Breakfast at Tiffany's or Happy Hour at Esters.
Image Credit - Eater LA
Happy Hour at Ester’s
When the wine collection is so vast, there is an entire corner of the shop dedicated to acting as a wine library of sorts, you know you’ve just reached a wine mecca. No detail too small for attention, Esters has completely blown us out of the water with their simple and classic take on a Santa Monica style, Parisian wine bar. Imagine the charmless and timeless beauty of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and you’ll get a taste of Esters aesthetic.
Vibe
Indoors
A true delight to take in, the inside is fully anchored by a gorgeous neutral and sage bar. A few banquet tables and a cozy little corner complete with couch. The space is small but your eyes will feast.
Patio
More modern and sleek, the patio rests on a quieter street in Santa Monica. Though you don’t get the full treat of being inside, the patio is charming as well, with stringed lights flickering on to light the patio as the sun goes down.
Details
Menu
You’ll find one of everything in the entrees list, meat, vegetable plate, fish etc. The real fun is their selection of charcuterie boards. See the full menu here.
happy Hour
Oysters $3.5 each
Happy Hour Snacks $ 15
Burrata & Crostini $ 11
Two Cheese Plate $21
Two Charcuterie Plate $ 23
Happy Hour Red, White or Rosé Wine $10
Daily Happy Hour Cocktail 14
The Story
Apart of the Rustic Canyon Westside Empire, Esters opened in July 2015, across the hall from their sister restaurant Cassia, in the Telephone Building—a 1937 Art Deco landmark in downtown Santa Monica. The restaurant name Ester is named after the compounds you find in wine that hold the aroma. As you swirl the glass, you release the esters.
“Esters is a place to take a date, a friend, a parent, or a colleague from work. You can stay for 30 minutes or 3 hours. As my dad likes to say, ‘it’s a safe place’ and all are welcome here. You can’t buy happiness, but you can come to Esters.” -Kathryn Coker Co-owner and Rustic Canyon Family Wine Director.
Esters
1314 7th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Daily, 4pm-6pm