Jeff B.
Yelp
(Drank 01/25/14 SA @ 8:00pm): Dr. Seuss would've been so proud, he'd jump up and down and be real loud!
The vagabonds I made friends with during an earlier event in the area and myself "stumbled" out of the nearby Golden Gopher and headed for Ham & Eggs Tavern as we continued our impromptu DTLA bar crawl. This place was very unassuming and if it weren't for my Yelp app and the street sign that pointed it out, we might've missed it http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=vyi5Sqm0sSskCm6sa55jMw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Suffice it to say, there was no food in this Whoville watering hole, but we were thirsty, and dammit we were going to drink! My libations consisted of choices from the Aloha State of Hawaii:
Maui Brewing Company Bikini Blonde ($6.00) - Your typical pilsner with a nice bold taste and smooth finish. The label was killer which out you in an aloha state of mind http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=WPShTgfFMB-anPPSkiTwCg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Maui Brewing Company Mana Wheat ($6.00) - Once the bartender mentioned that this had a pineapple taste to it, it was on, because I'm all about the pineapple! A bit on the hoppy side I felt it accentuated more the sweet pineapple flavor. This was a hit with me and left me wanting to play my ukulele and give the "shaka" sign! \mn/
Service - Since I was the only patron at this time (a group of hipsters came in about an hour later which was my cue to "exit, stage right"!), so I received undivided attention from the cute (and lone) female bartender from Texas. We shot the shit, talked about career goals, music, etc. - it was really pleasant. This will certainly be updated when it's more than a drinking party for two and I'm not the only one imbibing!
Parking ($6.00) - As most business in the area, they didn't have their own lot. So, I parked at the nearby Joe's Auto Park where the rates varied depending on day, time, capacity, etc. Otherwise, there were plenty of other parking lots in the area with similar rates. There were also street parking meters, but I had no idea what the rates were.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience - Apparently, this used to be an American & Chinese Food To Go restaurant based on the window sign, but it looked like there may've been counter-seating at one time or other. Well, the seats were gone, and frankly, I didn't see any seats or tables whatsoever, and this place was slim both in the bar area and where the live bands played http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=NpvgWgxqvRhUEfqcpJXO1w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. There were some very cool paintings on all the walls, as well as various other artwork http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=h3PStXJ0xsa7-4M1EUf1Fg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. But you had to check out the bathroom with the exceptionally lovely artwork which was reason enough to duck in here http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=DCuHXif8dcY5hRajZPSc-Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Lighting was extremely dim as there might've been only a night-lite, faux candles, street lights from outside, and the illumination from my cellphone and the iPod player; intimate, baby! There were no TVs, and music played from an iPod or live bands.
Attire - Although I was in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops because of an earlier event, I'd recommend pants, a shirt with some buttons, and actual shoes. There was no dress code, but come on, it wasn't a sports bar!
Overall, I was no Sam, no Sam I am, nor any eggs, no green eggs or ham, but Ham & Eggs Tavern was as simple and whimsical as the rhythmic verses of any childhood limerick. They had no beer taps nor liquor; strictly a cans and wine bottles place. Beers averaged around $5.00 (I loved that they had a "shit beer" list that consisted of PBR, Olympia, and more), while wine-by-the-glass was around $8.00. It was like we raided a buddy's house while his parents were gone and his older sister was serving us and collected tips (ummm, this scenario actually happened in high school!). I enjoyed the chill vibe, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return - only if I were in the neighborhood again. I found fairly good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total bill was around $12.00 before tip), but I felt the prices were a bit on the high side with minimal selection. And, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 3.5 STARS