91 Best Bars in Los Angeles, California

This beautiful poolside bar is well worth a visit, but it can be a hassle to get into if you're not staying at the hotel, on the guest list, or know someone who can pull strings. The drinks are on the pricier side, but in this part of town that's to be expected, and the views might just make it all worthwhile.

This unassuming spot feels less like a wine bar and more of a neighborhood watering hole where the servers take the time to chat with customers rather than somberly educate them on the complexities of wine. But make no mistake: the wine selection is perfection and the snacks are delightful—they simply want to ensure your enjoyment of your wine rather than have you bow down at the appreciation of their knowledge.

This 70-plus-year-old, charming bar continually reinvents itself. The Brig has its pluses (interesting drinks, talented DJs, and some live music) and minuses (ugh, parking), but is worth a look if you're in the area. There's always a food truck around, and the bar's fine with you bringing in outside food.

A British pub might look out of place in Hollywood, but the Cat and Fiddle's punk-rock influence and 40-year stint give it more than enough street cred. Besides, classic pub grub like fish-and-chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie are a nice counterpoint to L.A.'s vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. There have been a few changes over the years, with Ashley Gardner now running it with her mother, Paula, and a new chef, Alan Rodriguez, at the helm, but it remains the perfect spot to just grab a pint and a savory pie or to satisfy one's inner Anglophile. There's even afternoon tea during the weekends.

With Los Angeles being Los Angeles, a disproportionate amount of comedians call the city home, from the would-be to the been-there-done-that. The decades-old Comedy and Magic Club attracts them all. One popular engagement is when 10 up-and-coming comedians perform, one right after the other, in a sort of comic brinksmanship. Other nights might see the occasional magician or an icon of the field like Jay Leno or Bob Saget, there to keep their timing fresh and try out new material for adoring crowds. Stiff drinks and decent entrées and appetizers reward those who arrive early for the best seats, but try grabbing a meal nearby before arriving 30 to 60 minutes prior to the show (budget a little more time for someone like Leno, who's a regular on Sunday nights but still draws crowds).

If you're looking for that everybody-knows-your-name bar vibe in L.A., look no further than the Douglas where owners Dave and Johnny warmly wave to patrons, new and old alike, entering the front patio. Bonus that the draft beers and hard kombuchas are affordable enough to keep you coming back. The food is casual and no-nonsense, with chicken wings that are done right and served with house-made blue cheese, crowd-favorite breakfast burritos, and homemade falafels. Be prepared to rub elbows with Dodgers fans on game night.

Right on the edge of the Walk of Fame, this historic venue was one of the area's first theaters when it opened in the 1920s. The Spanish Colonial--style theater now hosts some of the biggest names in indie music, but don't expect any major acts on the calendar. Drinks are pricey—so grab a cocktail on Hollywood Boulevard before the show—as is parking, which will cost you at least $20 in the adjacent lot.

With bangers and mash, fish-and-chips, and shepherd’s pie rolling out of the kitchen and 16 imported draft beers being poured into glasses, this pub is as British as it can get---even if football matches share screen time with the NFL and NBA.

Nostalgia reigns at this true neighborhood fixture, which opened in 1934 and has had the same owner for more than 30 years. As Santa Monica's oldest restaurant and bar, the Galley has a consistent nautical theme inside and out: the boatlike exterior features wavy blue neon lights and porthole windows. Inside, fishing nets and anchors adorn the walls, and the whole place is aglow with colorful string lights. Most patrons tend to crowd the center bar, with the more dinner-oriented folks frequenting the booths. The back patio is also a solid choice in good weather, especially for weekend brunch. And strangely enough, the secret-recipe salad dressing is justifiably famous.

This is the kind of laid-back pub every neighborhood should have, with an excellent selection of locally focused draft beer on tap, a rotating wine list, and mouthwatering food. To add to its allure, award-winning Highland Park Brewery got its start in the pub’s back storage room and is still featured prominently on the menu.

Home to one of the best Italian liqueur collections in the city, The Let's Go is DTLA's newest, and most fun, cocktail bar and dance spot. The space is attached to (and co-owned by) the standout pizza joint De La Nonna, and is the perfect after-dinner spot to drink well-crafted Italian cocktails and dance like the pandemic never happened. Behind the bar is Lee Zaremba, whose cocktail bona fides include opening the legendary Italian drinks spot Billy Sunday in Chicago. Here, you'll find rare amari, superbitter fernets, challenging Italian vermouths, and so many more that are whipped into the tastiest cocktails in the city.

Lovers of T. S. Eliot and vinyl will find themselves instantly at home inside this cozy establishment named after Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” When not pouring drinks, bartenders often act as DJs, playing records (the best of the ’60s through the ’80s) in their entirety. As it’s housed inside the Regent Theater, the cozy nature of the place can be disrupted when there’s a concert scheduled. For those with an appetite, fantastic food can be ordered from the pizza parlor next door—naturally, it’s called Prufrock’s.

With a reputation for great takes on classic cocktails and even better conversation among patrons, this dimly lit haunt is a fantastic place to mingle. Tucked inside the Normandie Hotel, the lounge is a party without the affection for chaos afforded by other late-night spots. The menu features a slew of old standards, but mixologists are eager to play: they'll ask you what the mood is and mix a drink to match. The cocktails are seriously good, and the ambience is comforting yet classy. Plus, if you’re looking to dance off a well-made whiskey sour, you don’t have to go far, as The Normandie Club houses “damn fine” in back, a live-DJ dance party Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 9 pm--2 am.

Mad Men and New Girl both had multiple scenes filmed in this Old Hollywood relic, which dates back to the early 1900s. The Prince is trimmed with vintage fabric wallpaper and bedecked with a stately mahogany bar; the grand piano waits in the wings. Squire lamps punctuate red-leather booths where you can enjoy Korean fare and standard cocktails, wine, and beer. Whatever you do, get the deep-fried chicken.

You wouldn't expect old European charm in the hipster enclave of Silver Lake, but Bavarian style is served right alongside irony at the Red Lion Tavern, just as it has for more than 60 years. So, grab a schnitzel and a bratwurst and wander the many rooms chockablock with German memorabilia or head toward the beer garden for a large selection of German-only beers on draft.

A speakeasy cocktail lounge seems a little out of place in Studio City, especially on a middle-of-the-road commercial strip paved with quaint boutique stores, but the Rendition Room makes it work. It’s a member’s club with pretty laid-back rules about letting nonmembers in—so long as there’s room, of course. Even as a tourist, you, too, can sample the Rendition's exciting cocktails, crafted by talented mixologists.

Forget all your misconceptions about dive bars and walk into the Roost, whose comforting elements—a jukebox that comes fully loaded with Tom Petty, Springsteen, and the Allman Brothers Band, cozy leather booths, dimmed lights, and decent hearty food—will make you feel like you’ve flown back to your hometown for the holidays. The cocktails aren’t too shabby either, but do bring cash.

This bar is part fancy Brooklyn café where you might study or linger and lounge over cold drinks with friends and part Instagram-worthy L.A. cocktail bar populated with cool locals. Chicken enchiladas and fajita bowls share the menu with roasted beef hummus and charcuterie. This being an L.A. watering hole, movie and TV show inspirations are everywhere, and being one of the filming locations for popular show The L Word is a frequently dropped accolade. Dana’s Night is held here once a month to provide a venue for the local queer community. The outdoor patio is a newer addition and perfect for those nice Southern California summer nights, and board games are on hand to encourage those linger and lounge vibes.

While your typical Hollywood crowd might be a permanent fixture at this Hollywood Roosevelt cocktail bar, it's still worth a visit for its luscious cocktails, hearty fare, and collection of classic board games. It can get a little too crowded, especially on the weekends, but if you come early, you should be able to admire its art deco appeal and perhaps enjoy a game at one of its two vintage bowling lanes.

Beeline through the dining room of Cole’s to find an unassuming door that leads to this small, dimly lit bar within a bar. Wooden booths line the walls, candles flicker, and live jazz is performed Sunday through Tuesday. The bartenders take their calling to heart and shake and stir some of the finest cocktails in the city. Those who don’t have a drink of choice can list their wants (“gin-based and sweet,” “strong whiskey and herbaceous”) and be served a custom cocktail. Be warned: patrons requiring quick drinks will want to go elsewhere—perfection takes time.

This 21-plus rock club on the edge of the Sunset Strip has been around for more than 30 years and is famously known as the site of much controversial Hollywood history---River Phoenix overdosed and died here, and Johnny Depp used to be a part owner. Today the venue books rising alt-rock acts, and covers typically range from $10 to $15, but its history has also seen legends like Tom Petty and Lenny Kravitz on the stage.

Don’t let the forest fairy-tale vibe—one that'll make you think that a woodsman fell in love with a tree nymph and then went on to open a bar—or the baffling strip mall location fool you. When the occasion calls for it, this little dive bar knows how to throw a party and show you a good time with the simple concoction of jukebox music, DJ spins, and signature drinks.

Since 2007, before Highland Park became trendy, the York has been holding its own as the ultimate neighborhood bar. It’s not just that the aesthetic gives off that neighborhood vibe (think exposed brick and chalkboard menus), but the craft beers on tap are great, and the pub food is delicious—the cheddar burger and the fish-and-chips are favorites.

Cocktail bars are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but there’s something about this Vine Street joint that makes patrons keep coming back for more. Maybe it's the down-to-earth attitude, delicious no-frills cocktails, and the fact that a taco stand serving greasy grub is right next door. Come to see one of the burlesque or comedy shows for a full experience.

Tucked into Echo Park’s more residential area where its only other commercial companions are a cactus shop, a tiny neighborhood market, a juice store, and sister property Bacetti, Tilda may not be at the center of the city's buzzing nightlife scene. But wine connoisseurs would agree that it’s the perfect place to sample California natural wines as well as offerings from Italy, Austria, and France. Pair your favorites with the wine bar's modest selection of simple fare.

Pubs serving vegan food aren't exactly a dime a dozen, but it's no surprise you can find one in Los Angeles. Tony's Darts Away is one such place, touting a predominantly vegan menu with dishes tasty enough to satisfy even the most steadfast meat lover. And craft beer lovers will be sure to appreciate the all-Californian craft beer selection.

Throw darts, shoot pool, or play shuffleboard at this British pub (its name refers to London's subway system), or watch a game on one of the many monitors. The adjacent Fox and Farrow gastropub is run by one of the co-owners.

It’s hard to decide whether the best thing about this place is its selection of 20 craft beers on tap and menu of enticing cocktails or the large beer garden furnished with picnic tables. Be warned, this place can get crowded, but it's worth it, especially on a hot, sunny day (so pretty much every day).