Westbound is sure to be the most festive bar in L.A. with five weeks of over-the-top décor; 15 specialty cocktails and traditional winter dishes; a rotating calendar of Sugar Plum singers; carolers; visits from Santa; falling snow; Manischewitz Punch Pong; and more
WHAT: Starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, the downtown Los Angeles Arts District bar and eatery, Westbound, magically transforms into Miracle on Santa Fe, a whimsical winter wonderland of tinsel, garlands, sparkles, fresh falling snow, and pine. The first Los Angeles Miracle pop-up bar series (originally Miracle on 9th Street created by Cocktail Kingdom) features an impressive sensory display of drinks, dishes, and experiences that capture the charm of the season.
Deck the Walls
Inside, wreaths, wrapping paper, stockings, twinkling lights, kitschy ornaments, and more cover every inch of the 1900s train-inspired space. Fresh snow falls on the patio for 12 days and a massive Christmas tree and a two-foot tall menorah light up the bar. Drinks will be served by elves in Cocktail Kingdom’s custom Miracle glassware – reminiscent of what one might find at a classic 70s holiday party – including everything from Santa mugs to glasses covered in reindeers and sleighs.
Making Merry
Throughout the season, the pop-up bar features a rotation of Sugar Plum singers, Dickensian carolers, visits from Santa bearing boozy gifts, gleeful music, and festive activities like Manischewitz Punch Pong. Photo props and a winter backdrop help set the stage for the ultimate Christmas card opportunities. Follow the calendar of events on www.westbounddtla.com.
Holiday Libations
The night shift at Santa’s workshop turns out a selection of 15 cocktails, in addition to a Naughty Shot (Gingerbread-Spiced Rye) and Nice Shot (Cinnamon Bourbon). Signature Westbound cocktails by Head Bartender Dee Ann Quinones and visiting bartenders Celia Schoonraad (PS40, Sydney) and Danil Nevsky (Tales & Spirits, Amsterdam) include Santa’s Ponche with Cazadores tequila, piloncillo, persimmons, cranberries, and apples; Clove Actually featuring Elyx vodka, fino sherry, clove syrup, lemon, and gingerbread beer; and Sleigh Bell Sangaree with Plymouth gin, tawny port, and walnut liqueur.
Classic Miracle cocktails created by Nico de Soto, (Mace, New York and Danico, Paris) include a Jingle Ball Nog with brown butter-washed cognac, sherry, and nutmeg and Bad Santa featuring a hot milk punch with rum, winter spices, coconut water, coconut oil, and pineapple juice.
From the Elves’ Kitchen
The Westbound elves will be serving up Lots’ a Latkes with house-made crème fraîche, apple sauce, and caviar; Chicken Liver Mistle Toast; Not Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole featuring green beans, king oyster mushrooms, shallots, mushroom cream sauce; Tiny Tim’s Turkey Sandwich with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry; and A Bowl Full of Jelly Donuts (Sufganiyot) jelly-filled Israeli brioche donuts.
Sunday Roast
Every Sunday in December, Westbound prepares a Sunday Roast featuring a choice of dry-aged rib eye ($35 per person), roasted turkey ($30 per person), or salt roasted branzino ($30) with all the traditional sides and fixings. For sweet and delicately savory ending, guests are treated to a Chai Roasted Pumpkin roasted in Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, and filled with a chai spice cream, meringue, rice crispies, and fried sage. Guests must reserve their festive feast 48-hours in advance by emailing [email protected].
In the Spirit of Giving
Westbound has partnered with PATH, the local non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness for individuals, families, and communities. Each guest who brings in a quart-size bag of new travel-sized hygiene products (i.e., feminine hygiene products, shaving items, deodorant, socks, and toothbrushes) receives a complimentary cup of punch, featuring a new original recipe from each of Westbound’s bartenders every week.
WHEN: Miracle on Santa Fe
Wednesday, November 30 through Saturday, December 31
Tuesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday, 5 p.m. to midnight
Sunday Roast
Every Sunday through December 17
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
COST: Sunday Roast
Rib-eye with sides and dessert ($35 per person)
Roast turkey with sides and dessert ($30 per person)
Salt roasted branzino with sides and dessert ($30 per person)
WHERE: Westbound
300 S. Santa Fe Ave.
Suite N
Los Angeles, CA 90013
About Westbound
Westbound is a warm and welcoming bar and eatery, located in downtown Los Angeles’s Arts District. Housed within the Michael Maltzan-designed One Santa Fe mixed-use complex and built upon the grounds of the historic La Grande Station passenger terminal, the travel-inspired drinking and dining destination pays tribute to the romance and luxury of early 1900s railway history. The Westbound team includes Owner Sarah Meade, Head Bartender Dee Ann Quinones, and Chef Taylor Persh. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.-midnight; closed Mondays. For more details on Westbound and private group bookings, please visit www.westbounddtla.com. Stay connected by following Westbound on Instagram and Facebook.
About Miracle
Miracle, New York City’s beloved holiday pop-up bar (launched in 2014 at Mace as Miracle on 9th Street), expands its brand of cocktail cheer across the globe for the 2016 winter season. Miracle Owner Greg Boehm and Manager Joann Spiegel have partnered with over 30 renowned bars across the world to launch sister pop-ups in cities as far-flung as London, Athens, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Oklahoma City. Bartender Nico de Soto (Mace and Danico), the creates a special holiday cocktail list, which is served at all Miracle locations. Cocktails are served in Cocktail Kingdom’s festive, custom Miracle glassware that will be uniform throughout the world. Each of the locations will deck their halls with lights, garlands and ribbons inspired by the original pop-up’s bonanza of cheerful Christmas decorations, and a soundtrack of holiday songs set the spirit.