Broken Shaker LA Relaunches Under Authentic Hospitality
Broken Shaker LA, the rooftop cocktail bar perched above the Freehand hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, kicked off its 2025 season on May 8 with a fresh team at the helm and a new slate of drinks and bites. The space is now operated by Authentic Hospitality, the New York-based group behind buzzy venues like Ray's, Jac's on Bond and Pebble Bar.
This marks Authentic Hospitality's first Los Angeles venture—and it's not a quiet entrance. The group, led by nightlife veterans Matt Kliegman, Carlos Quirarte and Matthew Charles, was tapped last year to revamp the Broken Shaker brand, starting in Miami. Their takeover of the LA location brings a reimagined cocktail menu, a refreshed design by Melissa Bowers, and a new food program with serious culinary firepower.
'We're reigniting the energy of Broken Shaker LA while maintaining what makes the concept so beloved,' says Charles. 'LA will see a slate of programming centered on music, nightlife and industry culture, alongside great food and drinks.'
Broken Shaker Rooftop Bar
Located on the Freehand's 13th floor, the rooftop bar has always leaned into tropical escapism—with palm fronds, poolside views and a menu of fruity, easy-drinking cocktails. This season continues that theme with drinks like the Electric Warrior, made with Absolut Elyx, St. Germain, and lemon-lime cordial and Breakfast in the Moonlight, a passionfruit-spiked take on a zombie. There's also a tangerine-laced Verbena Spritz on the non-alcoholic side, plus a punch bowl that serves up to a dozen.
Broken Shaker Cocktail
The food menu comes from acclaimed chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske Valtierra, known for their work at NYC's Contra and Wildair. They've built a lineup of Pan-Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes meant to complement the setting—easy to share, packed with flavor and just bold enough to keep things interesting.
Broken Shaker Menu
'We wanted to create something craveable but unexpected—dishes you could snack on poolside, but that still reflect a sense of place,' says von Hauske Valtierra. 'The jerk chicken sandwich hits hard, but there's also a brightness and depth to the ceviche that makes it perfect for LA.'
Guests can expect smaller plates like carne asada fries and ceviche made with pink Gulf shrimp, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, and passionfruit, served with fried plantains. Skewers—like grilled coconut curry shrimp with cabbage, peppers, and onions—round out the casual, snacky vibe. The sandwich game is strong too, led by the jerk chicken with slaw on a potato bun.
Authentic Hospitality now oversees Broken Shaker in Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, with the Chicago location set to relaunch later this year. The group also runs several venues within Freehand New York, including Bar Calico and Smile To Go.
'Broken Shaker has become a key part of what makes Freehand feel like home for both travelers and locals,' says Annajane Güzel, Global Director of Brand Marketing for Freehand and Generator. 'We're excited to continue that legacy with a team who knows how to build places people want to return to.'
Broken Shaker Pool
Broken Shaker LA is open daily from noon to midnight. Food service runs until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends. The bar is located at 416 W. 8th Street. Reservations available via OpenTable.
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