Boardner's: A Bar Steeped in Hollywood Noir

Boardner’s is a bar with a storied history, dating back to 1942, and is said to be the oldest in Hollywood.

Elizabeth Short was rumored to have sipped her last drink at Boarders before stepping out into the night and becoming the Black Dahlia. Bartenders will tell you stories of ghost sightings in the women’s bathroom and actors like Lawrence Tierney starting bar fights.

Whether it’s nostalgia or the appeal of ancient Hollywood that lures you in, one thing’s for certain, Boardner’s is a great place to grab a drink, especially for happy hour.

Located at 1652 North Cherokee Ave., Boardner’s offers clients a happy hour Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and all day on Sunday. Happy hour drink specials include $3 and $4 beers, $5 well drinks, and $5 house wine. In addition to happy hour, Tuesdays are “2 for Tuesday” and offer up 2 beers for the price of 1 and any well drink becomes a double for the price of a single. During happy hour, the kitchen serves a collection of homemade appetizers for $6, such as crab cakes, traditional fish and chips, garlic herb french fries, wings on fire, and a 10-layer tortilla tower.

Boardner’s is known for having one of the best jukeboxes in town. During my visit, I listened to The Doors and Pearl Jam while gazing around the dimly-lit red and black interior. Elegant pieces like elaborately framed mirrors grace the hallways inside and are accompanied by two HDTVs and cozy private booths below artistic chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. In addition to the friendly bar, there is a long table for bigger parties and tiny couches for intimate conversations near a fireplace.

Boardner's is also equipped with a New Orleans-style back patio complete with black leather couches, glass tables, heat lamps, and speakers. There is an outdoor stage area for weekly live music and DJs and a candlelit fountain in the center of the courtyard.

Boardner’s caters to an eclectic crowd seeking a taste of old Hollywood and is also a low-key watering hole for locals. The bar staff is friendly and quick to suggest a delicious cocktail. There are several signature drinks, which are unique to bars in the area. Bottled beer like Pabst Blue Ribbon, Blue Mood, Miller Light, Heineken, and Guinness is served along with selection of red and white wines. Champagne cocktails run about $12 and include fun drinks like the Red Velvet ($12 – champagne with Stoli Razz, Chambord, and raspberries).

I recently arrived at Boardner’s at the strike of happy hour and watched a slew of patrons filter in. I mingled and chatted about Hollywood history as I ordered a drink and unwound from my long day. Per my waitress’s suggestion, I tried The Hollywood Starlet ($14 – Hendrick’s Gin, blackberries and fresh lime shaken and topped with champagne).

• “Boardner’s has the best outdoor patio. I’ve seen bands out there and it’s just great! I love their appetizers too. I live down the street so I come here a lot,” – Jeff Lee

• “They have some pretty wicked cocktails. I love that chocolate one. I’ll admit it! “– Dominick Carro 

• “Boardner’s has a great vibe. It’s very old-school Hollywood. I love to grab a drink after work and just vibe out on their killer jukebox.” –Jennifer Shapiro

• “This is my first time here but I’m definitely coming back. All I need after work is a bar to sit at and a nice cold beer to drink. $3 for a PBR is a good price and I love the wings on fire. Yum!” – Sam Gosling

• “I love the atmosphere. There are so many bars in Hollywood but this is great to have in my neighborhood. The private booths are my favorite. They are so comfortable and relaxing – not something you find in a typical bar.” – Nikki Jones

• “I love the Hollywood Starlet drink!” – Susanne Peterson

Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday – Thursday and 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday - Sunday.

Cover Charge: No

Dress code: Casual

Features: Beautiful outdoor patio, live music, DJs, jukebox, TV screens, private booths

Payments Accepted: Major credit cards

Parking: Street, nearby parking lots

Music: Jukebox which plays great music like The Doors, Pearl Jam, etc., live music & DJs on patio

Average Drink Price: $3-$5 during happy hour

Happy Hour: 5-8 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 4-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday and all day Sunday.

Happy Hour Drink Specials: $3 & $4 beers, $5 well drinks, $5 house wine

Happy Hour Food Specials: $6 Appetizers: Crab Cakes, Traditional Fish and Chips, Sausage, Cheddar, & Bacon Corn Muffins, The “Best” Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Potstickers, 10 Layer Tortilla Tower (home-style tortilla chips with choice of beef or chicken, jack and cheddar cheese, black beans, avocado, diced tomato, salsa, sour cream), Wings on Fire, Fried Calamari, Garlic Herb French Fries

Signature Drinks: The Black Dahlia ($14) – White and chocolate Godiva liqueur, Vanilla Stoli and a splash of Frangelic topped with chocolate, The Bloody Busy ($12) – choice of bacon infused vodka or house vodka in a classic Boardner’s Bloody Mary recipe served with a beef stick, cheese, and olive, The Hollywood Starlet ($14) – Hendrick’s Gin, blackberries, and fresh lime shaken and topped with champagne, The Boardner’s Sidecar ($12) – Armagnac Brandy, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, with a sugared rim

More Information: www.boardners.com