Over the past few years, there has been a definite push from Dewar's to define itself as the young and hip's preferred scotch.  Drinking three dollar Dewar's and ginger while MGMT blares loudly from the dusty grease-coated speakers has become a regular pastime of convenience; it's there and it's cheap.

Dewar's seized upon the "national holiday" of repeal day to further cement loyalty amongst their target demographic.  And so it was that on December 5th, 2008, the 75th anniversary of the 21st amendment that ended prohibition, Dewar's offered a 75 cent cocktail promotion at bars across the nation.  Considering the current economic downturn, it's no surprise people came out in droves.

Many LAers celebrated the holiday downtown. Fitting, as the current downtown renaissance is partially fueled by an appreciation for art deco and classic cocktails. At the newly reopened Cole's Buffet, two brand reps at the door handed out pins, boas and other swag.  The bar was already three deep at 8:45, as the promotion only went until 10 or 11 or so. I ordered doubles with soda backs and spent only three dollars. There was a line to buy tickets redeemable for Cole's famous French dip sandwiches.  Regarding the Cole's v. Philippe's debate, regardless of who came up with the sandwich, having the au jus on the side, as Cole's does, is the way to go. Tickets were a dollar a piece, and it took four tickets to get a sandwich 1/3 the size of what Cole's used to offer--a French Dip slider as it were.  Hopefully, this was to help accommodate the crowds, and the sandwich will return to its full size.

After Cole's came a stop at the Golden Gopher, another bar brought to us by Cedd Moses, who is doing a good job ushering night seekers downtown.  After one cocktail, when I left, there was a line at the door 10 or 12 drunkish people long.

Oddly enough, La Cita was not participating in repeal day festivities, when they host three dollar Dewar's promo nights on a regular basis.  Nonetheless, an uncrowded bar was a welcome respite. That is, until promotions at the other bars ended, and the place filled up. Already lubricated by the cheap cocktails, most pockets emptied here.

At Redwood Bar, I asked the doorman if they were still doing the Dewar's promotion.  He said "Yeah, it's five dollars." He had let in a group ahead of me without charging, so I suspect he was looking to pocket my money. The bouncer at The Edison was far more reasonable in rejecting me from the door, asking me where I had been that night. I rattled off the bars, and he said it was probably time to call it a night, as I was swaying back and forth like a ship on rough seas.

With that, I headed to Bar 107, where you must actually be in the act of vomiting or punching someone to not be let in, and danced the night away.