The end of an era…..

Mandrake will be honoring its last day of business on March 16th. We are fortunate to have had 18 wonderful years of business, (well, except for the pandemic closure) and we feel it’s the right time for a transition. We are excited that new energy will be imbued into the space and we are proud to be part of the lineage of bars at 2692 S. La Cienega.

We are beyond grateful to our wonderful staff members over the years who have not only taken care of you, our cherished clientele, and our business, but have become family. We hope that they will continue to be friendly faces behind the new bar. We are proud of the reputation Mandrake was able to build and maintain over the years as well as the community it was able to generate. Everything has a time and place and Mandrake will be remembered fondly for occupying her time and place perfectly.

Please visit us often before we make the shift — Tuesdays-Saturdays through March 16th.

2692 S La Cienega Blvd

Sunday 6pm-12am

Closed Monday

Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-1am

Friday/Saturday 5pm-2am

 

 

 


Mandrake is a strictly 21+ venue

2692 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(between Venice and Washington)

Sunday 6pm-12am

Closed Mondays

Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-1am

Friday/Saturday 5pm-2am

[email protected]

 

for booking inquiries, please contact us by email

calendar

 

seasonal cocktails

HABANERA 14

habanero-infused mezcal, grapefruit, lime

OFRENDA 16

tequila, apple, cinnamon, orange

SAGE MOTEL 16

 cognac, pear, sage, lemon

HAIR OF THE DOG 14

white whiskey, lime, orgeat, bitters

SEASONAL OLD FASHIONED 16

rye, pear, bitters

NUTTY NITE  15

gin, cherry, walnut, lemon

REMEMBER THE TYSON 15

rum, luxardo, ricard, prosecco

 

 

happy hour

5 – 8 pm

rosemary greyhound  $9

gumby  $9

gold rush $9

glass of rosé $8

cheap beer and shot $8

 

history

2692 South La Cienega Boulevard is building with a rich history as a drinking hole. Since it was built in 1939, the building has housed a progression of bars, many of which are remembered as part of L.A.’s important gay bar scene. Back then, the street was mostly filled with mechanic and automotive businesses. The current iteration, Mandrake, was opened in 2006 by Justin Beal, Drew Heitzler and Flora Wiegmann, three artists who had moved to Los Angeles from New York. Finding a historic bar building nestled between Venice and Washington, they set out to renew the space as a watering hole for the Culver City Arts District that was just starting to gain momentum. While in construction, they discovered a time capsule hidden in the rafters, containing business cards and matchbooks from it’s earlier caretakers. They also met the resident ghost, a former owner who died suddenly onsite. 16 years on, the neighborhood continues to transform, including the addition of the nearby Metro line, and Mandrake acts as a central meeting point for the vast city of L.A. The neighborhood lounge continues to welcome and serve everyone— local residents, the art community, and employees of new, cutting edge businesses nearby. Mandrake supports local, national and international creative and philanthropic endeavors through collecting art, hosting exhibitions, and maintaining a back room space that houses screenings, book and magazine launches, fundraisers, LA Noir author presentations, company happy hours and first dates.

LA Times — A history of gay bar scene, told in matchbooks

Qvoicenews.com — History of L.A.’s gay bars, showcased in matchbooks

Gourmet Ghosts, by James T. Bartlett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yes, of course, always mandrake.

 


 

selected press

“best new bar of 2006” – v magazine

“hot list: 25 best new bars of 2007” – conde nast traveler

hyperlocal: kyle’s los angeles spots – 2022

luis vuitton los angeles city guide – 2020

eaterLA – 2019

sotheby’s los angeles: a museum lover’s guide – 2019

citizine best of fall – 2017

foursquare lists – october 2016

la weekly – february 2016

the culture trip – january 2016

details – january 2011

interview – december 2010 – online

town and country – october 2010

los angeles magazine – october 2010

los angeles times calendar – march 2010

ponystep, trumansays – march 2009

dwell design guide – june 2009

cera traveler – august 2008

los angeles magazine – june 2008

elle magazine – october 2007

conde naste traveler special edition – 2007

c magazine – fall 2007

conde nast traveler – may 2007

spike magazine, “deleuze at the mandrake” september 2007

the los angeles times – march 8, 2007

the new york times – january 28, 2007 – online

the la weekly – january 24, 2007

paper magazine – january, 2007

v magazine – winter 2007

the los angeles times – december 21, 2006

the los angeles times calendar – november 23, 2006

elle magazine – november 2006

the new york times magazine – october 1, 2006 – online

artforum.com – august 18, 2006 – online

additional listings in timeout los angeles, zagat, art + culture, jetsetreport,