Beelman’s Pub brings oysters and Spanish gin and tonics to downtown L.A.

Bright red Campari umbrellas have popped up on the patio of Beelman’s Pub, a new bar and restaurant that’s had its soft opening near the corner of 6th and Spring streets in downtown Los Angeles. It’s the latest venture from ACME Hospitality Group, which also owns Spring St. (two doors down), Library Bar, Laurel Tavern, Sixth St. Tavern and King Eddy Saloon.

Tom Block, who recently made the move to L.A. after working as executive chef at Red Table Catering and Falai in New York City, is helming the kitchen. He’s created a menu of what ACME partner Will Shamlian calls food with a slight European twist.

Dishes include a pub burger with bacon, Grafton cheddar and grainy mustard on a potato bun ($13) with fries, herb spaetzel with Emmentaler cheese ($12) and a Wagyu beef carpaccio with mustard aioli, watercress truffle and grana padano ($10). There are also oysters on the half shell with a malt vinegar mignonette ($14), chicken liver mousse on English muffin ($7) and Scotch onion soup with Gruyere, crouton and single malt Scotch ($7).

ACME enlisted the help of Proprietors LLC to create a European-inspired cocktail list. Signature drinks ($11) include the Phantom Limb, made with Armagnac, Ramazzotti Amaro, dry Vermouth and orange marmalade; the Bombardier, with blended Scotch, China China Amer, fresh lemon juice and Castilian bitters; and the Accidental Guru, made with Irish whiskey, Creme de Peche, ginger, fresh lime juice and Blanche de Bruxelles.

You can also order a gin and tonic the English way served tall and garnished with a lemon wedge or Spanish style served over crushed ice in a goblet, garnished with aromatic herbs.

“It’s European but not European pretentious at all,” said partner Jon Valenti. “It’s meant to be a sister bar to Spring St., where we have a full slate of domestic offerings.”

The pub is named after architect Claude Beelman, who designed the building the bar is housed in. Three photos of Beelman-designed structures are framed at the back of the bar. Valenti, who used to teach history, said he wanted to add a historic touch to the design. He and his partners teamed up with Beleco interior design to design the restaurant.

The interior is a mix of dark wood panels, green leather booths and high marble table tops at the center of the room with a herringbone-patterned oak floor. The Campari umbrellas outside shade large wooden picnic-style tables on the cobblestone patio.

Beelman’s Pub, which officially opens Monday, is open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a possibility the restaurant will be open for lunch in the future.

600 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, ACMEBarGroupLA.com.