The Capri Club is the Coolest Bar in Eagle Rock

Feb 28

During the last week of summer ‘22, I enjoyed a perfect date with my husband at Capri Club in Eagle Rock and I have been ecstatically recommending it to my friends since. At the time, the bar was considered one of the hottest in L.A. and it probably still is. We arrived 10 minutes before opening on a warm September day to ensure we could easily grab a table. The L.A. Times had just published a glowing review and I knew the 38 available seats in the bar would go quickly! Our early arrival placed us sixth in line. The people clearly wanted their apertivos and were showing up in droves to experience the unpretentious and effortlessly cool vibe of The Capri Club.

Established in 1963 by Joe and Helen Sams, The Capri was a cherished neighborhood restaurant serving cozy classic Italian American food to its local community. In 2019 the owners sold the property and the space was acquired by Ice Cold Hospitality, known for Hi Hat Music Venue and The Hermosillo. The space underwent a major remodel and reopened under “Capri Club”, paying homage to the historic space, serving a focused menu of Italian Apertivo dishes and cocktails. The food menu was developed by Chef Francesco Allegro, a Pulgia native, who ensured each bite would pair well with rotating Negronis and classic Martinis. Read more about the restaurant’s history here.

The Food & Drinks

We went big and ordered 7 different plates off the well-designed menu, allowing us to get an understanding of Capri Club’s Italian Aperitivo fare. As I was sipping on a delightful frozen white peach and basil negroni, which I highly recommend, each plate began making its way to our tiny table. My husband and I started arranging the salty snacks presented before us, preparing to sit back al fresco and nosh between kissing and people-watching. It was an ideal setting for romance, nestled under a shaded awning, relaxing with good conversation, food, and drink.

The Supplí, made of fried risotto, mozzarella, and Parmesan fonduta was my favorite of the spread, possessing a perfect hot and crispy sensation upon first, second, and final bite. I singly handily cruised through our pile of savory pork slices which paired well with the cheeses, all complimenting my frozen negroni nicely. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed the Fried Polenta Sticks, which was a creative take on the often mealy dish I have never been fond of. Well executed here! White beans and Market Crudo Salad was an unexpected but appreciated offering, both light and filling. I loved the Bruschetta Caprese because I adore anything topped with ripe tomatoes - I can confirm that the bread was excellent.

The Scene

Capri Club is stylish but casual and almost always busy with cute locals and those often seen on the Northeast side of Los Angeles. The bar is open seating which means everyone is a walk-in and they don’t accept reservations. Outdoor accommodations are ideal on warm days but if you prefer moody colors and vinyl booths, grab a seat inside. Capri is great for a chill date or catching up with friends.

For those who love fútbol like me, make sure you get a glimpse of the Diego Maradona shrine outside of the restroom. It’s something special. If you haven’t watched the HBO Sports documentary on the extraordinary Argentinian legend, do so now.