Bar 21

Plus: They have Hangar 1 Vodka
It’s a fine bar, nothing overly special, it’s a small bar, decent juke box, ambience is fine, lighting is great, if you can get a booth, awesome!
Bartenders were cool, crowd wasn’t annoying, it wasn’t «too» busy. It’s in an interesting location… I totally drove by it at first. I can’t say «anything» bad about it. But really, it’s nothing special at all. Check it out if it’s in your neighborhood, but if it’s not, really, there is no point.

This is a fairly cool place.
I am glad it is here since I hate going to Hollywood to find a descent bar-​lounge.
I have to disagree with «Casey M.‘s» stating it is trying to be a «NoBar».
Yes, they both «bar-​lounges» but both differ.
NoBar’s prices are higher, Bar21’s are fair to date.
Too many «wanna-​bes anything’s» at NoBar… not at Bar21, so far… lol!
Since I have been there about 30+ times in the few months the have opened, the only thing I found that I dis-​like, is that on certain nights some fool actually brings his/​her Nintendo Wii and is allowed to play it on their huge plasma which does kill the «lounge» aspect and is way too friggin’ b-​r-​i-​g-​h-​t; my eyes were watering & moved my seat from the bar… Come on kids GROW-​UP, this a BAR no kids allowed, leave it at home.

I’m feeling kinda generous with the fourth star tonight, cuz while the individual elements are all there for this place, they didn’t seem to come together in a way that makes me want to rush back here. The décor is swanky and clean, which may be the first issue-​I think I am still too young to appreciate plain ol’ sophistication, unless it comes in the awesomeness package of an Edison Bar or the likes.
The music selection on a Monday is 80’s and playing when I walked in was Tears for Fear’s Head Over Heels, a song so flipping Ayelet that I danced around to it even as a baby says my mama.
The bartender was friendly and chatty and asked what kind of liquor we wanted in our drinks, which I love because I’m not drinking from the unmarked bottle, thanks. And upon asking for a cherry I was granted 3 delicious Maraschinos.
So why the hesitation? I dunno, I guess it was the fact that it was pretty empty and the small crowd included a guy drinking Miller Lite wearing a cowboy hat. Ew! I don’t mind ugly drinkers, lord knows I ain’t winning any beauty contests, but sheesh, I can’t have people with no style and just as little personality getting up in my watering holes! Still, it’s 5 minutes from the boyfriend’s place, so how much can I ask for, eh? I’ll give it another go on a more happening night.

unfortunately the hip interior and exterior of Bar 21 doesn’t hide the fact that it’s NoBar Jr, or that it does no justice to the awesome dive bar, Grady’s, that it was before it was bought out. a little history of grady’s:
Grady patrons were folks from all ages and walks of life who came together for the pool, darts, hair metal/80’s rock jukebox, cheap drinks, sunday baseball and monday night football. for a girl and her group of boys, it was heaven. Grady’s also came in handy when you were greeting the sunshine around 7am after a night of partying and needed a kick-​in-​the-​ass bloody mary to send you straight into slumber. sigh*
anyways! about bar 21. sure, red lights and black vinyl are suave, but does that measure up to personality and originality? absoloutely not. you don’t get the feel that the bartender gives a shit about how your day was, let alone what your name is. it’s a shame that Grady’s was torn down only to be replaced by another wannabe upscale bar that isn’t good enough for Hollywood.
the world only needs 1 NoBar.

Holy makeover, Batman. Bar 21 used to be Grady’s, a wonderfully seedy dive of a local bar that I frequented for a time, mainly because a friend lived close by and we could stumble home. The new incarnation of the local hang shocked me – in a good way. Gone were the scuzzy-​surfaced tables and faux-​wood paneling, replaced with loungey seating areas and exposed brick. It’s amazing what a little Ikea lighting can do, too. Thankfully, the prices haven’t gone up very much, which means you can still enjoy a beer or glass of wine well below the price of those in a bar over the hill in Hollywood. My only complaint: Why the hell did they get rid of the pool table?

I’m really sad this place isn’t down the street from my house. I’ll get it over it.
I almost didn’t like Bar 21 because I got a whif of something funky when we walked in. I don’t know what it was but it went away. Thank god.
I’d suggest getting to this place soon, before it becomes the next «hot bar». It’s seriously awesome. The lighting kind of reminded me of 2 of my favorite bars, The Wild Hare in Highland Park and The Chalet in Eagle Rock. But way nicer.
I loved the music selection and props to Frank L. for even remembering that they played Rolling Stones. They also played the Killers, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, and I forget what else.
The bartender was one of the spunkiest bartenders that I’ve ever come across. She was awesome. She made a delicious Malibu Pineapple for me, but I think it’s because Frank told her I wasn’t in the mood to drink. She made sure I was in the mood after that one!
So it’s not down the street from me, that doesn’t mean I won’t be back soon!

Bar 21, the perfect place to begin Bardom* 2007. This is a lovely bar, carpeted red with black plush seating and rustic brick walls. Though small, it’s clean with a swank vibe but has dive bar prices, the absolute best of both worlds. Eleven bucks for two generous cocktails from a friendly bartender with an awesome tattoo on her right shoulder, yay! Those lining the bar were great and drunk and obviously regulars, and the doorman gave us no attitude. Yes, a lovely bar indeed.
I remember the juke box being fucking fantastic, but Aimee’ll have to fill you in on that, I don’t remember any of — wait! Paint It Black! Yes, the Stones made an audio cameo last night that filled me with an unimaginable euphoria! First time I hear one of the best songs ever at a bar, massive kudos, Bar 21!
This bar hits just about all of my requirements for being awesome: small, comfortable, friendly, good music, and cheap/​good drinks. Proximity failed, but the world of drinking doesn’t revolve around frank, not yet. We’re definitely going back to do some more… uh…research. Yes, research. Oh, also to get plastered with the NoHo folk.
*Bardom, the discovery and visiting of bars followed by — yup, you guessed it — getting drunk.