El Carmen

T August 01, 2007
 
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94 (2)
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El Carmen

Location Information

Address
8138 W Third St
Country
United States
State / Province
California
City
Los Angeles
Postal Code
90048

Contact Information

Phone Number
(323) 852-1552

El Carmen

If "Twin Peaks" director David Lynch designed a south-of-the-border bar, this is what El Carmen would be like. Mounted bull heads watch over tequila drinkers, while black velvet paintings of Mexican wrestlers survey the room. The theme carries over to the wrestler masks hanging from the ceiling and the Pulp-style art covering the walls. The surreal mood is locked in when the jukebox jams its fourth Michael Jackson song in the last hour and no one even notices.

The kitsch factor draws its share of hipsters, but El Carmen also gets its fair share of the sleek and chic who come for the tequila, baby. There are more than 420 varieties to choose from; the sampler platter offers a sip or two of several different types. Or try a Mexjito, a delicious, tequila-based take on the mojito.

User reviews

2 reviews
Overall rating
 
94
Agave Spirit Selection
 
97(2)
Food
 
89(2)
Price
 
93(2)
Knowledge - Service
 
96(2)
Ambiance
 
97(2)
Overall rating
 
93
Agave Spirit Selection
 
95
Food
 
88
Price
 
90
Knowledge - Service
 
95
Ambiance
 
95
A great place with a great staff. Great 'bar' food. The best part is theres a bus that can pick me up from my place and drops me off almost in front of El Carmen!
P
Top 10 Reviewer 261 reviews
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Overall rating
 
96
Agave Spirit Selection
 
98
Food
 
90
Price
 
95
Knowledge - Service
 
96
Ambiance
 
98
At less than 1 mile from my house, El Carmen is my neighborhood tequila bar. And with over 400 varieties of tequila, I will NEVER get bored with it.

The food is cheap and served quickly. Is it great? No. But it gets the job done. For tequila pricing calibration, I always use Herradura Seleccion Suprema, which is $35 here; but there are some selections that tip the scales at $100 (too rich for my blood).

Like the description says, the ambiance is awesome. Mexican wrestler masks and bull heads line the walls. It can be dark and noisy at times, but never to the point where I am uncomfortable.

Not all the waitresses know their tequila, but the bartenders seem very knowledgeable and willing to offer samples and recommendations. (With 400 varieties, I can definitely use recommendations from time to time.)

Due to the massive selection, fair pricing, knowledgeable bartenders, and fantastic atmosphere, I have to give El Carmen a solid "A" and recommend it to anyone visiting Los Angeles.
T
Top 50 Reviewer 37 reviews
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