The Roger Room

When closing the restaurant yesterday evening I asked my manager where I should go for a drink on La Cienega, she recommended  "The Roger Room". Having just got off work I rushed up the street and was stumped when I couldn't find it. I could have sworn she had said it was right here. After walking back and forth I noticed an unmarked door where a handful of smokers had congregated. Cigarettes, A tell tale sign of a house of sin. Where there's smoke there's fire. (pretty sure that doesnt make any sense) I rushed forward  past the unmarked door and into the bar.

RIGHT OUTSIDE

When you first walk into "The Roger Room" ( hidden on the corner of La Cienega and Oakwood) its as though you've been transported back to a big top circus in the 1920's to a watering hole where all the carneys retire to get hammered. 

The ambience is perfect for such a tiny bar. The walls are littered with depiction's of death defying circus acts, the lights are turned down low and glasses hang from racks attached to the mirrored ceiling. Its a very relaxing place with alot to look at. Which is always a plus for me. I find the more unique the more i enjoy the experience. 

The Bartenders are true 

mix-oligists, slinging drinks like nobodys business, chatting up the patrons and they wear suspenders! Who doesn't love suspenders? Upon pulling up to the bar i asked the bartender how long the place had been around. Apparently "The Roger Room" has only been around for a year and a half (before that it was "The Coronet") I asked him (Will) what he made best and he handed me a list of about 30 specialty drinks, "anything on this". The list itself was categorized by spirit. Being a gin drinker i went straight for the juniper juice. I ordered an "Old Sport", made with Caprock Gin, Black Tea infused Lychee Liqueur, Cucumber Juice and Lime Juice. Finished in just under a minute this drink is dangerous. I could hardly taste the gin but i was sure i saw the bartender measure out 3 jiggers (generally drinks take 2). It was delicious, the cucumber mixed with the lychee in a way i would never have thought of. Extra points for inGINuity! 

                                   The "Old Sport" with a death defying monkey attached!

Who knew Lychee Liqueur was so... not disgusting.

Seeing as nothing says man like a seafoam drink served up, I opted for something on the rocks as my next vice of the night. I decided to go with Whisky. After a bit of perusing the list-y  I decided on the "Thug" a drink made with Makers Mark, Baronjager Honey Liqueur, Lemon Juice and Spicy Habanero Bitters. Is your mouth watering yet? well allow me to let you in on a secret, It was dope sauce! a category reserved for only the finest drinks in all the land. Clearly the "Thug" was different than the "Old Sport" but Will gave me a suggestion "if you let the twist soak in with the honey and habenero things get real ridiculous delicious real fast".

The "Thug", ask for it super spicy. I dare you.

The only con for someone like me (limited income, struggling actor... poor) is that a specialty drink costs about 13 to 15 dollars and most of the medium shelf stuff goes for about 11. While they are delicious drinks and strong, i'll be saving this little gem for when i book my first series or for when my parents are in town. 

~BONUS POINTS~

 It was the first bar I've been to in LA that stocks "Youngs Double Chocolate Stout" (one of my favorites from when i was a young whippersnapper.) In a can but i've only ever gotten it in the states off draft at my parents place in VT.