Union Station in Los Angeles serves more than 36 million passengers annually, making it the busiest transit hub west of the Mississippi River. The very nature of a train station means that people are in a hurry, trying to get from one place to the other, and with the exception of delays, there’s usually not much incentive for the average citizen to just hang out.
Just off the main concourse, however, is a place that is encouraging travelers and locals alike to stop in, take a load off, and soak in the atmosphere of the stunningly beautiful architectural marvel—all while having a pint. The Imperial Western Beer Company opened in an 11,000-square-foot space in the station a few months ago after a few years of planning and restoration work. The name pays homage to the famed train line, and the space feels like a return to the golden era of train travel.
The space is restored to its architectural glory dating back to its 1939 construction, and new visitors are usually unable to contain the “wow!” that escapes from their lips at first sight: a cathedral-height celling, stylish leather seating, a kiosk-inspired bar as the centerpiece, and everywhere joyous little touches, such as a shuffleboard table.