In a somewhat deserted area of downtown near the LA river, you'll walk down a seemingly deserted block with hardly any cars or passerby and all the buildings are old, brick, and appear empty. "I feel like we're on a set," my friend says. "That's just because we're in LA. Anywhere else and you'd just think these were old buildings." We turn the corner and out of nowhere is the bar we've been searching for! But not just any bar. With a big sign reading "Villans" in bold script, a skeleton greeting you as you walk in, and an interior that looks like a cross between a set from an old western and a noir film with a heavy hand of goth, this is unlike any other bar in Los Angeles. I didn't feel like I was on an old film lot walking to Villains, but I certainly felt as though I was on set once inside.
Crystal chandeliers with perched crows hang over the bar, an enormous black carved mirror covers the wall as you walk in, colorful glass vases line the windows up to the ceiling, and plenty of taxidermy constitute the decor. As much as I loved the quirky and bold interior, what really won me over was the food and drinks.
The menu is small but the items on it include gourmet twists on typical bar food, such as the pharaoh salad, consisting of farro, cucumber, heirloom tomato, beets, and feta cheese, and the grilled cheese, made with cave-aged cheddar and tamarind chili. The cocktail menu is inspired and allows the bartenders to show off the craftsmanship, and their $8 beer and shot combo is fun and unique. When you tire of the typical WeHo bar scene, head over to Villains for a sexy and fun rendezvous.
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