The Wolves

Walking Into History

The entrance sits on Spring Street, where you step directly from Downtown’s gritty sidewalks into a room that feels lifted from 1910 Paris. Antique lamps cast warm light across dark wood surfaces. A stained glass arch—salvaged from an old train station and carefully restored—spans overhead. The high ceilings keep the space from feeling cramped even when crowded.

The Alexandria Hotel opened in 1906 as LA’s first five-star hotel, designed by architect John Parkinson with Egyptian marble columns and mosaic floors. Silent film stars kept suites here. Charlie Chaplin did improvisations in the lobby. D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks met in this building to form United Artists. By the 1980s the hotel had declined into an SRO property known for drug problems. The Wolves represents part of Downtown’s gradual return.

The Drinks

Beverage director Nathan McCullough runs a program built on house-made ingredients. Bitters get infused with unexpected flavors—olive, pork fat. Tequila gets shrimp treatment for an aguachile-inspired cocktail. The Agua Buena draws repeat customers who claim it’s the best drink they’ve had. Cocktails typically run $18-25.

The menu reads like short fiction—creative names paired with ingredient combinations that shouldn’t work but do. A coffee cocktail arrives with roasted croissant and tequila cream. Another comes in a decanter filled with smoke that infuses the bourbon and house-made bitters. The bartenders will let you taste unusual ingredients if you ask.

Wine selection is limited. Beer isn’t the focus. This is a cocktail bar that takes its craft seriously.

The Food

Chef Tyler Bonacotti cooks French-American fusion from a small kitchen. Charred peppers with lemon work as a light snack. The braised short rib grilled cheese runs rich. Steak frites comes properly executed. Ratatouille with baguette stays on the menu because people keep ordering it.

Portions match bar dining expectations—this isn’t dinner destination. Prices stay reasonable for the quality. The food complements drinking rather than competing with it.

The Space

The main bar area features intimate seating under the restored stained glass. Tables fill quickly after opening. A small balcony provides Spring Street views and makes the only outdoor dining option on this block.

Antiques cover the walls—sconces, photographs, decorative pieces sourced over three years of preparation before the 2018 opening. The design earned an Eater Award the year it opened. The atmosphere reads elegant without demanding formal dress. You’ll see people in everything from business casual to vintage attire.

Planning Your Visit

Walk-ins only. No reservations. Arrive early to claim a table or be prepared to wait, especially Thursday through Saturday. The bar accepts guests even when tables are full.

Hours run Thursday through Monday, 5pm to midnight (Friday and Saturday extend to 2am). Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cocktails take time—the bartenders mix to order with precise technique. Order at the bar if you want to watch the process. Service generally runs friendly and knowledgeable.