What once was a popular restaurant called Menotti’s in Venice Beach, nearly one hundred years later, is home to a hopping scene once again. As of this summer, the space that sat empty for a long time is now not one but two bars. Both bars, Townhouse, on the ground level, and Del Monte Speakeasy below, look they belong in historic Downtown L.A. for their early 20th century feel and elevated cocktails.
Thankfully, Louie and Netty Ryan, owners of the iconic West side watering holes Zanzibar, Temple Bar, Little Temple and the recently opened Silver Lake haunt The Virgil, had the vision to keep the original Menotti’s logo tiled on the floor, original tin ceilings and much of the original design.
The Ryans, only the third owners of the bar since it opened in 1915, explain the reason why behind restoring the space. “It was a wonderful opportunity to preserving one of the oldest bars in Los Angeles,” says Louie. “It’s become a community meeting point. We’ve tried to preserve the bar’s amazing history,” he says, pointing to some prohibition-era whiskey from 1919 he has displayed in a case on the wall.
And they’ve done a good job at preserving history. I’m sure if either gentlemen, Abbot Kinney or Orson Wells, each from different eras, walked in to Townhouse and Del Monte Speakeasy, they would feel right at home.
Windward Avenue, where the Del Monte and Townhouse are located, is where Orson Wells films his famous opening scene from the 1958 movie, “Touch of Evil”. Curious about what cocktail Wells would drink if he came to Del Monte Speakeasy today, owner Louie Ryan said in his slight Irish lilt, “He certainly wouldn’t order the Marlon Brandon cocktail as Welles lost the role of the Godfather in Coppola’s movie to him!”
Brandon Reynolds-Ristaino, head barman and creator of the seasonal Del Monte Speakeasy cocktails, piped up. “I think he’d order them all in one night. He was known for having a voracious appetite for food and drink.”
Ristaino, recruited from BigFoot Lodge West in Culver City, changes up the cocktail menu every season. And he knows not only how to craft a good cocktail but also extensive history and literary relevance behind the cocktail of choice. “We use techniques that wouldn’t have been out of place when the bar opened almost 100 years ago,” he says.
Here are the Fall Cocktails at Del Monte Speakeasy:
Grapes of Wrath – Vodka, Granache Syrup, Muddled Red Grapes, Lemon
Notorious F.I.G. – Scotch, Fig, Absinthe, Basil, Lemon, Egg White, Soda
Bar Drake Manhattan – Bourbon, Ruby Port, Maple Syrup
The Moonlight – Bonded Apple Brandy, Lemon, Soda, Fresh Gala Apple
Marlon Brandy – Brandy, Pear Eau-de-Vie, Clove, Fresh Bartlett Pear, Bitters
Cinnful Harvest – Genever, Dates, Grapefruit, Lemon, Cinnamon
Beyond the craft cocktails excellently executed at Del Monte Speakeasy, there is also live music featuring local and touring bands on Thursday through Sunday night. Check their website for the weekly live music up line. Stand-up comedy mic starts at 9pm and then Burlesque shows at 11 pm on Wednesdays. Guest DJs spin tunes throughout the week. “We try to make our music programming fun and creative, spanning all times and all parts of the world, from Rockabilly to Cumbia to Electronica,” says Carlos Nino, who books bands at Del Monte Speakeasy.
Townhouse is open every night of the week and a weekday Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 5PM – 7PM, $6 Craft Cocktails + specials.
“We pride themselves on offering the perfect trifecta: incredible drinks, top-notch entertainment and an amazing atmosphere”, says owner Louie Ryan. And it’s working, Townhouse and Del Monte Speakeasy is a hopping place to spend an evening out in West LA.
Townhouse/Del Monte Speakeasy 52 Windward Ave., Venice 90291
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