Old Lightning
Bar · Venice
2905 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Highlights
Rare spirits, innovative cocktails, intimate mid-century lounge
Rare spirits, innovative cocktails, intimate mid-century lounge
"A cozy mid-century lounge tucked behind an Italian restaurant in Venice, notable for its aquamarine tones and a cellar of dead-stock vintage spirits accumulated at estate sales and defunct hotel bars. Owners with deep experience hunting rare bottles can guide tasting flights of these finds; while many menu cocktails are classic, they’re competently executed. The Herbie Special is a playful tiki-style choice—marshmallow-infused Jamaican rum with maraschino liqueur, pineapple, orgeat, coconut cream, and bitters." - ByEsther Tseng
"Before closing down for a few years during the pandemic, one of LA’s most unique bars was hidden in a mellow, intimate, mid-century-ish lounge accessible via a secret entrance behind Scopa Italian Roots in Venice. Now, like wide-leg jeans, Old Lightning has made its return. The main draw here is the huge collection of rare and vintage spirits, some of which cost as much as a full steak dinner for a single pour. The sharply dressed bartenders make solid classic cocktails too, but if you're coming here for a classy night out like everyone else in the room, don’t be surprised if someone talks you into trying a 20-year-old scotch. Reservations are required." - sylvio martins, garrett snyder
"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
"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
"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
