Best Bars In Sherman Oaks
Once a family-heavy neighborhood mainly filled with average takeout joints, novelty shops and various dry cleaning institutions, Sherman Oaks has turned into a main (and happening) San Fernando Valley hub—and has the bars to prove it. As soon as one gastropub popped up (and fared well) just a few years ago, others followed and the elevated comfort fare and artisanal cocktails really started to flow.
On The Thirty
14622 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 788-0330
www.onthethirty.com
At Sherman Oaks' On The Thirty, guests enjoy a wide variety of beers, wines, cocktails and gastropub style food. From gourmet bar snacks, including pizza, to special mixed cocktails, plenty of red and white wine and a large selection of craft beers from around the world, this bar / restaurant has something for everyone. Their mixed drinks are a particular highlight, though. From the 'Day Dream,' with Hangar One Vodka, fresh watermelon, mint and lemon to the Creamsicle Fizz with gin, fresh lime, cucumber, mint and rose water, and a special Moscow mule, the bar has a wide selection of tasty cocktails. There are also 30 craft beers from around the world!
The Woodman
13615 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 386-9401
www.thewoodmanla.com
The Woodman on Ventura Boulevard offers a bit of something for everyone. As a great spot to get away from a long day, this neatly decorated bar with wood paneling and TV's galore, is the perfect spot to watch a game while enjoying a happy hour offered 7 days a week. Aside from TV's, the bar also has games like jenga to keep you entertained as you sip on a wide variety of specialty drinks, beers, wine and chow down on everything from grilled corn lollipops, pork belly sliders and beer battered shrimp tacos to salads, fish and chips and much more.
Local Peasant
14058 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 501-0234
www.thelocalpeasants.com
A watering hole for 20-somethings and young local parents, this true gastropub serves up some fine cocktails and comfort dishes. On weekends, the L-shaped bar is about three deep and patrons are usually sipping wine, beer or Old-Fashioneds, and chowing down on fried olives, a giant salted pretzel and the Bourbon-laced chocolate-chunk bread pudding. If you're more of a daytime person, the place's boozy Saturday and Sunday brunch is quite popular.
Casa Vega
13301 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 788-4868
www.casavega.com
This oldie-but-goodie restaurant/bar might stand out from the rest, but it never lets down a margarita lover. Nightly regulars swarm the intimate, loud bar area for chips, a pristine "Cadillac" or a Mojito, and a chat with one of the veteran bartenders. Dinner might be ordered right there or taken to go, but otherwise, bar snacks include a famous lobster quesadilla, classic taquitos or a cup of the Albondigas soup.
Tipsy Cow
15005 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 986-8472
www.tipsycowla.com
As one of the newer spots in the neighborhood, this country-style spot dishes out prime patties and enticing happy hour offerings from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition to an aptly named Shroomin' burger, savory snacks including bourbon fried pickles and blue cheese tater tots are served. As for the hard stuff: oversized milkshakes are made "tipsy" on request and other creations like the Aviation, which is concocted with gin, Maraschino, Crème de Violete and lemon, are available. Want more? An entire chalkboard wall of draft-beer names awaits.
Article by Valerie Friedrich.