Bar Mattachine, a gay craft cocktail bar, opens downtown Friday

Oct. 6, 2015 10:52 AM PT

Bar Mattachine, a gay bar with craft cocktails, will open in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. The two-story lounge joins a small but growing group of downtown gay bars that includes the New Jalisco Bar, Precinct and Redline.

Bar Mattachine, owned by Vianey Vee Delgadillo and Jigger Mercado (Bar 107, The Down and Out, The Little Easy) and Garret McKetchnie (formerly head barman at 1886, Cole’s) will be located at 7th Street and Broadway.

The bar’s name dates back to the 1950s, when Harry Hay and the men of the Mattachine Society, and the women of the Daughters of Bilitis, lived openly gay lives and led protests to support gay rights.

“The Mattachine Society is the reason Bar Mattachine is here now,” said co-owner Garrett McKechnie in a statement. “A little gay bar in downtown L.A., serving up some damn good drinks and a good time. Gay in all of its many wonderful meanings and proud to here.”

The lounge will feature a main bar downstairs for drinks, dancing and live music. The upstairs bar will be smaller and more intimate, with a balcony overlooking the lower level. There’s also a chandelier and artwork by Andrew Campbell.

McKechnie created the cocktail list, which includes nine signature cocktails, two frozen drinks and six classics.

To honor Harry Hay there’s the Harry Hay, made with Rittenhouse 100-proof rye, Dolan Rouge Amargo Vallet Bark of Angostura, Maraschino liqueur and a caramelized lemon oil and Maraska cherry garnish.

In the frozen drink section there’s Rudy’s Downfall, a tribute to Hay’s boyfriend Rudy Gernreich, made with honey syrup, fresh pineapple juice, lime juice and Flor De Cana 4-year and 7-year rum.

Included in the classics are an Old Fashioned, Monte Carlo, Manhattan and Creole Cocktail.

Bar Mattachine will be open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

221 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, (213) 278-0471.

Never met an Old Fashioned I didn’t like. Follow me on Twitter @Jenn_Harris_

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