APOTHEKE LOS ANGELES — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Edit of my initial 5 star review, downgraded to 1 star:

The first time my wife and I visited I had a wonderful vist. Despite high prices and a difficult to find location, the atmosphere and cocktails were excellent, and I enjoyed that it was not packed on a Friday evening. Our one odd point came from a red haired bartender. When we walked up to the bar she rudely barked the indoor bar was closed and they were serving was outside. The bartenders and wait staff outside were wonderful and friendly, so we didn't think much of it and I left a 5-star review.

We are also business owners local to Chinatown, and between visits we we had recommended the bar to several friends and clients. I'm now disappointed that we did.

When we came back this evening with my wife and an employee, we were immediately greeted by an unenthused bar staff, despite a largely empty bar. My wife ordered wine, which is apparently a big faux pas at a cocktail bar judging by the reaction of the staff, though as a group we ordered 4 cocktails through the evening as well.

After being served wine in a small cocktail glass, and noticing several wine glasses behind the bar, my wife politely asked the same red haired bar tender from our previous visit for a wine glass. The bartender rudely said she couldn't help, but after a little back and forth trying to get a glass, was clear she simply didn't care or value our business. If the glasses were for display only, that's completely fine and we understand. The problem was with her rude tone and general disdain for paying customers. When we shared our feedback on the way she was speaking to us, it was received with more attitude in kind.

Coming to a high end bar like this in a still up-and-coming area, and paying a premium for the pleasure, my minimum (and really only) expectation is friendly service and respect for other guests in my party. We won't be coming back or recommending...

TLDR: is this location sexist? [[More details below.]] Other cons and notes at the bottom of the review. All apotheke locations are designed and curated for consistency. This place is exactly what one would expect of apotheke.

I like consistency. I like intentionality and I appreciate craftsmanship. I’ve taken family and friends to your nomad branch for over a decade. Apotheke gets 3 stars for the memories.

However, I’ve recently come to the conclusion that you are a sexist business. Perhaps I would not have realized this if not for last night. If you aren’t sexist and I have misunderstood, perhaps hiring more women mixologists would avoid this. (Your LA location had no women behind the bar at all.) Also reminding your mixologists that they can address their customers with the same level of courtesy, regardless of gender. According to my receipt, Andrew mixed my cocktails, and he was a consummate professional. I cannot say the same for his manager.

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Other cons: location is hard to find and google maps will not take you to the door, Lyft will not drop you off at the front, Lyft will not pick you up at the front either — TLDR you will have to walk a bit

Other cons: menu is at the table but it is bar only unless you reserve table service in advance. I would clarify this on your menu. Front bar closes ahead of performances and only outdoor bar is open, but another customer had to tell me this while mixologists ignored me. I would consider putting up a small note directing patrons to the...

Immaculate vibes, sophisticated cocktails, lovely atmosphere + house/danceable music, professional mixologists & nice staff. I love Apotheke and its creative concept of “modernizing” holistic medicinal properties of alcohol/spirits, while synthesizing the healing power of exotic plants, botanical herbs, tonics, and chemistry techniques. To me this idea is not only strategic, but also shifting our perspective about alcohol. Totally worthy recognized for their accolades too! 👏🏼🥇🏅 🚪⚜️🪞When I first entered the venue, I felt like I was in a different era, somewhere in 18th century, Parisian style, an air of opium-den secrecy, and the ambiance is giving vintage with antique furnitures. ⚗️🧪I think it looks fabulous, sublime, and polished. I appreciate how talented the “Dispensing chemists” are while dressed in white lab coats 🥼 their house-made formulas are fantastic chef’s kiss 😮‍💨🤌🏼 Also, reading the Apotheke Modern Medicinal Cocktails book is really fascinating to me! ✅📖🔍 This handbook is beautifully done, sleek green hard cover, well-articulated, and contains intriguing information worth knowing about the plant science wellness + its benefits. 🧙🏻‍♀️+👨🏻‍🔬Much like herbalist + botanist + apothecaries would have done for thousands years, but with a modern twist! 🥃🌿🍊🪴🌼🍃🌺🍋 This place is perfect for date nights, for couples, girls night out, meeting with friends, and just simply enjoying the night with stunning outdoor views of DTLA bridge, lively music, and delicious cocktails....