359 Best Bars in California, USA

For almost 100 years, this storied rooftop space has hosted a hotel bar with sweeping city views. Its current incarnation, opened in 2024, is particularly glamorous, with velvet banquettes, golden accent chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as carefully crafted, city-inspired cocktails, elevated bites, and a bill to match.

Meet some of L.A.'s best drink makers at Thunderbolt. Inspired by the American South, the cocktail bar offers a broad Madeira selection and snacky Southern fare such as fried chicken biscuits and chicken drumettes with a tamari glaze. But Thunderbolt’s biggest standout is its robust cocktail program with interesting and complex combinations of flavors. Standouts include the savory Fu Gwaa Falsetto (shochu and Oaxacan rum with bittermelon, manzanilla, and li hing mui) and the tropical Koji Killer (rum, pineapple, coconut, orange, and shio koji for an umami punch).

L.A. has something for everyone. Case in point, this delightful pub touting a predominantly vegan menu tasty enough to satisfy the most steadfast meat lovers, more than 20 California-crafted beers at any given time, bar games including the titular pastime, billiards, and the occasional chili cook-off or adult spelling bee. 

You come to one of the city's most popular dive bars for one thing and one thing only: the reasonably priced beers, about four dozen of them on tap. The Toronado opens in the late morning and has a good-size crowd by early afternoon, so show up early to sit at one of the highly coveted tables. Just make sure to bring cash, as they don't accept credit cards.

A welcoming place with botanical prints, vibrant colors, carved totems, and globe pendants, Toucans is the longtime go-to for those who love drag queens, cabaret, and festive drinks.

The intimate vibe of the Troubadour helps make this club a favorite with music fans. Around since 1957, this venue has a storied past where legends like Elton John and James Taylor have graced the stage. These days, the eclectic lineup is still attracting crowds, with the focus mostly on rock, indie, and folk music. Those looking for drinks can imbibe to their heart's content at the adjacent bar.

If you're hitting only one bar in North Beach, it should be this one. The low-ceilinged second floor of this raucous boho saloon hangout, little altered since its 1960s heyday (when Jack Kerouac frequented the place), is a fine vantage point for watching the colorful Broadway and Columbus Avenue intersection. Another part of Vesuvio's appeal is its diverse clientele, from older neighborhood regulars and young couples to bacchanalian posses.

Going strong since 1995, with themed happenings and live entertainment or DJs most nights, this popular sports bar/nightclub/restaurant caters to a young crowd and visiting bachelor/bachelorette posses who want to dress sexy, drink seriously (and cheaply during happy hour), and play hard.

Whether you’re in the mood for a Paso Robles Grenache Blanc or an Oregon Pinot Noir, you'll find it at this narrow, sleek locals’ favorite. The kitchen isn’t much more than a stovetop but does some pretty impressive work beyond cheese and charcuterie. Take advantage of the ability to order half pours and sample more wines.

It's a dive but one of the city's best beer bars—there are almost 50 on tap—and a great place to relax with a cold one or an ever-popular Bloody Mary in the large patio on a sunny day. Burgers and brats are available, and a few items on the menu incorporate food from local farmers' markets.

The welcoming vibe of the largely under-30 crowd at this retro-hip but chill wine-and-beer bar is exceeded only by that of the charming hosts. Congeniality aside, the other draws here include the craft brews on tap, the change-of-pace selection of international wines (nothing from California), and the live-music, movie, and other event nights.

A stone's throw from the bay, the city's greenest wine bar serves up sustainable, organic, and biodynamic wines from around the world. Small plates are also available, usually vegetarian, and change weekly, as does the wine menu. The commitment to a healthier planet isn't reflected only in the food and drink, but also the decor, a mixture of reused wine bottles and wood reclaimed from nearby piers. Public transportation shuts down early at night, so expect to need a taxi back and to wait about 30 minutes for it to arrive.

The popular restaurant's nearly two dozen specialty cocktails make a trip just to the bar worthwhile. The classic but modern French cuisine, California and French wines, and vintage bistro decor are terrific, too, so pair a cocktail with a few bites before or after a show.

One of the city's top cocktail bars, ABV offers elevated small plates (the burger has a devoted following) late into the night to pair with their excellent cocktail menu, which includes such favorites as a Mumbai Mule with saffron vodka. A knowledgeable and friendly staff serves a diverse energetic crowd in a smart modern setting.

Named for its proximity to the airport, this over-21 watering hole draws in whiskey lovers for its unbeatable selection of more than 1,000 bottles. Sip on craft beer or cocktail under the Christmas light-laden ceiling, or head to the arcade room for billiards, pinball, and more. Additional seating is available in the somewhat hidden back patio as well.  Tuesdays are half-off games in the arcade, but free popcorn is available all day, every day.

In addition to the expansive floor filled with all kinds of gambling options (e.g., slot machines, table games, a poker room), the casino/resort also has multiple places to wet your whistle, shake your (fingers-crossed) moneymaker, and see DJs or local acts. The Show, the resort's prized theater where none of the 2,101 seats are more than 125 feet from the stage, also books a full calendar of concerts by household names like Dolly Parton and Sting, as well as fashion shows and sporting events like boxing matches.

Asian fusion meets chic nightlife at this lively restaurant and cocktail lounge on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street in the heart of Gaslamp. Good for business travelers or date nights, the large dining room transforms into a nightclub-style atmosphere after 10 pm, complete with DJs, dancing, and drinks.

This local haunt is every inch a neighborhood bar, one that serves fast, cheap, and strong drinks; is inclusive of all people; and engages the local community through fun and unapologetically outrageous events like Craftaoke, Gaymer Night, and queer disco nights.

This dark-wood, low-lit space has a certain swagger that's at once charming and classy. It serves full meals but is also a good choice for cocktails and small plates—the polenta fries, Scotch eggs, and seasonal salads are all winners.

Location is everything at this sophisticated lounge on the roof of the 22-floor San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter. The views of the Downtown skyline and Petco Park will give you a natural high. Come early on baseball game days to catch the action from above.

Housed in an historic Beaux Arts building that dates from 1916, this craft brewery lures locals and visitors alike with a full bar and 20 craft beers on tap, decent gastropub menu, beer garden, and shaded sidewalk patio. The company also has a brewery, bistro, and wine bar in Carmel Plaza in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

A slice of modern French life, this cozy and romantic wine bar is an ideal spot for oenophiles, with a list strong in French selections. Vintage-theater seating is available up front—perfect for mingling with strangers. The prices are reasonable, the pours handsome. Sit at the red-lacquer bar to learn about wine and pick up a French phrase or two.

This floral-and-tropics-themed bar boasts one of the prime patios in San Francisco, plus excellent, non-fussy craft cocktails.

The husband and wife behind this energetic garden-theme bar (its name is a play on "arboretum") aim to provide patrons with more than a place to throw a few back in a verdant indoor setting. It's a sit-down affair, with specialty cocktails—no two remotely alike—the focus.

A cocktail lounge ideal for romantic evenings and much-needed gossip sessions with friends, this 2,200-square-foot-room maintains a moody brasserie vibe with its velvety arm chairs and foliage-draped ceilings. The Arroyo Club serves an interesting assortment of cocktails, such as the Midnight Kiss, which features rice-washed tequila, cinnamon, cold brew, and chocolate. Head to the back of the room for savory bar bites like beef or plant-based smash burgers and tater tots.

This multitasking art deco venue offers both live music and club nights. The killer sound system, cavernous space, and multiple bars make it a perfect venue for both. The club is best known for its DJs, who often spin well past the 2 am cutoff for drinks. The crowd can be a mixed bag, depending on the night, but if you're looking to dance, you likely won't be disappointed. Upstairs is Bardot, which hosts special events including a Monday night showcase of up-and-coming artists.

Don't let the '70s chill vibes fool you: Aviator Nation Dreamland is attempting to do a lot of things, and it does them very well. Part coffee house serving all day, part music venue, part surf and lifestyle shop, and part community hub, it's become an embodiment of the laid-back, sun-soaked spirit of Southern California. Opened in 2021 by Paige Mycoskie, founder of the retro-inspired clothing brand Aviator Nation, this multifaceted venue is just steps from the beach. The site's previous incarnations include its time as the Crazy Horse Saloon, which hosted everyone from the Beach Boys to the Doors to Fleetwood Mac. That aural history carries over into today's experience. The complex includes a large outdoor area with comfortable seating, perfect for enjoying a meal or watching live performances on the custom-built stage.

Although it draws plenty of gay customers, the festive and friendly atmosphere is popular with just about everyone in the Hillcrest area (and their pets are welcome, too). The bar staff stocks more than 100 brands of tequila and mixes plenty of fancy cocktails.

Here you'll spy young (thirtysomething) and upwardly mobile former frat boys and sorority girls sipping on powerful espresso martinis and munching on tasty burgers served sandwich-style on a baguette—considered by some to be the best in town. Classic cocktails are proper and stiff, bartenders always have something witty to say, and the wine list is one of the neighborhood's best.