Bar Louie opens first California location in Downey

DOWNEY -- California's first Bar Louie located opened at the Promenade at Downey on Oct. 17, with a public grand opening and ribbon taking place last Thursday. 

"From business lunches to dinners for one, celebrations, happy hours and late nights with the office co-workers or friends, Bar Louie is a place where people come to connect, regroup and hit the reset button in an environment where they feel comfortable," said Christopher Getz, general manager of the new Bar Louie in Downey. 

"We hope that our new neighborhood bar and restaurant will become a place where residents and employees of Downey and the surrounding Los Angeles communities can come together to relax and enjoy." 

Bar Louie opened its first location in Chicago in 1990. It has since grown to 115 location in 25 states. 

The Downey location created 80 jobs, officials said. 

Bar Louie's menu features a selection of shareable plates, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, burgers and signature dishes, including a spiked bourbon burger and grilled mac and cheese sandwich. 

All cocktails are handcrafted -- no blenders are used. Some of its most popular drinks are the Pineapple Express Sangria, which unites flavored vodka with tropical fruit syrups and juices, topped off with prosecco, or the more traditional Havana Classic Mojito. 

Bar Louie is open seven days per week, with its full food menu available until 2 a.m. daily.