- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Bar Nineteen 12
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
9641 Sunset Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-1912
9641 Sunset Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-1912
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet, Validated
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
5 reviews for Bar Nineteen 12
Ugh. The disgusting thing about this place is the fact that although it's located in one of the most breathtaking landmarks in LA, you can't help but feel completely out of place if you're just another girl from the valley. (Me.)
Despite my efforts to clean up and put on a dress and heels, this place is flocked with A-Listers and groupies... (all perfect 10's) and either you get the feeling that you're Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman or that you don't exist at all because no one has the time to notice you.
For the first half of my evening in the lounge, my tab was picked up by a production company (The tab between 4 of us girls must have been over $5,000 after the appetizers, jello shots, bottles of champagne, and patron). When it came time to purchase my drink, I ordered another glass of Dom Perignon. Holding my $40 when it came time to pay, the bartender looked up and said, "It's going to be $96 plus tax."
"...DOLLARS??? NINETY SIX... DOLLARS??? For the... glass???"
"Yes Ma'am."
I didn't want to stick out like even MORE of a sore thumb so I reached into my purse and slid the credit card over the counter... and shuddered when he walked away. Ya betta believe that champagne tasted like GOLD!
The one redeeming factor are the cocktail waitresses...friendly and sincere service go a long way in a place like this, and I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was trying to say, "I'm not judging you, even though we both know you shouldn't be here... girl scout's honor." And I mean that in the best way possible.
The Beverly Hills Hotel holds so much history, power and sex appeal... but for some reason I really feel like I'm not entitled to truly appreciate it, because I'm not one of "them." However, for the moment, I did take some time to enjoy that champagne while absorbing a breathtaking view of the city.
Some time ago, the Beverly Hills Hotel, where this bar is located, was acquired as a "trophy property" by the Sultan of Brunei. I have no clue if that accounts for some of the downright bizarre interior design choices in the newly remodeled bar-- I mean, it's all very stacks on deck (or whatever the cool slang for "a gaudy display of wealth" is now), but there's a way to do over the top opulence that doesn't scream insecurity, and unfortunately this bar seems to have missed the mark.
Our waiter started out rude and somewhat haughtily told us that we wouldn't be getting the edible cocktails (aka: jello shots) that we had ordered, but later seemed to calm a bit and offered alternative drink choices. The drinks were fine, I guess-- they were a little "prettier" than you'd get at a dive bar, but nothing to warrant the $18 average cost.
I was there with a party for LACMA's 35 and under crowd (although I guess it was "LA 35" because it seemed like with the exception of me, my best friend and a couple of other girls it was all people in their late 40s). It was hosted appetizers, so I can't say 100% that the bar was responsible for what was served, but the appetizers were just sort of "eh", but again, with a slightly better presentation than you'd get at your local pup.
Trust me, I understand better than most people that dining/drinking in Los Angeles is really just a real estate transaction-- I'm paying for a seat at the bar, and the cocktail is just sort of "cake", but let's be honest about this bar for a second-- it may be in the Beverly Hills Hotel, one of Los Angeles' best known landmarks, but it's still a HOTEL bar.
Also, I sort of got the impression that this type of place might be better suited for "working girls" and businessmen looking for company than anyone looking for a fun/wild night (unless of course you ARE a working girl or "commercial real estate broker").
Bottom line:
This is a difficult place to rank-- I mean, the decor, while trying awfully hard, was at least clean and someone's idea of swanky (just not mine), the drinks were tasty, and the service was adequate, but overall, the place is just "fine".
Oh yeah, and, the valet is $12, and no, they don't have change for your $20.
I'm sorry but I've gotta say that this girl loves it. Overpriced drinks but worth it. I love feeling like an arrogant socialite.
It's places like these that makes you ashamed at society.
It's straight out of an episode of Gossip Girl.
"Hip" twenty-somethings, every single one of them drinking, smoking, or both.
The security and waiters are cruel if you haven't been on television or in the movies.
If I can give you one piece of advice, it is to stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but to skip this bar.
This bar is fun for gathering with friends, when you want something easy and want to be able to chat. I love their festive drinks such as their champagne jello shots and cocktail popsicles. Their drinks are always top drawer. I love to order the million-dollar mojito. Its perfect! The atmosphere is nice, but you can definitely tell you are in a hotel. (Not in a bad way, but you can just tell.) The crowd is usually not that great because there are a lot of tourists and randoms but if you don't care about the crowd it is a fun spot. The bouncer is not tough and they serve little bowls of nuts and mozzarella. I enjoy this bar because you can sit outside and drink great drinks and be relaxed. Its nothing to write home about but I go at least twice a month and I always enjoy it.
