Many a first drink, wrap party, or birthday celebration can be had admirably at one of the best bars in Highland Park: The Hermosillo.
An intoxicating neon decorates the cozy saloon, which features a long, squiggly bar, and the perfect number of booths and tables that will never leave you looking for a place to sip. My favorite detail of this bar is that right in the middle of the room is an old-school, classroom style transparency projector that shows the extensive beer list on the wall above.
The beer selection is A+, and the fact that it’s a brewery means that the beer is fresh, and the bartenders actually know what they’re talking about. I’m not much of a beer drinker, but the last time I was there they had Pliny The Elder on tap, which makes most small-batch enthusiast drool at the mouth. I had to indulge.
If indoors isn’t your thing anymore, Hermosillo has a HUGE back patio, full of heat lamps, string lights, and picnic style tables that give the perfect ambiance for a big reunion, or a raucous first date.
I wasn’t coming to this bar very often a few years ago— just occasionally for a work drink or happy hour— but after meeting 1st AC extraordinaire, Felipe Larrondo, I found myself frequenting this place nearly every weekend.
Felipe is a beer sommelier and a regular at Hermosillo, and he gets treated as both. The bartenders all know him by name, and towards the end of the night, they always seem to bring him a couple extra rounds on the house.
If you’re hungry, a small menu provides you with the perfect bar food: cheeseburgers, fries, chips, and a few other small eats that are sure to settle your buzz. They’ve also got a very fun, very silly bar game. There’s a tiny hook on the wall, and a string with a metal loop on the end of it. You pull the string taught, and try to get it to swing onto the hook. Many will think this is dumb, or too easy, until you and your party have spent 45 minutes trying to get this thing on the hook. Chaos ensues as people leave the adjacent bathrooms and try to pass by without getting bonked in the head. Overall— an excellent time.
The Hermosillo
5125 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042
M - Thurs 3PM - 11PM
Fri & Sat 12PM - 1AM
Sun 12PM - 11PM
$$
Parking: Street (digital meter)
My Order: Cheeseburger, Fries, Orange Wine
Pro Tip: The large outdoor patio closes around 11PM, even though they’re open later on the weekends. Hop inside ten minutes before they do this in order to secure yourself a seat.
Pairs Well With: Joy (250 ft), Magpies Softserve (400 ft)