Do It. 'Back to the Future' at Big Bar.

We here at the BEAT are big fans of Alcove Cafe and its new sister bar, Big Bar. But if you somehow haven't gotten a chance to visit the beautiful outdoor restaurant and enjoyed some of the new fancy concoctions they're putting together there, you've now got a pretty great excuse.

That would be Big Bar's first-ever outdoor movie screening, featuring none other than Marty McFly and the Delorean in Back to the Future. Yep, they'll be draping a huge 12-foot screen over the garden patio and letting everyone enjoy the outdoors with special cocktails on the menu. And if you come dressed up as your favorite character, there's a chance for a huge prize.

Summer's officially getting kicked off this weekend, so why not celebrate early with this fun outdoor screening? Show up early (there are no reservations being made for movie seating), and you can enjoy some happy hour specials too.

Walk-In Theatre Night Under the Stars with Back to the Future is happening tonight at 8pm at Big Bar, located at 1927 Hillhurst Ave. in Los Feliz.

--Chau Tu

Drink It. Big Bar at Alcove.

It was big news in Los Feliz when Big Bar at Alcove opened last fall. This past weekend was the first time I made it there, and it was so delicious, I'll definitely be back.

After a late dinner at Speranza, my boyfriend, our friend, and I were looking for a well-crafted cocktail. After considering Cole's Red Car Bar and The Hungry Cat, we thought of Big Bar and headed up Hillhurst.

The bar itself is actually quite small (about ten leather stools surrounding a light gray marble bar, and some small tables in the room as well), with attractive decor like vintage light fixtures and plenty of silver.

I started out with one of their specialty drinks, The New Brunswick: Famous Grouse Scotch, maple syrup, and lemon (pictured above). It reminded me slightly of a sidecar, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything on the menu sounded so good, when it came time for round two, I switched to the Bourbon Milk Punch, which disappeared in record time. I held off on ordering another, but it could have easily gone that way. It was crisp, cold, refreshing, and totally delicious, topped with freshly ground nutmeg.

Hank stuck with the citrusy margarita-like tequila-based option, The Lily. I had a sip and found it quite tart, but if you're not one for sweet concoctions, you'd love it.

Also good to know: the bartenders are happy to chat about what liquors/flavors you generally like, and create an off-the-menu mixed drink just for you.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT