The South, although just three months in the making, has already established a hearty name for itself, nestled in the heart of Santa Monica.

The newly opened hang out offers up a lot more than just an evening cocktail, with authentic Cajun flavors and true Southern hospitality courtesy of Georgia-born owner Adam Milstein.

I decided to grab a drink during the nightly happy hour, from three to eight, and was pleasantly surprised by the bustling crowd. For a brand new restaurant, The South sure has lured in a large crowd of happy patrons with a great eatery and original bar. I sat down on the outside patio, surrounded by everyone from after hours business partners to girls grabbing a drink in their gym clothes.

But inside was even more charming, with a largely populated bar area, a bunch of private rooms, more flat screens than I could count on one hand, and a tons of leather couches to enhance the relaxing ambience.

The restaurant's main goal has clearly been accomplished: bringing a piece of the South to the bustling streets of Los Angeles. The bar’s most popular drink, the Mint Julep, was even more than I expected. The cocktail was served in a jar, heavily packed with crushed mint leaves and distinctively made with whiskey rather than rum.

The South’s unique cocktail menu includes everything from the Pimm’s Cup and Deep South Tea to a fishbowl sized Voodoo Brew - if you think you can handle it. The restaurant stands out as the perfect place to come hang out and watch the game or even have a hearty meal with family and friends. Genuine Cajun flavors are handed out daily in the form of Voodoo Shrimp appetizers, authentic Red Beans and Rice, and even Canal Street Jambalaya packed with sausage, crawfish, and chicken.

Truly turning an average bar into a place of Southern hospitality, the South sponsors daily events to bring patrons together. Every Saturday and Sunday is BBQ day, while Monday leaves room for Wings and Trivia night. Wednesday is Southern Belle night, paying tribute the ladies.

Although fairly new, the South will be around for a long time as it perfectly merges Dixieland delight with innovative cocktail brews.

THE DETAILS: The South
3001 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.828.9988

Story by Gena Oppenheim.