LA bartenders throwing up signs at the Hey Bartender LA after party.

Last night L.A.’s bar community converged on the rooftop of Andaz West Hollywood after a screening of new movie Hey Bartender, which premieres at the Sundance Sunset Cinemas this Friday the 14th. Still giddy from seeing all their friends on the big screen, there was a lot of bartender lovin’ going around as well as L.A. pride (despite the absence of any L.A. mention in the movie itself). All I had to do was yell “L.A.!” and the bartenders threw up their “L.A.” signs for the photo above.

Yup, this is pretty much how Aidan normally rolls. (courtesy of Aleks Kocev / BFANYC.com)

The party guest list was a who’s who of the L.A. bar scene from bartenders to brand ambassadors to cocktail personalities: Aidan Demarest (Neat/Liquid Assets), Dan “The Imbiber” Dunn, Simon Ford (The 86 Co.), Brent Falco and Zahra Bates from Cole’s, Naomi Schimek (Spare Room), Joshua Lucas (Writer’s Room), Jordan Gold (Stark Bar), Paul Sanguinetti (Patina Group), Matthew Schaefer (Chateau Marmont), James Bowers and Kate Grutman (Soho House), bloggers EstarLA and Thirsty in LA and more. Who wasn’t there?

Even stars from Hey Bartender — Employees Only‘s Dushan Zaric and Steve Schneider and Dunville‘s Stephen Carpentieri — partied with our L.A. peeps, getting a good dose of our community’s camaraderie.

Hosted cocktails were created by the likes of bartenders Matthew Biancaniello (Cliff’s Edge), Jason Bran (Roger Room) and Eric Alperin (The Varnish), who had cameos in the film.

• **Batanga **(a tribute by Eric Alperin to Don Javier Delgado Corona, La Capilla): Milagro Reposado Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Mexican Coca Cola, Stirred With a Knife
• The Roquette (by Matthew Biancaniello, Cliff’s Edge): Hendrick’s Gin, Wild Arugula, Fresh Lime and Simple Syrup
• Saldana Smash (by Jason Bran, Hollywood Cocktail Co.): Montelobos Mezcal, Rhubarb Tea, Fresh Lime Juice, Strawberries and Mint
• Classic Flame of Love (Pepe Ruiz, Chasen’s, Hollywood circa 1950): Reyka Vodka, Fino Sherry and Orange Peels
• Classic Mai Tai (1944, California): Sailor Jerry Rum, Solerno, Small Hand Foods Orgeat, Fresh Lime Juice and Bitters

Unfortunately, it was too chilly on that gusty rooftop for me to do some serious imbibing but the cold didn’t stop revelers from jumping into the even colder pool later in the night. It was bound to happen with bars set up that close to the water. However, I think we all know who to credit for initiating those shenanigans. Aidan! Too bad (or lucky) that I left before any of that happened.

For what our bartenders thought of the movie, check out their reviews here as posted in LA Magazine’s Digest courtesy of yours truly.