Los Angeles - January 15, 2007

From Russia with Love

Bar Lubitsch

Maybe it’s the fact that dobro pozhalovat doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but Russia isn’t known for its hospitality. (No offense.)

Although once you’re past Bar Lubitsch’s iron curtain (or, how you say, “friendly door host”), it’s a different story. After almost a year of delays, the new West Hollywood bar, in The Parlour’s old location, is finally open.

The dark speakeasy is decked in antique mirrors with Russian writing; you can knock back a shot at the bar or command a booth and sample from more than 200 vodkas or cocktails, like a muddled cucumber gimlet or The Lubitsch Touch, a fresh lemon and mint vodka cocktail named for the director. (After all, we’re in L.A., not St. Pete’s.)

Add DJs in the back room, and one thing’s for sure.

The nyet-sayers will soon be singing a different tune.

Bar Lubitsch, 7702 Santa Monica Boulevard, between Spaulding and Stanley Avenues, West Hollywood (323-654-1234).