Battling With The Angel On My Shoulder

      You ever find a place that has just such a perfect vibe you don’t want to share it?  Well, that’s the battle I’ve been fighting with the angel on my shoulder.  If I just give the address up front I’m more than certain not too many people are going to flood my little hideaway.  Really when is the last time your friends said, “Hey, wanna do something fun?  Let’s hit Koreatown!”  Unless of course you’re taking Bryce’s advice here to heart.      

     Ok, so other than that my place is probably safe.  Probably…Still.  Ok, here goes, have you ever been in the mood to get a cheap drink–like a Jamaican Red Stripe beer with some spicy popcorn and the most fantastic view of the Empire State Building?  If so, the only place to go is the top of La Quinta Hotel in Koreatown to the rooftop bar called Me-bar. 

      There is nothing outside the hotel to lead you to this place.  In fact, there isn’t anything inside the hotel to lead you there either.  You enter the elevator and hit floor 14.  For those who are superstitious, Floor 13 is noticeably missing.  Floor 14 is actually 13.  So if you are superstitious maybe that’ll keep you away. If not after leaving the elevator and making a right turn you’ll find a little oasis void of pretension—and surprisingly few tourists—despite it being on top of a hotel. 

      There is no doorman and the dress is come-as-you-are casual.  That means your friend who has recently decided he can’t part with his vintage T collection for a night out doesn’t need to put on a button up shirt. 

      They serve free bowls of spicy popcorn and they keep it coming.  Beers are between five and six bucks.  Wine is about eight.  There is no other food—but don’t despair if you get the munchies they’ll give you a set of takeout menus for local places that are only too happy to deliver.  My friend and I ordered Italian and were very pleased with the speed the food came and the prices.  And, oh yeah, it tasted really good too.

      The best thing about Me-bar though is the view.  You feel like you can reach out and touch the Empire State Building.  If you’re looking for an upscale, uptight, place to be seen—this probably isn’t it.  But if you’re looking for a laid-back spot where you can actually hear the conversation you’re having click here.