Sassafras Saloon

"Hollywood is the land of over-designed bars that were probably decorated by people who also consult for Disneyland. On paper, Sassafras is one of them. This bayou-themed cocktail bar on Vine has moss hanging from the ceiling, a proscenium stage for live music, and a reconstructed Savannah townhouse that actually came from Savannah, Georgia. It’s over-the-top, but manages to get away with it because the cocktails are excellent, the crowd is always low-key, and you never have to wait long to get in - an important detail to consider when drinking in Hollywood." - brant cox

"Outside of what actually happens inside, Sassafras Saloon is a spectacle in itself. This Southern-themed bar is - literally - an old Savannah townhouse that was rebuilt right on Vine in Hollywood. There are multiple levels, but the place you want to spend your time is the downstairs living room. There’s a stage down there, and they host everything from swing-dancing parties (where people actually dress up), to New Orleans-style jazz and blues nights. The non-alcoholic cocktails are highly worth your time, and feature ingredients like house-made grenadine, fresh ginger syrup, and all kinds of juices and tonics." - brett keating

"There’s an actual house from Savannah that was torn down and rebuilt inside this Southern-themed bar in Hollywood. It’s a bit over-the-top, and we love it. Most nights, there’s a live bluegrass band, and occasionally there will be line dancing. As wild as all that sounds, there are plenty of nooks and crannies where you can take a seat, so it’s a pretty low-key place to grab a drink after work, or late on the weekend. Most importantly, the cocktails are strong, and you’ll never wait in line to get in." - brant cox, brett keating

"If your visitor is from the US, chances are they’ve been to a bluegrass bar before. But we’re pretty sure they haven’t been to a bluegrass bar with a whole Southern farmhouse inside of it. That’s exactly you’ll find at Sassafras Saloon, where they somehow took a real Savannah house and rebuilt it inside this Hollywood bar. They also added a whole bunch of hanging moss and a stage for line dancing, which you will almost certainly be tempted to join in on after a couple of their very good (and strong) cocktails." - brant cox, brett keating

"Sassafras is reopening on March 1 for Mardi Gras with live entertainment and Saturday-only evening hours." - Farley Elliott