Grab a Drink at These Top 10 Los Angeles Bars
In Los Angeles, the main times of the day might as well be brunch, happy hour, cocktail hour, and the afterparty. What establishments are best frequented during these nearly mandatory meetings? The answer differs based on who you ask.
There are plenty of choices on the menu, of course. From wine dens to dive bars, rooftop locations to food emporiums, and everything in between, there is a bar for any style and budget in LA.
California’s seen some ebb and flow with restaurant and bar regulations since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the globe, but rapidly changing culinary and drinking options are the norm in the city of angels.
Just be sure to call and confirm that your place is open before heading out (or ask your assistant to do it). It might be wise to make a reservation while you’re at it.
Naming the best bars in Los Angeles is no easy feat. Over the nearly 34,000 square miles that make up the LA metropolitan area, there are an estimated 72,000+ places to eat and/or drink. Choosing just 10 isn’t easy, but we’ve given it a go.
Lowkey Fun at Mezcalero DTLA
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At Mezcalero in DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles) a fiesta awaits. The charm here is that the establishment brands itself as a local bar. Although there are plenty of hotshots working the crowd, one can also come here to relax, kick back, and escape the pressures of Tinsel Town.
Mexican comfort food adds to the appeal. To fit into the setting, try ordering a Mexican beer, tequila, or mezcal. If you’re feeling brave, order a tequila to sip and a beer to wash it down.
The bar here is led by Nathan McCullough, a mixologist. The team enjoys offering cocktails that shake things up a bit. To cater to the local crowd, happy hour, Taco Tuesday, and brunch options are available.
Mexican street food brings together a casual flavor with comfort, spice, and cheese in this setting. Despite a rather muted debut, these dishes have taken off, and Mezcalero has gained its fame near and far.
Those who frequent Mezcalero often recommend the spicy guacamole. They also encourage newbies to talk to the bartender if they want to quench their thirst with a concoction that’s not on the menu.
Check Out Clifton’s for American Far
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Clifton’s Republic is often described as a restaurant that is low-lit but legendary. The dishes are uniquely American in construction, and natural dioramas and examples of taxidermy echo the sentiment.
In 1935, the restaurant was established as Clifton’s Brookdale. Later, a second chain was opened by the founder, Clifford Clifton. In the middle of the Great Depression, such settings were opened for those needing hope in the country’s bleak landscape.
Although this probably wouldn’t happen today, the original sign inside the venue proclaimed, “Dine Free Unless Delighter,” and patrons paid what they could afford. If they could not pay, they ate for free.
The same building stands today under a different name, Clifton’s Republic. The original facade was given new life after being hidden behind a metal casing for almost five decades. Later, it became the type of place that’s only open on Friday and Saturdays from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am.
The bar has multiple floors with different themes. Some enjoy the treetops while others prefer the tiki-themed spaces. The multistory playground is tons of fun, and worth squeezing for a weekend visit.
Margot Is the Spot for All-Day Elegance
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Margot is the place to be if one enjoys the flavors of the Coastal Mediterranean, fine wines, and tasty mixed beverages. Even better, this all-day restaurant offers even more than a great menu. It is a rooftop option with 360-degree views, meaning natural light could make for the perfect afternoon.
The cocktails generally cater to two interests: beauty and plants. It almost seems like the bartenders are moonlighting as gardeners with the lovely arrangements they dream up. It’s no wonder why visitors always seem to find themselves snapping pictures of their drinks to post on social media when stopping by.
The flowy feel of the space blossoms from every detail. Stone tables ground the experience while liquor bottles gracefully hover over shelves behind the bar. Although some have frowned at the view of the nearby train, most find it quaint in a setting that looks like a showroom of a high-profile interior designer.
Although people come for the ambiance, they stay for the drinks… and the food! There’s a lovely pan con tomate that pairs well with wine, for instance. Others prefer the crudos (hamachi, tuna, kampachi, etc.). Even a simple snack like marinated olives is sure to do the trick at this Culver City location.
Chez Jay Puts Santa Monica Pier on the Map
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Opened in 1959, Chez Jay has been bringing people just south of Santa Monica Pier for an experience that’s been labeled both divey and classy in the past. It’s the place where many celebrity sightings have occurred, so it never really loses its appeal no matter the perspective.
In 2012, Chez Jay became official with a designation as a Santa Monica Historic Landmark. In other words, this stop is the real deal. On Ocean Avenue, near Tongva Park, Chez Jay is only half a block south of the Santa Monica Pier. Nearby, visitors can scope out the civic center area, the city’s top hotels, and the beach. This makes Chez Jay a great spot since a short jaunt about town is almost a given.
What sets the bar apart from the rest is the ambiance, although the menu certainly plays a major part in the equation. Plenty of gossip and old stories haunt the place, too.
Those who are checking it out for the first time are encouraged to find out how the peanuts from Chez Jay made it into outer space and where Marilyn and John F. Kennedy used to link. Fire up the jukebox, and let the good times roll.
Try Something Different at Bar Covell
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In Los Feliz, one bar is setting the standard for thinking outside the box. Bar Covell is owned by Matthew Kaner and Dustin Lancaster. The duo prides themselves on the bar’s unique menus. Beyond the curated collection of beer and wine (from all four corners of the earth), easy light and breezy plates give patrons something on which to nosh. If they like the setting, and most do, they’ll be back again for brunch come Saturday or Sunday.
A popular choice is to pair a flatbread with a wine. Here, the attention to detail is exquisite since every drink will be served 100% correctly, at the right temperature, in the correct glass. The ambiance is old-world vintage, so this wine bar is a place where bookworms and social butterflies will find common ground.
See more about - The 10 Best Rooftop Bars In Los Angeles
OTOTO Offers a Japanese Option in LA
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Although a good sake bar might seem like an obvious idea in Los Angeles, there are fewer than one might estimate. A famous one, however, is keeping people very satisfied. OTOTO is making sake popular across the city. A wine bar with a Japanese focus, OTOTO takes its cue from its sibling locale, Tsubaki.
With so many sake options on the menu, the best course of action is to follow the menu’s organization of the beverages. The restaurant groups the sake by flavor. Look for categories that suit your tastes. Options include rice & minerals or fruit & Flowers.
The more adventurous will gravitate to the “delicious weirdos” category. To accompany the sake, consider ordering food. Japanese staples like okonomiyaki, tempura, and karaage all come highly recommended!
Past guests have commented on the high level of service provided at OTOTO. The experts behind the scenes really know their stuff, so don’t be afraid to spark up a conversation.
Everson Royce Bar Gives Options
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When you have a mixed crowd to please, finding the right Los Angeles bar becomes problematic. Here’s where Everson Royce Bar enters the scene, offering one location that suits many styles. Approaching the door, the eye is drawn to a neon sign: BAR. In a playful throwback to Alice in Wonderland, the next neon sign reads “My that’s better.” Yes, it certainly is.
The location is like a breath of fresh air for the LA scene. It’s part chaos, part elegant cocktail room, meaning where you choose to sit will define your experience for the evening. Either way, some of the city’s finest beverages will make their way to the table before the night is over.
The drinks are crafted around seasonal produce, bringing ingredients like grapefruit, mezcal, and ginger together with ease. The food is somewhat typical of the bar setting, but the tasty burgers and biscuits are still worth it in the end.
If you’re looking for crowds, plan a visit for Friday evening. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with the in-crowd with all the sophistication and cool points LA has to offer.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone at Thunderbolt
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Sometimes the crew just needs to get out of dodge (without skipping town). When that’s the type of excursion on the agenda, then it’s time to head to Thunderbolt near the trifecta of Echo Park, DTLA, and Filipinotown.
The haunt nods its hat to the southern region of the US, evidenced by the staff’s downright friendly nature and the lines of Madeira bottles in every corner. Judging on this short description alone, it might be guessed that the food wouldn’t disappoint. Most visitors agree, enjoying dishes that carry traditions related to Filipino cuisine and fine southern home cookin’.
To add to the fun, the cocktails combine tropical notes with the flavors of the South. The result is a drink list that includes a type of piña colada and the self-referencing, peach-flavored Thunderbolt.
The ambiance is sweet, too. A happening patio space and well-selected music keep the party going. With so much happening, it’s nice to know that inclusion is a priority in this space. Not only is it ADA accessible, but it’s also clearly a space for being friendly. Although this place is great for tourists, it’s definitely designed for locals!
The Ivy Cannot Be Skipped
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Los Angeles has some bars that are must-sees. This includes the famous Ivy Restaurant. If you want to see celebrities in Los Angeles, you go to The Ivy. It’s a place to see and be seen, to mix and mingle, and to network your way into your next big break. This is the reputation the Ivy has, but there is so much more than what meets the eye.
The little white picket fence is a dream come true for those who snag a spot at this exclusive eaterie. With French rustic as the main motif, everything about the place is quaint but cultural, private but paparazzi-ridden.
If it’s good enough for famous people, it’s good for the everyday Joe who saunters in for a drink. Cocktails are recommended, especially those with fresh cumquats or serrano chiles. Lean into the buzz, and soak up the scene over fresh tuna or scallops to top it all off.
If there’s a bit more of an appetite, plates like shrimp tacos with rice and beans or mesquite-grilled natural pork baby back ribs are sure to hit the spot. This power-loaded spot is where the who’s who seeks refuge, so be sure to swing by the next time you find yourself in Beverly Hills.
Try a Craft Beer at Golden Road Grand Central Market
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When it comes to Los Angeles, craft beer isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind unless a stop by Golden Road Grand Central Market is the plan. There, a tasting bar boasts a menu with at least 20 beers on tap. As a Los Angeles-based craft brewery, the theme they love most is California pub fare. That’s just one option, though.
The establishment sets out to highlight all of the different cultures and styles that reside in the city of Los Angeles, especially as the caretaker of a DTLA historic landmark. Bringing communities together is what they do best.
The 30,000 square-foot arcade hosts a food emporium and retail outlets, bringing together many types of people in search of the perfect flavor of the day. It’s a central location suitable for a variety of events, parties, and programs.
Some wouldn’t like it because it’s a bit of a tourist trap. There are lines and a lot of hype, but for most, it will feel fun, familiar, and flirty. There are all types of food to enjoy, so everybody in the squad can enjoy the cuisine they’ve been craving.
Grand Central Market is the place to be for lunch or an early dinner. It closes at 6:00 pm every day except Wednesday when it calls it quits at 9:00 pm.
In Los Angeles, finding the right bar for happy hours and brunches is never easy. With this top 10 list, however, there’s plenty of material to get the party started in style.
