You’ve likely driven past the bright, massive cans of Mango Cart or Wolf Among Weeds hundreds of times. Golden Road Brewing is basically a household name in Southern California now. But if you walk into the main pub in Atwater Village, you’re only seeing half the story. Tucked away behind a nondescript door—one that most people walk right past while looking for a table—is a place called Chloe's.
It's not just another bar. Honestly, Chloe's at Golden Road Brewery feels more like a time machine than a taproom. While the main brewery is all high ceilings and industrial energy, Chloe's is a dark, wood-paneled speakeasy that feels like a private club from the 1920s.
What Exactly is Chloe's at Golden Road Brewery?
Most people assume the entire Golden Road complex is just one big open-air party. That’s not quite right. Chloe's is the "secret" annex. It’s a multi-level private event space and social club that stays hidden from the general public unless there’s a special event or you’re a member of their beer society.
The vibe is pure vintage. Think velvet curtains, old-school leather booths, a fireplace that actually works, and a pool table that looks like it’s seen a few decades of history. It’s the kind of place where you expect to see someone in a fedora, but you’re more likely to see a local couple getting married or a group of brewers talking shop over a 12-tap bar.
The Story Behind the Secret Door
Golden Road was founded back in 2011 by Meg Gill and Tony Yanow. Meg was only 25 at the time—a former Yale swimmer who basically decided to conquer the LA beer scene because it was "undersaturated." Bold move. It worked.
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Chloe's was part of that early vision. While the brewery grew into a massive operation (eventually being acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2015), Chloe's remained the "soul" of the Atwater location. It was named after a friend of the founders, designed to be a sanctuary away from the chaos of the main bar.
Why the Speakeasy Vibe Matters
In a city like Los Angeles, everything is often about being "seen." Chloe's is the opposite. It’s about being hidden.
- The Snug Room: This is a tiny, super-private room within the speakeasy. It’s inspired by old Irish pubs where people would go to have private conversations away from the main crowd.
- The Tap List: Since it's a smaller bar, they often rotate in some of the more experimental or "innovation" brews that aren't available in the 12-ounce cans you find at Ralphs.
- The Decor: We’re talking kitschy wallpaper and antique furniture. It’s weirdly cozy for being inside a giant industrial building on San Fernando Road.
Weddings and Events: The Real Reason People Search for This Place
If you’ve seen Chloe's on your social feed, it was probably at a wedding. It has become one of the most popular "unconventional" wedding venues in LA. Why? Because it’s affordable (by LA standards) and it doesn’t feel like a sterile hotel ballroom.
The space can hold about 150 people across two floors. Most couples do the ceremony in the Biergarten or the Barrel Room and then move the party into Chloe's for the reception. It feels like throwing a house party in the basement of a very wealthy, very eccentric uncle who happens to have 12 beers on tap.
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The "Controversy" of the Big Beer Buyout
You can’t talk about Golden Road without mentioning the "sell-out" debate. When Meg Gill and Tony Yanow sold to AB InBev, the craft beer purists went absolutely nuclear. People felt like the "soul" was gone.
But here’s the thing: Chloe's didn't change.
While the distribution of Mango Cart went national and the brewery expanded to Anaheim and Huntington Beach, the Atwater speakeasy kept its weird, local charm. It’s still run by a team that cares about the specific "vibe" of Atwater Village. Whether you love or hate the corporate ownership, it's hard to deny that the physical space of Chloe's remains one of the coolest rooms in the city.
How to Actually Get Inside
You can't just walk in on a Tuesday afternoon and order a pint. That’s the catch.
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- Book an Event: This is the most common way. If you’re planning a birthday or a corporate mixer, you can rent the space.
- The Beer Society: Golden Road has historically hosted member-only events and "Brewer's Suppers" inside Chloe's. These are multi-course meals where the chef pairs specific dishes with limited-release beers.
- Brewery Tours: Occasionally, the weekend tours will include a walkthrough of the space, though you usually don't get to linger.
- Pop-up Nights: Keep an eye on their social media. Every now and then, they’ll open Chloe's to the public for a themed night or a holiday party.
Real Talk: Is it Worth It?
Honestly, yeah. If you’re tired of the same old "exposed brick and Edison bulb" bars that have taken over Los Angeles, Chloe's feels authentic. It’s quirky. It’s a little bit dusty in the corners in a way that feels intentional.
It represents a specific moment in LA's history—when the city was just starting to realize it could be a world-class beer destination.
Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
If you want to experience the magic of the Atwater Village location, don't just show up for a quick drink. Make a day of it.
Start at the Atwater Village Pub for some vegan nachos (their plant-based menu is surprisingly elite). Then, if you can’t get into Chloe's, head over to the Biergarten. It’s right next door and gives you a view of the "Barrel Room" where the magic happens.
If you're serious about seeing the speakeasy, your best bet is to email their events coordinator and ask about the next public "Brewer's Supper" or community event. It’s the only way to guarantee you’ll get past that secret door without having to put down a deposit for a 150-person wedding.
Check the current tap list before you go, too. Look for the Atwater Innovations. Those are the small-batch beers usually brewed right there on-site, rather than at the massive production facilities. They’re the closest you’ll get to the original "craft" spirit that built the place in the first place.