With the end of the semester steadily approaching, my time here at USC is sadly ticking down quickly, but that fact only motivates me to go out more.

Fighting against the breezy temperatures and final projects piling up, I’ve found myself enjoying the Los Angeles nightlife with friends and establishing my own tried-and-true bars across the county. Once classes are finished or we’re clocked out of work, it is prime time to explore the city and search for any late-night endeavors.

With my foodie tendencies and moral code to not pay more than $20 for a Lyft, most of my ventures typically end up in Koreatown, unsurprisingly. From warm comfort cuisine to sweet yet deadly soju cocktails, Korean pochas truly have the best of both worlds when it comes to food and drinks, not to mention the typically late closing hours that can accommodate even those 10 p.m. classes.

After months of scouring different pochas for the perfect combination of fruity, fun drinks and mouth-watering bites, I’ve decided to let you all in on one of my go-to spots as a closing gift to our fall semester. So if you’re looking for a mischievous yet memorable time with friends before the semester ends, read closely.

Located in the heart of Koreatown on West 6th Street, Dan Sung Sa is a Korean pocha specializing in signature teapot cocktails and sizzling skewers for competitive prices. Serving various Asian beers and Korean comfort foods, Dan Sung Sa is a bustling one-stop shop that has grown its own viral following online with over 8,000 followers on Instagram.

Open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, the tavern is situated within a strip mall and has valet parking available on site. The pocha typically has a wait that can climb up to one to two hours, but with a convenience store and photo booth also located within the same plaza, there is no shortage of entertainment or group activities. I suggest arriving before 6 p.m. to beat the crowds if the wait isn’t for you.

Everything about Dan Sung Sa is worth the wait. The interior atmosphere is intimate yet enchanting, with dozens of wooden booths and bar stools covered in graffiti all crammed into a small tavern space. The artistic, rustic elements translate to the employees’ uniforms as well, donning stylish heat-to-toe camouflage uniforms and adding to the overall alternative aesthetic.

After braving the waitlist and being seated inside by the host, customers are met with a deceivingly small, envelope-sized menu with an abundance of food and drink options.

Dan Sung Sa specializes in its affordable skewer menu, with options ranging from shrimp to frog legs to beef short ribs priced at $2.99 and up per plate.

If you purchase alcoholic beverages, there is also an exclusive $1.99 skewer menu available that includes rice cakes, pork belly, pineapple and more.

The tavern also features larger shareable plates and spicy ramen to satisfy any group cravings or just general late-night munchies.

The skewer plates are piled high with multiple slabs of meat; some are placed on a stick but some are not for sharing convenience. Each and every skewer plate was freshly grilled, with even, charred bits on the rice cakes which added a nice overall crunch to the outer lining. The meat plates were tender, especially the beef short ribs, which were soft yet well-marinated for a sweet and savory burnt flavor.

In terms of drinks, Dan Sung Sa’s selection ranges from sake to beer and wine to satisfy any taste palette, including an extensive range of soju flavors as well. However, the pocha’s crowning glory is its signature lemon or yogurt “so-ju” cocktail, which is a strong soju-based concoction served in a teapot and with shot glasses.

The yogurt so-ju cocktail has a nice, strong kick of soju but the drink mainly masks the taste of alcohol with the fresh yet zesty and almost sour taste of the yogurt, creating a dangerously yet deliciously disguised drink. Since the cocktail is served in a teapot, the concoction is targeted toward either pairs or groups of friends ready to down a couple of drinks.

If it is before 11 p.m. and your group is stumbling out the door of Dan Sung Sa, there is Sunright Tea Studio and Oakobing across the street to satisfy any after-dinner sweet treats. Not feeling boba or shaved ice and it is before midnight? There is POTOBOX in the same plaza as Dan Sung Sa, which is a photo booth store that has different props and wearables available to take photos with. 

Wherever the night might take you, Dan Sung Sa serves as a nice central point in the Koreatown nightlife experience that is easy to lean back on and branch off of. So whether you may be looking for a starting point in your Koreatown itinerary or a one-stop destination, Dan Sung Sa serves good food and great drinks for arguably some of the best nights out.

Jason Pham is a senior writing about affordable eating and restaurants in his column, “Dining Dollars,” which runs every other Thursday.