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The 34 Best Bars In Los Angeles

By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | July 18, 2022 | Food & Drink, Feature,

Studio 7171 Studio Bar in Grandmaster Recorders

The only thing possibly more overwhelming than the vastness of Los Angeles is the abundance of great bars. From Santa Monica to Highland Park, L.A. features an endless number of lounges, rooftops, speakeasies, bistros, countertops and patios for any drinking occasion. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, a first date spot or after-work drinks, we’ve got you covered with 34 of the best bars in Los Angeles.

Beverly Grove

Blue Collar

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361 S Fairfax Ave 90036/Website

Atmosphere: Spirited lounge

Best for: Post-work drinks

The Drink To Order: Your favorite cocktail! Blue Collar doesn’t have a menu because they prefer to customize your drink for your palate.

El Carmen

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8138 W 3rd St 90048/Website

Atmosphere: Whimsical cantina

Best for: Mid-week drinks and tacos

The Drink To Order: Spicy Margarita

Pro Tip: Stop in for early bird (5-7 p.m.) or late-night (10:30 p.m.- 2 a.m.) drink deals.

The Roger Room

370 N La Cienega 90048/Website

Atmosphere: Eccentric dive

Best for: Intimate, late-night drinks

The Drink To Order: Tijuana Brass

Pro Tip: Come here before or after seeing a comedy show at The Largo next door.

Downtown

Broken Shaker

416 W 8th St 90014/Website

Atmosphere: Poolside chic

Best for: Rooftop gatherings

The Drink To Order: Thirst Trap

Cara Cara

1100 S. Broadway 90015/Website

Atmosphere: Elegant rooftop

Best for: Downtown drinks

The Drink To Order: Passionfruit Caipirinha

Pro Tip: Make a reservation.

Clifton’s Republic

648 S Broadway 90014/Website

Atmosphere: Ornate playground

Best for: Late nights in downtown.

The Drink To Order: Paraiso

Pro Tip: Head to the top floor for the tiki bar.

Death & Co.

818 E 3rd St 90013/Website

Atmosphere: Upscale speakeasy

Best for: Serious imbibers

The Drink To Order: Fistful of Dollars

Good Clean Fun

868 S Olive St 90014/Website

Atmosphere: spirited wine bar

Best for: Inquisitive vino aficionados

The Drink To Order: Menu is updated daily. Talk to the server!

Pro Tip: Come in sometime from 3 to 6 p.m. for happy hour, which includes $10 wine glasses, $2 oysters and $5 spritzes.

LA Cha Cha Chá

812 E 3rd St 90013/Website

Atmosphere: Tropical terrace

Best for: Mexico City getaway by way of cocktails and cuisine

The Drink To Order: Strawberry Milk Punch

Eastside

Akbar

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4356 Sunset Blvd 90029/Website

Atmosphere: Dive bar meets disco

Best for: Unpretentious revelry

The Drink To Order: Preferred cocktail of choice for strong pours.

Bar Flores

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1542 Sunset Blvd 90026/Website

Atmosphere: Upscale cantina

Best for: Happy hour

The Drink To Order: Flores Margarita

Pro Tip: Visit on Margarita Wednesday for $8 margaritas until midnight.

Bar Stella

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3932 Sunset Blvd/Website

Atmosphere: Classy bistro

Best for: Date night

The Drink To Order: Sophia

Gold Line

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5607 N Figueroa St 90042/Website

Atmosphere: Eastside retro

Best for: Admiring Peanut Butter Wolf’s massive vinyl collection with a drink in hand.

The Drink To Order: Goldliner

Hollywood

Bar Lis

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1541 Wilcox Ave 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Chic rooftop lounge

Best for: When you want to pretend you’re on the French Riviera without leaving L.A.

The Drink To Order: Summer Spritz

Desert 5 Spot

6516 Selma Ave 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Country-inspired Hollywood rooftop

Best for: Sunset sipping with friends

The Drink To Order: Make It A Cactus!

Good Times At Davey Wayne’s

1611 N El Centro Ave 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Retro hotspot

Best for: Dancing the night away to ‘70s favorites.

The Drink To Order: Good Times Mule

Pro Tip: Get there before 9:30 p.m. on weekends.

See also: The 48 Best Los Angeles Restaurants You Must Try in 2022

Grandmaster Recorders

1518 N Cahuenga Blvd 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Luxe transformed recording studio

Best for: Quintessential Hollywood nights

The Drink To Order: Midnight Vultures

Pro Tip: Grab a drink on the rooftop before heading to 71 Studio Bar.

Harvard & Stone

5221 Hollywood Blvd 90027/Website

Atmosphere: buzzy, neighborhood-favorite haunt

Best for: Drinks with a side of live music

The Drink To Order: Honeydew Collins

Pro Tip: Come in on the weekends to witness their fabulous burlesque dancers.

Horses

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7617 Sunset Blvd 90046/Website

Atmosphere: Hot spot bistro

Best for: Special evenings

The Drink To Order: Horses Vesper

Pro Tip: Don’t skip on the food.

Mama Shelter

6500 Selma Ave 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Electric hotspot

Best for: Your first stop on a night out in Hollywood.

The Drink To Order: Boogie Nights

Pro Tip: Stop in downstairs for happy hour on Wednesdays where you can indulge on $1 oysters and $2 martinis.

The Spare Room

7000 Hollywood Blvd 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Old Hollywood parlor

Best for: Cocktails and camaraderie

The Drink To Order: Tannic At The Disco

Pro Tip: Make a reservation for bowling!

No Vacancy

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1727 N Hudson Ave 90028/Website

Atmosphere: Lively speakeasy

Best for: Girls’ night out.

The Drink To Order: Old Fashioned

Pro Tip: Get there before 10 p.m. on weekends.

Koreatown

The Normandie Club

3612 W 6th St 90020/Website

Atmosphere: Sexy lounge

Best for: Second dates

The Drink To Order: Vesper

Santa Monica

The Misfit

225 Santa Monica Blvd 90401/Website

Atmosphere: Eccentric gastropub

Best for: Post-pier indulgence

The Drink To Order: Basil Gimlet

West Hollywood-Melrose District

Bathtub Gin

7174 Melrose Ave 90046/Website

Atmosphere: High-end speakeasy

Best for: Fine spirit adventurers

The Drink To Order: S’mores Old Fashion

Pro Tip: You’re not in the wrong place if you don’t see a sign. Just be sure to knock on the black door.

Employees Only

7953 Santa Monica Blvd 90046/Website

Atmosphere: Elevated speakeasy

Best for: Nights on Santa Monica Boulevard

The Drink To Order: Amelia

Formosa Cafe

7156 Santa Monica Blvd 90046/Website

Atmosphere: Old Hollywood vibrancy

Best for: Group nights around a big meal and cocktails

The Drink To Order: Yee Mee Loo

Melrose Umbrella Co.

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7456 Melrose Ave 90046/Website

Atmosphere: Prohibition era-inspired neighborhood lounge

Best for: Drinks with friends

The Drink To Order:

Pro Tip: If you need something to snack on, go for the fries.

Olivetta

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9010 Melrose Ave 90069/Website

Atmosphere: Fine dining

Best for: Late-night cocktails over shared eats.

The Drink To Order: Espresso Martini

The Tower Bar

8358 Sunset Blvd 90069/Website

Atmosphere: Swanky hideaway

Best for: Sunset Strip rendezvous.

The Drink To Order: Aperol Spritz

The Valley

Idle Hour

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4824 Vineland Ave 91601/Website

Atmosphere: Trendy watering hole

Best for: Go-to neighborhood spot

The Drink To Order: Madre picante

Pro Tip: Check their events calendar for when to come in for trivia or burlesque shows.

Laurel Tavern

11938 Ventura Blvd 91604/Website

Atmosphere: Trendy gastropub

Best for: Mid-week meet-ups

The Drink To Order: Spicy Hibiscus Margarita

Pro Tip: Ask the bartender about the featured cocktail of the week.

The Old Place

29983 Mulholland Hwy 91301/Website

Atmosphere: Rustic saloon

Best for: Weekend adventures along Mulholland

The Drink To Order: Any local wine

Pro Tip: Call ahead if you want a booth.

The Rendition Room

4349 Tujunga Ave 91604/Website

Atmosphere: Classy speakeasy

Best for: Intimate post-dinner drinks after a meal at Vitello’s.

The Drink To Order: Living in Delicious Sin

Pro Tip: Seating is super limited, so make a reservation.


Tags: bars cocktails web-og haley-bosselman Apple News

Photography by: Wonho Frank Lee

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