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As with almost everything else in L.A., it can be hard to decide which bar to go to. A group of bartenders is making a name for Angeleno cocktails by combining classic techniques with local ingredients and unusual ingredients from around the world.
Since it’s California, there are some good brewpubs, and we couldn’t forget the famous spots in Hollywood. No matter what you like, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite and best bars in Los Angeles.
After almost two years of chaos caused by the pandemic, the Bars in Los Angeles scene is finally back in business. Now might be the best time for a good, well-made drink, preferably with bar snacks and good, old-fashioned friendship.
Most of L.A.’s drinking scene seems to be back on its feet after the vaccine mandate, and we’re happy to be back at a busy bar with our credit cards in hand, hoping to find a bartender.
There may be cozy dives near the beach, rooftop happy hours with views of the Hollywood Hills, and pricey but delicious drinks in the fanciest downtown hotels, but if you’re asking us, here are the 11 best bars in Los Angeles, for any occasion.
What L.A. lacks in a late last call, it makes up for in bartending talent.
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Best Bars In Los Angeles
L.A. is no stranger to the pleasures of tequila and mezcal, whether you like to drink them straight up or in a smokey cocktail. But because Mexico is only a few hours away, the city’s bar scene is always changing as new imports keep shaking up drink menus all over town.
Other agave-based spirits, like raicilla, bacanora, and sotol, are becoming more and more popular. They introduce customers to regional specialties and different ways to taste flavors.
From Santa Monica to Highland Park, here are the 11 best bars in Los Angeles for all things agave right now.
1. Thunderbolt
Even though the food menu is brought to us by the Park’s Finest next door, we knew Thunderbolt bar would have great bar snacks, but the drinks are even better. Tropipop, a clarified version of a pia colada, and the large selection of madeira put fruit and Southern flavors front and center.
They also go well with plates of country ham and the restaurant’s delicious fried green tomato sandwiches. But the bar staff isn’t just about the South. This is one of the most beautiful bars in Los Angeles.
Thunderbolt bar also pays homage to Historic Filipinotown with drinks like the P-Town Boxing Club, which is made with pandan and coconut-washed rye and is so good you can’t put it down whereas Thunderbolt is one of the best bar restaurants in Los Angeles.
When you add a lively front patio, comfortable leather sofas, and great playlists, it’s not hard to see why we tend to stay all night.
2. The Roger Room
“YES” is written on the coasters and on the foam on top of your drink. It’s the unofficial motto of Jared Meisler and Sean MacPherson’s high-minded cocktail bar, where it’s best to just go with the flow because everything on the “order by the spirit” menu is going to be good.
But you have to find it first: Look for the neon “PSYCHIC” sign on La Cienega and enter through a curtain to find a few seasonal cocktails and classic-leaning drinks in categories like sparkling, rum, tequila, whiskey, gin, vodka, and even absinthe.
Stop by early or late because the place fills up quickly. The lights are low and the drinks are great, so it’s a great place to go on a date or by yourself on a date as The Roger Room is one of the unique bars in Los Angeles.
3. Melody
This airy place with one of our favorite patios is a wine bar, but it’s also a hub for some of L.A.’s best food pop-ups, a space for DJs and events, and, perhaps most importantly, a place where wine and food lovers from all over the city can meet during the reopening era.
Dave Schilling, who writes comedy, calls it a “full on scene” on some nights. “Guys, I’m not joking. Melody’s going crazy. “It’s 90% horny,” he tweeted last year while at a Fishwife pop-up.
With a rotating menu of small-producer and organic wines, it’s also one of the best ways to try out some of L.A.’s best new food ideas whereas Melody is one of the best bar restaurants in Los Angeles.
Depending on the night and pop-up, there can be a lot of people, so make sure to plan ahead (Melody only takes walk-ins).
4. Bar Bohemien
Bar Bohemien is likely the most low-key rooftop bar in the city. It is the crown jewel of Culver City’s long-awaited food hall. This is partly because of its small size and partly because of the confusing streets in downtown Culver City, which are closed for outdoor dining.
But if you can find your way up Citizen Public Market’s winding stairs, you’ll find a cozy bar with good vibes and even better cocktails. It’s the perfect place to meet an online date or a group of old friends. This is one of the most beautiful bars in Los Angeles.
The patio is surrounded by bushes and looks beautiful at sunset. Bar Bohemien’s cocktail menu is full of pleasant surprises, like Amass Botanicals, which is made locally, and Seedlip, which makes non-alcoholic spirits. Note: Only walk-ins.
5. Death & Co.
You probably won’t be able to walk into this underground cocktail bar in the Arts District without a reservation, but the L.A. branch of this famous New York cocktail bar still serves some of the best (and most expensive) drinks in the city.
The menu is broken up into sections with names like “light and playful” and “boozy and honest.” Many drinks cost between $24 and $26, which is a sky-high price to pay for tried-and-true methods and a wide range of unique, hard-to-find spirits.
Not to be outdone by the drinks, Death & Co. also has a small food menu. This makes for an upscale drinking experience that is big on aesthetics, balance, and flavor. On the other hand, there is a damp, “old building” smell in the air, and the staff will try to get you to leave if your tab is paid.
6. Everson Royce Bar
You walk in under a neon sign that says “BAR”—you can’t miss it—and as soon as you step inside, you’ll probably agree with the second neon sign you see, which says “My, that’s better.” When you walk into Everson Royce Bar, it’s like letting out a sigh of relief.
It’s a boozy addition to the Arts District that feels like a mix between an elegant cocktail bar and a rowdy patio party. No matter where you sit, you’ll be ordering some of L.A.’s best cocktails. They are based on Los Angeles and seasonal ingredients.
We recommend the Yo LA Tengo, which has mezcal, grapefruit, Aperol, ginger, and lime, or the You’ll Rhubarb the Day, which has, you guessed it, rhubarb. Don’t miss the bar bites, which include some of the flakiest biscuits and one of the best burgers in town.
Come here on Tuesdays for ERB’s Taquito and Taco Tuesday menu, which now includes crunchy tacos that you’ll want to eat over and over again.
7. Big Bar
This charming place is like the Los Feliz version of the bar Cheers, where everyone knows your name. But it gets even better: this remodeled Craftsman house has a café, a bakery, and one of the best patios in the city.
The bartenders make their own syrups and drinks, and the menus are some of the most cheeky and fun-loving that L.A. has ever seen. There are a lot of puns, drink accessories, and non-alcoholic drinks, but don’t think they can’t make classic drinks.
Some of the best martinis, margs, and spritzers in town can be found here. They taste even better on that lovely patio. The Guavana at Big Bar is a tropical drink made with rum that tastes like guava, lime, and banana peel.
Green Shores is a scotch whiskey highball made with Japanese sencha green tea, cucumber shrub, and sherry that will definitely get you out of your comfort zone.
8. Genever
If you blink, you might miss Genever, an Art Deco bar run by Filipinas that specializes in gin-based drinks and is almost hidden in Historic Filipinotown.
The only sign is a lit-up coupe-glass sign out front. Inside, the gold-accented décor has soft, girly touches that make the room look like it’s on fire. Genever is one of the unique bars in Los Angeles.
Mezcal and rum may show up briefly on the menu, but even if you don’t like gin, you should try one of the infused juniper drinks here. They use green tea and tropical fruits to give your cocktails light, herbaceous, and complex notes.
Many of Genever’s drinks can be made without alcohol; just look for the asterisk on the menu. This spring, their new cocktail menu has drinks made with liquors owned or run by women, like the bright pink Dollywood, which is made with tequila and rum that has been flavored with raspberry.
9. Employees Only
Employees Only made a name for itself in New York City, but its WeHo location has become a full-fledged upscale neighborhood spot and a destination for cocktails in the whole city.
The artful cocktails at the bar, which is based on the era of Prohibition, go well with the long dinner menu, which includes dishes like seasonal arancini, wood-fired chicken in lacto-blueberry barbecue sauce, and fresh oysters with rose petal mignonette.
Now, there’s a Golden Hour menu with more reasonable prices. Between 6 and 7 p.m., early birds can enjoy $12 cocktails and $8 to $16 bar bites. By the middle of the evening, the moody Art Deco atmosphere of the bar’s dining room and walk-in bar is at full speed.
Look closely to find the back wall entrance to Henry’s Room, a speakeasy that is hard to find. It’s all fun and stylish, and the space is just the kind where you can spend hours.
10. Apothéke
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the very stylish apothecary-themed bar on the edge of Chinatown’s warehouse district is related to New York City’s Apothéke, which became famous for its botanical-themed drinks and low lighting.
In L.A., the vibe, atmosphere, and menu are all the same, but there are a few drinks that are different as Apothéke is one of the unique bars in Los Angeles.
In keeping with the apothecary theme, cocktails are paired with cures for what ails you: stress relievers, stimulants, pain relievers, euphorics, and more. They might include cantaloupe, bee pollen, bell pepper, sage, coconut charcoal, or a honeyed chamomile cordial, among other fruits, tinctures, and bitters.
Don’t miss the live entertainment, which has included bands, DJ sets, burlesque, and even private cocktail classes. The side patio is one of the cutest in the city. This is one of the most beautiful bars in Los Angeles.
11. The Wolves
Stepping into this ornate Downtown cocktail bar is like a trip to the early 20th century. The room is filled with old lamps, sconces, and art, and the ceiling is made of stained glass arches from an old train station.
After the lockdown, the Wolves now has a serious specialty cocktail program run by bartender Nathan McCullough, who approaches mixology with a culinary mindset.
Here you’ll find drinks with strange ingredients like haricot verts (Prey for Us), shiitake mushrooms (Let Them Talk), and cream cheese (Millions of Peaches).
For people who like to try new things, McCullough makes a “farm-to-glass” cocktail special once a week using a different ingredient from the farmers’ market to make a completely different cocktail.
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FAQs About Best Bars In Los Angeles
What part of LA has the best nightlife?
Here are L.A.’s best nightlife neighborhoods.
1. West Hollywood.
2. Downtown L.A.
3. Hollywood.
4. Venice.
5. Hermosa Beach.
6. Silver Lake and Echo Park.
Where do you go out in LA?
What bars do influencers go to in LA?
Best Bars For Celeb-Spotting In Los Angeles, USA
1. Bar Marmont (at Chateau Marmont) Bar, Restaurant, American.
2. The Polo Lounge. Hotel Restaurant, American.
3. Musso & Frank Grill. Restaurant, American.
4. The Ivy. Bar, Restaurant, American.
5. Katsuya. Bar, Restaurant, Sushi, American.
What are your initial impressions of this Apothéke bar?
Apotheke, a secluded Chinatown bar in Los Angeles, exudes luxury and sexuality just like its New York City counterpart. As compared to the East Coast location, the outdoor refuge in this place is year-round for Angelenos.
Tell Us In The Comments About One Of Your Favorite Best Bars In Los Angeles!
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