The Wellesbourne

6/4/2016

The Wellsebourne is a British library-themed bar with fancy cocktails, books on the wall, and bartenders wearing suspenders. I came here last night for a big birthday party, and there was plenty of space for us as well as other groups of various sizes.

PRO
*Spacious
*Good for large groups
*Good for couples
*Fun theme
*Fresh fruit cocktails

CON
*None that I could find.

6/19/2016

• 2 check-ins

Such a cool and sophisticated bar at an unlikely corner on Pico. You can easily drive past this place without noticing but the inside is quite unique. To quote a fellow yelper, it is like a "well-endowed law school library."

They have 3 rooms/sections: library (middle), lounge (left), game room (right). My favorite is the lounge with the cozy stone fireplace and large leather chairs. The décor is British, classy and old school; the vibe is lively yet laid back. I've come mostly on weekdays after dinner and it's never too crowded or too loud.

The craft cocktails are fancy and can take a while but they're really good. I was bumped that their Moscow mule wasn't served in the copper mug even though they were just hanging out on the shelf... Otherwise it would have been a five star establishment.

6/8/2016

A cool place for some great drinks and cool vibes.  This place is definitely a nice place for some friends to hang out and have a good drink or two.

I came here for a networking event, so we took up half of the venue. The place has a rustic feel and screams man cave with the dark woods, lighting, and furniture.  The drink selection was great and the bar tenders were very busy the whole night!

As for parking, there's a mall parking lot across the street for 4 hours free!

6/4/2016

Cool, laid back spot with good drinks.

But it doesn't give me that [clinches fist and pulls towards his chest] upmh!

The Wellsbourne is rather boring, but sometimes it's the environment I'm looking for.

Oh, the wings are bomb (they're honey glazed or orange glazed...too lazy to click the website).

5/19/2016

• 1 check-in

I'm really torn between 3 and 4 stars for this place. In my opinion, The Wellesbourne is a pretty standard-average bar, with above average decor. Nothing very noteworthy, per say, but no negative attributes either. The vibes were slightly off for me and I didn't enjoy my experience as much as I should have. Perhaps I was too drunk!

With a darker, romantic feel to it, I believe this spot is probably more suitable for a date or for an intimate, mellow night out with close friends. The atmosphere is warm, and feels like you're in a private library/living room in some rich person's house. They have a fireplace which adds to that feel. As we were with a large group celebrating a birthday, I'm not sure that this was the best option for us.

The bouncers and workers were pretty cool for the most part, however, it was kind of difficult to order at the bar. For a Saturday night, this bar was fairly crowded, and seemed like a popular spot in the area.

I would probably come back at some point, but it's definitely not high on my priority list. With many other great options in and around LA, I'm off to the next spot, and not looking back.

All in all, I'm glad I came here. The bouncer was awesome, the ambiance was dark yet inviting, and the drinks were good. Go ahead and give this place a try.

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  Fireplace ragin

  Fireplace ragin
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  The ambiance tho

  The ambiance tho

7/1/2016

• 1 check-in

Classy but fun library themed cocktail bar. They made a custom drink for my wife when she couldn't decide what to get. She loved it. Not usually crazy crowded but can get a little loud. Their drinks are delicious and strong enough... You get what you pay for.

3/23/2016

• 1 check-in

The Wellesbourne is the type of bar that always leaves me wanting more, but not necessarily in a good way. What I mean is that their drinks are good and the vibe is good, but it never gets to the next level. I can't say I've ever had a bad time here, but it's never been awesome either.

Other people seem to love it, though. And it's always full, plus the line outside is usually long. So maybe it's just me. Maybe I don't get the Wellesbourne.

I definitely don't want to discourage anyone from checking it out. In fact, I would love to get other people's opinions on this bar, because I really do find its popularity confusing. LOL!

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  The punch. Tasted a bit funny. Wouldn't order it again.

  The punch. Tasted a bit funny. Wouldn't order it again.
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5/4/2016

A relationship into your late 20s is often odd, in a sense. I've lived entire chapters that my boyfriend will never experience - he never saw my childhood home, nor had the chance to meet my aunt (or my first dog). There are friends he'll never hear about or meet, and when he does meet friends from ages ago, it's always odd for him to hear about how I was in what could only be described as a previous life. The same goes for him - there are people I'll never have the chance to meet, places he held dear that I can never be with him to experience - and one of them is Anna's.

Every year for 20 years, my boyfriend's birthday dinner was held at Anna's. He ordered the veal bolognese, noodles and a pink sauce, veal on top and a fried egg - at least, I think I'm remember this correctly. He would wax poetic about his birthday dinners, which now happen at Maestros, and how he missed those times. Sometimes when we encounter a bolognese I can almost feel him longing for Anna's. He doesn't really hold onto things, and those he does, it is clear that the memory is cherished. Unfortunately, Anna's closed maybe five years ago, six? In the beginning of the relationship I actually managed to find the number for one of the old owners to beg for the recipe but I chickened out at the last second and put the phone down. I don't have that number anymore, but part of me wants to go on a search to find it again.

Fast forward to present day, we were invited to a friend/coworker's birthday for drinks at this hip new place called the Wellesbourne. Trendy no doubt, unfortunately doesn't serve food until 11pm, but does make quite a drink. It gives the feel of a study in a mansion, without the old book and rich leather smell that, truly, it should to seal the ambience. This place is new, yes? Quite new. Couldn't be more than five years old, at least, younger?

It didn't click until later that the Wellesbourne had taken over Anna's. My boyfriend never brought it up, and enjoyed the night as if this is the way it always had been. The memory, even being in the same exact location, had been so well redone and polished that it bore zero resemblance to what once was, leaving no room for imagination of what used to be. At no point in the night could I even faintly feel the years of love, food, and family that once flowed between these walls, with people I'll never get to meet, the laughter and conversation they shared. I'd be lying if I didn't say it was sad for me, but that may be because I'm the sentimental type. Opposites attract, of course.

So let's raise a glass of their amazing drinks to Anna's - and to the Wellesbourne, where people can go to make new, and fond memories, together.

6/3/2016

I visited last week, and loved the vibe at the Wellesbourne. The middle area had lots of cool books, and to the right, they were playing old movies from the very early 1900s from one of the original filmmakers (which was very interesting to watch). The music was occasionally a mismatch for the darker wood British vibe that the decor implied, but was only distracting a couple of times.

The drinks themselves were decent, but one of them, the Grasshopper (a mint chocolate drink), was just a little off for our taste.

Overall, an enjoyable place to chill with a few friends.

4/28/2016

Stiff drinks - check.
Fancy mixologists - check.
Foosball table - check.
Shuffleboard - check.
Cozy couches - check.
Dim romantic mood - check.
Bathroom - check.
Food - uncheck.
Loud music - uncheck.
Pool tables - uncheck.
Dancing girls atop the bar - uncheck.
Priced reasonably - uncheck.

The drinks are pricy. Around $12 for a cocktail. BUT ... They are strong. Very strong. And it's always cool to see them squirt an orange peel onto the rim of an Old Fashioned while lighting it on fire.

1/30/2016

• 1 check-in

An upscale bar and lounge without the crazy prices.

I came here to catch up with a friend on Tuesday night and it was really cozy! It wasn't crowded at all so there was plenty of seating inside. There are three rooms: one room with sofas and lounge chairs, another with tables and booths, and another with a foosball and shuffleboard table.

I ordered a Greyhound (similar to a Screwdriver but with grapefruit juice instead) and it was sooooo yummy. Even yummier since it came without an obnoxious price tag. The crowd that was here was very friendly, as were the bartenders and bouncer. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area!

P.S. We found neighborhood parking but there are parking lots where you pay at the meter.

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  The Greybound! Grapefruit sister version of a Screwdriver. Super yummy!

  The Greybound! Grapefruit sister version of a Screwdriver. Super yummy!

11/23/2015

• 2 check-ins

The best Old Fashioned I've ever had!

You walk in and its dimly lit with comfortable chairs and couches. Make your way to the bar in the back, and order an Old Fashioned! The use all the right ingredients: single round ice cube, order peel, and it tastes awesome!

If you get there early enough, you'll lock in a spot to sit. There's a cozy fireplace or tables on the other side of the lounge. If you feel a little competitive after a few drinks, there's a shuffleboard table and foosball table.

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  Old Fashioned

  Old Fashioned

3/16/2016

• 1 check-in

Love this place to go out! It's not pitch black inside and you can actually have a conversation without music being too loud. This is definitely a more classy spot so I wouldn't recommend getting completely drunk here. Don't come in with your clubbing outfit on. Some people have suits on. They also have some complimentary water when you enter so it feels really nice to come in!

I got a pimm's cup and it was delicious! More sweet than alcohol flavor! They have some special whiskey drink here too but I forgot what its called (sorry i'm useless lol)

Bathroom line takes forever though.

Would I recommend it? Yes! Check it out!

3/4/2016

• 1 check-in

I love this place. It's a little more upscale, but we don't have too many places like this on the Westside. The decor inside is outstanding. It makes you feel all fancy and cozy with the bookshelves and fireplace. Whoever did the interior design.... major props!

I couldn't decide on a drink so the bartender did for me. I had some sort of strawberry cocktail that was on the menu. It was quite delicious but also a little too sugary. Would I order it again? Probably. I tried the Old Fashioned here too but thought it was a bit too strong.

They have valet and then there is also a lot really close by next to the Starbucks.

3/27/2016

• 1 check-in

This is my go-to local watering hole. Love the speakeasy vibe and the library-like decor.

If you're looking for a chill atmosphere, go on a weeknight. I would recommend Wednesdays as they have a live band playing and they have $15 whiskey flights (3 pairings of chocolate and liquor).

On weekends its more packed and harder to get a seat, but it's still super fun. They have shuffleboard and foosball too.

The nearby parking structure for Westside Pavillion offers 3 hours for free, and there are a ton of food options around as well.

6/30/2016

I absolutely loved this place!! From the unusual decor of this place to the yummy drinks! Very Nice!

6/12/2016

• 1 check-in

Nicely done. Lounge meets library. Good drinks. Solid service. And they have shuffle board. Need I say more.

7/18/2015

• 1 check-in

This was the cutest location and beautiful ambiance... But the menu only had three or four items and they were nothing too appealing so we had to leave to get food elsewhere.

The bartenders seemed very stressed out and there weren't many people there.  It was a wierd vibe, but it was a beautiful place!!!

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• See all photos from Kerri H. for The Wellesbourne

11/19/2015

• 1 check-in

I love this place. Atmosphere is great here. It feels like an old school English pub with superb drinks that are at most $10.

The receipts come in hollowed out books which keeps to the theme of the bar.

There's a fireplace and plenty of seating with couches. There is also a shuffleboard.

Only problem is that there is a single stall for bathrooms.

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  Fireside drinks

  Fireside drinks
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  Get cozy

  Get cozy

12/7/2015

I came here to grab a few drinks with a some friends on Friday and I really liked it. My favorite types of drinks are usually pretty and fruity cocktails and those types of drinks are typically hard to find. However, I ordered the Greyhound here - which is a vodka grapefruit drink and it was AMAZING. I wanted to have 10 more. The other important thing is that it was the perfect balance between fruity and strong. A lot of fruity drinks don't get the job done, but this one definitely did!

The place was not super crowded, and did not have a cover charge = both extra points! Also, free parking along the street. I think the only bad thing about this place is that it is kind of in the middle of nowhere so it would be hard to bar hop.