We’re always skeptical of cocktail bars expanding to LA from other cities, so we were wary when NYC-based Death & Co. opened in the Arts District. But the cocktails are so good here, we wouldn’t care if they’re owned by Halliburton (for the record, they’re not). This is a dark, small spot that doesn’t take reservations, but there’s a bar to get some warm-up drinks while you wait for your table. We love the smoky, bourbon- and mezcal-based Year of the Trees, but feel free to talk to your server about what you like, because they’ll point you in the right direction, and teach you about obscure drink ingredients (that is, unless you already know what verjus and granada-vallet are). Next time you’re looking for an upscale cocktail spot for a date, Death & Co. is the one.