Bar Benjamin — Restaurant in Los Angeles

We visited this bar following a recommendation from Eater LA. The setting is undeniably refined — a classic, wood-paneled space with a sense of quiet elegance. The welcoming ritual of a complimentary drink is a lovely touch, signaling hospitality and intention.

The cocktail menu is ambitious, with a wide range of options built from intricate combinations of ingredients. At first glance, it reads like a haven for those who appreciate technique and thoughtful construction — and I count myself among them.

However, in execution, the cocktails we tried didn’t quite reach the complexity their ingredient lists seemed to promise. Ceremony, made with matcha, strawberry, and red bean, lacked the layered nuance suggested by that combination. The flavors felt muted, with the gin taking the lead rather than playing a supporting role in a more integrated composition. Similarly, Last Laugh leaned heavily on mezcal, overwhelming the more delicate notes that might have added dimension.

To be clear, the drinks we tried are well-made — balanced, smooth, and certainly palatable. But given the engineering behind them, I found myself wanting more cohesion — a sense that the ingredients were in dialogue rather than simply listed...

Come for the cocktails. Stay for the food.

Cocktail menu is so unique. There are drinks you won’t find anywhere else and everything we tried was so well executed.

Food menu is more bar bites than full on dinner (if you want dinner, grab a resy at The Benjamin - come to Bar Benjamin for drinks and apps before or a nightcap after!)

Reservations at both are available on Resy.

From the food menu, highly recommend the steak tartare (add the caviar) and almonds. You may think almonds is an odd rec, but each variety was so flavorful and the perfect thing to snack on with your cocktail.

The one thing I wish we would have tried was the shrimp roll - next time!

To top it off, they have balcony seating that overlooks Melrose if you get there in...

Great addition to the LA cocktail scene- each drink feels like a little work of art, and the menu is extensive. There are small bites ranging from almonds, a dill pickle dip with crudite, shrimp rolls etc. The atmosphere is similar to the downstairs dining room of the Benjamin and strikes the perfect balance between sexy and cozy, with moody lighting and plush seating. Already can’t...