The Far Bar

Elite '08

12

286

Maximillian M.

Los Angeles, CA

Nothing special, just a slightly claustrophobic brick-walled indoor/outdoor J-Town bar with only one beer on tap (Sapporo) and a seemingly 9-1 boy-girl ratio on weekends. Occasional live music, but not the greatest place in the city to experience it.

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16

12

Gina J.

Playa Vista, CA

This place was really fun!  I was there last weekend with a 3 other friends after stopping by Bordello Bar and we had a great time.  The DJ played a fun mix of music...80s, rock, hip hop.  The blue AMF shots were pretty tasty too.  

It has a long narrow outdoor patio and a small indoor bar.  Cool vibe.  I wouldn't describe it as a dive bar at all....I think the only people that would describe it as such haven't ever been to a real dive bar.

The bar staff was great too....we got the bartender to dance for us, he even hopped up on the bar to show off his moves.  

I would definitely go back.

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4

8

H. D.

Los Angeles, CA

I walked past this place two weeks ago and decided to come back.  I liked the fact that it's outdoor and easy to miss.  Almost gives it a secretive feel, like you have to be part of the in-crowd to find it... ok, maybe it just made ME feel as though I were cool and part of the in-crowd for finding it.  The ego boost alone is worth 4 stars! :)

The place had a nice vibe, lounge feel, with pretty good music playing.  It was an eclectic crowd, very LA.  I took my friend who was visiting from NJ last Saturday and he enjoyed himself.

The bar is HOPELESSLY straight.  And by this all I mean is this: there were a bunch of attractive young women dancing by the dj and not a single guy was dancing with them; they were invested in being the cool macho onlookers.  If my gay friends had been there we all would've been tearing up the dance floor.  Why let a good song go by "undanced?"  (Just coined a new word!)

Still, I did enjoy myself and would bring a friend along any time.  If you're a straight male and want to find a date it would be like shooting fish in a barrel-- at least it was that Saturday night.

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27

30

Thi Le L.

La Puente, CA

My favorite bar to date. I actually just call it the Alley, because it looks like it is in one with a bar to the far left side when you walk in.  

Nice and dark decor.  They play music but its not too loud where you have to yell into your friend's ear to make sure they heard what you are saying.  The crowd is quite mixed and looks like most of them just got out of work and needed a place to drink and hang out. There's an outdoor patio for smokers.

The drinks are reasonably priced 7 bucks for a captain and coke and I'm alrighty. The house mojitos are very good too, but definitely a girly drink.  The bartenders are super nice too.

Overall, if you're just looking for a place to hang out with your friends in a quiet and nice environment this is it.

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Elite '08

588

754

Mike L.

Norwalk, CA

This is NOT a dive bar. If you want one or want that kind of atmosphere, go to Bar 107 for that. This is more of a college hangout with some unique twist for nondescript courtyard outdoor palace.

It is well hidden and only a bouncer in the front will give you an idea that there is something going behind the front entrance door next to Chop Suey Restaurant. You walked inside through the narrow path and right in front of a outdoor patio. Then there is a bar inside a small room facing the outdoor patio.

Inside there is only a few table with some counter seats at the bar. When I say it's not a dive bar, I really mean it as majority of the drinks were imported bottles and the prices for the mix drinks were not exactly dirtaay or cheap.

Here's what I really thought of the ambiance and the mood of the place. It looked like your neighborhood back yard party filled with frat boys and sorority girls going out on a pool party. It so reminded me when I was younger where my pals or neighbors invites everyone over while the parents are away and having these beer galore all over the back yard.

What's so unappealing about this place was that since it's outdoor, smoking is all over the place and a loud beerfest can take place. As many described it, it is a much younger crowd such as glorified hipsters would take over this place on a Friday and a Saturday night.

The look of the place was weird too. It has high walls enclave over the patio. So you got the feeling of Wrigley field hoovering over you. It can be a good thing because after all, you don't want to see what's behind the wall as in like the parking lot and dumpsters. That would not be a pretty sight. Ewww....

Maybe it's cool to go on weeknight and hang with esteemed colleagues like Ken N. or Take T., but trust me....I felt like I'm the oldest one here at this joint trapped with the youngsters taking over backyard while the parents are away. Babysitting or chaperone is not my thing and I feeling that vibe for a better part of the night.

Potentials are there as the drinks are not bad of a price, but the scene of what I just witnessed will be hard to swallow (or inhale). It can crowded at the prime night scene hours at the courtyard.

It's safe to say "not my kind of scene".....and I'm not getting that old either.

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8

39

Lucky Jackson L.

Long Beach, CA

Used to be the spot in 2006.  We built up this little bar nestled in J-Town where the only people that were there, were: USC asian students, Dodgers fans who wanted one last drink before going home, old Japanese men who've been coming here since 1895, and our people who we promoted to.

Certain items on the menu are the bomb: Wasabi fries, albacore were favorites.

We threw this weekly on tuesday nites called INTERLUDE. we played Jazz, Soul, Conscious Hip Hop, and Reggae (on certain nights).  

This is where they get there much deserved: 1 Star.

This place screwed us. We put in time building up the spot, and they showed us no love.  We played good music, brought people down here, promoted the spot and they screwed us.  We bought flyers with our own money, and they didn't reimburse (like they promised).  We brought our own equipment, and gave minimal support.  They screwed over the only cook/chef that made the food so great.  Replaced.  

Although this spot SUCKS, I miss this spot cuz it had mad potential.  Too bad it sucks balls now.  F*ck this place now.  Ungrateful SOBs. Don't go here!  Boycott this place!

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Elite '08

141

308

Jay D.

Carlsbad, CA

While my friends and I waited for our table at Daikokuya down the street, we huddled in the Far Bar located at the end of an alley.  No fear, it's moderately lit and opens into an area for lounging.  The actual bar is further in.  It's small and cozy.

The bar tend was friendly and funny as were the other patrons.  Too bad I had given up alcohol for Lent, but that's okay, the coke was delicious. LOL (4 stars because I was sober.)

I watched my friends have a good time, and we're planning to go back - for more ramen of course.  Next time, I don't have to be straight edge.

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14

7

JENNY F.

Beverly Hills, CA

LIQUIDS: Thirst quenching
SOLIDS: Yummy
ATMOSPHERE: Chill
LOCATION: Hidden
SERVICE: Excellent
WALLET: $
NAME DROPPING: 'Sybil'  aka super bartender/ waitress
WHEN: Thursdays & Fridays

It's fun, friendly, casual yet intimate. A true hidden gem between 2 brick buildings.

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2

6

Antonio D.

Fountain Valley, CA

Where do I start? This place should be renamed The Farce Bar!!!! I walked in with a buddy who had visited this place once and he thought it was a cool place, "WRONG".   First,  we arrived here on Saturday night around 10:30.  We walked in through the back gate. There were many people , but not crowded at all. We headed straight for the bar. We grabbed two seats and just before we could order. This company plant sitting next to me told my friend to order the house special and that the bartender would take care of him. My friend replied, " we will see about that!"  we ordered a 7&7 and vodka tonic. The bartender who served our drinks is Asian about six feet plus, thin build, with hair spiked up in the middle like a punk Elvis. This bartender was and probably still is doing the Tom Cruise Cocktail act. This bartender was shaking the drinks smiling and talking, high 5ing, pointing fingers and laughing at all you idiots who buy this bull sh#$. Our drinks arrived  and we could not taste a drop of booze in them. I looked at my friend and said, " this is a weak drink and the only thing I can taste is the tonic." My friend replied, Yeah!!!! nothing in this" Now, here is the tangent. There is this guy sitting 4 or 5 seats away with his back to me and his girlfriend or wife facing me. She  looks good, nice tan, no bra, and anyone could see through the shirt she was wearing oh, it was a cool night so you know what else I saw. Well, she makes eye contact with me and it is on. I look and she looks and then, I look and see him holding her hand. She notices me looking at their hands, then she pulls her hand away. All of a sudden he turns and looks at me, then he kisses her. I laughed!!!! this told me a thing or two about the crowd. More people started to pour in and I could see that this bar is trendy, phony, pretentious, and made for cliques. It kind of reminds me of the OC. I decided to order another drink and give the bartender a chance to redeem himself, but during this time I was talking about how bad the drink was, is, and always will be. The female bartender was hearing every word. The Asian Tom Cruise went to the other side of the bar to mix the drinks; do his production of how to make a cocktail and not put a drop of booze in it, then make you pay $ 8:00 as if he hooked you up. I don't think it is right to have to order 14 drinks to catch a buzz ."GET THE FU$% OUT OF HERE !!!!!!!!!!!" Well, the next drinks arrived, but the female bartender made them. One of the drinks was a beer and you can't mess up beer. But this place can!!!! My beer was a dollar less than the cocktail. What the fuc%!!!!!Yeah, same crap!!!!!! Weak Weak drink and over priced beer!!!! what a scam, DAMN MAN!!!!! Do you think I am stupid?/ That I come to a bar that has all the hype?/ Oh, it is hidden!!! Yeah, and you walk down the alley way. Great, but how about my DRINK!!!!! This place is a scam and a farce "FARCE BAR". I guess by the rest of the reviews this place is great, but only if you started drinking yesterday and don't know any better. I have a PhD in Alcoholism, so I know. This is just my professional opinion. Tangent, We left and as I returned from the restroom I looked into the bar area and saw my girl and blew her a kiss as she looked up at me. I feel sorry for that  guy. He is a real winner!!! We left for Frank and Hanks

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2

9

stephanie v.

Cerritos, CA

This place is totally hidden.... Like as in if you weren't looking you would have no clue it was there. The place is literally in between two buildings, and to get in, it's like walking down a little alley. Once inside, almost all of the seating is outside, with a couple of comfy couches next to the bar entrance.

The bar itself is tiny, with usually only one person working it. The nights that I've been there were pretty much dead, but that can be a good thing if you're just looking to have a chill, low key night out drinking with some friends. I went there during the warmer months, so I'm not sure if their patio is heated since most of the chairs and tables are outside.

The staff is really friendly, and the manager even let my friend bring his DJ equipment to play music when we celebrated his birthday there on a Friday or Saturday night.

Don't know much about the food items, but the alcohol was decently priced.

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9

40

kyle n.

Rosemead, CA

i like it. it is a small and chill place. great open area and lighting. good service. reasonable price.

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Elite '08

44

87

babs c.

San Francisco, CA

super sweet secret spot. if you happen to find it please don't tell anyone else :)

(there would be 5 stars if it weren't for the awful euro-trash techno blaring above our table over dinner).

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41

63

Mister L.

Los Angeles, CA

The setup of this place is good.  When I first walked by this bar, I slightly saw the decorative lighting through a very narrow alley way and thought should I be entering through this way.  After walking through the alley way, it opened up to a long seating area with a bar at the end.  

As far as the service, I went here twice and both times they manage to mess up my drink.  It would be all good if I ordered something difficult but I usually order mandarin and tonic - the ingredients are in the name.  FYI to the bartender, be careful pouring the tonic water versus club soda.  Also, she needed to reference her bartender book to make our drinks.  However, they were nice enough to give me a new drink both times.  

This is a good place to chill outside on a nice evening.  It has nice charm to it and good for meeting up with people for pre-destination rituals (aka a few cocktails to get it started) because like most people write about this place it is pretty dead but I think it is sometimes a good thing depending on the goal.

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27

57

Xarene E.

Santa Monica, CA

This bar is a crack between two buildings.

G and I scratched out our other favourite downtown bar (107) and now go here instead. It's a great environment where you can have a conversation over your drink. I'm sick and tired of yelling or fake-nodding to conversation I can't hear.

They have a food menu from the restaurant next door, Chop Suey. The wasabi fries are GOOD and they have a decent number of vegetarian appetizer options.

Skyey, the bartender, likes to set the bar on fire with his specialty fire drinks. Not my thing, but fun to watch.

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2

32

Singha F.

Los Angeles, CA

Like others have written before, this place is a hidden gem, which explains why it was totally dead.  I  went on a Tuesday, so I can't speak for how it is on weekends, but if you're looking for a loud, crowded, bar scene, this place is not for you.  Love the cute outdoor area, which is a narrow alley with lights strung up across the top.  They have heating lamps too for when it's colder at night.  It's connected to Chop Suey Cafe so you can order food off their menu.   Bartender made pretty stiff drinks too....always a plus.  Decent music playing in the background as well.

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Elite '08

12

48

jess w.

South Pasadena, CA

This might be the smallest bar I've been to in a while -- it's about the size of my thumb.  But it's cute, there are tables to sit at, there's a bar, the acoustics are good in the alley way.  And I managed to run into a coworker and an alumna from my college.    

What more can I say?  I would totally come back, provided that it does not get mobbed by downtown lofters.  The DJ last night was good, chill.  (I have no idea what was going on during the Psyclone set though....)

Oh, they have a food menu here.  Just in case you didn't want to wrestle to get into Daikokuya.

Happy Hour every day 5pm-8pm ($1 off all drinks and 50% of appetizers)

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2

6

G C.

Los Angeles, CA

This is one of the hidden gems in Little Tokyo, at least for right now.  It's one of my favorite places to hang during a perfectly cool summer night.  The staff are friendly.  The environment is relaxed and you can order decent food from the restaurant it's connected to, the Far East Cafe.

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5

42

Carm S.

Downey, CA

Went to this place this past weekend and had a great time.  A friend of mine had set up a party at the bar and invited us. I had been to this location before for a club and wasn't impressed by it the first time but I am glad I gave it a second chance! The back bar has THE best bartenders! They were making us specialty cocktails all night and the best mojitos! I also recommend ordering the food there as well!! We got an order of egg rolls, chow mein, and beef broccoli all really tasty! This place seems like a cool , chill spot especially during the summer since the entire place save for the bar is al fresco.

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1

30

Angie T.

Monterey Park, CA

I went to this place for the first time last night with some friends and let me just say that the entrance to this place is COMPLETELY SHADY.. It's this little door held open by a string with a dingy piece of paper that says "FarBar"..

However, once you get past the entrance and the realization that you are about to enter a little alley corridor between two buildings of downtown at 11pm, it's allll good.

The place is clean and the ambiance is nice.  It was a Saturday night of a holiday weekend and there were maybe two other tables of people there.  The staff is amazingly friendly and courteous, and they have some good drinks there.

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Elite '08

49

264

niki n.

Cypress, CA

tiny, tiny, bar but the outdoor area has plenty of seating options outside in the alley.  sounds ghetto but it's not.  the alley space is sandwiched between the far east cafe/chop suey and a lovely brick building.  so when it's lit up with the soft yellow string lights it makes for a nice effect.  me likey.

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3

90

DANNY Q.

Los Angeles, CA

As I walked around looking for an ATM machine I saw the outside of this place. Very bright green neon light, this attracted me to look inside. There were a lot of people standing around they all had name tags on. It appeared as casino night as I was leaving because no waiter or host helped us, I heard a couple ask for the bar and we followed them all the way to the back and WOW!

It's truly another hidden bar in L.A.  As I entered the bar I was immediately greeted by a friendly waiter. Orange chicken and duck with almonds was worth stumbling into this place. The seating is outside makes it perfect for a night of drinking.

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Elite '08

185

206

Ken N.

Venice, CA

This is a great retro/hip/comfortable place that's part of the newly remodeled Far East Cafe.  You go all the way to the back of the film noirish, 1930s-style Chinese restaurant and emerge into first a brightly lit, nicely appointed little bar, but the real treat - maybe the "far" part of the Far Bar name - is outside.  Most of the seating area is al fresco, between two brick buildings, deeply embedded into one of those big ol' downtown blocks, preserved first by neglect, then by Historic Preservation.  The long, narrow, outdoor courtyard is filled with leather couches(!?), which doesn't seem like a good idea for the couches, but makes for a nice, comfortable drinking experience.  The feeling of being under the stars is accentuated by the strings and strings of twinkle lights overhead that create a kind of "ceiling" through which you can see the few stars that can shine through the downtown lights and the many planes heading towards a date with LAX, or conversely, a date with the world.  

This brick-lined haven feels like it could be anywhere, but the fact that it's right smack-dab in the middle of Little Tokyo, just down the hill from the Music Center, just a little ways from City Hall and Parker Center, makes me think that this great little spot has a great little future.

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8

71

matt p.

Los Angeles, CA

i've been here a few times and whenever i bring people they are impressed by the layout.  it's a cool brick alley with couches and xmas lights strung across.  definitely potential, but this place is ALWAYS dead.

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25

107

Jay M.

Los Angeles, CA

really friendly staff. a breath of fresh air in LA.

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