Ending the summer right, Lowell Cafe, the only cannabis cafe in the United States, has made its debut on La Brea and Lexington. It’s grabbed attention thanks to word of mouth and great social media marketing. Though some might think of it as taboo, Lowell is already fully booked with lines around the corner and reservations for weeks out, due to many who want the unique experience of smoking pot in a public cafe. At first glance, the exterior displays a hipster wooded cove, giving way to the natural forest aesthetic inside. Without a reservation, this cafe operates on a first come first serve basis for seats. If you’re lucky enough you may be able to sit at the bar with your friends and take a gander at the menu or if a group fails to meet their reservation, you are the next one to get a table. Once inside the cafe, it was easy to become engulfed in clouds of sativa and indica hybrids as I walked in.
I was surprised to see the culture shift...Usually at a bar, you see attendees drinking, talking, and the occasional cigarette. But here at Lowell, you can expect to see people smoking pre-rolls, taking their pick of edibles and looking over the menu of cannabis infused teas & Groundwork coffee, as well as taking bong rips like they’re at home. Not only are there regular hosts and baristas, there are also bud-tenders to take care of your “medically-induced” needs. The ambience was great, you didn’t really notice the music, but it was smooth and casual enough to not disturb anyone’s experience there or loud enough to interrupt casual conversation.
Time for the food! Although they don’t have an alcohol license yet, nor sell cannabis infused food (to my disappointment), their food menu is pretty decent, ranging from shareable appetizers to vegan burgers. I suggest the vegan nachos as my top choice as they were fully stuffed.
The average price ranges from $13-$24 per plate. From your celebrities to influencers to tourist and every day LA people, you can expect to see a wide variety here. All in all, everyone there is just looking to have a good time and indulge in something that was not long ago criminalized. Another point I noticed, in some restaurants, you have to smoke your cigarette outside, but there at Lowell, people are smoking even multiple joints at a time inside the cafe. Since they are new and have high traffic, a lot of their flower and cannabis infused tea selection were unavailable. Hopefully, in the future, they will have a wider selection of foods and drinks.
The Spider Roll
Despite the lines and crowds, Lowell Cafe was a unique and interesting experience and I recommend you check it out for yourself!
Lowell Cafe 1201 La Brea Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90038