When I first came of drinking age, the city opened up for me. Suddenly, there were hundreds of new places to check out— places that I’d grown up hearing about, or been recommended to many many times but never been able to set foot in. I’ve never been a big drinker, but I always get excited to try a new cocktail bar. At some point, during this formative period of LA exploration, I stumbled into Oldfield’s Liquor Room.
Oldfield’s is a picturesque cocktail bar located on Venice in Culver City, close to Palms. Upon entry, you’ll see a tall U-Shaped Bar sitting humbly against the glossy and gorgeous floor to ceiling tile. Wood tables and antique chairs line the room, and during the day, beautiful warm light glows every window, giving the ambience a cinematic quality.
I’ve had many a raucous night at Oldfield’s. The proximity to Bigfoot West, another bar owned by the prolific 1933 Group, makes it easy to barhop back and forth. When Oldfield’s happy hour ends at 7PM, you can walk down the street to Bigfoot and enjoy one more hour of cheap drinks. If you decide to return to Oldfield’s after the sun has set, you’ll be pleasantly surprised as that golden hour light has disappeared, and in its place, an ambience constructed almost entirely of flickering candles that line the tables. As the bar fills up and the candles burn brighter, Oldfield’s begin to feel like a speakeasy, or that bar in Midnight In Paris.
They’ve got rotating beers on tap, wine by the bottle or the glass, and plenty of liquor—the whiskey selection is top notch. Whatever you get, the drinks are fucking fantastic. I recommend the Amoxycillin (Rum, Lemon, Ginger, Honey) or the signature Oldfield’s Hemingway (Rye, Maraschino Liqueur, Grapefruit, Lime).
The service is also impressive. No matter how crowded the bar is, somehow the bartender manages to keep up. The dim lighting at night denotes a very romantic vibe, and if you end up closing out the bar on a date, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that they don’t turn the lights on at 2AM like every other bar in LA. Instead, they discretely usher you out. Very classy, and might up your chances of getting the key fiddle.
Oldfield's Liquor Room 10899 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90034 M - Th, Sun 5PM - 12AM Fri & Sat 5PM - 2AM Happy Hour 5PM - 7PM Daily$$
Parking: Street
My order: Michter’s Rye Double on the rocks
Pro tip: Oldfield’s makes for a great low-key birthday spot. Try to get the booth in the back!
Pairs well with: Bigfoot West (450 ft), Tacos Tamix Mexican Food Truck (.4 miles)
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