Any neighborhood of note needs a catchy nickname. I’ve floated ShOaks by a few people when referencing Sherman Oaks, but it probably won’t stick. Conversely, chef Aaron Robins and his GM/partner Rory Snipes, two of the key people behind Boneyard Bistro, are making a pretty convincing case for SOCA with their modern Mediterranean food and cocktails.

SOCA happy hour runs nightly from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the bar. Six signature Spanish Gin Tonics are the aromatic centerpieces of SOCA’s cocktail program. Snipes says, “I thought [the gin & tonic] was all smoke and mirrors, but I started playing with them, and it was awesome.”

Each G&T includes a different gin and tonic. I opted for an enlightening No. 2 that combines Mahon Gin, Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic, grapefruit peel, and celery leaf. Other combos include kumquats and thyme; Meyer lemon peel and shiso; and strawberry and pink peppercorn. I look forward to trying more G&Ts in SOCA.