50 Best Cocktail Bars near El Monte

“Good ambiance and good food.“

“Best food I've had around the area. workers super friendly. Highly recommend 💖“

“Endroit hyper typique ! Bonne musique, cocktails d’un excellent niveau et à un prix tout à fait honnête, tous les classiques sont dispo et le barman tient la corde niveau cordes vocales !! Excellente carte de dîner ! Nous n’avons pas testé le grill … seul regret de la soirée. Il faut qu’on y retourne, absolument“

“Great music!!!! Great hang!!!!“

“Fun bar. Great drinks and great prices. I read comments that some people think it’s a racist bar, believe me, it isn’t. All are welcome. No predujices here.“

“We spent a few hours here on New Year's Eve. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. The owner greeted us and offered us snacks.
They have a live DJ spinning turntables, bumping music from the past to present. There's an outdoor patio in the back.
The drinks were tasty and affordable. Try the Adios MthrFckr. Bomb!“

“Free chips! And ask for Reese and Ronan. Best hospitality, hands down, great recommendations for drinks. We had the Cheerios drink, the day and night, and the matcha lychee drink. You won’t go wrong with any of the craft cocktails here, they’re all good. Some of them have a “presentation” aspect that you should ask about with the waiters - it’s a pretty cool feature of this speakeasy.“

“JayDees is a dive bar that has good food & great drink prices! There's no need for happy hour, when your there prices are always low! It's one reason you'll see alot of old timers there having a blast. It's affordable. Good vibes/Good atmosphere“

“Probably my favorite bar in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley. I'm here right now abd there's about 15-20 seats directly at the bar and exactly 5 tall cocktsil tables with high stools directly across from the bar . It's dark inside and narrow, 6 flat screen tvs for watchibg the games, one pool table , a small outside patio near the entrance....lots of California Lotto and Lottery options. Impressive selection of spirits from cheap to high end. It's definitely an OG vzr but contemporary. Me likes the Cove.“

“Great atmosphere, great staff“

“i Love my beautiful bartender Brittneey. 🤩 excellent service and drinks“

“I have been frequenting hotel Le’Meridian that has Longitude 118 bar lately. I specifically want to give a shout out to Erik who works the [early] a.m. shift at Longitude 118. He is always accommodating and VERY customer-friendly! I enjoy our conversations when I’m sitting at the bar. He always has a smile on his face and he’s very down to earth. I feel like he is a great asset to the company! There are others in separate reviews that I would name specifically as well, but in this one I want to especially highlight Erik! He truly goes above and beyond! @Longitude118 #Logitude118Ar Asia“

“The lounge is conveniently located within Hilton San Gabriel. It was spacious and comfortable. The staff were inviting, friendly and extremely efficient. They took wonderful care of us. For lunch we ordered: clam chowder, Caesar salad, beef taquitos with guacamole dip and Parma ham and mozzarella flat bread. All the dishes were perfectly seasoned and delicious. My only two suggestions would be to serve crackers with the soup and maybe change the flatbread sauce to a marinara. I had an old fashioned with my meal which I really enjoyed. The drink was well balanced.The lounge is a non tipping restaurant. It’s odd I know, at least for me it is. The tip was already added to the final bill and we paid approximately 65+“

“This is the spot if you need a good, cold drink & a chill, old school vibe. I don’t like bars that have windows & Poor Denny’s is old school in that regard. Ever since Ember’s Lounge closed down, this has been my spot. It’s cash only, but there’s a ATM machine there. I love the digital jukebox that allows you to play all kinds of music. The bartenders are always nice & they have wonderful hands on the pours. ? Good vibes & mellow times here.“

“Our waitress Genevieve was extremely nice and knowledgeable!! Great ambiance! Food n drinks! Definitely coming back !“

“Spicy jalapeño cocktail 🍸💕“

“Free Spirited Bar is an absolute gem. It is incredibly refreshing to walk into a restaurant where the entire menu is vegan by default (they do offer an option to add halal chicken if desired), a total 180 from the usual experience of hunting for that one token plant-based option.
As a group with diverse dietary needs, we were blown away by how seamlessly accommodating they were. We ordered the Alfredo pasta with mushrooms, the marinara pasta, and the buttered scallops, finishing off with the Dirt Coupe mousse for dessert. Every single dish was amazing. The pasta is made in house, and most menu items are made from scratch. A special shout out goes to the gluten-free bread, it was so outstanding we completely forgot it was gluten-free.
It is a sober bar, they don't even have alcohol in their vanilla extract. However, their non-alcoholic cocktail list is extensive. We tried about eight different drinks among us, and each one featured incredibly unique flavor combinations and beautiful presentation.
The owners are so sweet and clearly understand dietary restrictions on a personal level. They took the time to patiently explain everything and made us feel completely at home. I don't live locally, but you can bet Free Spirited Bar will be my go-to spot anytime I’m in town!

Forgot to add they are dogs friendly and will even bring you out a water bowl for them.“

“Absolutely loved this place. We will definitely be coming back. We got Citrus Salad, Carne en su Jugo & Carnitas Wow, just Wow!!!!!“

“Breakfast burritos were amazing!“

“no food just regular little snacks. If you wanna eat something eat something before you go, but Roberta is an absolute Saint. She may seem kind of direct to you, but she’s very kind and a very wonderful person and a great bar Owner. It’s a really nice cool chill atmosphere to be out. There is one of my favorite places to be at without stupid people being around. Roberta makes it happen.“

“Love this place, such a wonderful neighborhood gem. I'm so glad they're still here. Love the daily pop ups, especially my Triple Beam pizza! Cocktails are fantastic and love the wine selection. This place is on repeat for a reason. 🧡“

“A bartender who play pool with you and has great hospitality skills . This young lady was professional in my entire time at so there nothing but good things to say . Great music selection and also show all your favorite sports games. This is the spot for me now !“

“Nice romantic atmosphere which you can actually hear others talk to you. Deep fried whole catfish is a spectacular dish! Great attentive service by staff.“

“This is a destination restaurant, right in the heart of South Pasadena. The food is amazing, it's beautiful inside and outside (they have outdoor seating in the back as well), and the staff is nice.

Try the shrimp
Try the carrots
Try the bbq chicken
Try the fish

Legit try it all.“

“We drive 35 miles at least three times a month to eat here. We love Home State and as a Native Texan, I can attest that their queso is the real deal!!! I just wish they'd open one in Claremont, CA!!! The Don't Mess With Texas is my favorite taco and my husband loves the brisket taco. Everything is amazing though!!!“

“amazing food, service and ambiance!“

“Omg. It’s June 6th and this review is for Easter Sunday Brunch for Alexandros. The Waiter from Greece. Sorry for the delayed review Alexandros that I promised. Food and service here, impeccable, amazing, flawless. Alexandros is an amazing waiter.
Thank you.“

“The asparagus fries. Crispy & not greasy. You can appreciate the asparagus flavor. We split the Thai spicy salad. It was spicy, but the Thai basil & the peanut dressing were the stars. It didn't need the chicken. The best was the ribeye melt. The meat was cooked perfectly.The sourdough was crusted with parmesan. With a side of horseradish that was perfectly paired for this sandwich.“

“Excelente comida y atención“

“The food is amazing. I highly recommend this bistro.“

“This was our first visit to El Metate. I was impressed with all the menu options. The service was excellent , and the food was delicious.“

“Great food and service. Loved the the rooftop dining!“

“A great bar located in the heart of Old Town, offering an exciting selection of specialty cocktails alongside all the classic drinks you’d expect. I highly recommend exploring their cocktail menu—there’s plenty to choose from, and the drinks are well-crafted.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t try the food because the kitchen had already closed by the time I arrived. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and lively without being overly noisy, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink with friends.

My only suggestion would be to add one or two more TVs opposite the bar area for a better viewing experience. Other than that, it’s a fantastic place—high five 🙌 for the cocktails!“

“Chose to come here very last minute after learning a different Whittier favorite restaurant had closed. We were unaware of required reservations but the owner was extremely accommodating for us to which I was truly grateful. It was an extremely busy Friday as there was a large party. The cleanliness and vibe of the establishment was amazing. There was a live band playing which added more to the first experience. Drinks and presentation were great and then the food arrived and everything was chefs kiss!! Mole chips are great but the mole negro was some of the best I have ever had. Portions are enough to share if needed. To the owner - thank you for being so accommodating. Parking here is extremely limited in the back. Street parking is the best bet.“

“I’ve been 3 times in the past 3 weeks. Service and food is fantastic! Highly recommend Smitty’s Grill.“

“Good enough for Richard Pryor, good enough for me!“

“Located in a vibrant neighborhood, Oyster Dive Bar offers a delightful dining experience with a unique twist on seafood classics. The crispy Cajun fries with cheese are a standout appetizer, perfectly seasoned and crunchy, making them an irresistible starter. The lobster pasta features fresh lobster, expertly prepared and bursting with flavor, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, ideal for both casual outings and intimate dinners. The service is attentive and friendly, adding to the overall enjoyable atmosphere. Prices are reasonable given the quality and portion sizes. However, it's worth noting that the restroom could use more attention; cleanliness was a bit lacking during my visit. Despite this minor drawback, the delicious food and pleasant surroundings make Oyster Dive Bar a recommended choice for seafood enthusiasts looking to enjoy a satisfying meal in a relaxed setting. Overall, Oyster Dive Bar earns four stars for its tasty dishes, friendly service, and comfortable ambiance. With a few improvements in cleanliness, it could easily become a five-star dining destination.“

“Me encanto este lugar todo muy rico y muy atentos buen servicio“

“We came during Valentine’s Day and was pleasantly surprised with the experience - from delicious and quite good portion of food to attentiveness in service. Patricio was our server and he was very attentive, checking in on us right after the food were delivered.“

“Wow… I have been wanting to bring home dinner from Steve’s after work, and I was finally able to time it right. The food was unbelievable!
The flavor of the brisket was perfect and so tender. The twice baked potato was the best that I have ever had. They were very kind when I picked up my food, and the restaurant looked so beautiful inside. I will be back hands down!“

“Really nice environment… staff is really respectful and always on top of things… food is really good.. I’ve never had a bad experience here.. I highly recommend“

“Cool spot to have beer and soju and Korean bar food. Inside is decorated with lots of kpop posters. It's a large space with plenty of seating. There's low tables in the middle and tables and booths on the side. Plenty of TVs on the wall to watch a game or playing kpop music videos. It's a good place for groups. It does get pretty loud in there though. The food is good bar food. I like the fried rice and wings.

Service was good. Friendly staff. You order on the tablets but you ask the server for the bill. There's street meters or a parking structure a few blocks away on Delacey.“

“My family and I are having a early lunch to celebrate my birthday that was a week ago today February 1st I'm having the beer battered avocado tacos the fried pickles everything basically looks delicious ! I would like to add that this is my first time eating at this restaurant“

“Dog, burgers, drinks and a Tuesday run club, what more do you need!“

“Absolutely loved macho nachos, Korean style wings, hot dogs with bacon excellent“

“food is amazing and staff is top-notch“

“My husband made reservations on January 24, 2026.
We were drawn in by social media and had high expectations.
Those expectations where met! We reviewed their website prior and where exited to get all dressed up for the night!
When we arrived were kindly greeted by Angie whom guided us to the main area. The design of the place is very classy and warm with music that adds to the vibe. For diner we had the Cacio e Pepe (Salmon/Pasta) and the Tailor's Cut (Steak/Mash potatoes/veggies). For drinks we had The Seamstress and a Whiskey Mix). To top it off we had a slice chocolate cake, my fave!
We both really enjoyed our selections everything was delicious! Our server was very kind; we were also greeted by the owner.
We will definitely be returning and have been recommending to our family and friends.“

“I got the Mongolian beef, extra spicy. It was tasty, but 85% rice, and was actually a little sweet not spicy. They merely threw more whole red chili's but nobody actually eats whole Chinese red chili's.

My friend got the swordfish, and opted out of the rice and upgraded to double string beans, didn't look like they doubled it.She said there's no hint of flavor on the beans, like they were simply boiled. She did like the caper sauce on the fish but had to ask for more.

Both dishes were lunch sized portions with dinner pricing, but there's live music (Friday 7pm), so just realize that it's less of a restaurant than a fine whiskey bar with food.“

“Bartenders are super cool. Karaoke is the best. I just watch but its enjoyable and the D.J. is the coolest. The vibe reflects everything beautiful about Los Angeles, cool people from all backgrounds enjoying themselves and being chill. <3“

“My girlfriend and i came here and were so pleasantly surprised! Logan sat us and served us and gave great suggestions from the menu. We didn't get any of the other's names but everybody was so attentive and kind it was just refreshing. We loved the food and vibe so much we can't wait to go back. I had read a few reviews about the food being bland, let me tell you that i season the hell out of my food! Bland is the last thing i would call what we had..... We ordered everything that Logan recommended and loved it all. The wild
carrots were to die for! Heading back soon!“