Arroyo Club Opens in Highland Park With Easygoing Burgers and Cocktails | Eater LA

"Reopened in mid-January after a minor 2023 renovation, I found Arroyo Club repositioned from the old Cafe Birdie into a 2,200-square-foot cocktail lounge that still retains brasserie charm but now features new paint, indoor plants, updated furniture, and a reworked layout. Rather than operating as a standalone restaurant, it functions as a cocktail-forward room with food coming from the adjacent Hotline; customers can order via a QR-code menu through Arroyo Club’s app or from bartenders, and the Hotline burger window will offer bar bites such as beef or plant-based smash burgers, grilled cheese, and classic tater tots. Former Cafe Birdie barman Alejandro Santana developed a new cocktail program that mixes classics like margaritas and martinis with originals including the midnight kiss (rice-washed tequila, cinnamon, cold brew, amaro, and chocolate). The beverage list also includes a rotating natural wine selection (reds, whites, or a pet nat), beers, and a non-alcoholic cocktail menu. I noted the owners made the change partly to fit shifting dining habits and price sensitivities in the neighborhood." - Mona Holmes