The Lash, Los Angeles, USA

Eschewing the stereotypical glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, The Lash is an industrial, avant-garde watering hole located in the equally on-the-cusp Downtown neighbourhood. Touted as a social club for the creatively inclined, the monochromatic, two-room space cuts a strong figure with veiny marble floors, white subway tiles, neon signage and an abundance of concrete. The uncompromising design also includes stadium-style wooden benches, which line the walls, and modular stools and benches that have been paired with broken mirror details for a deliberately dishevelled look. The aura of the bar can be best summed up by the deconstructed disco ball that hangs in the club room; a prismatic cage of light that was designed, along with the rest of the interior, by a fellow Downtown resident, Erik Hart/Atelier Projects. Despite having a fully stocked bar, The Lash has refreshingly opted for a fuss-free cocktail menu consisting of just six drinks. The 'Untitled' comes most recommended – it's a potent mix of tequila, espresso and Kahlua that's bound to keep customers up until the wee hours.