Los Angeles bar hopping works best when you pick a neighborhood and settle in. The city is too spread out for a single-night tour of every scene, and the best bars reward a little planning. This guide focuses on established spots with clear identities, from Downtown rooftops and Hollywood institutions to Eastside cocktail rooms and Westside beach bars.

Downtown LA: Rooftops, Speakeasies, and Grand Rooms

Perch

Perch, at 448 S. Hill St., is a French-inspired rooftop bar with skyline views and live jazz most nights. Sunset is the draw, but weekends fill up, so a reservation is the practical move. The cocktail list covers classics and house drinks, and the rooftop setting makes it a strong choice for a celebratory drink.

The Varnish

The Varnish sits behind a nondescript door at the back of Cole’s French Dip, 118 E 6th St. It is a small, dimly lit speakeasy with no printed menu. Tell the bartender what you like and they build the drink. Expect a wait because the room is small and the format is popular.

Bottega Louie

Bottega Louie, 700 S Grand Ave, is known for its bakery, market, and restaurant, but the bar is worth a stop on its own. The high-ceilinged, marble-accented room is lively during happy hour and gives you a central Downtown perch for a glass of wine or a cocktail.

Hollywood: Old-School Rooms and Playful Concepts

Musso & Frank Grill

Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Blvd, has been serving drinks since 1919. The room keeps its old Hollywood feel, the martinis are the order of the day, and the Frankenstein cocktail is a house signature. It is a useful stop when you want history with your drink rather than a new concept.

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s, 1611 N El Centro Ave, is hidden behind a refrigerator door in a garage. Inside, the bar leans into 1970s decor with a backyard area and unpretentious drinks. It is a playful stop rather than a serious cocktail destination.

Mama Shelter Los Angeles

Mama Shelter, 7018 Hollywood Blvd, runs a rooftop bar with views toward the city and the Hollywood sign. The decor is eclectic, the room is usually busy, and DJ sets keep the energy up. It works for cocktails and light bites when you want a lively Hollywood rooftop.

West Hollywood: Art Deco, Rooftop Scenes, and LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Sunset Tower Hotel Bar

The bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel, 8358 Sunset Blvd, is an Art Deco room with plush seating, low lighting, and city views. It draws a dressed-up crowd and feels calmer than the louder stretches of the Sunset Strip. Classic cocktails fit the setting.

Catch LA

Catch LA, 8715 Melrose Ave, is a restaurant and rooftop bar known for celebrity sightings and a lush, energetic room. The bar is a destination in its own right, with a curated cocktail list and lively music. It is a see-and-be-seen stop more than a quiet neighborhood bar.

The Abbey Food & Bar

The Abbey, 696 N Robertson Blvd, is a West Hollywood LGBTQ+ institution. The bar is known for drag shows, a busy dance floor, and a welcoming crowd. It is the anchor stop for a WeHo night out.

Silver Lake and Echo Park: Cocktail Rooms and Dive Bars

Bar Stella

Bar Stella, 3939 Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake, is a dim, intimate bar with a serious cocktail program. It works for a date or a catch-up, and the drinks are creative without turning the room into a scene.

Little Joy

Little Joy, 1478 Sunset Blvd in Echo Park, is a dive bar with well-priced cocktails, a good jukebox, and outdoor seating. The room is laid-back and friendly, which makes it a useful low-key stop before or after a louder night.

The Friend

The Friend, 2833 Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake, has a patio that feels removed from the street and a cocktail list that leans creative. It is a relaxed evening stop, especially when the patio is open.

Koreatown: Cocktail Spots with a Low-Key Feel

Scout Bar

Scout Bar, 7269 Beverly Blvd, is a low-key cocktail spot with a cozy room and a focus on thoughtful drinks. Seasonal specials and less common ingredients show up on the menu, and the pace is slower than the bigger scenes.

Lockwood 1212

Lockwood 1212, 1212 Wilshire Blvd, has a speakeasy-like feel with classic and creative cocktails. The room is intimate and refined, which makes it a good complement to a K-Town dinner.

Santa Monica and Venice: Coastal Cocktails

Élephante

Élephante, 1332 Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, is a rooftop restaurant and bar with an Italian Riviera look, ocean views, and a busy, stylish room. The cocktails are refreshing and the setting is unmistakably Californian.

The Bungalow

The Bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, 101 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, is built around a beach house party idea. Expect rustic decor, outdoor fire pits, and crowds, especially on weekends. Arrive early or expect a line.

Copa D’Oro

Copa D’Oro, 217 Broadway in Santa Monica, is an intimate Italian bar with a grown-up feel and carefully made cocktails. It is a quieter alternative to the busier Third Street Promenade spots.

Craft Beer: Breweries to Know

Highland Park Brewery

Highland Park Brewery has locations including Chinatown and Highland Park and is a local favorite for house-brewed beers. The range runs from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs, and the rooms are generally laid-back.

Eagle Rock Brewery

Eagle Rock Brewery, 3056 Roswell St, is LA’s oldest operating craft brewery. Its tasting room is the place to sample a wide range of beers and get a sense of the city’s brewing history.

Smog City Brewing Co.

Smog City Brewing Co. has locations including Torrance and Sylmar and is known for creative, high-quality beers with distinct names and flavor profiles. The taprooms are lively and welcoming.

Practical Notes for Bar Hopping

  • Plan around rideshare: LA is spread out, and public transit is often slow for cross-neighborhood bar hopping. If you drink, use Uber or Lyft rather than driving.
  • Use happy hour: Many higher-end bars offer happy hour deals that make a expensive room more accessible. Check the venue’s own schedule before you go.
  • Reserve when possible: Popular rooftop bars and trendy rooms fill up on weekends. A reservation can save the night.
  • Check dress codes: LA is casual, but some upscale bars and clubs enforce dress codes. Look at the venue’s website or social media if you are unsure.
  • Cluster your stops: Pick one neighborhood and walk or take short rides between bars. Downtown, Hollywood, WeHo, Silver Lake, and Santa Monica each have enough options for a full night without crossing the city.

Los Angeles has a bar for almost any mood, but the city rewards focus. Choose a neighborhood, book the rooftop you care about, and leave room for a low-key stop nearby.