The Association

There’s something primitively appealing about an underground bar: the series of steps leading down, the sense of mystery, the tingle of illicitness. The Association evokes just such a feeling. The door to the atmospheric basement space is unmarked and one could easily miss it, but those in the know will find a low lit room with an expanse of leather banquettes and carpets salvaged from a Vegas casino. The bar aims to be ‘reliable’, a place to go and get a decent cocktail away from the LA fame train. The bar tenders are talented and know their trade and the ‘face control’ exercised by other LA watering holes is pleasingly absent. The only challenge you might face is in finding a table as it gets quite busy later in the evening.