Best Bars in Los Angeles

Bar Flores

A bougainvillea-draped rooftop cocktail bar above Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, woman-owned and Latina-led, channeling a chic Mexico City watering hole. Go for vibrant Mexican-inspired cocktails, a lush patio, and frequent live music. Practical note: it leans late-night, opening at 4pm on weekdays and noon on weekends, and the rooftop is the spot to grab.

Bars

Caña Rum Bar

A tropical, members-club-feeling rum den in Downtown LA with more than 300 rums, hand-rolled cigars, and a covered patio. Go for tiki-leaning craft cocktails, punches, and rum flights in a hidden urban-oasis setting. Practical note: it opens late (around 8pm most nights) and is 21-plus; check for any membership or cover policy at the door.

Bars

Death & Co

The LA outpost of the famed New York cocktail bar, set in a moody, low-lit room in the Arts District with one of the most ambitious cocktail programs in the city. Go for inventive, technically precise drinks built on rare and house-made ingredients, plus solid small plates. Practical note: walk-ins are welcome and a smart way in, but limited reservations are available and it gets busy late on weekends.

Bars

Everson Royce Bar

A beloved indoor-outdoor neighborhood spot in the Arts District, often called the best patio in LA. The vibe is part elegant cocktail den, part laid-back backyard party, with well-made drinks at fair prices and a great burger. Practical note: it is closed Monday and Tuesday, and the patio fills up fast on warm evenings.

Bars

Mírate

A stylish Mexican restaurant and bar in Los Feliz with a buzzy rooftop and a cocktail program ranked among North America's best two years running. Come for agave-forward and creative cocktails alongside elevated Mexican cooking. Practical note: book ahead, especially for the rooftop, as it is one of the hottest reservations on the east side.

Bars

The Normandie Club

A polished, martini-obsessed cocktail bar tucked inside the historic Hotel Normandie in Koreatown. Go for expertly made classics and modern drinks with genuinely warm service, ideal before or after a K-town dinner. Practical note: open nightly from 6pm, with a happy hour on select cocktails early in the evening.

Bars

The Polo Lounge

The legendary bar and restaurant inside the pink Beverly Hills Hotel, a power-lunch and old-Hollywood institution. Go for a classic cocktail amid the green-and-pink glamour, garden patio, and serious people-watching. Practical note: there is a dress code (no shorts or athletic wear) and reservations are strongly recommended.

Bars

Thunderbolt

A neighborhood cocktail bar at the edge of Historic Filipinotown and Echo Park, ranked among North America's 50 Best Bars, known for inventive drinks and a notable Madeira collection. Go for creative cocktails using ingredients like tamarind, mango, and cocoa-nib bourbon, paired with Southern-leaning bar food. Practical note: it is closed Tuesdays and the room is small, so expect a wait at peak times.

Bars

Tiki-Ti

A tiny, fiercely authentic tiki bar open since 1961 and run by the same family, with roughly 90 exotic drinks and walls crammed with kitsch. Go for a genuine piece of LA bar history and rum drinks made with rituals and shouts you will not find anywhere else. Practical note: cash-friendly, cramped, and only open Wednesday through Saturday, so arrive early to get a seat.