For Germany enthusiasts stuck in wanderlust, a happy hour special in West Los Angeles may offer a cure. Steingarten LA – also known as California’s Beer Garden – serves as a European-themed oasis with a wide variety of beer and food that can provide a taste of Germany for its guests.
General manager and beverage director Eric Wolff weighed in on the decor, environment, and overall vibe of its setting.
“I would say that Steingarten is a cross between Old World and more of a hipper vibe,” Wolff said. “And our clientele fits that description well: we have families come in, as well as people in their 20s.”
Such a variety of customers is not necessarily surprising, Wolff explained that Steingarten LA certainly has enough to accommodate to each and every guest.
“We have over 150 bottled beers, and a lot of them are import,” Wolff said. “We have over 20 taps that we usually try to source out. We use some of the top breweries in Southern California; we specialize in craft beers. We also have a pretty elaborate cocktail list, with a vast whiskey collection of over 100 different types, including moonshines.”
Cocktails are also a fun option.
“The cocktails include a lot of classics, like martinis, whiskey sours, and gin and vodka,” Wolff said. “We also have beer cocktails, which is basically when beer replaces what would be the club soda or ginger ale in the drink.”
Wolff’s favorite cocktail is the Steingarten LA spin off of the Manhattan, which includes bourbon, madagascar vanilla bean, and fresh plum. During happy hour, craft beers are always a dollar off, and cocktails are $6.
A number of traditional German dishes are among the menu highlights.
“We have quite a diverse menu,” Wolff explained. “This is a German-themed restaurant, so of course we have sausages and schnitzels.”
Among even just the sausages are plenty of options, from game sausages made from bison, elk, and venison, to vegetarian sausages like chipotle vegan and Italian vegan. There are even salmon sausages available for those who follow a pescatarian diet.
“We can accommodate to vegans and vegetarians just fine,” Wolff said.
Some of the small bites are discounted as well, including fish and chips, which are Wolff’s favorite happy hour item and what Steingarten “is very well-known for, although it is inherently an Irish dish.”
Adding on to the diversity of the menu are some classic American wings as well as some fusion Korean barbecue nachos.
“The KBBQ nachos are not your typical nachos,” Wolff said. “They’re made with thin sliced baked potatoes with nice Korean beef, scallions, and tomatoes, and they’re really delicious and unique.”
Steingarten LA also houses a one-of-a-kind backyard courtyard area, with a small garden, hanging lights, and a fire for those who prefer to lounge outdoors. The interior, however, holds just as much appeal, with a retractable roof available for those who appreciate a little fresh air and sunlight even while eating indoors.
It makes sense as to why the restaurant seeks to fit the needs of every guest after Wolff’s elaboration on his time and experience at Steingarten LA.
“My favorite part about being here is working with our staff and our clientele,” Wolff said. “We have a really customer base. I’ve worked a lot of different places, but the customers here are awesome.”
To experience Steingarten’s customer service and diverse menu, visit during happy hour every day from 4 pm to 7 pm. The hours are extended on NFL Sundays as well as college football game days.
Steingarten LA is located at 10543 W. Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles.
For more information, call 310.441.0441 or visit steingartenla.com.
