On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
Thanks to Minty, I finally made it to the Association via The Varnish. I was starting to feel like the last person in LA that hasn't been to both establishments.
Below is a little note I wrote to The Association. All in my head of course.
Dear The Association,
You are like the grown up version of the epic House Parties thrown by the cool kids in Highschool with their always overseas parents. Love that you are within seconds of a french dip place, that your front door has no markings, that the decor is plush and sexy.
You are loud with your obnoxious dance music and vain mirror covered "look at me" attitude. After a few drinks, you are a lethal combo that would only result in stupid dancing and picture snapping. But of course all good stupid things.
I'm not sure how your drinks are. But Minty did say that they were pretty good and more wallet friendly ($10) than The Varnish ($14.) Next time, I'll try not to get all hopped up on Cold Meds so I can partake in drinking of the KoolAid.
I like you so much that I might even turn the other cheek about that greasy guy that tried to touch my eyes as he blurted out " I like your eyes" like a psycho.
So I will come back....with a pair of shades on.
Love Always,
Cakey
this is where you gold plate your scrotum and get your martini enema on!
Bringing a little bit of hollywood to skid row...Where can I find a good piece of shit bar anymore 107 is the closest but doesn't ever hold up to old times there
might have to rock King Edwards on loa angeles ave and hope all the poodle manicuring stainless steel appliance having fools dont fuck it up...
No bright neon sign, so it's semi hard to find...Not to mention you're driving around skid row looking for this joint.
Alright.. So it was my friend's birthday. I didn't even have any drinks, but this joint was a-ok aiiiiite.
Uhhh the bathroom smelled like butter for strange reason. A girl was charging her iphone in the electric outlet next to the sink. So i'm guessing she was going to stand around the bathroom for an hour or two??? Whatever.
Okay, so one of my friend's boyfriend's is black. He's a mad cool guy, and he dresses decent. Tell me why the fucking bouncer said he wasn't going to let him in because his dress shirt was not buttoned up all the way? He was either 1) pulling some fashionista bullshit or 2) being racist because I saw fools in there with tshirts and sneakers on, and PLENTY of guys with dress shirts unbuttoned.
WHATEVERS SOCAL!!! You and your superficialness..I can only take it in weekend doses *ugh* /rant.
The first time I went to the Association, it was a crowded, scene-y weekend night and I kind of wanted to flee immediately. Fun, but a claustrophobe's nightmare.
The second time I went, it was early on a Friday night, and there was only a smattering of people at the bar. The amiable, mustachioed bartender chatted with me and my friend as he made us our deathly strong and incredibly smooth old-fashioned drinks, and told us endlessly fascinating stories about the history of cocktails and spirits.
(I should also mention that I'm so ditzy that by the second time I went to the Association, I had forgotten the name of the place and totally thought I was in the Varnish, which, to be fair, I had never gone to. Oopsie.)
Loved the Association, and would totally go back on a weeknight to avoid the crowds.
Dim-lit Upscale Speakeasy specializing in cocktails
Full bar, lounge seating, scarce street parking/pay lot parking, and yes the bartenders are pretty hot.
Just a black door with an animal adornment knocker (it doesn't, though.) that looks like it belongs on the haunted house on the hill beckons "members" of the Association. You don't need to be a member to get in, but you sure feel like part of a secret downtown club upon entering.
I have come to avoid the word speakeasy just because I think it does a descriptive disservice to any venue that just happens to be dark with bartenders who are gifted with exceptional facial hair or suspender-wearing mixologists. So, when I mentioned this to one of the bartenders (who looked suspiciously like one of the barbacks - come to find out they are a set of adorable brothers) he mentioned that the owner wanted it to have a very British feel, and so deemed it a "proper boozer" and right-e-oh he was! The drink specials were delicious and well-priced (was there for Bryan K.'s Tweetsgiving event). My friend and I opted for two of the more bubbly variety and were pleasantly surprised with the bill ($12 total for the two drinks served in champagne flutes) and the taste. Each had a brandy cherry at the bottom, which was a new twist for the both of us (she liked it, I hated it!). After having a good amount of time chatting with the bartenders one of them offered to make me a drink of my choosing, so I told him I preferred something more tart than sweet - like my personality. He concocted a little glass of gorgeous. I think I might have sucked it down before I could even say "cheers, mate."
Needless to say, I will continue to associate with the Association.
I'm giving this a place a three. The place is pretty big for a DTLA bar and lots of places to sit. It has potential but I'm going to give it a three (wasn't quite bad enough for a 2).
1) It's too dark in there. If knew I would need NVGs to see my buddies I would have gone to a surplus store before hand.
2) It's overcrowded. Just because I can't see anyone doesn't I mean I can't feel that there's more people than there needs to be in there.
I guess if you live in the area or are there for the Art Walk it's a cool place but if you don't, it isn't really worth your time to drive in from anywhere just to go here.
Fuck this pretentious, expensive ass douche-cave!
If it wasn't for the far reaching, speakeasy style ambiance that this place was going for, it would have absolutely not clout.
Maybe I'm biased, and spoiled by being able to casually cruise into the local places I enjoy with shorts and no attitude...
Bottom Line: The association is pricey, with lots of eye candy. Great for a night of dressing up, wac for a night of casual bar drinking and philosophizing.
We stopped in for a bar crawl and I have to say coming in on a busy Friday night wasn't a great scene. It was way too loud and busy.
But I still had a great time with the bartenders and my drink was made well. I had my usual Derby drink ($10) and we managed to score on the lounge seating.
I did have to deal with some drunk fool breathing on me for a while. That's when I jammed out of there.
Great music!
I really can't think of a reason why I would give this place anything but 5-stars since I had such a… Read more »
Granted, I arrived at The Association pretty early on a Thursday night, there was no hassle getting inside besides the subtlety of the actual entrance. The entrance is located below street-level and is manned by a single door-man; there isn't a sign above the door. However, overcoming my pride and simply asking the man if I was in the right place, he opened the door and was quite pleasant.
Inside, the lounge has an old-time members only vibe. Leather tufted furniture and dim lighting provide a timeless classic decor. The bar staff was pleasantly well trained.
The place wasn't too large or too small- it felt comfortable. The Association is a perfect contribution to the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles.
Great old school throw back decor. BUT, bartender and waitress super unfriendly. My friend and I had walked quite a bit from work to get there. We had originally planned on going to the Edison, but was closed for a private party.
We finally made it to the association, tired, thirsty, and with ouchy feet, we were not welcomed warmly. Call me crazy, but there is something to say about walking in to a place and be greeted with a smile and hey, how are you doing?
The bartender ignored us for a bit and he gave us the menu after I asked. There was no prices on the drink list so I inquired with the bartender about any happy hour deals. He snottily replied no happy hour but all drinks are $10 and condecendingly proceeded to tell me how that is a good price in LA (thanks for the tip buddy!). We had also asked to start with some water while we were deciding as we were quite parched, but no water.
We inquired if he would be able to call us a taxi on his way out and he replied super sarcastically and told us if we coudln't walk he would call one.
We made our way over to one of the couches under the mirrored chandeliers (very cool). Proceeded to be ignored by the waitress and had to politely get her attention after several attempts.
Cool decor, staff stuck up, place was dead, no happy hour prices, eh, not sure if I will return.
The Association was a great lounge for drinking. We got there early and there were plenty of seats around 9:30. It got more crowded around 10-11. There were a lot of parking lots around the area.
If you are looking for a bar that sells food, this is not the place. The waitresses could be more attentive and the place needed better lighting.
Ok so we came here on a tuesday night, not too much going on it was actually my first time coming down to this place a friend recommended it to me, So after leaving seven grand we decided to paint the town and walk down to the association, so once we got there we weren't too sure where the bar was, but we recognized the door on the yelp pictures and walked right in! I have to say the set up of this lounge is amazing, I thought it was throw back, its a very sexy spot to bring a date, yes I said sexy! But the thing I also noticed was it smelled like cheese, the drinks were pretty pricey though, they weren't exactly friend prices. But I think I would give this place a second chance just because I like the set up, would I recommend it, umm ya i'd say give it a shot!
I had never been so decided to meet my cousin there, but when the BF and I arrived, I noticed a line and decided to go to Cole's first
I just would rather not waste my time in lines anymore, I rarely go out so when I do I'd like to enjoy myself
After one drink at Coles we tried again and got in fast... I was pleasantly surprised once inside, the vibe is good, music is good, bathrooms are nice, overall pretty cool
I had the pearfecta and thought it was delish :)
toward the end of the night I witnessed some party foul behavior taking place so...
ghetto fabulous girls please take note:
just because this place is down the street from where Stock Exchange used to be does not mean you belong here
leave your drunken feistyness in the Alhambra bars or Vertigos
k thx bai
Yuck Fou Association! You may be all loungey- but what's with all the God Forsaken delicious rum cocktails? Don't you know Rum and I have history... a bad history and now here you go 'mixing' up trouble.... 'Stirring' up some shite!
You give me headaches for days with your note worthy cock.... tails... Come on... I'm a lady, what'd you think I was trying to imply... ... ... ... I just... ... li...ke to use ellipses whenever I feel like it... same rules apply to smoking crack.
Um, really though, it's loungey looking and stuff, but what's with the football game being on. In case you haven't noticed Association, when I'm paying $12 a drink I want some fricking ambiance, you stupid slut! Just for that, no un-sloppy seconds. Boo!
Although the place has got a cool vibe, the bartenders have been cocky, nose in air, think they're better than everyone else a-holes.
After not being satisfied with a miserably tasting drink, I asked the bartender for a different drink (politely). Not only did he give adolescent attitude, but he charged me for the beer. That spells man service you black vested men!
Nothing special... not worth waiting in line if there is one.
Interesting mixed drinks menu though.
Oddly, I went once on a Monday with a friend, and they had football on, I thought that was a little weird.
This bar/lounge is one of those places you take first timers to in order to impress them with your coolness factor.
The vibe is lush and sexy, but not pretentious.
The drinks are fancy and complex, but not overworked.
The crowd is cool and trendy, but not snobby.
Basically it's everything you like about LA, but not LA like.
Me likey
You should too
More of a lounge than varnish (next door) so its a better place to meet people, but be careful--it is so dark you might end up leaving with a girl, only to realize she only looked decent because she was wearing more face paint than Mona Lisa. Luckily you can flee into nearby skid row, hide in a tent and she will probably not follow you.
The drinks are also very good, just not quite as good as varnish (but is anywhere?). I still have yet to be impressed by the music, but it is across the street from my house and I love the old-time, classy, speakeasy vibe.
What place lets you do the following things?
- give lap dances to the birthday girl
- spill drinks on random people
- get hit on by girls
- get kicked out for being too drunk
- bum a cigarette from the door guy
- almost got pushed in front of a car
- getting to use a bathroom that smells like garlic
- having a nice little talk with the hottest server name Audra
- and substituted shots with patron since they didn't have SoCo??
I like this place.
Three reasons why certain girls are annoying at bars:
1. Huge purses - stop stabbing me in the back…
Read more »
I went to this place with a group of girls after a work gathering. This place is kind of hard to find because there is no sign saying "Association Bar." It's right next to Coles, and it's a little black door with a number.
As soon as I walked in I thought I was going to trip. It was SO dark in there. They have plenty of seating, but get there early before it's all taken and a line starts form outside.
And don't forget that street parking in LA is free after 6pm. Don't park in the structures.
I went because of the hype on yelp. It wasn't all that great. Inside it was really dark and crowded. Music was good but really loud. I dunno how people talk amongst themselves inside there. Well I am new to the lounge scene so I still have the notion in my head that people lounge and chat and music is no higher than 90 decibels.
Drinks were pretty good I cannot lie about that.
Its pretty small in there compared to the Edison. I think the bar outside is cooler place to hang out.
This place is classy. I love it.
Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised to see a busy but relaxed environment full of many different kinds of people. The mix of music was so fun - starting with classic Oldies and then evolving into some newer hits like MGMT. I would have liked to see a bit more people dancing, but I don't really think it's that kind of place.
The drinks were decently priced and well made - even my gin and tonic (which I'm surprised can ever be messed up) was strong and tasty. I dug the seating area to the right of the bar and how you didn't need to order a bottle to take advantage of it.
Screw Hollywood - I'll definitely be back here!
The bartenders make pretty good sours here. If you are a guy, try their whiskey sour. If you're a girl, try their amaretto sour. You will be pleased!
Not too glitzy, not too expensive. Not a bad choice at all!
Came here after Crocker Club last night. Met a guy there that told us about this place. If there's any Valley kids out there imagine Sapphire but bigger and with a DJ not just juke box. I had an absolutely good time hanging at the bar and talking to random people. I got a glass of Reisling ($10).. it was pretty good. Again a diverse crowd- some people really casual in jeans and others in a dress shirt and slacks- probably because of the Art Walk but everyone was cool, just chattin around with whoever was in close proximity. Great vibe.
The alcohol selection is impressive. The bartenders were really attentive too. My friend opted not to drink and just about every bartender asked if she wanted a drink and when she kindly declined they happily offered water.
I didn't walk around the place so I can't comment on décor or what not. The bathroom was ok. They should've stocked up on extra toilet paper in the stalls since there's no attendant there but whatevs, that what the toilet seat cover doubles as. Hahah.
Short review- I haven't had this good of a time just hanging out and chattin with random people in a long time. I'll definitely be back :)
This is a newer, fun bar downtown next door to Coles and Varnish. It's upscale and classy, but casual. They pour a great drink and the bartenders are super friendly. They don't have a dresscode that I know of, but if you come in wearing flip flops you will probably stand out.
Visually this bar is simple but very cool. I would recommend it for groups or a date. On Sunday night it wasn't very busy, but I can imagine it gets crowded Thurs-Sat.
I plan on going back soon and moonwalking. In flip flops. See you there.
I came here for a birthday party and was quite surprised by how laid-back the place was. We came here a little before 10:30pm and noticed the place wasn't too packed. But it did start to get pretty crowded after 11. I really liked how there was ample seating for people and even stools at the bar to sit on.
But overall, the vibe was great. The music was diverse enough for most people to enjoy. BTW, the drinks are VERY strong so be careful. I have a high alcohol tolerance, but just three Old Cubans left me pretty intoxicated.
Also, there are no signs indicating the location. Just look for a big old-fashioned looking black door with the number 110 on it.
Parking is street or you can pay to park in the lots around the area for $5-10. Just be careful because a block away is the infamous "Skid Row" so try to park off of Main St.
The Association is my favorite spot in Downtown to grab a cocktail. Management never lets you down, and the drinks are quality, quality, quality.
There are some who would dock a star or two because they don't carry beer - that's okay, you wouldn't like this place anyway. They don't have food aside from small cheese plates.
Again, this place is all about the classic and newfangled cocktails that switch out seasonally. The crowd is mostly Downtowners and their Westside/Silver Lake friends - a great mix of suits, hipsters, gays and commuters.
Check out Local Mondays and Twitter Tuesdays for $2 off their already decent drink prices during certain hours.
I have been to The Association two time and each time was impressed by the courtesy and expertise of the baertenders. They prefer NOT to be called mixologists. The drinks are perfect, original recipe, traditional cocktails "old school". They also have a great cheese and salami plate which is good to munch on with cocktails before dinner. Great place. I've only been on Mondays and Tuesdays, great for chatting with friends, it is quiet during those times and I prefer that. I imagine it is crazy on the weekends. I hope they last a long time.
I knew I reached a different stage in my life when on my recent birthday I was given gift cards to Crate & Barrel to furnish my new apartment and not an onslaught of drinks which in the past has led to the predicament of having my head stuck in a hand dryer located in a ladies restroom in Tokyo (2008). Instead, those little plastic monetary credits swiped something inside me. I began to get really angry at the mid 20's status quo bar. And I totally recognize the snobby douchebaggery nature of this, but I couldn't control it.
I wanted to tell these bars that they could depend on me and then I would drop them during a trust fall exercise. I wanted to take these bars out to an expensive dinner, excuse myself to use the restroom, go out the back door through the kitchen, and leave them with the $300 bill. I wanted to get these bars pregnant, break up with them. deny child support, and then run away to Belize with the bars' best friend. I wanted to...
Then came along The Association, the light at the end of my dark and raging tunnel. Here hidden in the bowels of an underdeveloped downtown is a slick bar. A bar that doesn't demand a cover to experience the hand crafted drinks from its tenders or the smiles of its gorgeous servers. Sitting either at the long bar or the comfortable leather booths lining the walls; its hard to not sense that this place takes its image seriously. A door located below street level, bartenders and servers in oxfords, slacks, and pencil skirts, low very low lighting, a music selection which will never play Don't Stop Believing (no offense Journey you guys are awesome), and a crowd that naturally selects itself because of The Association's somewhat seedy location. There will def be no drunken broskie bar crawls ending here.
I like this place. And think I can grow to love it. But on a weeknight moreso than on the weekend.
Things that would bring me back:
I loved the non-descript entrance to this bar, even if the stairs may not be your friend on the way out. The decor inside holds its own- great leather seating, Las Vegas casino carpeting, and dim lightting.
The drinks are quite strong. I'm still trying to remember what else went into the Indian Summer besides grapefruit and mint leaves. I loved that drink, but I was seriously tipsy halfway through my drink. You bet, I'd order it again. And the bartenders do live up to the hype: Not only are they good looking, they are also super attentive. What a great combination.
Why I'll stay away on the weekends:
Mostly because there were a lot people there, which took away some of the lounge-feeling, if you will. I also was not crazy about the dj on this particular night, for instance playing Peter Bjorn and following with Naughty by Nature... uh, i just don't know about that.
But like I said, I would definitely go back.
I made a tragic mistake and walked in this door when I meant to check out the Varnish in Cole's. (and thought I was in the Varnish all night and wondered what everyone else was raving about).
Let's keep this short and sweet. This bar could change its name to:
The Association of Men in Ed Hardy T's and the Women Who Love Them
if that's your scene, run--don't walk--to the AMEHTWWLT. I'll do you a favor and help keep lines short by never returning.
Hands down my favorite bar/lounge in LA. Although I havnt experienced at all what the city has to offer here, this place was absolutely amazing. I love the old-hotel type decor, the drinks were yummy and cheap, and I can never say no to a bar that you can sit around and talk to your friends (hence, a lounge). I am going back here for sure.
Oh, and the crowd is really mixed which I love. Although I'm Asian and my friends that I went with were Asian, I don't enjoy bars that are exclusively so. The crowd here at the Association was very mixed, and very friendly, and not at all pretentious.
I know I'm gonna catch hell for this review but one thing you will have to accept is my brutal honesty. I'm an Asian girl that DON"T like hangin out with my own. Call me a banana, a twinkie, a cream puff. Whatever label you want to stamp on my slanted eyes but this is who I am. When I see a bunch of my people standing there fu*kin around on their damn phones, the girls trying desperately to pull off a pseudo version of a pathetic Paris Hilton, taking pictures of themselves, waving peace signs, I just want cut their fingers off and throw' em in the gutter. So sad. "Why, my people?! WHY?!!!!"
The Association is a great lookin bar. Other than that, for me, it's like going to a family reunion, meeting your distant relatives for the first time. NO THANKS...NEXT...
If you're an Asianphile.... this place is hog heaven. (although, you people freak me out even more.)
THANK GAWD FOR VARNISH... and Coles.
look for a black door to the right of cole's, cuz there is no sign called the association. this place is solid. it's everything good you'd expect from a bar/lounge. the best part is that it's down to earth. none of that hollywood swag be necessary. The only downside to this place is that it gets pretty packed on weekend evenings. there's a line, but the wait only lasts a few minutes.
the service from the waitresses is awesome, the bartenders are cool, and they have their own menu of super tasty mixed drinks. careful, cuz that shit goes down like juice, and it'll mess you up rather quick! it's pretty damn dark inside, but you gotta have something to make people look attractive right? this is my go to spot, but probably because i live right upstairs.
I don't go downtown often, but if I do, I tell friends to meet me here.
The bar rocks, awesome music (ranged from Brown-Eyed Girl, to whatever the current hits are, I think it was that Black-Eyed peas song or something). The drinks remind me of NYC, classic drinks, and some house ones that you can't really find anywhere. Tasty.
People there, all trendy folk, young, I was there during an art walk too, so very cool crowd.
IF you are partying downtown, hit this place up, you won't be disappointed.
Trust.
Just wish they had bars like this in the Valley!
Yet another place has been added on my list of dark and sexy. Success!
One of my best friends and I work in DTLA and the major perk is checking out the bars nearby afterwards. This could potentially get dangerous. Oh well...
How do you know you're standing in front of The Association? There's no sign, just an awesome black door with a knocker shaped like a lion's head. SWEET.
The bartenders here are absolutely amazing and extremely attentive. I got a Pisco Sour and all I have to say about that is: the man knows how to mix. While one bartender was concocting my poison for the night, another came up to my friend and I and asked if we needed some water. Let me just say, that doesn't happen often. My second drink was whatever the bartender recommended, which ended up being a whiskey and vermouth mix. Also amazing. Thanks dude!
One of the waitresses was also extremely attentive and kept cleaning our area and bringing us refills of water. She's also my new crush but I promise that's not why she was so awesome.
The music, the crowd, the vibe... everything was perfect. I do recommend getting here a bit early because after a while you may have to wait a long time to get in. Another recommendation: this place could make an awesome date location. Now time to find a date...
A solid 4.5 stars!
One of my friends celebrated her birthday here this past week -- I was lucky that she had been there before, otherwise I never would have found it! There is no sign, so really you're just looking for the door with the bouncer standing outside of it.
A great lounge with some pretty good specialty cocktails -- I noticed that the menu I ordered from this week is slightly different than the one Tony C. posted as a picture, so they must change it up every so often. I probably tried just about every drink on the menu (a nice perk of going out with a larger group!) but I think the first one I ordered (the Bramble, made with fresh blackberry juice) was the best. And the cocktails on the menu were $10 -- much better than a lot of bars I've been to, but not cheap by any means.
I felt like I was taken back a few decades with the decor and the lighting was certainly missing (obviously this isn't where the cocktail price is going), but I missed the huge crowds that other yelpers have talked about. Maybe because it was a Thursday, but I didn't think it was too crowded at all. The music was a nice mix of oldies but goodies and newer stuff.
A fun place that I wouldn't mind visiting again!
***4.5 Stars***
The peeps who designed this place really know how to inject Miximal Feng Shui into the nightlife universe.
Long-ass bar with lotsa seating. how do i know? b/c arriving w an old friend visiting from outta town on a thurs and rolling in around midnite (primetime packedness), we were still able to snag a few stools.
Plenty of space between the bar and the swanky sofa section to mingle or, in the case of last nite, see it optioned as a makeshift dancefloor for all the M.J. Mourners sweating out their grief in a neverending marathon of Mamasaymammasamamakooosa moments.
I swear i saw at least one or three attempts to recreate Moonwalking Magic, but then again perhaps it was just my cross-eyed hallucinatory whiskey buzz kickin' in.
I imagine the everyday tunes are stellar, but have no real way to judge due to monopoly of everything Jacko on this fateful day of his passing.
Bonus was the hangout loungy nook off the corner of the bar we eventually migrated to and found some like-minded jolly peeps of eclectic stripes and colors.
Drinks are not cheap but neither are they outrageous.
No pretense at the door and no cover also make me-a-likey!
DONE. and FUN!
Celebrated my bday there last weekend and it was fun-fun-FUN! We were able to secure a cool spot by the DJ.
My new fav cocktail - Old Cuban! Yum!
New thing: Not suppose to have cupcakes inside. If you are you must eat it outside. But if you give the staff cupcakes - they wouldn't mind turning a blind eye. ;)
Will I go back? I will next week!
I have been to The Association quite a number of times now - and I have become a fan. It is a good… Read more »
Late Night Happy Hour
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Lucky Hour from 4-7pm weekdays
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Dive Bars
Neighborhood: Westlake
Category: Lawyers
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Hotels
Places or things I probably never would know about…
under construction... still have lots of places ot…
Join me at some of my favorite Downtown Los…
My list of the absolute best places to go in Los…
I don't club, I don't bar-hop, I drink. And…
Here's a compilation of different places (not…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
places that I have encountered nice restrooms.…
