A Peak Inside Blue Collar's New Speakeasy Cold Shoulder

  • By: Ashley Joy Parker

Imbibing in the upside down…

Speakeasies are Los Angeles’ worst kept secrets, however there’s new spot that’s one of the best to open in a long time.

Cold Shoulder is the newest nightlife establishment of veteran hospitality founder and notable actor Vincent Laresca, whose cocktail bar Blue Collar has been a staple on the South Fairfax District landscape for the last decade. Known for its friendly atmosphere and mixology, Blue Collar maintains itself as a nightly destination for both locals, VIPs and out of town visitors looking for a great, non pretentious bar experience, with good vibes, welcoming bartenders, and world class cocktails.

Cold Shoulder, a passion project of many years, is adjoined to Blue Collar through a hidden bookcase, depicts a prohibition era style speakeasy bar, but with a twist. All of the furniture, decor and adornments are upside down, creating an immediate mind trip for the patron as they enter. Wall sconces are upside down as well as a row of presidential portraits, bar stools hang upside down from the ceiling as well as various other items in the wood-toned space that also feels like you are inside a 1920s train caboose. You even need a special invitation and rotating password, to enter into Cold Shoulder, in pure speakeasy fashion.

And the music is vibey as well. The tumes of Cold Shoulder skew ’50s, ’60s, ’70s while Blue Collar spins ’60s, ’70s, ’80s.

 

The mixology is of another era as well, with 36+ garnishes and 36 signature cocktail creations, offered in a gorgeous hard cover book style menu with hand drawn watercolor illustrations of each drink in parchment paper. No detail was too small for Laresca’s vision for Cold Shoulder, and he collaborated with Across The Board Design Co. on bringing his vision to life.

Blue Collar is known by word of mouth for its extensive rolodex of thousands of drinks, which each are attributed to their regular bargoers. Patrons may request anything they like, then it is added to the old fashioned rolodex with a handwritten manilla card and the customer inks their own name. Cold Shoulder took the top requested and most popular patron drinks from the cocktail rolodex to create their signature cocktail menu, as a tribute to their standing customer base. As a result, their bartenders, and customers from all walks of life, are the collaborators on the Cold Shoulder cocktail adventure.

 

In addition to an extensive beer selection, cocktails start at $20 with seasonal cocktails for $25. There’s also list of extremely unique cocktails tapping at over $50 each, due to the extensive creation involved in those specialties.

There is a S’mores cocktail called The Benjamin which is a full S’mores garnish on the top of the drink, and the Midnight In Paris drink is made with fresh chocolate covered strawberries daily paired with Salted Caramel, Blue Caraco, Vodka, Violet, and a White Chocolate Strawberry Cream float. The Molcajeteada Salsa cocktail features Smokey Salsa paired with Chips and the drink itself is a Smoky Mezcal base, showcasing the art of smoke, and paying homage to Laresca’s popular Roadside Taco eatery in Studio City. The Bananas Foster features real bananas paired with Black Walnut Liqueur, Koloa Rum, Chocolate Bitters and vanilla ice cream topped with Crispy Bacon, Bananas, Mixed Nuts and Caramel, for a cocktail experience like you have never imagined.

Launch the slideshow below to see more from inside Cold Shoulder.

Cold Shoulder
359 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles
Open daily from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m.
@coldshoulderbar

Previous slide
Next slide

Related | Inside Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel West Hollywood

Read More