High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach

On Friday night after an afternoon of shopping at the Citadel outlet (who can say no to $25.99 Levi’s and heavily discounted Kate Spade?) and introducing Sherin to Venice Boardwalk, we headed up to the High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin to watch the sun set over the ocean with plenty of cocktails and a few nibbles. 

Friday Night Cocktails at High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin
High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach

To really enjoy the view you need to book ahead, but because it was a pretty windy evening we managed to get last minute reservations booking online just a few hours before. However, it is a popular sunset selfie spot, so try to plan a little more ahead than we did on one of the few days a year L.A. experiences ‘weather’!

Venice Beach & Santa Monica at sunset from High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin
Los Angeles at Sunset from High Rooftop Lounge, Venice
Friday Night Cocktails at High Rooftop Lounge, Venice
Sherin from HiFashion
Los Angeles at sundown
Cocktails at High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin

Cocktails at Hotel Erwin High Rooftop Lounge

To kick off proceedings, I ordered a Spicy Mango Tree (Tequila, Cointreau, Mango Puree, Jalapenos, Fresh Lime Juice) and Sherin had a Over The Cliff (Hendricks Gin, St. Germain, Lemon Juice, Sparkling Rose). Both were rather fantastic, and with the difference between ml and oz, slightly stronger than we’re used to in London. Mine was really fruity with a great kick from the jalapenos, and Sherins was sweet and very more-ish. 

Bar Snacks at High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin
Shrimp Skewers at High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin
Shrimp Skewers at High Rooftop Lounge, Venice

It had been a while since our all American diner lunch (like it or not, you need to eat mall food once each time you visit America!), so we decided to order a few bar snacks to go along with our drinks and the sunset. I went for the shrimp skewers and grilled pineapple. They were sweet, plump and juicy, and I loved the slightly sticky and sweet poke sauce. And grilled pineapple is always a good idea. 

Chicken Tacos at High Rooftop Lounge, Venice
Chicken Tacos at High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin

Sherin had the chicken version of the Street Tacos, served with a house salsa, which we ended up sharing. While I was giggling at one of her first taco encounters where she was not sure how to eat it without all of the filling falling out (I’ll have to take her to Blue Plate Taco or Mercado for a proper lesson!) I was digging into the tender chicken breast, slightly spicy salsa and good, proper corn tortillas, the base of any good taco.

Venice Beach & Santa Monica at Night from High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin
Los Angeles at Night from High Rooftop Lounge, Venice
Rooftop Cocktails at High Rooftop Lounge, Venice

We finished off the evening before walking back to my apartment with another round of cocktails. I ordered The Treehouse (Grey Goose Pear Vodka, Absolute Vanilla Vodka, Cointreau, Fresh Basil, Fresh Lemon, Pomegranate), and Sherin had A Day At The Beach (Cucumber Vodka, St. Germain, Fresh Lime). While my cocktail was nice, I don’t think the flavours balanced too well (I was not too sure about the aftertaste), so I had serious order envy of Sherin’s drink. Hers was light, refreshing, and again rather short and strong; I’d really recommend it for a hot Los Angeles afternoon. 

If any of you have any great bar or rooftop recommendations (I know the rooftop pool and lounge at The London Hotel on the Sunset Strip is fantastic) in Los Angeles I’d love to hear them. Also, how do you all feel about the format of this bar review in general, would you like to see more bar reviews in London on the blog, or shall I just keep posting them to my Instagram?

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