For cocktail enthusiasts around the country, December 5 is nearly as important a date on the calendar as Dec. 25 or Dec. 31. Created by Portland bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Repeal Day is celebrated every Dec. 5 to honor the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933, which ended 13 years of Prohibition.
The national celebration has grown in popularity every year, and bars across Los Angeles are featuring drink specials and events to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Repeal. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt said at the end of Prohibition: “What America needs now is a drink.”
NOTE: all Repeal Day events listed take place on Wednesday, Dec. 5 unless otherwise noted.
213 Hospitality
Based in Downtown L.A., 213 Hospitality owns and operates bars in L.A., San Diego, Austin and Denver.
SEVEN GRAND
In celebration of Repeal Day, Seven Grand is serving discounted classic cocktails courtesy of Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Sip on discounted Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, Sazeracs, Mint Juleps, and Manhattans all night! Seven Grand is open at 3pm daily.
515 W 7th St #200, Los Angeles 90014
COLE'S FRENCH DIP
The oldest public house in L.A., the historic Red Car Bar at Cole's French Dip will feature Martinis and Old Fashioneds at Happy Hour price all night and a $4 draft. There's also a special menu featuring pre-Prohibition forgotten classics.
118 E 6th St, Los Angeles 90014
Bar Franca
Opened in September 2018 on Main Street in DTLA, the Euro-style Bar Franca is collaborating with Ilegal Mezcal to feature a special Repeal Day mezcal cocktail menu from 6pm-2am. Instead of Prohibition-era classic cocktails, Bar Franca will offer a menu of Oaxacan-themed interpretations like the Blind Tiger and the Love Your Neighbor boilermaker.
438 S Main St, Los Angeles 90013
Brack Shop Tavern
Located on bustling 7th Street in Downtown L.A., Brack Shop Tavern has something for everyone, from classic cocktails to craft beers and an upstairs game room. Celebrate Repeal Day at Brack Shop Tavern’s inaugural punch bowl party - $5 glasses of Prohibition-style punch will be offered from 3pm to midnight, so you have plenty of time to join in the festivities. Priced from $7-$12, food specials include deviled eggs, shrimp cocktails, stuffed mushrooms and cheese boards.
525 W 7th St, Los Angeles 90014
Prank
Located in the burgeoning South Park neighborhood of DTLA, the lively walk-up bar Prank will offer $7 Old Fashioneds and Manhattans from 2pm to midnight. You can’t go wrong with either of these classics, so why not order both!
1100 S Hope St, Los Angeles 90015
Apotheke
Hosted by The Best Drink Ever, "Prohibit Prohibition" is taking place at Apotheke in Chinatown from 7pm to midnight. Featuring prizes for the best-dressed Prohibition-era Guy & Gal, and Gypsy Jazz Burlesque with Caroucells. No cover, cocktail attire strongly suggested.
1746 N Spring St, Los Angeles 90012
LA Wine
Opened by restaurateur David DeLuca in July 2018, LA Wine is located at Blossom Plaza in Chinatown. In addition to its house label, the curated wine program spans 400 miles of California wineries from Santa Barbara to Mendocino. Offerings can be enjoyed at the bar, on the patio or to-go. On Repeal Day, LA Wine will offer $19.33 bottles of wine and $5 beers from 5pm to midnight.
900 N Broadway Ste 1070, Los Angeles 90012
THE MERMAID
Little Tokyo's nautical-themed bar, The Mermaid is featuring $1 classic cocktails for Repeal Day Happy Hour from 5-8pm. Stick around for WCW: Cinema & Cocktails featuring Batman Returns and "the most badass boss lady in Gotham City." Special cocktail menu and games to go with the screening. It'll be the cat's meow!
428 E 2nd St, Los Angeles 90012
Big Bar
A popular spot for Los Feliz locals and cocktail aficionados, Big Bar is featuring the Scofflaw, a classic cocktail made with Redemption Rye, dry vermouth, lemon, grenadine and orange bitters. Named after the Prohibition term for "lawless drinkers" of illegal hooch, the Scofflaw debuted at Harry's Bar in Paris in 1924 while American imbibers were enduring Prohibition stateside. The Scofflaw will be featured as an $8 all-day Happy Hour special starting at 10:30 a.m. Pro tip: you can also get an Old Fashioned for the special price of $8.
1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles 90027
1933 GROUP
Named after the year that Prohibition was repealed, 1933 Group is celebrating the end of the 18th Amendment by featuring a special Repeal Day cocktail for just $1 at all nine of their bars: Bigfoot Lodge, Bigfoot West, Harlowe, Highland Park Bowl, Idle Hour, La Cuevita, Oldfield’s Liquor Room, Sassafras Saloon and Thirsty Crow. The Repeal Day specials are available from 5-8 p.m.
Filifera
Perched on the 22nd floor, Filifera is Hollywood’s highest rooftop bar and lounge. Designed by Kelly Wearstler and operated by Proper Hospitality, the elegant Hollywood hideaway boasts an indoor bar and outdoor lounge with sweeping views of Los Angeles, including the iconic Capitol Records building, Hollywood Sign, and Griffith Observatory. On Repeal Day, Filifera is serving $5 Old Fashioneds from 5pm to 10pm.
1550 N. El Centro Ave, Los Angeles 90028
Blue Palms
Celebrating its 10th anniversary back in August, Blue Palms Brewhouse is offering a Boilermaker special for Repeal Day: mix and match five different drafts and three spirits. Available 4-11pm for just $10 per pairing.
6124 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028
MELROSE UMBRELLA COMPANY
The warm and distinctive interior of Melrose Umbrella Co. features 13 umbrellas hanging on a wall, representing the dry years of Prohibition and the many “wet” days that followed the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
For the fifth annual Repeal Day Under the Umbrella, Melrose Umbrella Co. will be rolling out barrels of Angel's Envy and lining their courtyard with "bootleg" barrels, a 1928 Model A Ford and all the bourbon your heart desires. Enjoy live painting from local artists, 1930s inspired music performances and entertainment, participate in an Old Fashioned making station, $5 Old Fashioneds from 3-6pm, and Angel's Envy drink specials throughout the day. Oh, and there's going to be a knife thrower! Repeal Day Under the Umbrella is taking place all day on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90046
THE WALLACE
Located in the heart of Downtown Culver City, The Wallace is a seasonal restaurant focusing on local and sustainable ingredients. And just when you thought you were done with turkey, Beverage Director Greg Bryson is featuring $5 Wild Turkey Manhattans on Repeal Day. The special is available from 5:30pm till close.
3833 Main St, Culver City 90232
TOWNHOUSE & THE DEL MONTE
Located on Windward Avenue just steps from Venice Beach, the historic Townhouse and The Del Monte opened as Menotti’s in 1915. The bar became a “grocery store” during the Prohibition era, while downstairs The Del Monte became a hub for rum runners. After the repeal of Prohibition, the above-ground bar re-opened and boasted regular patrons like Charlie Chaplin and Venice resident Jim Morrison of The Doors. Today, both floors serve craft cocktails and The Del Monte features a variety of live performances, from bands and DJs to comedy and burlesque.
The Townhouse 103-Year Anniversary + Repeal Day Celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. with a complimentary Family Feast (until they run out). Venice Underground Spirit Society will present a complimentary whiskey tasting from 6-7 p.m. in The Del Monte. Entertainment in The Del Monte starting at 7 p.m., featuring burlesque by the Bootleg Bombshells, jazz by Katalyst, plus DJs Mark Maxwell and Vinyl Don. There's also Prohibition stories and Venice history with bar historian George Czarnecki at 8:30 p.m. Listen for the bell to ring at the bar and enjoy 1933 pricing on all cocktails for one hour! No cover for the Repeal Day Celebration.
52 Windward Ave, Venice 90291
Madre
The Oaxaca love continues at Madre, which will debut its new Oaxacan Old Fashioned ($9) on Repeal Day. Available at both locations (Torrance and Palms), this Oaxacan take on the iconic cocktail is made with Mezcal Los Javis Joven Espadin, Angostura bitters, mole bitters, and reposado tequila.
1261 Cabrillo Ave #100, Torrance 90501
10426 National Blvd, Los Angeles 90034
The Other Door
At The Other Door in North Hollywood, enjoy your choice of a classic cocktail for a 1933 price: "Bathtub" Martini or Manhattan for 35 cents! Or splurge on the "expensive" stuff - Corpse Reviver or Rum Daisy for 50 cents. Champagne splits for $1 if you're dressed in 1920s attire. Available starting at 6pm, limit one discounted drink per person.
10437 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood 91601