The Varnish

#TheVarnish's very own Eric Alperin (@mralperin) and alum Deborah Stoll (@drahstoll) are celebrating their book, Unvarnished, with a Virtual Launch Party tomorrow with special guests @simonfordsgin, @ivymix, @kimmygatewood, and Annie & Craig Stoll of @DelfinaRestaurant! Tune in via zoom for a chance to receive your very own copy of @unvarnishedbook. Zoom ID: 821 6125 5337 Password: GIMLET

It's #NationalMartiniDay and what better way to celebrate than with a throwback to this clever little video with #TheVarnish alum Mikki! Plus, you can enjoy a Martini with us tonight whichever way you please starting at 6pm tonight. : @gopashago

Common Sense is always our #1 rule here at #TheVarnish, but to keep everyone feeling safe, we’ve laid out a few ground rules for both you and us; please check our website for our menu and Sippin' Code before stopping on by. Additionally, while we don't accept reservations, we do have a wait list! Please put your name in with a staff member of The Varnish upon arrival. We will take your name and number if a table isn't available and call you back when it's ready. We will hold the table for 10 minutes after the message.

We couldn't be happier to see some familiar faces here the past few days even behind those masks! We're extending our hours thanks to your good behavior. #TheVarnish is now open starting at 6pm nightly. Find our menu & sippin' code on our website (link up top) and please note that a @ColesFrenchDip food purchase is required with drinks until further notice. : @machelleats

After careful consideration, we have decided to officially reopen our doors TODAY (Friday, June 12th). Doors open at 6pm! #TheVarnish might look a little different since you were last here - we'll have ramped up sanitation, table service only, digital menus, and additional guidelines. At this time, food orders from @ColesFrenchDip are required due to the current city regulations. To keep everyone feeling safe, we’ve laid out a few ground rules for both you and us; please check them out on our website before stopping on by. This is new for everyone so let’s be kind, have fun, and make this last. We look forward to welcoming you back into our humble bar. See you soon, DTLA!

Silence is not an option. #blacklivesmatter As a business and a part of this community full of beautiful and diverse folks, it is our duty to help amplify the voices of others. We stand in solidarity with the fight against systematic racism and the historic oppression of the black community. We will continue to listen, to evolve, and to fight against racial injustices starting by donating to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.

#TheVarnish's very own Eric Alperin (@mralperin) and alum Deborah Stoll are celebrating their forthcoming book, Unvarnished (out June 23rd), with six weeks of virtual events starting tomorrow, May 29th! Tune in via zoom & Instagram Live for chats, drinks, and the chance to win a special edition of Unvarnished, courtesy of @FordsGin! Want to pre-order the book ahead of it's release? Head to: http://www.harperwave.com//Unvarnished-Eric-Alperin-and-D/

We miss serving you all here at #TheVarnish. From the quiet moments before service, the sounds of our bands playing, to the rambunctious parties we love to throw... we can't wait to do it all again hopefully sooner rather than later. In the meantime, if you would like to support our staff during this tough time, our GoFundMe is below with some amazing rewards, including a private group cocktail tasting here at The Varnish when we're open again. Funds raised will go directly ...to our staff along with a bunch of our fellow @PouringWithHeart family members. https://bit.ly/PWHNeighborhoodRelief : @tikidonk

via @CarolineOnCrack: "Doesn’t a really good Old Fashioned sound perfect right about now? And if you can’t have it made by one of the best bartenders around, you can at least follow his recipe and make it at home." Donate to our Staff Relief GoFundMe there are some awesome rewards to be had including dinner at @ColesFrenchDip, vintage cocktail kits, and other perks from our @pouringwithheart sister bars! Thank you all so much for your continued support. We can't wait to see... you all on the other side of this. https://bit.ly/PWHNeighborhoodRelief Old Fashioned by @mralperin 2 oz Elijah Craig 12-Year bourbon 1 Domino Dot sugar cube (1/2 teaspoon) 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1 teaspoon club soda 1 big block of ice 1) Drop the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned rocks glass. 2) Add the Angostura bitters and club soda to the sugar cube. 3) Muddle the soaked cube into a paste. 4) Add the bourbon. 5) Stir the ingredients. 6) Gently place in a large rock of ice into the glass. 7) Stir just 2 or 3x. Dilution happens gradually later. 8) Garnish with a long orange peel.

It hurts us deeply that we are unable to serve and connect with our communities in the way we are used to, with great food, cold beverages, and good company. Unfortunately, the state of affairs has put a lot of our staff out of work. In an effort to lend them and their families a helping hand, we are asking for your support. Please consider contributing to our Team Relief Fund. It is in our nature to continue to serve and connect so we put our hearts together and rallied the... team, who donated some really cool gifts to share with you. Our family totals 122 people across 9 bars within Pouring With Heart, all located in Los Angeles. Tony's Saloon, Golden Gopher, 4100 Bar, Casey's Irish Pub, Bar Clacson, The Slipper Clutch, Cole's, Originators of the French Dip, #TheVarnish, and Spring St Bar. 100% of donations will go directly to supporting our staff members who are currently unemployed due to this mandated closure. Anything that helps our family stay afloat is appreciated. Words can't express how much we value our crew and community. Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this time. We miss all of you and we are looking forward to seeing you all again. It is going to be one heck of a party once we get to kick our doors open again and we are doing everything we can to make that so.

Given Gov. Newsom's announcement, we are temporarily closed starting tonight until further notice. We will continue to pay close attention and make informed decisions about re-opening as soon as it is safe to. We're grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you again soon. Stay healthy, friends.