Café Woods — Restaurant in West Hollywood

If there's such a thing as a neighborhood cocktail bar, Holy Water is it. It's a small bar located near shops, restaurants, and homes near West Hollywood City Hall. It's owned, at least in part, by Woody Harrelson and Bill Maher (Woody even popped in for a quick visit while we were there), along with the marijuana dispensary next door. This brings me to the one thing I didn't like: you can smell the pot shop while in Holy Water. It's not over powering by any means and you'll forget about it eventually, just be ware if that's not your cup of tea.

Now, when I say small, I do mean small. The front area provides seating for a few small parties, and once that's full, there isn't any other place to stand. But if you explore a bit, you'll find a bigger backroom with more space for larger parties (featured in the pictures).

The drinks are incredibly well-balanced, which is usually a sign of excellent craftsmanship behind the bar. My favorite was the Screaming Viking, which was refreshing even with the smoky mezcal as its base. Other excellent cocktails we tried were the Autumn Drives (Old Fashionedesque), Glass Half Full, Pura Amour (not as sweet as the ingredients would make you think), and the Holy Water (so nicely balanced I can see why it received the bar's name as its moniker).

The menu includes some light bites, so you want to come to this bar thirsty but not hungry. They also have some beer, but the selection runs to more of the lager/pilsner side of the spectrum. Let's be honest you're not here for the suds, this is a cocktail bar and it excels at its mission.

The overall vibe of Holy Water is one of fun and comfort. It's great for a drink after work, as the first stop of the night, or a place to catch up with...

Holywater WeHo is a bar with a lot of potential, thanks to its unique African-inspired decor and rustic wooden elements. However, the atmosphere falls disappointingly flat. Despite the promising ambiance, the music selection is nothing short of dreadful, consisting mostly of boring or elevator music that fails to match the vibrant, cultural aesthetic of the space.

The concept of an African-style bar is intriguing, but it’s jarring to walk into a place that visually promises an exotic, lively experience only to be met with a soundtrack that could put you to sleep. This mismatch between the decor and the music is a major letdown. A space that looks like it should be full of energy and rhythm instead feels lifeless and uninspired.

I’ve tried giving Holywater multiple chances because I genuinely enjoy the woods due to the vibes and music, but the vibe is consistently off. The bar’s name, Holywater, and its design elements suggest a Jamaican influence, yet this is entirely absent in the experience. Which might not be an issue on its own, but combined with the lack of cultural authenticity, it feels like a missed opportunity to celebrate the roots the decor hint Holywater desperately needs a shift in its musical programming. Introducing a hip hop night, R&B sessions, or even playing popular top 40 hits could transform the bar into a place worth visiting. As it stands, Holywater WeHo is a bar with a promising shell but an underwhelming core. The place has the potential to be a hot spot if only it could get its vibe right. Arden sucks the pricing is insane but the vibes are good. Take...

When I first entered the vibe was very welcoming and relaxing until they racially profiled me and lied saying my id is fake even though I am 24 and just made a 100 dollar purchase from their sis company next door that was recreational 21+ to then be kicked out. However they did give me my refund no hassle needed but extremely disrespectful almost felt as if they didn’t want me their or if I...