Red Garter, Venice

Red Garter - “We don’t believe in draft. Taps, kegs, clean lines, it’s a hassle, man, we just don’t believe in it.” So says Bartender Dan from behind his square, trendy-geek specs. Cowboy, sitting at the end of the bar like he does every night, nods in agreement. This gem of a joint, swathed in raised red velvet and gold foil wallpaper with a healthy quantity of posted, bold face Public Notices, screams of discarded opulence. It’s a watering hole with attitude aplenty, but of a different strain than you find in Hollywood. Cheap drinks, cheap pool and rock-n-roll thumping from the well-fed jukebox keeps everyone rolling merrily along. This is life by the beach baby. Comfortable, laid-back, lots of laughs. Leave the Steve Madden heels and tailored Kenneth Cole at home. A favorite t-shirt and Levis will do just fine.