By Carole Dixon
So maybe you’re not on the A-list party circuit for this year’s Oscars. Or maybe you just want to do something low-key and avoid all the dressing up and crowded hot spots. Here are a handful of bars around town where you can watch the show, dine, drink, and make all the glib comments you want about the winners and losers — and what they’re wearing.
Now Boarding: West Hollywood
There’s no need to leave town during awards show season. Skip the airport hassle and head to this stylized dive bar in West Hollywood instead. The 1960’s vintage aesthetic is influenced by aviation and the golden age of travel, when a giant flight map could take center stage. For “in flight” entertainment, TV screens are actually hidden behind retro black-and-white photo panels of stewardesses. Relax in a dark-leather banquette with monogrammed head-seat protectors or at the bar, which evokes an airplane wing. Wil Figueroa of Roger Room and Pearl’s concocts the cocktails. Try the Wheels Up with Bird Dog Peach Whiskey, Aperol, and tangerine. ($) / Website
Tanzy: Westwood
Tanzy in Westwood is conveniently right next door to the best movie theater in town, the iPic, which offers reclining oversize chairs along with wine and fun snacks that are served during the flick. Take a menu clue from the “All Day Social Hour” (available during all business hours), which includes executive chef Bryan Podgorski’s signature California Italian dishes. Bar bites like the Black and Blue Burger, braised veal riblets, assorted salads, and cheese-and-salumi plates with seasonal sides and grilled bread should fit the bill. ($) / Website
Tavern: Brentwood
While most people on the Westside like to cram into the main dining room or grab a pastry at the Larder, you’ll want to hit the Blue Room lounge and bar, whose backlit television broadcasts the awards. Take advantage of the daily happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. for the preshow coverage. Sip a Tavern on the Green with Selvarey Rum, basil, cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. Nibbling options include bacon-wrapped dates, fish tacos, Spanish fried chicken (one of the best in town), lamb meatballs, and a pork burger with Manchego cheese. ($$) / Website
Pistola: Los Angeles
Chef Vic Casanova brings his handmade pasta genius from Gusto to the forefront at his latest venture, Pistola at West 3rd Street, but this time it’s paired with prime cuts of beef. Carnivores be damned — the star here is the Squid Ink Agnolotti loaded with lobster, scallop, shrimp, and sea urchin, which pairs well with a Dolin Estate Chardonnay from Malibu. What you want to order on Oscar night is one of the Godfather-inspired cocktails: Hush Money, with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, fig butter, Lazzaroni Amaretto, and lemon-fennel cordial; or The Ryes Guy, with J.P. Wiser’s Rye Whisky, Amaro Montenegro, Cocchi Torino, pecan bitters, and orange oil. ($$) / Website
Franklin & Company: Hollywood
This tavern has become a staple casual neighborhood restaurant and bar offering elevated American fare to Franklin and Hollywood Hills dwellers. An inexpensive bar-bites-and-appetizer menu includes house-made Blue Cheese Tater Tots, scotch eggs, Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp, and a German pretzel, among others. A seasonal cocktail list is offered along with a progressive rotating wine-on-tap program, which lets customers take advantage of great deals on carafes of wine by leading California vintners. With 12 rotating taps of craft beer and an impressive selection of international bottled beers, vintage ales, and rarities, you will not have to drink the same beer twice during the show. Cheers to that! ($) / Website
