By Maren Swanson
July 13th, 2013
Beer and baseball go together like happy hour and discounted drinks, so when you have it all or at least 3 out of the 4, you feel like you’ve hit a home run. If you are a big Dodger fan, you may already know what I’m about to divulge, but if you are a first timer, then follow along for some simple, yet sound advice for hitting up a Dodgers baseball game.
I headed to my second Dodgers game with my boyfriend this last Sunday for their duel with the Colorado Rockies. After asking a few co-workers for some pre game advice, we decided on heading to The Short Stop in Echo Park for some ice-cold beer. If you are lucky enough to find nearby neighborhood parking near The Short Stop, then I suggest taking it and walking off some calories before you inhale one the famous Dodger Dogs. Plus you can use that cash you saved from not parking at the Stadium for a Dodger hat (you can thank me later).
The Short Stop offers happy hour everyday, 5pm to 10pm with $2 PBRs, $3 well drinks and $4 draft beers. Since we arrived there at 12:15pm on Sunday for the 1:10pm game, we were too early for happy hour, but the $3 beer sign outside was great news for us. The Short Stop is a baseball dive bar that still packs them in. As you enter, you will notice it’s extremely dark inside with only some flickering candles and neon bar signs to light up the walls filled with old time baseball photos and retro beer ads. They have decent beers on draft ()and certain drink specials that run all day.
At about 12:50, we jetted out of The Short Stop to the stadium (the bouncer suggested we follow other fan-garb wearing patrons to as a guide) and took a side trail the next street up which connected us up with Elysian Park – a straight shot to Dodger destination. We ordered our Dodger Dog and a large beer (they offer Coors Light, Blue Moon on draft) and went to our seats and then realized how stupid we were for forgetting sunglasses. Luckily, we were smart enough to bring sunscreen, but with my sensitive blue eyes and the scalding sun, I was miserable. And it wasn’t just me. The little boy in front of my was wearing a cardboard drink holder to protect his head from the sun and “fan” fans were being waved everywhere you looked. After about 40 minutes sweating and covering my eyes, we wimped out and decided to leave.
On the way out, my boyfriend purchased me a Dodger baseball cap (which I recommend you buy at the beginning of the game) and we watched as hundreds of other fans stood in the shaded areas with cold beer and ice cream to cool down. At that moment I made an important decision: El Compadre. I wanted my margarita and my baseball, too. El Compadre is across the street from The Short Stop and it was freezing when we walked in – yes! The Dodger game was on TV at the bar, so we sat down, chugged some water and ordered a Tecate and their famous flaming margarita. The drinks weren’t on happy hour, but only set us back $15 for both (they have happy hour M-F, 4pm-7pm).
I was bummed we had to leave the game early, but I am determined to try and return for a night game, which has to have a slightly cooler climate…? If you decide to go for a day game, bring sunscreen, sunglasses and even a hat. Hit up a happy hour after the game or before the night games to beat the traffic. Parking at the stadium can cost $10+ so parking on nearby streets will save you money for other “treats.” Enjoy the game and hopefully you and the Dodgers will both have a win.
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 224-1507
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ECHO PARK HAPPY HOURS
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