Atomic Age Indulgence at Birds & Bees

This weekend I’m headed to Modernism Week in Palm Springs and I have all things mid-century on the brain. I just love the art and design of the era and I take any chance I get to immerse myself in it. That’s just what happened a couple of weeks ago when I attended a preview of a new atomic era themed bar – Birds & Bees.

Birds & Bees is located in the basement of an office building in Downtown LA but getting there takes a little detective work. You’ll need to park in the public lot at 215 S. Broadway and head toward the brick wall with a fence running along it. Head down the adjacent stairwell and you’ll reach a destination that’s very well hidden but definitely worth the effort to reach.

Inside is a unique industrial meets mid-century themed space that made me feel like I had just entered the hippest bomb shelter. Luckily, it’s one outfitted with an extensive bar and I was eager to sample the menu of creative takes on classic cocktails. I started with the Desi Arnaz, a spin on a traditional tiki drink.

Rum, Chinese Five-Spice Cordial, Créme de Peche, pineapple and lime were mixed into a most delicious drink. Sweet and tropical with just a hint of spice it was a perfect homage to the famed bandleader and like many women I easily succumbed to Desi’s charms.

I then moved on to the Doris Day. Made with bourbon, honey and lemon and topped with a matcha tea foam it was a completely different experience from my first drink. Beautiful to look at I first found it a bit challenging to drink as upon my first sip I was left with a mouthful of foam. The bartender instructed me to keep drinking and the bourbon would eventually break through and combined with the matcha create a delightful flavor. I was a bit in doubt (I love matcha nearly as much as I do bourbon but had never thought to combine the two) but darn it if he wasn’t right! It was a surprisingly tasty treat.

Birds & Bees is a welcome addition to the Downtown LA cocktail scene. Now that I know just how to reach it I’m sure I’ll be making regular visits.