Bar Ama‘s happy hour or Nacho Hour is a great time to check out the bar.  If you don’t go for the wine, Mexican beer or pitchers of margaritas, I suggest trying the cocktails from the regular bar menu. Brian Summers (formerly of The Parish and Tinga) has revamped the drinks list and is working on the drinks at Baco Mercat as well. You can find him behind the stick at Bar Ama on Wednesdays and Thursdays then Fridays at Baco Mercat.

 

Bar Ama is introducing the New Tradition. I am familiar with the practice of serving tequila or mezcal with orange slices and cinnamon but how about if you combine the agave spirits with gelatin and serve it as orange “wedges?” That’s what Brian is doing. Perked up by both orange and lemon juices, the New Tradition rocks. This is a jello shot I can get behind!

 

It wouldn’t be Nacho Hour without nachos. We ordered the discounted nachos with chorizo ($5 for the nachos, $5 for added meat). You can also get the wholly satisfying chips, salsa, cheese and guacamole combo with picadillo. We made a fairly good sized dent in the plate between the two of us but we could have also shared with a couple of others. The portion is perfect for 4-5 people.

 

I started out with the Blazing Saddles which is a whiskey based drink. When Bar Ama first opened, there was definitely a focus on the many tequilas and mezcals offered. As the bar evolved, so has the drinks list. I like that there are a couple of whiskey drinks for people like me who flirts with bourbon and rye and then goes home with tequila, mezcal, sotol and bacanora.

As summer is stubbornly sticking around, the peach in the bourbon drink is lovely. Although it’s a whiskey drink, it has a Latin flavor profile. I enjoyed this drink with our nachos.

Blazing Saddles – bourbon, Black Seal rum, fresh-pressed peach, lemon, toasted chile reduction, canela (cinnamon)

 

I’m addicted to all the snacky things at Bar Ama. From the wonderful nachos to my favorite Frito pie, I can’t resist. They also have a great queso and this amazing guacamole. I love that it doesn’t have diced tomatoes (a no-no in my guac book) and utilizes huge pieces of avocado.

 

Bar Ama stocks the “Mexican Fernet,” Fernet Vallet. Here Brian uses in in a cocktail I thought would fight the brave battle of impending food coma. The Midnight Call with two ounces of Mexican Fernet gave me enough energy to keep the night going.

Midnight Call – Fernet Vallet, lime, ginger, rootbeer-chocolate

Super Nacho Hour is available every day but on Saturdays and Sundays, there are an extra couple of items including tacos (fish and shrimp) and micheladas and sangrita with your tequila. Hours are also a little bit earlier on weekends so check out the website for the latest details.

 

Bar Ama

118 W 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013  —  (213) 687-8002

 

© The Minty // LA Cocktails 2013