Lock & Key  is a new speakeasy bar/lounge located in Koreatown in Los Angeles.  It is hidden away  behind a small take out restaurant, Stall 239.  Yes, it is hard to find, but aren’t most things that are worth finding.  Look for the glowing red key.  The intrigue begins when you open the door to this indiscreet Koreatown bar…well the first door…a huge red door.  Upon entering you walk into a small vestibule with all the walls painted black and covered in a variety of locks, keys, and doorknobs.  We were greeted by two lovely hostesses who invited us to proceed into the bar, we would just have to figure out which knob was the right knob for entry.  As I started searching a wall, I heard a small giggle from one of the ladies.  “I can give you a hint. It’s not on that wall.”  It was a great hint. I turned left, found the right knob, and entered into the bar.

The place is dark, warm, sexy and intimate.  You realize immediately that this is not your typical “Hollywood” bar, it is way too subdued.  There are no bright lights, no loud décor, oh and no half-naked cocktail servers (not that there isn’t a time and place for that).  No, here they have a wonderful bar that runs pretty much the length of the space and is manned by amazing cocktail crafters and expert bartenders.  Across from the bar are a few dark leather booths and in the main area (which is fairly small) are a couple of high cocktail tables. 

The signature cocktail menu is an array of interestingly named crafted cocktails that are both unique and fun in their flavor combinations.  The Torpedo is made with pear vodka, pear nectar, lemon juice, egg white, maple syrup, fresh ginger juice, black pepper, and toasted sesame seed oils….quite a mouthful (or a grocery list), but with a very distinct flavor profile.   The Old Money (scotch whiskey, Demerara syrup, fresh ginger juice, bitters, and topped with an orange peel) is a modern, grown up, reimagined take on an Old Fashioned.   Also, one of the cool features at Lock & Key is that they have a house punch.  Yep, sitting right there on the bar in a punch bowl and it is great!

However, the most awesome thing about this place is that their expert mixologists are really experts!  Randy and Reuben were two of the bartenders manning the bar the evening of our visit.  Reuben queried me as to what I liked.  I told him a few key ingredients including vodka and St. Germain and next thing you know I had an amazing, personalized cocktail served up and named after me.

While the drink menu is fun and whimsical, it is much more interesting to experience bartenders really making drinks.  They have an assortment of incredible fresh ingredients straight from local farmers markets to work with along with top of the line liquors, cordials, bitters, etc.  We recommend going off menu and letting one of the amazing bartenders blow your mind with an original concoction.

If you do go, go NOW.  Based on the amazing write-ups and features on the place, from Anthony Bourdain to Urbandaddy, to The Hollywood Reporter and Eater LA , it seems that everyone will soon find the perfect key to unlock this great spot.

Lock & Key, 239 S. Vermont Ave., LA, CA 90004 @lockandkeyla