The Best Bars in Los Angeles to Grab a Drink Right Now

Poised to take advantage of LA’s recent obsession with aperitivo culture is this global brand that got its start in the very Italian-inspired city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Landing in the former A.O.C. space on 3rd Street, Negroni Bar & Bistro is an ideal choice for a—you guessed it—negroni, with several variations available, including the of-the-moment Sbagliato, plus more inventive versions that include an Espresso Negroni with mezcal, alongside Nikkei-driven plates. The interior eschews the usual coastal chic ambience for a sexy matte black that flows across the walls and furniture, while black-and-white tile flooring and matching striped umbrellas dot the streetside patio, with a red-neon Negroni sign beckoning you to come and stay for a while.
How to book: Walk in or make reservations online.

Named in honor of Anna May Wong, the iconic Chinese-American actress who broke barriers in Hollywood, Anna May Bar lands within the equally famed Crustacean restaurant that’s sat at the top of Beverly Hills’ fine dining scene for nearly three decades. The lounge is also helmed by the An family, so you can expect a handful of popular dishes like the caviar- and tuna-stuffed cigars (served with flair in a real cigar box) and the Garlic Noodles on the small plates menu, plus a similarly gilded aesthetic at the revamped bar area, where you can perch on velvet bar seats with hanging woven baskets swinging from the ceiling overhead. The cocktail menu offers a few exclusive additions, like the Anna May, a strong and sippable concoction with Dos Hombres mezcal, Aperol, Peychaud bitters, and champagne yuzu foam, as well as reinterpretations of classic drinks like the High Tea Penicillin, with Kikori whisky, ginger, a spray of 16-year Lagavulin scotch whiskey, and a cloud of black tea and lavender.
How to book: Walk-ins only for the bar.

Taking over the former In Sheep’s Clothing space is this cocktail haven from the same team behind the adjacent and similarly charming De La Nonna pizzeria. The bar recalls 1970s and 80s Italian discotheque culture with dusty rose stucco surroundings, a 24-foot-long jade marble bar, and Mario Bellini-style sofas, a tile-mirrored ceiling, and of course, a central disco ball, plus cocktails like the Garibaldi Spritz and the Fizz Italiano. While the space is ideal for after-work drinks or a stylish date during the week, over the weekend it transforms into a dancing destination complete with disco sets from LA record labels, including Pleasure of Love, CQQL Records, Eric Tucker and Jeremy Sole from The Lift.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

This former titan in Weho’s see-and-be-seen nightlife arena has reopened following a dramatic renovation, offering chef-driven cuisine, a full bar, and a much-needed late-night option for the neighborhood. The Den’s stone brick facade and gable roof are immediately comforting features amid the concrete starkness of the rapidly developing Sunset Strip, but artist and sculptor Nora Shields has also revived the interior with eclectic and modern touches, including an expanded, mirror-tile-backed DJ booth and a tile art installation that stretches across the outdoor patio floor and fireplace. There are plush velvet booths for intimate conversations, as well as plenty of open space for dancing. The food menu is helmed by chef Ronnie de Leon, with updated comfort classics like a Buttermilk Fried Mary’s Chicken Sandwich and Grandma’s Meatballs, plus shareables like oysters and a selection of crudo, Jidori Chicken Wings, and Kennebec Potato Chips with an optional caviar supplement. Signature cocktails range from the herbaceous Cross Pollinator with Spirit Guild Gin, Chaucer’s Mead, chamomile, yuzu soda, lemon, honey, and cardamom, to the fruity and refreshing Guava Island with Tres Generaciones Tequila, chinola passion fruit, hibiscus, guava, lime, and agave.
How to book: Reservations can be made online.

A short stroll from iconic Musso & Frank’s is this swanky, British-style pub from Ten Five Hospitality (Mother Wolf, Desert 5 Spot) that transports you across the pond with exposed brick, cozy leather booths, plaid carpeting, and a quaint garden patio that teems with vintage accents and hanging plants. There’s also a dining room for tucking into elevated pub classics like Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, and a weekly Sunday Roast with roasted prime rib, gravy, roasted potatoes, and Yorkshire Pudding, but do stay for post-dinner drinks like the Bloody Mary Martini and Paint it Black, their spin on an espresso martini. With two big-screen TVs airing rugby and soccer matches, plus weekly trivia nights and in-house fiddle band Fiddler and The Chaps, The Chap is a welcome addition to Hollywood’s revived bar scene, offering an option for every type of tippler.
How to book: Walk in for drinks or make dinner reservations via Resy.

Much of what makes dive bars so appealing also made them one of the worst places to hang out during the pandemic: they’re often cramped with a lack of windows, communal snacks sitting at the bar, and a handful of regulars who are varying degrees of charming to downright annoying or offensive, but you can also count on friendly bartenders ready to serve you strong, straightforward, and reasonably priced drinks. This worn-in ambience is part of their charm, and what the folks at Tiny’s Hi Dive are leaning into, featuring a jukebox, red leather booths, a pool table, and bar food that includes Windy City staples like an Italian Beef sandwich and a Chicago Dog. Stop by any day before 8 pm to take advantage of happy hour, and feel free to dig into their comfort-driven menu until the kitchen closes at midnight.
How to book: Walk in.

Jeff Strauss, the man behind modern deli sensation Jeff’s Table, is also to thank for this fun Studio City bar that slings classic cocktails and a contemporary take on bar food—including a hoisin-dashed burger that’s already reached cult status. Cozy up at the bar or at one of the outdoor tables to enjoy scratch-made cocktails and the aforementioned burger, or venture towards one of the rotating plates like Steak Frites served with a szechuan-peppercorn chimichurri and crispy potatoes. The kitchen is open until a generous 10 pm.
How to book: Walk-ins only. Prepare for a wait at dinner time.

A longtime destination for handmade pastas and Italian comfort foods, Ugo Restaurant launched the perfect aperitivo spot for the surrounding Sony Studio workers with the Lounge at UGO, including a moody, candlelit lounge and sparkling string-lit patio. Here, you can tuck into the restaurant’s famous Neapolitan pizzas or opt for small bites like Crispy Calamari and a Ricotta Crostini, all of which pair wonderfully of Italian-inspired spritzes, negronis, and an Espresso Martini. They’ve also debuted new craft cocktails like the Strawberry Lychee Martini with Japanese Haku Vodka, lychee liqueur, strawberry, and lime.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

For cocktail connoisseurs who prefer a dose of discretion is this reservations-only spot from the TAO Group. Also an apt option for a clandestine date night, The Fleur Room offers a moody interior with hanging light fixtures that resemble hot pink Angel’s Trumpet flowers, a mix of vintage-inspired floral and velvet furniture, and botanical touches throughout, with a blooming gold disco ball as the centerpiece. The bar acts as a stage as mixologists assemble cocktails that defy your usual definition—arriving in a cloud of cotton candy or with a delicately sculpted fuschia ice rose instead of the regular cube. The cocktail menu is organized according to refreshing, sweet, dry, and boozy, with a large selection of champagnes and wines by the glass or bottle.
How to book: Inquire about making a reservation online.

Opening on a recently redeveloped stretch of Eagle Rock Blvd is this Art Deco-inspired cocktail bar with exposed brick, lush banquettes, and gold accents, where you can order up classic, booze-forward drinks like an Old Fashioned, as well as new creations like the Secret Weapon with mezcal, lime, agave, angostura, orange bitters, and Tajin. Afterwards, you’ll find dining options like heritage-driven Dunsmoor an easy stumbling distance away.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Formerly a Baja-tinged escape called Celestina, the rooftop on The Shay hotel was recently transformed into the Canopy Club, an all-day poolside restaurant and bar that evokes the tropics with bright floral murals, scalloped umbrellas, and lush palms, plus amazing views of Culver City and neighboring beach cities. You’ll find refreshing spritzes and tiki-inspired cocktails on the drink menu, like the Pomelo Spritz with Aperol, cappelletti, pink grapefruit, and sparkling wine, and the Horchata Painkiller, with reposado tequila, pineapple rum, horchata, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and OJ. The seafood-driven food menu offers small plates, salads, and bowls, as well as sandwiches and large-format dishes like Umami Salmon with farmers market cucumbers and a Crispy Fish sandwich. A selection of wines by the bottle and glass, beer, kombucha, and seltzers are also available.

The West Coast has long been a destination for Peruvian-Nikkei cuisine and more recently we’ve been the lucky recipient of several dining destinations from South American neighbor Brazil. From Last Word Hospitality (Found Oyster, Same Same Thai) Caipirinha Bar is part of this wave, featuring drinks and dishes from South Brazil, with three versions of its namesake caipirinha cocktail, a Brazilian Mai Tai, and Brazilian beer, as well as traditional items like savory Coxinha pastries and Picanha Steak Skewers, plus hearty options like a Mortadello Sando and a vegetarian shepherd’s pie called Escondidinho. A full global wine list and a few classic cocktails are on offer, plus creative twists like the Hibiscus Cooler with vodka, lemon, hibiscus, sugar, and bubbles. Stop by on Wednesday nights to enjoy Bossa Nova and other Brazilian hits on vinyl.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Italian aperitivo culture has taken hold of LA and there’s nowhere better to taste the trend than at recently reinvigorated Capri Club, a popular Italian restaurant from 1963 to 2019. Owner Robert Fleming and beverage director Nic Vascocu brought it back to life with vintage Italian style (think: hanging light fixtures, red leather booths, and deep green wood paneling) and a solid list of classic cocktails and spritzes, plus a few fun touches like rotating frozen specials and the Bobby Special, which offers an ice cold mug of Peroni and a Ferrari shot for $10. The 50/50 menu is also worth a gander, featuring $6 drinks with two ingredients, like the Mezcaletti with mezcal and meletti, and The Closer, with amaro and Cafe Moka. A short menu of above-average bites is available, with options like Tuna-Stuffed Peppers and Pancetta-Wrapped Dates, Figs and Potatoes.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Pijja Palace bills itself as an Indian sports bar, but is delightfully flexible depending on what you’re looking for. Yes, there are mounted TVs playing live sports behind the bar and on several walls, but the pale wood details and pastel color palette create a welcoming aesthetic that is sure to draw anyone who finds themselves intrigued by the concept of Indian-Italian fare. There’s a selection of draft beer and wines by the glass and bottle, but it’s the cocktail menu that truly deserves your attention. Gin is featured prominently, as is Indian whiskey, in worthwhile creations like the Port O Pine with Ford’s Gin, Ruby Port, mango, and lime, and the Chai Whiskey Sour with Henebery Whiskey, chai, darjeeling, lemon, and egg white. The food menu offers a new take on your usual bar foods, with items like Okra Fries and Lamb Kebab Sliders, as well as altogether unique plates like a Malai Rigatoni drenched in a rich tomato masala sauce and spiced with coriander.

LA has fully embraced tinned fish culture and it’s a trend that Kippered, a conservas and sparkling wine-focused bar in DTLA, hopes is here to stay. Featuring subtle Art Deco details, Kippered includes booths, tables, and barstools across two floors of seating. You won’t find cocktails on the menu, but trust us when we say that the sparkling, still, pet nat, and champagne options will keep you plenty busy, with wines available by the glass and bottle. Likewise with the seafood selection, which runs the gamut from mackerel to eel to shellfish, mollusks, and pate, in addition to veggies, cheeses, breads, and charcuterie meats. The staff is incredibly friendly and always willing to offer recommendations.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

One of your best options for drinking on the East Side is this new beer garden that serves as LA’s first combined brewery and cidery. Whether you’re a hophead or new to brews, you’re in good hands with husband-wife owners Ben Farber and Chelsey Rosetter, who bring Farber’s 12 years of experience as a brewer, as well as five years spent researching centuries-old brewing and fermentation techniques throughout Europe. The draft beer menu is organized from light to dark, with a crisp Lincoln Heights Lager representing the former and Belgian-style Midnight Swim reflecting the latter. In contrast, the cider menu is organized from dry to semi-sweet, with Pippin Straight Up representing the driest option, and Wet Yer Whistle the sweetest. A natural chardonnay and pinot noir are also available on draft thanks to a partnership with Pali Wine Co. Try a Snakebite—a half pint of beer with a half pint of cider poured over, with the option to go light or dark. Benny Boy frequently hosts food pop-ups in their dog-friendly beer garden, plus events like Chicken Sh*t Bingo (which is, for better or worse, exactly what it sounds like).
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Truly Hard Seltzer launched their first brick-and-mortar location in Downtown LA, unveiling a vibrant warehouse decked out with murals by local artists, colorful furniture, hanging plants, and a tasting terrace with fire pits, recliners, and tables under umbrellas. Here you’ll find low-ABV hard seltzer cocktails like a Frozen Pina Colada-Style and a Maple Sugar Old Fashioned-Style with Truly hard seltzer that’s aged in bourbon barrels for six months. Truly fans can also order classic flavors on tap, as well as limited editions available exclusively at the LA taproom, like the Tepachi spritz-style seltzer.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Though speakeasies first sprung up during Prohibition, offering clandestine drinking destinations for Roaring 20’s artists and high rollers, these hidden cocktail lounges are still alive and well in LA. Next door to Clark Street Diner and within the Adler Hotel is Lily’s Bar, a refined, wood-paneled cocktail den. Technically it’s not a speakeasy, but the vibes draw inspiration from this indulgent era, including a small dance floor that strobes with lights from a spinning disco ball. The drink menu offers classic cocktails as well as a few welcome departures in the form of a butterfly pea-infused gin cocktail, a couple agave concoctions, and a pair of absinthe options, plus a selection of beer and natural wines by the glass curated by Clark Street Diner owner Zach Hall. Snacks include Clark Street’s fresh-baked bread and butter, hand-picked Sicilian olives, and aged cheeses.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Gracing the rooftop of the newly opened tommie Hollywood hotel is this Pioneertown-meets-Palm Springs, neo-retro spot with jewel-toned vintage furniture and wood paneling on the interior, plus a wraparound patio that offers 360-degree views of the Hollywood Hills. It’s one of your best bets for country western or country rock music in LA, with live bands playing every weekend. And because Desert 5 Spot is in the heart of Hollywood, you’re just as likely to see clubbers in minidresses and stilettos as you are cowboys in Stetsons—making it a prime destination for people-watching. On the beverage side, you’ll see additional nods to country music hits, like Ring of Fire with Bruxo mezcal, prickly pear, lemon, and ginger, and Jolene, a captivating cocktail with El Tesoro tequila, watermelon, strawberry, agave, and lime. There’s also the option to “Make it a Cactus,” or order the bar’s famous Margarita in a cactus-shaped cooler that serves between six and eight people.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Inglewood’s first and only wine bar is owned by sisters Leslie and Leann Jones, two lifelong Inglewood residents who wanted to offer a convenient and upscale nightlife option so that locals aren’t forced to leave the neighborhood when they want a night out. They serve the largest collection of Black-owned wine labels in California, along with elevated bar bites and a few entree choices like Kobe Beef Sliders and a creamy risotto with Creole-style shrimp. Happy hour is Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5–6 pm and Thursdays from 5–10 pm, with $2 off all house wines plus food specials, and on Sundays they serve brunch from 11 am–4 pm with bottomless mimosas and a live DJ.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted, but reservations are encouraged and can be made online.

LA has had a dearth of bar-hopping areas for a while now, but that might be changing along a small section of Virgil Ave where cozy, Havana-inspired Bolita has landed not far from worthy watering holes like Melody and The Virgil. The owners are also behind Cuban favorites El Cochinito and Cafe Tropical, so you know they know their stuff. Pull up to the narrow bar with a tiled mirror backing and order up craft cocktails like Cheat Day Daiquiri with rum, brown butter, banana, lime, dulce de leche, and nutmeg, though there’s also a nice selection of beers and wines by the glass, plus a zero-proof cocktail list (and they’ll happily make any of their cocktails NA by request). A small menu of bar bites is available, including Bar Pie from Cafe Tropical. Stop by during happy hour which runs from 5–7 pm daily and includes deals like Tierra Madre Lager for $4, wines or a Daiquiri for $8, and a Bocadito sandwich for just $4.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Taking over the space that formerly housed Imperial Western Beer Co. and Harvey House, this Bavarian-style brew house debuted with an expanded beer garden, offering over 400 seats across the entire space. Many of the original, art-deco details have been preserved, including gorgeous tile flooring and intricate wallpapers. Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous interior though, this is still one of the best options for knocking back a beer or watching live sports in Downtown, with plenty of TVs and a projector. There’s also shuffleboard and pool tables to keep you occupied. For drinks, they’ve got 12 brews on tap, ranging from a Superba West Coast IPA to Hefeweizen and an Apricot Sour. For those that prefer something a bit stronger, there’s also a classic cocktail menu. Tuck into a menu of burgers, sammies, and brats when hunger strikes.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

To return to our former point about LA’s lack of bar-hopping arenas, we’re thrilled that the High Low Bar, taking over the space that was formerly home to The Griffin, is open within walking distance of other neighborhood faves like Bigfoot Lodge, the Roost, and The Morrison, as well as Tam O’Shanter, for those who want to preface their drinking with a fancy Scottish steak dinner. With arched brick ceilings, stone columns, and moody lighting, the tavern aesthetic remains firmly intact, with pool tables for the late-night sharks plus TVs. The bar program offers some of the most affordable drinks in town—just $8 well drinks, or $6 during daily happy hour, and $12 for classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Margaritas. The food draws from Tex-Mex inspiration, including puffy tacos, nachos, queso, and burgers.
How to book: Walk-ins only.