Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village, is what this blog article is all about. Silverlakeblog caught up with the GM of Bigfoot Lodge, Brandon Burkart. He was an appropriately tailored cheeky fellow fitting-in almost as an ornament fixture to this timeless and lively bar with Yellowstone-like decor that serves novelty drinks & hosts slap stick events, such as bingo and Knotty Pine Derby. All of this seems oddly & culturally relevant which is rarely seen anymore on the Eastside of Los Angeles. We like it. We like it all.
Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village | GM Brandon Burkart
How long has Bigfoot Lodge been around?
The Bigfoot opened in June of 1999. Which reminds me I have an anniversary party to plan!
Why do people love the idea of Big Foot?
Same reason we love aliens, chupacabras, & the Loch Ness monster. We all want to believe in a little bit of the supernatural. A little magic keeps us young.
Where did the name come from?
The Loch Ness Monster Lodge was too much of a mouthful 😉
What are your thoughts about how the Eastside is changing?
Change is the nature of the beast. I personally love it, but we all hear the same hushed grumbles on cafe patios, or bar stools, or at the Farm-To-Table, Cruelty-Free Briefcase Outlet… “It’s not like it was, man.” The thing is, nowhere is what it was, and even if it were the same as it was, we’d be bored of it and move on, right? So, let’s embrace it, help it along, and make it fun no matter what. That’s our individual responsibility to our neighborhoods. Stand up and contribute. Throw a party or come to ours!
Where do you live?
Depends on which neighbor you ask, but GPS tags me in Elysian Heights. Touching the literal borders of Echo Park, Silver Lake, and Frog Town. I love it here. 8 minutes door to door to The Bigfoot.
Do you own or rent?
I sure do…
What’s the vibe of Bigfoot Lodge like?
Welcoming above all else. It’s like being at the Great Northern Hotel from Twin Peaks. We’re a proper log cabin. Who doesn’t love being in a cabin? Especially while surrounded by babes, gents on choppers, great booze, ripping tunes, and seriously good vibes! The Bigfoot Lodge is always smiling.
Tell us about the deals.
We do Happy Hour seven days a week from 5pm to 9pm, featuring five cocktails for five bucks each. All Killer. No filler.
Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village
Tell me about any Special or weekly events?
Monday– Karaoke with Handsome Bob & Mickey G.
Tuesday- 1st & 3rd are rotating Honky Tonk DJs, and 2nd Tuesday is Bingo. 4th Tuesday is The Knotty Pine Derby where customers build their own pinewood derby cars. We set up a track the entire length of the bar top and race! Trophies for Fastest Car, Coolest Car, & Ugliest Car. One of my favorite nights every month.
Wednesday- This is a big night as it’s a triple-threat. We have Trivia from 9-11pm with booze prizes plus BRAIN DRAIN rock & roll vinyl right afterward with DJ Carlos Rossi of TOTAL WRECK. All of this is under the umbrella of Whiskey Wednesday which features rotating whiskeys for $5 all night.
Thursday- Blank City Records hosts this evening with good rock and roll bands and DJ Marc Sallis of The Bulls & The Duke Spirit.
Friday- The Pharmacy! Guest DJ’s & bands hosted by Gregg Foreman of The Pharmacy Radio & Cat Power. Past performers have included David J of Bauhaus, Lydia Lunch, & Jesse Hughes from Eagles Of Death Metal.
Saturday- Nasty Rock & Roll with DJ Noah Harmon plus monthly performance by PUKES a Country-Western Misfits Tribute.
Sunday- Babe Island Comedy. Rotating comedians from 9pm till midnight hosted by Josh Androsky, Miles K, James Fritz, & David Gborie.
Keep in mind, ALL of this is free. We never charge a cover.
The Knotty Pine Derby
What are the best nights to go?
We have so much going on that there really is something for everyone. If you’re into live music, Thursdays are killer, if you’re looking to cut a rug, Friday. If you want a quiet cocktail and good vinyl, Wednesday. I’m obviously biased. I hang here even when I’m not working.
Who hangs out here?
Aside from our built-in Atwater Village natives, we have a lot of film crew regulars. Grip & Electric guys, Art Department folks. Plus a huge part of the chopper community too, as Glendale Harley is just around the block. We also throw parties with DiCE Magazine pretty regularly which can line the block with motorcycles to the horizon. There’s a good cross section of local bands mixed into the pot. It’s a good party, this bar.
Bigfoot Lodge in Atwater Village
What are some favorite specialty drinks?
We’re about to roll out our summer menu, so I’ll hype some of my upcoming favorites: The Santeria Smash is great on a hot night. It’s El Silencio mezcal, Aperol, lemon juice, & bitters, topped with club soda & mint. The newest addition to our menu is the El Dorado which is rye whiskey, lemon juice, Angostura Amaro, ginger syrup, and firewater bitters. Spicy and refreshing. And strong! Plus we make a mean Old Fashioned if you’re here for the classics.
What makes this bar different from the rest of Atwater Village?
We’re fortunate to share the block with a community of diverse bars that all embrace one another. WE’RE A LOG CABIN. A really fun, boozy log cabin staffed by some of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Join us for a few!
Bigfoot Lodge
3172 Los Feliz Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Your Downtown Los Angeles Realtor
I’m a local real estate agent with The Shelhamer Real Estate Group, and It would be my pleasure to help you find the perfect property to call home in Downtown Los Angeles, or if you’re thinking about selling a house, condo, or multi-family building in, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Glassell Park, Mount Washington, or Downtown Los Angeles, it would be a privilege to help you get top dollar for the sale of your property.
Let’s chat sometime. 310-913-9477 or contact me
