Old Lightning

"Before it closed down during the pandemic, one of LA’s best cocktail bars was hidden in a small, mid-century-ish lounge behind in Venice. Now, like wide-leg jeans, Old Lightning has made its big return. Expect a huge collection of rare spirits, classic cocktails, and sharply dressed bartenders. Reservations are required and can be " - Garrett Snyder

"One of the best special occasion bars in town, Old Lightning is a reservation-only spot behind Scopa Italian Roots in Venice. There’s a dress code, and you have to turn your phone in to the concierge before you’re led inside to an extremely rare liquor selection. They have excellent cocktails, but we always just order liquor flights - you name your favorite spirit and a price range, and they’ll bring you a sampling of three very different versions of it. One might be a Four Roses bourbon made just for this bar, another could be from a tiny Nashville distillery, and the last might be a handle from a distillery that closed 40 years ago. The liquors are sourced all different ways - mostly from auctions and estate sales." - brant cox, brett keating

"Old Lightning is a hidden speakeasy behind Scopa Italian Roots in Venice. While you’re here for the cocktails and extensive stock of bourbon, the most notable thing about this place might be that you have to check your cell phone at the door. No texts, no sexts, no Instagram. Real conversation is required and so are reservations." - brant cox

"Hidden behind Scopa Italian Roots in Venice, Old Lightning may sound like one of those contrived speakeasies you stopped going to years ago. It’s not. Yes, this reservation-only bar is tricky to get into (they’re only open on weekdays and spots fill up fast), but once inside, you’ll be treated to one of the largest and rarest collections of liquor in the country. The tiny space looks like a tiki-themed airport lounge from the 1960s, and if you want to take a photo, you won’t be able to - because they take everyone’s phone at the door. As far as the actual drinking goes, you can certainly order something off their cocktail list, but you should really do a tasting instead. Just name your liquor, and the amount of money you’re willing to drop (they range from $50 to $5,000), then spend the rest of the night sipping Oaxacan mezcal from a distillery that closed in the ’70s." - brant cox

"Now that you’re a working network actor (it’s just a co-star role, but who cares?), it’s time to start drinking like one. And that means you need a reservation. Head to Old Lightning, the speakeasy behind Scopa Italian Roots in Venice. Here you’ll find a tiny room that has one of the largest collections of rare liquor in the country and looks like a mix between a 1960s airport lounge and your uncle’s basement. There is a regular cocktail menu, but skip that and opt for one of the tasting flights. You’ll name your price (generally $50 and above) and they’ll build around that. It’s not a bad price point for sipping mezcal from a distillery that closed in the ’70s." - brant cox