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Thunderbolt

Los Angeles

• Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2025

At the intersection of Historic Filipinotown, Echo Park and Downtown Los Angeles lies Thunderbolt, with its deliciously approachable cocktail list and Southern-inspired food menu. The open patio, light pink highlights, dark green walls, orange stools and brown leather upholstery give it that bright and breezy SoCal feel.

Don’t be fooled by the chilled vibes though. Thunderbolt is serious about its drinks, utilising all the laboratory-adjacent techniques and equipment – including centrifuges and high-pressure nitrous – to maximise flavour. The Jackfruit Thunderbolt, made with a combination of Oaxacan and Jamaican rums and the titular fruit, offers a fun variation on a classic julep with the addition of a few East Asian flavours. Also on offer is a range of canned cocktails, wine by-the-bottle and a serious Madeira list. To pair with its wide-ranging drinks offering, pick and choose from any of the plates on the all-day menu, from homey buttermilk biscuits to Momma Leah’s chicken drumettes in a tamari glaze.

Beyond just the creation of delicious drinks, Thunderbolt’s ecological efforts are equally noteworthy. From ethical sourcing and attribution for independent producers to philanthropic local community work and comprehensive waste reduction programmes, Thunderbolt is named the winner of the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2025.

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