Thunderbolt

Whether it’s date night or just a few friends getting together. This place doesn’t disappoint! Only grabbed a few small bites (Caesar & Fried Green Tomatoes), would get the Caesar again for sure. The cocktails are the real deal and what this place is known for. The mixologist knows what they’re doing! Highly recommended trying a drink that you wouldn’t normally order but peaks your interest. Enjoy!

We had a fantastic night at Thunderbolt and couldn’t have picked a better spot to celebrate a birthday. We grabbed seats at the bar, and from the moment we sat down, the experience felt warm, lively, and welcoming. Our bartender, Frank, was outstanding. Even with the bar buzzing, he took the time to chat with us, make thoughtful recommendations, and craft excellent cocktails without ever making us feel rushed. That kind of attentiveness is rare when a place is busy, and it made the night feel special. While we were bummed that Chef Jonathan had the night off (I was genuinely looking forward to seeing him), the food more than held its own. Everything we ordered was flavorful, well-executed, and clearly made with care. The Cheesy Grits were rich and comforting, the Pork & Beans packed depth, and the Drummettes hit that perfect balance of crisp and savory. The Benne Caesar Salad was a standout—bright, fresh, and memorable. Cocktails were equally on point. La Frutera was refreshing and balanced, and both the Fords and Tromba Blanco cocktails were expertly mixed and enjoyable from first sip to last. Another small but appreciated detail: parking was easy. We found street parking just around the corner, which in Los Angeles is no small win. All in all, Thunderbolt delivered a great night—excellent food, strong drinks, and genuinely friendly service. Frank helped turn a busy evening into a relaxed and celebratory experience, and we’ll absolutely be back.

Craft cocktail bars come in all styles. Those of us who like craft cocktails can be pretty eclectic in our choices. Thunderbolt is one of those places that is not for everybody. While most of the cocktails are rifts on classics, they are pretty far out there on the experimental formulation department. I will use one as my example. The first cocktail I had was called Liquid Picnic. They describe it as their "signature gin martini"; besides the usual London dry gin and vermouth it has clarified tomato water, rosemary, and black pepper. Did it taste like tomatoes? Only a slight after note. The main taste profile was herbal. As this illustrates, these drink are not for everyone. My husband tried the "fugwaa falsetto". Its main alcohol was shochu and rum. However, it also contained bitter melon, manzanilla, suze, and was dusted with some type of orange powder. It was actually quite lovely and approachable. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and happy to discuss details. They will even give you a taste of one, as many of their cocktails are batched. The only food we had were the fries, but they were nice and crispy. This place is an adventure in cocktails. If you drink vodka and soda, this is not your place.

The drinks are absolutely worth the top 50 ranking. Chef Jonathan is great and the chicken biscuit is so yummy. The bartender, Tom, was very friendly and gave great service and was very knowledgeable and skilled for all the cocktails