Pierogis and a Backyard Patio Bar to Cure Your Covid Blues
A quick google search will show you how small of a presence Polish restaurants have in LA. They may be small in number, but they’re each impressive in their own right. Solidarity, a name that pays homage to the 1980s Polish labor movement, has all the pierogis you could ask for AND the hippest backyard bar area in the area. On the corner of Lincoln and Santa Monica with just a small ‘hole in the wall’ storefront, it’s pretty incredible how far back the restaurant sprawls.
After opening in 1979 as what was then known as Warszawa, this quaint Polish restaurant quickly became the most sought after Polish food in Los Angeles. In 2014, the legacy was passed on to the owner’s daughter to take Warszawa to the next level. After almost 40 years of serving the community delicious Polish food and becoming a neighborhood staple, the food has remained untouched, to the community’s satisfaction. Keeping the menu was the only thing to stay the same through the transition of Warszawa to Solidarity. The entire restaurant has transformed into a more hip vibe, appealing to young Santa Monica locals. Two of the coolest changes? An upgraded patio and a hidden speakeasy.
In the dining room, where your Polish grandma’s white table cloths and china used to be out on display, now you’re greeted with an Eastern Bloc–meets–hipster minimalist style. Inside of a supply closet on a back wall, a bookshelf covered by a red velvet curtain leads you into a hidden speakeasy bar, just like they did in the original roarin’ twenties. Inside you'll find a piano, vintage lounge furniture, and a bar with specialty cocktails made with an array of Polish vodkas. A cozy space we can’t take advantage of in the foreseeable future due to COVID but once it’s safe, we’ll be the first ones back.
The biggest draw to young and local Santa Monicans’ has been that incredible ‘backyard’ patio. Also with a hidden-away vibe, you feel as though you’re stumbling into Santa monica’s best-kept secret. With several faux fire pits, a couple of TVs, a projector playing classic movies, and plenty of seating, Solidarity’s patio feels like the perfect neighborhood hang spot. With the perpetual apartment living that often takes place in the city, this ‘backyard vibe' is a sweet breath of fresh air. Reservations are not required but highly encouraged. Also, pierogis are not required but HIGHLY encouraged.
