Back in the day this was a neighborhood bar named Jolie's. The seven or so guys at the bar nursed stiff drinks and the owner/bartender was as drunk as they were. Sounds perfect.. except they were all at least 70. Not that I minded because I was in my 20s then and hungry for male attention and thirsty for free liquor, both of which were in no short supply.
Flash forward 10 years. Silver Lake is younger, straighter and hipper. Jolies disappeared like The Detour and Cuffs. Akbar is the perfect bar for the friendly folks now living in the 'hood. Any night finds gay folks and straights, men and women proving that in Los Angeles, we can all just get along.
The crowd is edgy but friendly and approachable, even for gay guys like me in their late, late mid thirties. My only complaint is the effort it takes to get a libation. When you first approach the bar it seems as if two guys are working their asses off and seven guys are just ignoring you, then you realize there are three barbacks for every bartender, which means your half empty drinks disappear like the shrimp at a buffet but actually getting a drink is like a person of color trying to get a cab in the rain. The $20 credit card minimum is a bit annoying, as suggested by other reviewers, more actual bartenders might improve the overall experience as well as their attitude. If you are gay try MJ's on Hyperion (the former Woody's) and if you are straight try The Good Luck bar (which was some gay bar before too but I forget the name).
Pros: Great crowd, fun and easy going and approachable
Cons: You might die of thirst
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