R Bar (Koreatown)

I want to apologize for the tardiness of this post. I actually went to R Bar on Saturday. I'm ashamed of myself and you, loyal readers, deserve better. I can be better. I will be better. Anyway...R Bar! This is probably the coolest bar in K-Town. It's completely unmarked, you need a password to get in, and it's pirate themed. What else could you want from a bar? Once you find the place (corner of 8th and Irolo) you knock on the door and the very large and intimidating (but extremely nice) bouncer asks you for the password. It's usually a line from a movie and can be obtained by calling the bar or visiting their myspace page. Inside, they have a solid selection of cans and bottles (PBR to Smithwick's) ranging from 4-6 bucks. No taps though. They also have a pricey selection of specialty drinks, and a nightly specials board that is usually cheaper. Once they had Jameson Cider, which was amazing! Not tonight though so I ordered a Damnit Jim off of the board. The waitress described it as "a one and done" drink. It was not. While fairly strong, and tasty, it was served in a rocks glass which even containing straight scotch would not be enough for me to be one and done. Maybe it would be enough for you...My wife and our friend Celest both had Jack and Ginger's, of which the second round were not strong at all, prompting the need for a Jack on the rocks which was a large glass filled to the top. At $8 that is a real bargain so if you can take your liquor straight I would recommend that route. More bang for your buck right? We were sitting at a quiet booth in the back, quietly passing judgment on the tables near us. Seriously, who orders champagne at R Bar? This is not a club where one "pops bottles". Unless your table is celebrating a momentous occasion, drink something other that cheap champagne. And if the menu say Wine: red or white, don't ask for a pinot noir. It's unlikely they have anything besides merlot and chardonnay. A note about seating: if you have a group and want to be left alone, sit in the back. If you want fast service sit at the bar. I server dissappered for a loooong time, and when I went to the bar in search of more booze I found her mixing drinks. They seemed a little understaffed for a Saturday, though it was not too crowded. I've definately seen it more packed in there. Speaking of the crowd, I must warn you all that this is a hipster bar. Big time. They love the irony of a pirate bar in a place where their is no water. (I guess...I don't really know what hipsters want out of a place) It's not such a big deal that I would tell you not to go (I love it), just that you should bring your own group when you do. Sometimes on week nights they play Japanese monster movies like Big Man Japan, so that is totally worth it and might be a hipster draw as well...
Conclusion:
Rating: 4 stars
Price: $$
Parking: Difficult, Street
Vibe: Hipster
Service: Friendly but slow
Bonus: Monster Movies
Selection: No taps, but otherwise very good
Website: http://www.myspace.com/4rbar
Phone #:213-387-7227
Address: 3331 W. 8TH ST., LOS ANGELES, CA. 90005