking for a swanky nightspot, where you can escape, literally, into another time, then the Edison is the place. The dark space is full of imaginative details: grand antique tables and chairs are found in hidden corners, films invoking the 20s are projected on the walls, and there is even a mystical fairy who offers shots of absinthe and cocktails served in a light bulb shaped glass. Monday through Friday, the lounge hosts an extremely popular Soup Kitchen Cocktail hour from 5pm to 7pm where patrons can feast on grilled cheese, tomato soup, and a bourbon cocktail at a Depression Era price of 35 cents.
The Edison is located downtown at 108 W. 2nd Street. Formally the space of LA’s first power plant, owner Andrew Meiran has worked to maintain the original architectural and structural design. Meiran and his partner Matt Smith have created a place that will re-invigorate downtown LA. It’s blend of past, present, and future make this glamorous bar a destination spot. The Edison invoked traditions of the past, while still reminding us that we live in a city of great glamour, imagination and dreams.
So, take a dive into this magical bar and you’ll be surely greeted by flappers, inspired to swing to lively jazz music, and definitely consumed with the sounds, sights, and tastes of a former generation.
The Edison is located in the heart of the Higgins Building on the corner of 2nd and Main off Harlem Place Alley in LA’s Historic Core—just one block south of City Hall. (Valet parking is available at the corner of Harlem Place Alley and 2 nd Street halfway between Spring Streey and Main. Their address is 108 W. 2d Street #101. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Contact (213) 613-000 for reservation or any further questions regarding the venue.
