Bar Benjamin

Bar Benjamin is a second-floor craft cocktail bar that opened in May 2025 above The Benjamin Hollywood on Melrose Avenue, from The Hundreds co-founder Ben Shenassafar with partners Jared Meisler and Kate Burr. The cocktail program — developed by Jason Lee (n/soto, Baroo) and beverage director Chad Austin — is known for elaborate, food-driven drinks, and the non-alcoholic list is a genuine priority rather than an afterthought: Austin, who is five years sober, builds the zero-proof cocktails with the same rigor as the full menu. Named NA drinks on the current menu include the Smiley Face (a mango-margarita riff with yellow bell pepper syrup, fermented mango, acid-adjusted pineapple, Wilderton Citrus Bitter, and Optimist Smoky), plus Aura Farm, Bangkok Dangerous, and Tepache Bird. The room is intimate and reservation-friendly, with walk-in bar seating.

“I'm five years sober, so I always pay close attention to NA menus when I'm out. Unfortunately, I often don't order because the drinks feel like an afterthought.”

— Chad Austin, Bar Benjamin beverage director

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Non-alcoholic brands they serve

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