Cole’s downtown is one of L.A.’s oldest restaurants, and more than 100 years after it started slinging French dip sandwiches, the 213 Nightlife group enlivened it with a much-needed, Prohibition-era-glam makeover. Its loft-dwelling hipster clientele is content to sit at a front bar sipping the classic cocktails on offer, but the most coveted seats are through a discreet door at the back of the restaurant that leads to the Varnish. A leader of L.A.’s recent cocktail renaissance, the Varnish helped bring drinks such as the Old Fashioned back in style. Fittingly, an old-school vibe permeates the décor down to the smallest detail. (Yes, your suspendered bartender is taking calls on an antique rotary telephone.) 118 E. 6th St., downtown, 213.622.9999. 213nightlife.com/thevarnish