LACMA's Stark Bar Likes to KISS
Stark Bar plants a KISS on each thirsty tippler’s lips. Keep it simple, silly is their cocktail philosophy – fresh ingredients, unique spirits and whopping huge ice.
Stark Bar, named for the late movie producer Ray Stark (Funny Girl, Smokey and the Bandit and Steel Magnolias), is ideal for capping off a great night at the museum. You can even order a Night at the Museum cocktail of Caprock organic gin, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, and fresh rose geranium.
Many of the cocktails are named after Stark’s movies: Smokey and the Bandit is Laphroaig ten-year Cask Strength, honey, orange and lemon peel and Owl & Pussycat is a spicy rum based drink with freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, chilis and strawberries.
Much like the beer gardens of Germany, Stark Bar is situated entirely outside in the Resnick Pavilion of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Despite the freezing (for Los Angelenos) 50 degree weather, dozens of people were bundled up, huddled by the heaters recounting holiday stories with a vibrant cocktail in hand created by sommelier/barsmith Paul Sanguinetti.
Being outside, which is a rare phenomenon in L.A.'s cocktail scene, only heightened the Stark Bar cocktail experience. I loved watching the fog creep in between Chris Burden's Urban Light sculpture while sipping on my whiskey-based Kentucky Maid cocktail (a secret house specialty not on the menu). Even the silhouetted animal sculptures on the opposite end of the Pavilion inspire a bit of nighttime revelry.
Bartender Cherish’s cocktail shaker never stopped that night as she hustled to turn out dozens of the Mike’s Medicine cocktail of Tariquet Armagnac, Licor 43, freshly squeezed lime juice, and egg white.
Why was Mike’s Medicine all the rage? Mike of Mxlgy, in which the cocktail was designed for, was celebrating his birthday at Stark Bar, ordering endless rounds of the potent punch.
Even if it’s not your birthday and nothing strikes your fancy from the extensive drink menu, simply tell one of the bartenders what spirit (Stark's house made gin, perhaps?) you like. They are more than pleased to make your own bespoke cocktail and even christen it with your namesake.
Stark Bar, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036-4504. Closed Wednesday.
