The Spirit of DTLA

Sips at Greenbar Distillery and a Walk in Hollenback Park

Dazzling variety defines the beating heart of downtown LA and one of its true treasures: Greenbar Distillery in the Arts District, LA’s first and biggest since Prohibition. In fact, it boasts the most diverse portfolio of organic spirits in the world. Add in a visit to a hidden gem of a park, and you’ve got the makings of a tasty and spirited adventure.

While Greenbar’s guided tour is impressive, the tasting session is overwhelming. You get to select six samples of their 17 current spirits—tough choices, since you’ve just heard the unique story behind each. Choose from whiskeys, tequilas, rum, vodka, gin, Fruitlab liqueurs (orange, ginger, and hibiscus cocktail supplements), and even bitters. A Weekend Sherpa favorite is the Grand Poppy Amaro, whose inspiration came from native plants encountered on local hikes. With this kind of repertoire, it’s no surprise that their weekly cocktail classes are so popular.

POST-SIPS STROLL: You may never want to leave this haven, but nearby Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights is not to be missed. It’s a 1.5-mile walk from the distillery, or you can drive to the lot just north of Saint Louis and 4th Streets to start a 1-mile loop through the park. Enjoy views of Hollenbeck Lake, the downtown skyline, and, yes, the busy I-5. Head down the hill to the paved path and then right to create a counterclockwise loop. The serene lake and redwood-dotted island are home to a miscellany of waterfowl, including coots, ducks, egrets, and geese. You’ll soon reach a pretty bridge and a surprising variety of trees, including jacaranda, oaks, eucalyptus, palms, bamboo, and pines. No need to bring trail snacks, since you can grab a paleta (fresh-fruit ice) or taco from a vendor, and savor your treat on one of the park’s many benches. As we said, variety is truly the LA spirit.

Take the I-10 to the 4th St. exit. Head east on 4th, turn immediately right on Saint Louis St., and look for street parking, or park in the small lot up the hill. Tours ($12) are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit the Greenbar website for times and reservations. No dogs in distillery.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View