Thunderbolt

If you don’t like this bar, I don’t trust your judgement. Might be the best bar in the country.

I follow the 50 best bars list and I discovered this bar through that. This joint didn’t disappoint. I been to numerous bars from that list and believe this place has it all. Drinks, ambiance but more importantly customer service. Every bartender that night was attentive to my needs and willing to listen to my unorthodox demands and provide an unforgettable experience. Will be coming and will bring friends. I recommend every drink on the menu. P.S Kayla took good care of us that night.

Thunderbolt is an amazing spot for drinks and food in Los Angeles. The cocktails we ordered were absolutely phenomenal, with a creative mix of flavors that perfectly complemented each other. The fries were crispy and delicious, and the wings were the perfect amount of spicy and tender. The atmosphere was lively and fun, with great music and a welcoming staff that made our experience even better. What really stood out was the attention to detail and care put into each dish and drink. You could tell that the chefs and bartenders were passionate about what they were creating. Overall, Thunderbolt exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great night out in Los Angeles. We can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

Linda McLoon

Craft cocktail bars come in all styles. Those of us who like craft cocktails can be pretty eclectic in our choices. Thunderbolt is one of those places that is not for everybody. While most of the cocktails are rifts on classics, they are pretty far out there on the experimental formulation department. I will use one as my example. The first cocktail I had was called Liquid Picnic. They describe it as their "signature gin martini"; besides the usual London dry gin and vermouth it has clarified tomato water, rosemary, and black pepper. Did it taste like tomatoes? Only a slight after note. The main taste profile was herbal. As this illustrates, these drink are not for everyone. My husband tried the "fugwaa falsetto". Its main alcohol was shochu and rum. However, it also contained bitter melon, manzanilla, suze, and was dusted with some type of orange powder. It was actually quite lovely and approachable. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and happy to discuss details. They will even give you a taste of one, as many of their cocktails are batched. The only food we had were the fries, but they were nice and crispy. This place is an adventure in cocktails. If you drink vodka and soda, this is not your place.

Letty

I spent an evening at Thunderbolt with friends and it was excellent. They have a very extensive cocktail list plus beer and wine too. There was really something for everyone! I was also excited to try their food as they have quite a few gluten free options on the menu. I had the fried green tomatoes and was very impressed! Thanks for the great food, drinks and service!

Sophia D

The drinks are absolutely worth the top 50 ranking. Chef Jonathan is great and the chicken biscuit is so yummy. The bartender, Tom, was very friendly and gave great service and was very knowledgeable and skilled for all the cocktails

Luke Qian

Ranked 24th among North America’s 50 best bars, Thunderbolt has launched a new cocktail menu whose cover resembles a nostalgic student notebook — filled with “academic” notes that mirror the team’s methodical approach to bartending. Their continued pursuit of technical precision has led not only to more efficient use of water and ingredients but also earned them this year’s Sustainability Award. Below is an overview of the menu highlights and key insights gathered from my conversation with bartender Wes: Temperature Control All stirred cocktails are now pre-batched and stored at –8°C. Since precise chill is the defining feature of stirred drinks, this temperature control minimizes the need for ice, improving both speed and consistency of service. The dilution that would normally come from melted ice is now replaced with more flavorful ingredients. (Examples: P4 Barcelonnette; P5 Loverboy) Canning All highball-style long drinks are pre-carbonated and canned in advance. This ensures a sharper, more powerful fizz than store-bought soda water while also improving speed and enabling takeaway service — much like selling craft beer by the can. (Examples: P1 Hops Don’t Lie; P6 Echo Park Trash Can; P7 Tropipop) Foaming For sour-style cocktails, the team uses methylcellulose, a plant-based foaming agent, to replace egg whites. This avoids any off-flavors or unwanted dilution. The foaming agent is pre-mixed into the cocktail base; before serving, the bartender simply foams it briefly with a blender following a set procedure — eliminating the need for dry and wet shakes. (Example: P4 Barcelonnette) Clarification Milk washing is avoided unless absolutely necessary. Instead, centrifugation is used to clarify drinks while preserving their texture and layers. When milk washing is applied, coconut milk is used to minimize the impact of whey proteins and water on flavor. When using coconut milk, polyphenol-rich ingredients like tea are added to accelerate the clarification process. (Example: P2 Pastelito) Juice Shake A technique invented by Dave Arnold, this method uses frozen juice instead of ice for shaking. The result is a more concentrated, intense flavor without extra dilution. (Example: P3 La Frutera) Through these innovations, Thunderbolt showcases how scientific precision and craftsmanship can coexist — redefining the boundaries of modern bartending while staying grounded in sustainability and flavor integrity.

Paul Nguyen

This is an unassuming place where you could easily walk past and mistake it for a casual pub, but inside the drinks would be in the top percentile of cocktail bars in the world over. There is cutting edge science and mixology in their prep before they open their doors that enables them to serve super sophisticated combinations of flavours readily when you order. The nuances of flavour can easily are supremely tricky to balance and they do it well. There are combos that are just fun, then there are the ones that make you think hard about what you're drinking with savoury ingredients like either mushroom or bittermelon for example, which I would wholeheartedly ask any discerning drinker to try. Staff are friendly, unpretentious and it's simply amazing how high the quality of drinks are hidden by this laid back packaging.

katrina saulnier

Incredible ! After many recommendations, stopped here during a very long road trip from Toronto. We were greeted immediately, the non-alch program was inclusive and the bartender (Wes) was very lovely, super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the non-alch spirits he had us try. I’m very glad this place was recommended to us because it had been the highlight of hospitality in our journey so far. We had the deep fried pickles , a non-alch lychee daiquiri and the pride of oxnard (a lovely carbonated and canned cocktail ). Thanks guys !

Anil Maraj

Thunderbolt is an amazing spot for drinks and food in Los Angeles. The cocktails we ordered were absolutely phenomenal, with a creative mix of flavors that perfectly complemented each other. The fries were crispy and delicious, and the wings were the perfect amount of spicy and tender. The atmosphere was lively and fun, with great music and a welcoming staff that made our experience even better. What really stood out was the attention to detail and care put into each dish and drink. You could tell that the chefs and bartenders were passionate about what they were creating. Overall, Thunderbolt exceeded our expectations and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great night out in Los Angeles. We can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

Daisy Chvz Mndz

Great little bar at the edge of Echo Park. Good drinks and vibe...check them out!

Hector Lopez

I follow the 50 best bars list and I discovered this bar through that. This joint didn’t disappoint. I been to numerous bars from that list and believe this place has it all. Drinks, ambiance but more importantly customer service. Every bartender that night was attentive to my needs and willing to listen to my unorthodox demands and provide an unforgettable experience. Will be coming and will bring friends. I recommend every drink on the menu. P.S Kayla took good care of us that night.

Marco Moreno

Second time here. Once again amazing cocktails, food, and service. Wes this time served me an Eats, Shoots, Leaves to start before getting the fugwaa falsetto. Fried chicken biscuit and Mac n cheese. Will definitely be back again!

A K

I threw my birthday party here, it was a blast! Thank you so much to the staff for being incredibly accommodating to our group of about 25 ppl. They responded to my email super fast and reserved a nice area with comfy booths and little tables. The drinks were delicious, food tasty (Mac and cheese and the wings were faves). Extra thanks to Mike and Ricardo for checking on us all night. The place is clean, vibes were high, and everyone had an amazing time. Thanks again!!!

Mauricio Perez

We just left this fantastic bar. The cocktails were truly top tier and delicious. However the bartender Nikki made the experience unforgettable. Extremely knowledgeable, attentive and passionate about her craft and that passion definitely showed while we were there. This place is welcoming, fun, and a spot for cocktail aficionados and for cocktail beginners. One of LA’s greatest!

J L

What a gem of a place. All food is gluten free. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. Many of them have an Asian twist that really, really works. Place is spacious and well designed. Few doors down from Park's Finest. Staff is friendly and personable. Definitely a neighborhood spot.

Erick DelCid

Good music not much noise like another places an good beer that is the best part.

The best cocktail bar in LA hands down. Some of the most inventive and delicious cocktails I’ve ever had. I’m lucky to live in the neighborhood and have this as a go to spot. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful without ever being pretentious. Truly a wonderful spot and a MUST visit if you are a serious cocktail fan.

My honey and I went here for our second date in January 2025 and it sealed the deal. While the drinks were incredible then, and the food was tasty, we came back for our anniversary January 2026 and it was even better than we remembered! I just want to be clear that the drinks have always been outstanding and you will be impressed by whatever you order. However, the whole menu has been recently revamped and every single dish we had was delicious, interesting and executed very well. We got the fried green tomatoes, Cajun fries, pimento cheeseburger, teriyaki drumettes, cheesy grits and Caesar salad. The Caesar salad is dressed very well and by that, I mean the gem lettuce was crispy and chilled and lightly coated in the refreshing dressing with the perfect amount of Parmesan cheese (not too much and not too little). The fried green tomatoes were served with house ranch and treated tempura style which meant that the tomatoes were somehow still crispy and juicy and not too heavy. The pimento cheese burger was deceivingly tiny yet mighty and was very juicy, rich and full of flavor. My boyfriend loved the melted pimento! The fries are simply excellent. Very crispy and seasoned very well. I personally really enjoyed the drumettes even though I almost always prefer flats. I felt like they were crunchy and the marinade was well-balanced between sweet and umami. The cheesy grits were very tasty and treated like a Southern American congee (dressed with fried shallots, chive and some chili oil). The drinks are a choose-your-own adventure. Regardless of whatever direction you try, you’re sure to find something balanced, interesting and sufficiently booze-y. My personal favorite was their take on an espresso martini a la Black Forest cake. Genius! My boyfriend’s favorite was the Loverboy, which he thought was perfectly balanced between bitter and acidic. Lastly, what made me write a five star review for this spot is the incredible hospitality. Jonathan and his colleagues treated us so well, with friendliness, expertise and a sense of humor. We felt so welcomed here and wanted to share the love.

Thunderbolt has become a regular spot for me, whether I'm with out-of-state friends, local LA pals, or even my family. The cocktails are consistently on point, and the bartenders really know their stuff. I've always had a solid experience with the drinks here. However, the food can be a bit hit-or-miss. While the biscuits are delicious, some of the plates are ok, like the chicken wings or chicken sandwich, tend to be overcooked, making them tough to enjoy. Also, the service can be inconsistent. On my most recent visit, I had trouble reading the menu in the dim light. A kind bartender overheard me telling my partner of my struggle to read the menu and brought over a lamp to help, but then shortly after while still reading the menu the server with ribbons in her hair accused me of moving the lamp which needed to stay in its spot as it sits on a charger (which wasn't true). Having that happen in the middle of reading the menu was a bit hurtful and super disappointing because I was excited about reading the NEW menu. Despite these issues, I'll still go back for the amazing cocktails. Just hoping they can improve the food quality and ensure all the servers are on the same page with customer service.

Michelle Vo

My honey and I went here for our second date in January 2025 and it sealed the deal. While the drinks were incredible then, and the food was tasty, we came back for our anniversary January 2026 and it was even better than we remembered! I just want to be clear that the drinks have always been outstanding and you will be impressed by whatever you order. However, the whole menu has been recently revamped and every single dish we had was delicious, interesting and executed very well. We got the fried green tomatoes, Cajun fries, pimento cheeseburger, teriyaki drumettes, cheesy grits and Caesar salad. The Caesar salad is dressed very well and by that, I mean the gem lettuce was crispy and chilled and lightly coated in the refreshing dressing with the perfect amount of Parmesan cheese (not too much and not too little). The fried green tomatoes were served with house ranch and treated tempura style which meant that the tomatoes were somehow still crispy and juicy and not too heavy. The pimento cheese burger was deceivingly tiny yet mighty and was very juicy, rich and full of flavor. My boyfriend loved the melted pimento! The fries are simply excellent. Very crispy and seasoned very well. I personally really enjoyed the drumettes even though I almost always prefer flats. I felt like they were crunchy and the marinade was well-balanced between sweet and umami. The cheesy grits were very tasty and treated like a Southern American congee (dressed with fried shallots, chive and some chili oil). The drinks are a choose-your-own adventure. Regardless of whatever direction you try, you’re sure to find something balanced, interesting and sufficiently booze-y. My personal favorite was their take on an espresso martini a la Black Forest cake. Genius! My boyfriend’s favorite was the Loverboy, which he thought was perfectly balanced between bitter and acidic. Lastly, what made me write a five star review for this spot is the incredible hospitality. Jonathan and his colleagues treated us so well, with friendliness, expertise and a sense of humor. We felt so welcomed here and wanted to share the love.

Elizabeth

Thunderbolt has become a regular spot for me, whether I'm with out-of-state friends, local LA pals, or even my family. The cocktails are consistently on point, and the bartenders really know their stuff. I've always had a solid experience with the drinks here. However, the food can be a bit hit-or-miss. While the biscuits are delicious, some of the plates are ok, like the chicken wings or chicken sandwich, tend to be overcooked, making them tough to enjoy. Also, the service can be inconsistent. On my most recent visit, I had trouble reading the menu in the dim light. A kind bartender overheard me telling my partner of my struggle to read the menu and brought over a lamp to help, but then shortly after while still reading the menu the server with ribbons in her hair accused me of moving the lamp which needed to stay in its spot as it sits on a charger (which wasn't true). Having that happen in the middle of reading the menu was a bit hurtful and super disappointing because I was excited about reading the NEW menu. Despite these issues, I'll still go back for the amazing cocktails. Just hoping they can improve the food quality and ensure all the servers are on the same page with customer service.

We came the night the Dodgers won the 2025 World Series, so the energy was absolutely fantastic. The drinks, however, were not as amazing -- maybe it's because we were just limited to their Halloween menu. Given the high praise we've heard about Thunderbolt, I'd love to try their other selections the next time I'm in town.

Atmosphere 7/10 Atmosphere feels a bit like a drinking hall, rather than a cocktail bar. But overall, it’s cool, lofty, and very casual. The backbar is normal-looking. It’s noticeably established with a lot of custom-made “Thunderbolt” design elements. The music is something between EDM, pop, and indie - but with good volume, allowing for a conversation. Drinks 7/10 Recommendation: Barcelonette The bar is known for its carbonated cocktails. They have a ton of special equipment to facilitate the variety of carbonated cocktails. However, I will never give the highest scores for pre-mixed drinks (e.g. Tropipop), like Thunderbolt does. Even though they put extra effort into the customized canning process. There is 0 bartender skill involved, which is part of a great cocktail bar experience. Barcelonette was mixed by the bartender and tasted great though. Decent coasters. Service 7.5/10 I appreciate the high activity on Instagram (DMs), which allowed me to prepare for the visit. The team was very friendly and in a good mood. Water was served on the spot.

Jaewon Lee

We came the night the Dodgers won the 2025 World Series, so the energy was absolutely fantastic. The drinks, however, were not as amazing -- maybe it's because we were just limited to their Halloween menu. Given the high praise we've heard about Thunderbolt, I'd love to try their other selections the next time I'm in town.

Anton S.

Atmosphere 7/10 Atmosphere feels a bit like a drinking hall, rather than a cocktail bar. But overall, it’s cool, lofty, and very casual. The backbar is normal-looking. It’s noticeably established with a lot of custom-made “Thunderbolt” design elements. The music is something between EDM, pop, and indie - but with good volume, allowing for a conversation. Drinks 7/10 Recommendation: Barcelonette The bar is known for its carbonated cocktails. They have a ton of special equipment to facilitate the variety of carbonated cocktails. However, I will never give the highest scores for pre-mixed drinks (e.g. Tropipop), like Thunderbolt does. Even though they put extra effort into the customized canning process. There is 0 bartender skill involved, which is part of a great cocktail bar experience. Barcelonette was mixed by the bartender and tasted great though. Decent coasters. Service 7.5/10 I appreciate the high activity on Instagram (DMs), which allowed me to prepare for the visit. The team was very friendly and in a good mood. Water was served on the spot.

Drake Mednik

Drinks are the stars here, but still recommend the Mac & Cheese and biscuit. A little disappointed to see their menu drinks come prepared and are basically poured into a glass. Worth a visit. Koji Killer was my favorite drink of the night.

Had to wait in line even though there were plenty of space when we finally went in. The drinks were great but the food was mehhh they were wayyy too salty The biscuit is gluten free and not like regular fluffy biscuit. It was very bready and not good. The chicken drummets were good but were a bit gamey.

KOOKOORI

Had to wait in line even though there were plenty of space when we finally went in. The drinks were great but the food was mehhh they were wayyy too salty The biscuit is gluten free and not like regular fluffy biscuit. It was very bready and not good. The chicken drummets were good but were a bit gamey.

The food was hit or miss. The sesame salad was basically inedible — very bitter, and the burger was extremely salty. The Echo Park trash cocktail tasted like a Band-Aid–flavored jelly bean, medicinal and plasticky. Maybe that was the intention behind the drink, but it was strange that it was recommended as one of the standout options on the menu. Fries were fine, desserts (gelato and apple pie) were nice. Service was friendly and they refilled our water pretty often, which is why this is a 3-star review rather than lower.