Golden Gopher,
417 W Eighth St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 614-8001
"
I'll have the pad thai " - by hannah b
the downside of reading reviews is running the risk of believing what you may finally discover as false advertising. planted with colorful seeds of promise, hope, and enthusiasm, you venture onward with that tickle in your heart, and bounce in your step that says "hey world, this is going to be GOOOD" (you might even be saying those exact words out loud. i like to.). but how quickly, and how OFTEN, we are deflated, left still hungry...this was no free meal- you've paid in full, and your soul is in debt. this, my friends, is not one of those reviews. because i can guarantee you will be filled with all things golden upon entering, experiencing, exiting, and then reminiscing about the GOLDEN GOPHER. so, lets get down to business.
the moment you walk into this cozy loft-like (hmmm) spot, your senses are wondering off-leash ...snooping around the booths tucked beneath the shadows along the walls and in corners. ears perked to what you will soon decide is a too softly played, but KICK ASS jukebox (everything from hank williams, to radiohead, to X), and thumbs tingling at the sight of a handful of old atari video games. the bartenders are awesome, serving up drinks with a smile AND a dinner menu if that empty tummy of yours needs some lovin'. they've got a folder full of take out menus that they will gladly share. too cool.
there are couches (although absent during my visit due to the moody weather) that bookend an outside space adorned with candles that could warm the heart of any smoker. the crowd is eclectic but cool- handfuls probably drifting over from work for the happy hour ... keeping to themselves and their office gossip. this is the kind of place where you can keep your mystery while you makeout with your honey in one of the intimate nooks, or enthusiastically chat it up with the people behind and attached to the bar.
owner of one of the oldest liquor licenses in L.A., the golden gopher also houses a small, but proud mini store in the front, selling everything from playing cards, to your favorite poison. c'mon! THAT's cool..... in fact, everything about this place is pretty freakin' cool, so visit the golden gopher, he won't let you down. oh! and while you're there, ask if they got the t-shirts in yet, i want one.
Open: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Happy Hour weekdays 4 p.m.-7 p.m. 
