TWO LA COCKTAIL SPOTS LAND ON A LIST OF THE BEST NORTH AMERICAN BARS
Two Los Angeles bars were named to this year’s installment of North America’s 50 Best Bars. Thunderbolt in Historic Filipinotown was listed at number eight, while new entrant Mírate in Los Feliz was added to the list at number 46. Last year, Genever and Death & Company were also on the list along with Thunderbolt to represent Los Angeles, but the former closed, and the latter dropped off for this year.
The prestigious designation means two LA bars are represented in a list heavy with picks from New York City (which boasts 11 bars) and Mexico City (with eight). Thunderbolt was also given a special ‘Best in the West USA’ award for 2024, giving the Historic Filipinotown lounge an extra bit of bragging rights. Thunderbolt boasts fairly reasonable price points, with most drinks hovering $15-16, and a relaxed atmosphere in contrast to some of the list’s heavy hitters.
The list’s number one bar, Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, uses lab-created clarified juices, syrups, and cordials in a luxuriously appointed room hidden behind a black door. In contrast, Thunderbolt inserts Filipino flavors like pandan and coconut to complement the Southern-inflected food menu of fried chicken biscuits and pimento cheese poppers. A drink called La Frutera #3 is influenced by flavors from LA’s ubiquitous fruit carts with tequila, guanabana, smoked pineapple, and pumpkin seeds.
Thunderbolt co-owner Johneric Concordia told Eater that the 50 Best Bar designation and Best in the West are a “testament to the leadership and vision of Michael Capoferri and Rahul Marwuh,” as well an “incredible team that makes locals and visitors alike feel welcome.” Concordia called Thunderbolt the “people’s watering hole.”
New LA addition Mírate, however, does offer a pretty extravagant interior spread out over multiple floors and bars in Los Feliz. Bartender Max Reis designed modern Mexican-inflected cocktails paired with food from chef Joshua Gil. Reis told Eater on the phone that he was “massively proud for my team and so pumped for LA.” He also lauded Thunderbolt for retaining its high spot on the list.
“Personally, I’m proud that this bar isn’t focused on big brands but instead on small producers,” said Reis, who appreciates the openness that Mírate’s customers have had compared to his former base at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. In addition, he stresses Mírate’s approachability and neighborhood friendliness: “Our world-class well mezcal is just $8 a pour because we want to make sure locals can enjoy that repeatability.” Kudos to the two LA bars receiving these designations while still serving a mostly local clientele.