Cold Shoulder Bar

Stumbled on this place by accident and was pleasantly surprised. From the outside it looks like a dive bar (which I also love), but inside it’s a stylish cocktail lounge with great vibes, cool decor, and great craft cocktails. Staff is pro and welcoming, and the hidden door to the bar next door is a fun surprise. Not sure what the couple bad reviews are about, some people are just professional complainers — this spot is great. It definitely doesn’t deserve a 3.9 score so I’m adding some good positivity.

Such a cute place! They have an upside down bookshelf that gives access to the next door bar. Upside down pictures of all USA presidents on the walls. Very interesting place! The drinks are a whole experience!

Unique and aesthetically pleasing space + drinks This is a super cute bar! :) Right across The Grove, it's a great date spot to start or end the night with. The drinks are all beautiful, especially the Rose Tattoo cocktail I ordered. I recommend it for those who prefer drinks on the sweeter side- super yummy! I also wanted to give a shoutout to the bartenders working who kept the bar space super clean. I noticed the attentiveness in keeping the bar space organized which shows in the quality of their drinks. Lastly, I loved the decor :) The stools on the ceiling and upside down paintings are conceptually unique. I especially liked the upside down chimney. Def recommend a visit!

I visited last weekend and had an uncomfortable experience. The bartender, who also claimed to be the manager, made me feel uneasy with his behavior. He had long hair and a beard, and his demeanor came off as creepy and unprofessional. I also overheard him mentioning being accused of something, which made me feel even more uncomfortable. I didn’t feel safe having him serve me drinks. I won’t be returning, and I’d advise other women to be cautious.

This is one of the only bars I’ve been to in LA where it is very craft cocktail focused. Every drink is very cool and has a lot going in. Bartenders were super nice, were more than happy to explain the drinks. I got the pine drink and my friend got the rum banana coffee drink and both were great. Ambience is 1000/10. Very special bar.

This bar now has a special place in my heart. Went here with my wife and a friend on a Sunday night and the ambiance was very enjoyable and fun without being overwhelming. They had classic rock playing so it was great hearing Led Zeppelin out in the wild. I tried the Fear and Loathing and the Volare Margarita and both were outstanding. Definitely don’t recommend the Fear and Loathing to anyone who hasn’t had absinthe before or like strong drinks because it packs a punch. Loved seeing the traditional way of having absinthe on the menu (sugar cube dissolved with water). The Volare Margarita didn’t even taste like a tequila drink! The Amaretto balanced the cocktail out so well and really brought out the nutty yet subtle flavor without it making the cocktail too sweet. We also tried the Mr. Roarke and Magnum PI and they were both delicious. The Mr. Roarke was so smooth that it felt like you were drinking an agua fresca. Their cocktail selection was generous and their mixology reminded us a lot of Death&Co. so we definitely can’t wait to return and try some other drinks on the menu.

I’m typing this review from my seat at Cold Shoulder because I’m genuinely stunned at how bad the cocktails were. We got 3 espresso martinis with curdling cream that tasted like a hint of espresso with a heap of alcohol, a gin-based bartender’s choice cocktail that tasted like gin Koolaid, a cocktail called “Monkey’s Business” which is an apt description for whatever these monstrosities are. I suppose I’m just befuddled at how bad it all was, across multiple people and multiple drinks. The pros: awesome ambience, very cool aesthetic, and it’s right next to Blue Collar if you want a good drink!

What an incredible experience! From the moment you step in, the vibe is unmatched. The drinks are not only delicious but also an interactive and fun experience. The attention to detail and creativity in every cocktail truly sets this place apart. Whether you're out with friends or on a date, it's a must-visit spot in LA. Can’t wait to return!

This place is so charming and cozy. It's a speakeasy that is hidden in the bar Blue Collar. You access it through a secret door. I love the quirky ambiance, complete with the upside down décor. I couldn't stop staring around. I love fun atmospheric vibes. They put me in a great mood. The drinks here must be made by top tier mixologists because they take their time making handcrafted cocktails that are too pretty to drink but so tasty you can't have just one. I especially love the beautiful menu. I have to know who crafted such an amazing menu with drawings of the cocktails. The drinks are categorized by the ways in which they are prepared (shaken, stirred) and they also identify the types of drinks so you have an idea of what it tastes like; earthy, sweet, savory or alcohol forward. I am sorry but that is so impressive and helpful in deciding which drinks you want to enjoy. There is plenty of street parking and the playlist is always fire. I highly recommend this place as a date night location. It's intimate yet super vibey.

It's crazy how I've been to the bar next door but never been here. Let's just say this place was a little hidden spot that needs to be visited. First off, the whole decor was excellent with everything being upside down. A cool concept. The artwork all upside down. Looking over to the bar, there's a rug on the ceiling as well as chairs. Pretty crazy but the whole vibe works. The menu is quite impressive with drinks. There's something for everyone. I could say it's a bit pricey but it's kind of stand now for a cocktail. But beer, that was a bit pricey. We had the lychee martini and the espresso. Called something else but they were both great. Waitress that took care of us was a doll, actually everyone that was working that night. The vibe was excellent, crowd seems more of a hipster scene. The piece de resistance, the book shelves along the wall was a secret sliding door that opens up to the bar next door. This place was nice. Great cocktail with friends or pop in for something at the bar.

It's like a sister bar right next to the Blue Collar, cool designs and different vibes inside. I liked the upside down ceilings, and it felt strange and also interesting. Their drinks have an emphasis on the whiskey. I liked it as much as the other bar, and I'd recommend trying both places.

This a a very cool bar. It is located inside of the Blue Collar as a "Speak Easy", complete with secret door. Once inside, everything on the walls is upside-down. It reminded me of falling into the hold that Alice did in Alice in Wonderland. The cocktail menu is full of interesting drink and the round up of liquor choices is also quite extensive. Cocktails will run you $20 - $25 but are really good. All garnishes are edible but they do also have chips and salsa for $6.

This is the speak easy section of Blue Collar. There's a secret door in Blue Collar that leads inside, but also they sometimes have the front door open. The interior of Cold Shoulder is very interesting; everything is upside down. It's low lighting which is great. It's a cute date spot. The drinks were really good! The prices are a tad high, but comprable to other bars in LA.

My friends and I came here for a drink one night. It's a "speakeasy" bar attached to Blue Collar, but pretty sure you can sometimes access it directly from the street. Very cool interior, everything is upside down and there are fake paintings of all the presidents plastered on the wall (also upside down). Large cocktail menu but not an overwhelming number of options, and everything is broken down by the liquor of choice. I ended up choosing a drink, I think something called an Italian Margarita. I wish I remember what was in it but it was nutty as described, and had a unique rim of sesame seeds on the glass which I loved. Really unique cocktail and it seems like all of them are that way! Hefty cocktail price but not too much of a surprise since you're at a cool speakeasy in LA. Also - LOVE the music in here. Think fun feel-good music that you know all the words to.

What a cool little bar! Everything is upside down on the ceilings and the drinks are very good. A little overpriced is my only complaint. Try the Magnum PI!

My favorite bar for date nights. Great atmosphere, tasty drinks and the service is timely considering how much attention goes into every detail. I'll be back :)

Delicious drinks and a fun spot, but drinks are v expensive, so it's fun to take visitors for 1 or 2 cocktails, but unfortunately won't be my regular neighborhood hangout. But you should pop in and check it out at least once!

Cool speakeasy with unique decoration (everything is upside down)! Some seats are right under or close to speakers playing music, so my friend and I switched tables to get as far away from the speaker as possible. Plenty of cool cocktail options in their menu! I'll be back!

Cold Shoulder Bar is a great spot to check out! Definitely not your everyday bar, but it's a great beginning or end of the night spot with friends who can appreciate an inventive cocktail. The ambiance is very fun - immediately after entering the bar you are transported to an upside down world. There's plenty to look at on the walls and the ceilings! Also, note that the door to get into the speakeasy is a sliding door. I struggled for a few seconds before the bartender at Blue Collar mimed to me to pull it to the left. As for drinks, I went for the Bugs Bunny which is one of their regular cocktails at $20. I wanted something unique and it definitely accomplished that. But a $20 cocktail with.... New Amsterdam Vodka?? Sheesh. And I'm sorry but the celery garnish was literally a limp piece of dirty celery which was kinda icky if you ask me. It definitely bended and did not snap haha All in all, cocktails are certainly tasty and fun and different, but nothing absolutely mind boggling.

One of the best craft cocktail bars in L.A! Unique setting, friendly and experienced bartenders, and exquisite cocktails.

This bar is awesome. Yes, the cocktails are on the expensive side, but they are excellently crafted and well worth it. The staff is so nice and the music is always fantastic. Love this place!!!

Love the ambiance and vibes of this place along with the unique cocktails. It's great for a small group or intimate date night. It is pricier with beers at $18 and cocktails starting at $20, but the drinks are well crafted and service attentive.

Stopped in here after dinner with friends last night around 8:00. Wasn't too busy. Music is always good. Drinks remain strong.

I loved this speakeasy, I'm kinda obsessed with these types of bars right now. I highly recommend it if you don't want to be around a young crowd and just relax and enjoy random people. Normally everyone is always friendly and just go for a vibe.

Unique and aesthetically pleasing space + drinks This is a super cute bar! :) Right across The Grove, it's a great date spot to start or end the night with. The drinks are all beautiful, especially the Rose Tattoo cocktail I ordered. I recommend it for those who prefer drinks on the sweeter side- super yummy! I also wanted to give a shoutout to the bartenders working who kept the bar space super clean. I noticed the attentiveness in keeping the bar space organized which shows in the quality of their drinks. Lastly, I loved the decor :) The stools on the ceiling and upside down paintings are conceptually unique. I especially liked the upside down chimney. Def recommend a visit!

Went here for drinks on Saturday! The concept is cool as everything is "upside down" in terms of decor. The drinks were delicious and I love that the menu for the specialty cocktails is pretty and descriptive. Ordered the dead presidents 10/10, & Mr. Something(it was a tequila drink with kiwi) 8/10. Bar tender was nice and gave interesting recommendations. All in all chill spot to have drink.

Wanted to have one more drink after dinner so stopped by Cold Shoulder thinking it was Blue Collar since I haven't been there in a while. Interior and design are fun, cool, and appealing as others have described. Would return for the ambiance. Unfortunately, we waited at the bar to get drinks and were not acknowledged for 10-15 minutes. There were about only 10 other people in Cold Shoulder, and one other person was waiting with us. There were two bartenders, and one was making drinks though he seemed like a novice. Not sure what the other was doing, but they were trying hard not to make eye contact with us. Finally got to order, and he said he would bring the drinks to us. It took another 10-15 minutes for us to get the drinks. Two drinks - $50. We enjoyed our time there, since the other people in my party were chatting away in a booth and didn't focus on the wait. My advice is to train your staff to be friendly when people arrive, and at least acknowledge them at the bar by saying that they'll be with you soon. And if your drinks are too complicated to make, then simplify your drink menu. And regarding the high drink prices...well, the market will dictate if it works and whether you stay in business. I hope you do.

Concept is great. Little speakeasy next to a well used watering hole, the Blue Collar bar. BUT like others have said it is pricey. once you get past that, the upside down nature of the bar at first may or may not be obvious at least not initially for me but then soaking it, lots of stuff is upside down. The DJ music was good and I felt like dancing so I did and that was fun. my friend and I did special fruity cocktails which were pretty tasty but I think with tax and tip got out after $50. not cheap. I'll go back but I have to be in a decent mood with a pocket loaded with $$$.

My daughter recommended the Blue Collar bar next door. But was a bit noisy so I walked next door to the Cold Shoulder. Exceptional ambiance with a color scheme and attention to detail. Highly recommend

Best dirty martini ever! The pickled onion in the middle was to die for!!! A little pricey but it IS a 3 ounce pour... I'd def go back! cute ambience. No food but a great little stop for a drink. Check out the upside down pictures on the wall. It's a secret. They will have to kill you if they tell you why lol

Front door wide open - not very "speakeasy". We were the only two customers (around 9pm on a Monday); bartender didn't acknowledge us and at some point there were three staff behind the bar (barback, bartender from the other side) chatting, on their phones, etc. We were told to order at the bar..... Drinks were just okay and $25 a pop.....not planning to return based on service, lack of sophistication, craft and price.

The drinks are amazing.... But for $20... though my peach drink was amazing The vibe is really cozy and the menus are very easy to read and browse.

Me and my friends have been coming to blue collar for some time now. Today we noticed a speakeasy opened next to it (accessible from inside of blue collar). Decor and music is great. Very vibrant. A good change from blue collar. We were very thrilled and excited. We all ordered espresso martini's (a go to drink for me). I have had good ones and bad ones in my time but this one I must say is absolutely terrible. I love espresso martinis, but this has got to be the worst one I have ever had in my life. The martini part alone (once you dig your lips through a thick and atrocious layer of "cream" or whatever they want to call it) was poorly balanced and just confused me. Then this very thick layer of "stuff" did not complement the drink in any way. Yes I powered through drinking this but this drink was so bad and unsatisfying. I would not recommend to anyone I know. Not even my worst enemy. 0/10 in the nicest Keith Lee voice. Btw*** We love blue collar and this should not reflect blue collar in any way. This is towards the new speakeasy within blue collar. Blue collar has always made spectacular drinks.

our friend group really enjoyed this bar!! it's a speakeasy where you enter through Blue Collar but the decor is fabulous and fun. Drinks were delish and typical for LA cocktail bars, around $20. but pay attention to the specialty cocktails because there is a page of $50 cocktails!! lastly, take note of the ice cubes such an amazing small touch

Intimate bar with great atmosphere! The cocktails offered were unique and amazing! You must try the MIDNIGHT IN PARIS or BLUE LAGOON! They have been playing good music but it doesn't bother the conversation. LA definitely has a place for this talented team and unique set of flavors

The only reason I am giving this new bar 1 star is the beer. You CANNOT and SHOULD NOT charge $18 dollars for a beer (tall boy or not) when your sister bar next door sells the same beer for $6..... WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?!?!?. Maybe you assume that your patrons cannot do basic math and don't realize that you're charging 100% more per ounce than your bar next door. I'll break it down for you.. at Blue Collar next door you charge $6 for a 12 ounce can of Salty Crew which is .50c/ounce. Cold shoulder bar charges $18 for a 19.2 ounce can of Salty Crew which is .938c/ounce. Which might I add is $3.49 at every liquor store in the city. Your beer is more expensive that a tall boy at the Dodgers or the US Open which even the players complained about! Your cocktails are great but when you're with someone who doesn't drink hard liquor, we almost walked out and will unfortunately never be returning. But congratulations on having the single most expensive and highest marked up can of beer in all of LA and outside or La Guardia airport (which was sued and sanctioned for price gouging) the most expensive can of beer I have ever seen in the world.

This bar now has a special place in my heart. Went here with my wife and a friend on a Sunday night and the ambiance was very enjoyable and fun without being overwhelming. They had classic rock playing so it was great hearing Led Zeppelin out in the wild. I tried the Fear and Loathing and the Volare Margarita and both were outstanding. Definitely don't recommend the Fear and Loathing to anyone who hasn't had absinthe before or like strong drinks because it packs a punch. Loved seeing the traditional way of having absinthe on the menu (sugar cube dissolved with water). The Volare Margarita didn't even taste like a tequila drink! The Amaretto balanced the cocktail out so well and really brought out the nutty yet subtle flavor without it making the cocktail too sweet. We also tried the Mr. Roarke and Magnum PI and they were both delicious. The Mr. Roarke was so smooth that it felt like you were drinking an agua fresca. Their cocktail selection was generous and their mixology reminded us a lot of Death&Co. so we definitely can't wait to return and try some other drinks on the menu.

We came here on a whim on a random Wednesday night and I was so glad we did. The decor inside was so cool. The wall curves and has wild pictures all the way up and all upside down. I thought it was so cool. Some other cool touches but definitely needs to be seen as it is so cool. The music was awesome. Every single song just aided in the experience. The bathroom was super clean but it is one single bathroom so I'm sure on a busy night that could pose a problem. Our server was so sweet and walked us through the menu a little bit as they are a new bar. She did know all of of the menu which was helpful. We ordered two tequila drinks. I got 2 of the Mr. Roake I believe it was. It has the kiwi. Both drinks were really good but the first one was slightly better. The second was missing the kiwi flavor while the first one it was front and center. The second also forgot to do the black salt but remembered the tajin. I will say the kiwi and tequila combo made it one of the top 5 best drinks I've ever had. So creative and balanced. It reminded me of kiwi Popsicles from when I was little. So creative and original. My bf got two smokey mezcal drinks. He liked both of them. The first had pineapple garnish and came with little chips which was super cute and the second one came with smoked peppers. He thought the second one was a little too smokey, so definitely for a big smokey flavor person. Overall I would definitely say we will be coming back for sure. I think the only thing to work on would be consistency with presentation and taste. I do think that will get better over time. So definitely try it our for a more mixologist experience and high end flavorful cocktails. Definitely wouldn't come here for just a beer.

Great little secret speakeasy bar within a bar ! Cool decor and ambience & awesome music BUT cocktails are hit or miss unfortunately 2 out of 5 from our group had to be sent back they were that bad but we would be back anyways overall experience was pretty good for a local neighborhood bar

I'm typing this review from my seat at Cold Shoulder because I'm genuinely stunned at how bad the cocktails were. We got 3 espresso martinis with curdling cream that tasted like a hint of espresso with a heap of alcohol, a gin-based bartender's choice cocktail that tasted like gin Koolaid, a cocktail called "Monkey's Business" which is an apt description for whatever these monstrosities are. I suppose I'm just befuddled at how bad it all was, across multiple people and multiple drinks. The pros: awesome ambience, very cool aesthetic, and it's right next to Blue Collar if you want a good drink!

Delightful cocktails, friendly bartenders, unique ambience. Missed the opportunity to continue theme in bathroom! Suggesting a gentler bulb in the loo

NOT a speakeasy at all. Walked right through an open door off the sidewalk. However, there is a bookcase that slides open on one wall to get to/from the bar next door (Blue Collar.) Ambiance was decent. Decor is kinda cool and unique. But the stools are very uncomfortable & wobbly. Felt like I was gonna fall off at times. We ordered 2 Tanqueray gin martinis with no vermouth. Asked for olives and cocktail onions. Both martinis came out with 2 martini olives and a blue cheese stuffed olive in each one. Not only did we not request them, but the blue cheese olives tasted terrible (old/stale cheese) and were apparently packed in olive oil as there were bubbles of oil floating on top of the martinis. Perhaps the worst martini I've ever had. And they charged us $60 for the 2 drinks before tip! Spend your time and money elsewhere.

Rude bartenders and they charged me $18 for a can of beer. The cocktail I had (Bugs Bunny) was terrible. This place tries too hard to be trendy but the poor service, sub par drinks and crazy prices are a hard no for a repeat visit.

20 minutes to be seen.. 20 minutes to get our drinks- I work in the industry... 3 bartenders it's unacceptable- get better servers - pretty doesn't mean quality service

Best Cocktail Bar we've ever been to. The design is insane. The details are everywhere. The staff are fun and helpful. The hand drawn menu unlike anything you will ever see. So beautiful. And the cocktails you will never find anywhere else.

Awesome atmosphere. Great Date spot. The cocktails are 100% worth it had a Root Beer cocktail that was amazing as well as an Espresso Martini that was super great.

Wow this place is fantastic. The drinks are so beautifully presented and the ingredients they use are fresh!!! The bartenders are extremely helpful when it comes to ordering drinks- explaining specific taste notes or suggesting a specific drink I might like as there are many to chose from the menu. Every one I have had so far was exceptional. Lychee martini- a must! Aperol spritz - amazing!! They use fresh orange juice- tastes like summer. Overall a beautiful bar. I highly recommend. Staff are extremely helpful and just a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a beautiful cocktail.

My favorite cocktail bar in the city! The cocktails are unbeatable and the food is amazing! I wanna try everything on their menu. Top service and lovely environment.

No drink prices are on the menu and I was pretty surprised when my 3 cocktails and a beer rang up a $75 tab. Just be aware of what you're ordering, I guess?

If you want delicious, unique cocktails come to Cold Shoulder. The atmosphere is great--awesome music and cool decor. The entrance through the bookcase is particularly cool. Every cocktail ordered was very thoughtfully curated and garnished. The bartenders are amazing and the servers are on top of it. Fun spot to hang out with friends or take a date!

These drinks are effing incredible, the vibes and decore are top notch. My number one new date spot. Also all the bartenders are ridiculously good looking.

Amazing decor! Unlike anything else in LA. Same team as Blue Collar and you can tell the same care and dedication has gone into every drink. There's something for everyone and these are strong drinks but well balanced.

One of the best speakeasy's with the most innovative tasty drinks and the best ambiance for a night out. Really fun vibe, great music, great experience. The owner is super nice and approachable, our server was so friendly and made sure we were having a great time, and the bartenders know exactly what they're doing because those drink were FABulous. Can't wait to go back here!