Bar Avoja
Cocktail bar · Hollywood
1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Highlights
Roman-inspired lounge with street food, pizza, cocktails
Roman-inspired lounge with street food, pizza, cocktails
"Bar Avoja, a new Roman-inspired cocktail lounge from acclaimed chef Evan Funke and Giancarlo Pagani, the managing partner of Mother Wolf Group, has landed in the short-lived former Mars cocktail bar space, tucked behind Mother Wolf. At the bar, Funke serves a menu influenced by handheld Roman street food, alongside folded and thin-crust pizza and cocktails. Frittatina di carbonara is filled with spaghetti swirled with guanciale, black pepper, and egg, while the puffy, folded Portafoglio is topped with oxtail meatballs and braised greens. Cocktails, wine, and mocktails are available to pair with Funke’s cooking at the reservations-only lounge. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest" - Matthew Kang
"Mars opened directly behind Mother Wolf in January 2024 but isn’t affiliated with the restaurant. Find a posh indoor-outdoor space, a carefully curated wine list, and cocktails that start at $20. The Apollo, shaken with Bacardi 8, pineapple rum, lime, crème de banane liqueur, and banana foam, is particularly noteworthy. Mars is open to the public, but rare spirits can only be held on-site for members shelling out $5,000 per year." - Mona Holmes, Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff
"Mars is a hidden cocktail lounge in Hollywood that wants to be a private members club. It’s mysterious as it is expensive, but fan away the cloud of exclusivity surrounding this place and you’ll realize it’s just a tiny room with sofas to drink on. Mars is tucked away directly behind Mother Wolf. The businesses aren’t related, but both share an affinity for the color red. If Elmo bought a Victorian estate with his Sesame Street residuals, it’d look like this place: red velvet couches, red rugs, and entire swaths of wall draped in red curtains. If you don’t care to dish out $5,000 for Mars’ annual membership—which includes access to their rare spirits collection and a personal liquor cabinet with your name on it—you can still stop by for a solid martini. You’ll need to reserve one of their couches, though, which are usually available on their website for same-day booking. Once 10pm rolls around and the DJ shows up, Mars goes from quiet lounge to miniature club, so book later if you’re looking for a party. Or maybe show up early and pace yourself with the drinks because they’re equally strong and pricey." - Sylvio Martins
"Mars is a hidden cocktail bar behind Hollywood’s Mother Wolf that’s red and mysterious like the planet. If the fancy $20 cocktails here—like the Belluci with mezcal, basil, and strawberry–black pepper syrup—aren’t enough of a splurge, Mars also gives you the option to purchase a “membership” for a measly $5,000 per year, which includes access to a private locker and the bar’s collection of rare spirits." - Sylvio Martins
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