The 20 Best Bars & Nightlife in Los Angeles

Whisky a Go Go is a legendary live music venue on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood known for hosting rock, tribute, and alternative bands in an intimate setting with excellent sound and lighting. The floor seating puts you close to performers, though upstairs balcony seating is available if you prefer. Drinks are pricey, so budget accordingly for cocktails.

LA's second-oldest tiki bar—a tiny, floor-to-ceiling decorated spot on Sunset with expertly made tropical drinks and generous pours. Order classics like Three Dots and a Dash, Ray's Mistake, or Oooga Booga. Expect a 30-minute to hour wait to get in, especially if you don't arrive early.

Seven Grand is a craft cocktail bar on the second floor of a downtown LA building, known for carefully made drinks like Moscow Mules and Old Fashioneds, plus pool tables and live music Thursday–Sunday. The speakeasy-style space has taxidermy decor and a cigar patio. Be prepared to wait for drinks during busy times, as bartenders take care with each cocktail.

A retro Italian aperitivo bar in Eagle Rock with a timeless vibe—red booths, wood paneling, and an effortlessly cool atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time. The frozen Negroni is a must-try, and the food (fresh pastas, snacks) is consistently excellent. Fair warning: it's genuinely hard to get a seat, especially on weekends, so arrive early or try a rainy weekday afternoon.

A basement speakeasy bar in downtown L.A. with live music nightly starting at 9:30pm, pool tables, and cocktails like the Purple People Eater. The vibe is laid-back and welcoming with attentive staff. Note that pool tables can have a wait during busy times.

A stylish craft cocktail bar housed in a 1906 building that was once the Alexandria Hotel's original lobby. Order The Reyna (with coconut foam), explore their martini menu, and pair drinks with charcuterie boards or burgers with caramelized onions. One reviewer noted a particular bartender had an off-putting attitude, so your experience may vary depending on who's behind the bar.

Golden Gopher is an iconic DTLA dive bar known for strong drinks, friendly bartenders, and a great happy hour ($6, 3–8pm daily including weekends). The casual vibe mixes locals and tourists in a vintage space with an atrium seating area and pool tables. One real note: shot pours here are notably small (around 20ml), so manage expectations if that's your order.

A theatrical cocktail bar built inside a restored Victorian mansion, complete with a burlesque-style entrance show that sets the tone for the night. Order the house punch or any of the rotating seasonal cocktails from the skilled bar team. The cover charge and occasional long lines can be a deterrent, and it skews toward a younger, scene-y crowd on weekends.

A hidden speakeasy-style bar in Downtown LA with multiple distinct bar areas, live music venues, arcade games, pool tables, and a smoking area spread across two floors. Come for the eclectic music shows, local artist performances, and multi-venue atmosphere in one space. Fair warning: it's unmarked from the street and can be tricky to find, plus cocktails run $15+ with light pours.

A dark, intimate cocktail lounge on La Cienega that has been a WeHo staple for serious cocktail drinkers since it opened, with a menu that balances classic technique with creative flair. The bartenders are among the most skilled in the city and the space has a speakeasy-adjacent feel without the gimmick. It's small, so seating is limited and it can feel exclusive on busy nights, but the drinks justify the effort.

A no-frills dive bar on the Little Tokyo–Skid Row border with live music, solid food, and strong drinks in a nostalgic 90s atmosphere. The kitchen staff are genuinely friendly, happy hour is fantastic, and there's both indoor booth seating and outdoor patio space. Note the location requires some street smarts getting there, though the gated paid parking lot with an attendant helps.

Library Bar is a laid-back cocktail lounge in Downtown LA with a clever library-meets-speakeasy concept, featuring expertly crafted cocktails and surprisingly good small plates. The bartenders are knowledgeable and attentive, and the dim, book-lined space works well for both casual drinks and private events. The main caveat: it can get quite quiet on weeknights, so timing matters if you want energy and a crowd.

A neighborhood bar and small-plates restaurant in Eagle Rock that has become a genuine anchor of the Northeast LA bar scene, with a well-curated beer and natural wine list alongside solid cocktails. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, the outdoor space is excellent, and the food is good enough to make a full evening of it. It draws a loyal local crowd and can get busy on weekends, but it rarely feels overwhelming.

A live music venue attached to Canter's Deli on Fairfax, known especially for Tuesday night performances by veteran musicians. You can order food directly from the deli while you listen—large portions at reasonable prices. Note that afternoon hours appear quiet; the place picks up later in the day and especially on music nights.

A lively Chicago-style dive bar in West LA with multiple rooms featuring games, arcade machines, and plenty of TVs for watching sports. Get the Chicago hot dogs ($7) and take advantage of happy hour until 8pm with great drink specials. Arrive early if you want a good spot for Bears games, as it's a popular destination for Chicago transplants and the bar prioritizes Bears fans during matchups.

A dark, intimate goth bar in Hollywood with strong drinks, low red lighting, and a killer jukebox spinning 80s new wave, punk, and alt rock. The bartenders are friendly and no-nonsense, and Wednesday nights feature chill karaoke where regulars come to let loose. Parking is notoriously difficult in the area, so plan accordingly.

A sophisticated cocktail bar in Downtown LA with speakeasy vibes, dim lighting, and a carefully curated experience split between lively outdoor and intimate indoor spaces. Order the lamb burger, buttermilk fried chicken, or $2 oysters on Mondays—cocktails are expertly crafted and never disappoint. Reservations are strongly recommended as the place fills up quickly.

A West Hollywood cocktail bar on Sunset Boulevard with art deco atmosphere and Hollywood history—the space where Marilyn Monroe was signed by the Cukor-Lipton Agency. Order cocktails named after iconic LA landmarks like the Whiskey A Go Go; they're made with precision and care. The main caveat: reviews don't mention pricing details or whether it's cash-only, so call ahead if you have payment concerns.

Old Man Bar is a moody cocktail bar in Mar Vista with expertly crafted drinks, vinyl records, and intimate candlelit ambiance anchored by a fireplace. Order the apple miso martini or old-fashioned, or explore their creative mezcal cocktails. Seating is limited for groups, and cash is recommended.

A historic dive bar in DTLA's Arts District with a strong local following since the 1980s. Come for solid draft beer and cocktails (the Old Fashioned is worth trying), stay for the games—pool tables, darts, ping pong, chess, foosball, and board games scattered throughout. The back patio is the real draw, but it can get crowded on weekends and the vibe skews toward a biker bar crowd.