LA's Best Bars & Hotspots
(credit: Alen Lin)
Out of all the cities in the world, Los Angeles is relentless when it comes to the addition of new bars and dining establishments. While a location might be around for several years in some cities, in LA, it would have been transformed into something new after just a short amount of time in an attempt to constantly reinvent itself. From bars to restaurants, we've got you covered on the liveliest and best hotspots to check out right now.
EP & LP
603 N. La Cienega Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 855-9955
www.eplosangeles.com
Offering awesome views from the rooftop lounge and a hip open kitchen, this happening outdoor bar and indoor restaurant is a stylish spot for not only dining, but also drinking. From its cutting edge southeastern Asian fare to its vast cocktail menu, it's one of the best hotspots to see and be seen at right now. EP & LP offers edibles like soft shell crab buns and nachos made with coconut cream chicken. The cocktails are equally exotic. From rum and whisky flights to specially cocktails and more, it might be tough to select from due to its enormity. From the "L.P. Pimms Cup" with gin, sweet vermouth, fresh lemon and lime, cucumber, strawberry, fresh mint and ginger to the "Sunset in Rosarito," you can't go wrong with whatever drink you choose here. You can even order some of these great cocktails by the pitcher to enjoy with friends. One of the best highlights though is the rooftop, which is open until 2am every night of the week. Make sure to take in the views because they're quite possibly the best in the city!
Cassia
1314 7th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-6699
www.cassiala.com
A southeast Asian brasserie with an airy, modern, minimalist vibe, there's nothing conventional about this fine dining and drinking spot. From lamps covered with bird cages to a drinks list that includes Thai basil, fresh papaya, and mint among its ingredients, there's plenty to delight diners and drinkers at Santa Monica's Cassia. Cassia is the work of two culinary power couples: Bryant and Kim Ng, who were behind the innovative Spice Table, the DTLA spot pushed out for subway construction, and Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb, who have given the west side the culinary treats of Rustic Canyon and Huckleberry.
Cadet
2518 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 828-3300
www.cadetsm.com
Located in Santa Monica, this casual, attractive French brasserie offers not only an interior that will delight any guest, but also delicious fare and cocktails. Known for changing up classics cocktails and putting their own spin on it, Cadet offers some of the best drinks in the city. A must try is The French Margarita, offering the perfect mix of iconic California influence and Parisian flare. Combining Mezcal with chartreuse, yellow peppers, lemon smoked salt and firewater bitters, it's a must order.
The Walker Inn
3216 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 263-2709
www.thewalkerinnla.com
Situated on the edge of Koreatown, and accessible through The Normandie Club, The Walker Inn is quite possibly the most popular drinking spot in Los Angeles right now. With its speakeasy atmosphere, a mix of great drinks on its exotic cocktail menu and its central location, LA residents keep are raving about this bar. Featuring a secret door, guests here are offered two choices: a two-drink minimum, or its omakase style drink menu. The bar, which can be described as quite intimate with only 27 seats, is a hideaway where talented mixologists and barkeepers will help you choose from their great menu of cocktails.
Mare
7465 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 592-3226
www.maremelrose.com
With a beautiful patio and a charming and elegant ambiance, Mare is the latest delightful dining spot from chef Eric Greenspan. Whether you're after a whole branzino or clams and mussels, seafood is what this Melrose outpost is known for. Craft cocktails make the most of fresh ingredients too, and compliment the beach-influenced menu. Guests must enter through the kitchen of a grilled cheese cafe to reach this spot, which creates feeling of entering a private enclave.
Redbird
114 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 788-1191
www.redbird.la
Offering an elegantly designed interior, Redbird is among the best-looking restaurants in town. Situated in downtown, the restaurant offers a craft-cocktail program and gourmet dining featuring everything from house-made pastas, fresh trout, venison, and seafood to drinks that are all thanks to renowned cocktail architect Julian Cox. Cox, known as one of LA's most sought after cocktail consultants, helped Redbird build a menu that delights even the most pickiest of patrons. The DTLA eatery, which sits in the former Vibiana Cathedral rectory space, offers indoor and outdoor seating with exotic and exciting architecture. It's just an added benefit along with the tasty cocktails and carefully cooked dishes from chef Neal Fraser.
The Chestnut Club
1348 14th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 393-1348
www.thechestnutclubsm.com
Brought to Santa Monica by Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix, The Chestnut Club is Santa Monica's answer to a bar in which Santa Monica locals and LA residents can grab great cocktails and small bites. Located off the beaten path, this intimate modern-day speakeasy with leather booths, brings a top-notch cocktail program with inspiring cocktails that pay homage to some of Southern California's earliest and most iconic destinations such as Bullocks Wilshire (bourbon, rum and cynar), Ocean Park (Jamaican rum, pineapple, ginger, lemon and soda) and the Westside (vodka, Orgeat syrup, lime, cucumber and mint, bitters). Add in great music from DJ's to the mix, and you've got a spot that Westsiders have fallen in love with.
The Corner Door
12477 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 313-5810
www.thecornerdoorla.com
A sleek Culver City bar with a beautifully curated craft cocktail menu, The Corner Door is an inviting space offering a tasty dinner menu with small bites, as well as larger plates and sweet treats. But, while this Culver City outpost offers terrific fare, the centerpiece here are the drinks. With a regular drinks menu, as well as a happy hour and late-night happy hour menu, drinkers enjoy everything from classics like margaritas and Moscow Mules to house specialties. The Minor Incident, a concoction featuring bourbon, apricot liqueur, lemon and habanero honey, is a favorite.
The Fiscal Agent
11801 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 90603
(818) 623-8088
www.thefiscalagent.com
While many bars and restaurants these days tend to open in the city, The Fiscal Agent is changing the tide by opening in Studio City. Opened by renowned cocktail crafter Julian Cox and a list of impressive team members, The Fiscal Agent serves up some of the best drinks in town, making it worth the drive to the Valley. With an intimate speakeasy type environment, this hideaway is only open from Wednesday to Saturday (7pm to 2am) and offers food too. Chef Michael Kahikina from Barrel & Ashes created a small-bites menu to go along with delicious cocktails.
Bar Bandini
2150 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Echo Park's Bar Bandini, which sits in the former City Sip space and remained under wraps for quite a while before opening, offers fine wines and a terrific craft beer menu to choose from. Dark and romantic, this adult playground with a relaxed atmosphere, offers great music too.
Birch
1634 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 960-3369
www.birchlosangeles.com
Birch, which is a named after chef Brendan Collin's hometown of Nottingham, England, is one of LA's hottest restaurants right now. Offering seating for eating from its internationally flavored menu, the bar here is worth the visit alone. Designed by bartender Gaby Mlynarzyck, the cocktail menu here includes specialty drinks like the #8, with brown butter, bourbon, caraway, marmalade and a brandied cherry, as well as the #5 with pincone, vodka, cranberry, and sloe plums. Wines and beers by tap or in bottle/cans are also available, but the real highlight are the cocktails.
The Normandie Club
3612 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 263-2709
www.thenormandieclub.com
One of the newest cocktail bars from the 213 Hospitality group, The Normandie Club in Koreatown, is a casual bar inside the Normandie Hotel. While the cocktail list isn't large, it packs a punch with great selections, including a great Old Fashioned with coconut bourbon, apple brandy, spiced almond demerara, and angostura bitters, as well as a Manhattan, with rye whiskey, cacao nib cynar, sweet vermouth, and miracle mile red eye bitters. A small, but worthwhile selection of beer, cider and wine is also available.
Forman's Tavern
10149 Riverside Dr
Los Angeles, CA 91602
Toluca Lake
(818) 760-6900
www.formansla.com
Opened in August of 2015, Toluca Lake's Forman's Tavern is a rustic bar thanks to the ACME Hospitality Group. The group, which is behind the successful Laurel Tavern, built the bar with decor reminiscent of a hunting lodge you might find in the mountains. Offering rustic interiors to go along with manly whiskey influenced cocktails, it's a must visit.
Everson Royce Bar
1936 E 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 335-6166
www.erbla.com
Open nightly form 5pm to 2am, Everson Royce Bar comes to Downtown LA thanks to the team behind Silverlake Wine. Located in the Arts District, cocktails here include The Paper Plane, a bourbon based drink with Aperol and amaro, and many others that go great with Chef Matt Molina's small bites. With great cocktails, bocce ball to play, tasty eats, and even a back patio, it certainly makes the cut. Make sure not to get this confused with Pasadena's Everson Royce Wine and Spirits though.
Viviane
Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
9400 W Olympic Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 407-7791
www.vivianerestaurant.com
Situated inside the Avalon Hotel on a quiet street in Beverly Hills, the Kelly Wearstler designed eatery offers up bites with French influence. A collaboration between Bombet Hospitality Group and Proper Hospitality, Viviane's food from chef Michael Hung's modern California interpretation of classic European and American cuisine includes a menu that can be paired with a curated wine list, as well as 1950's inspired cocktails. Great cocktails here include their Cosmopolitan with Grey Goose Vodka, lime juice and cranberry cordial, a gimlet with Tanqueray Old Tom Gin, and lime cordial, as well as The Vesper with Russian Standard Vodka, Bombay dry gin and Cocchi Americano.
