50 Best Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles

“We have been going to Horses ever since they opened since it’s right in our neighborhood. The most friendly staff with a big shout out to Amanda. The most amazing craft cocktails and absolutely delicious food. I think we’ve almost tried everything on the menu and have not been disappointed once. Can be hard to get a reservation, but we usually get there at 5:15 and are able to sit at the bar with no problem.“

“Farmhouse kitchen is the best Thai restaurant I’ve ever had. On top of the food being great and delicious, the presentation makes you want to order everything from the menu. Chef Bo was so nice to come out to our table and all I can say is she was a very nice, young & talented person. She even made me a special dessert for my birthday. Thanks Bo❤️ I highly recommend this place if you want an authentic, excellent and delicious food. In addition, the place is so full of life. The decor is amazing! I can’t wait to go back and try some of the fancy drinks and dishes on the menu.“

“Fashionable place for not just ramen, but gyoza and self-made hand rolls.

Dimly-lit, medium-spaced tables, service is good but a bit overwhelmed when they're at capacity (which is often!). Parking is limited on the street but doable.

Have to say the NYC location is better, but honestly would need to do another visit to confirm. Distinctly remember the self-made hand rolls in particular being quite good in New York and not nearly as memorable here.“

“The Hammer is one of my favorite LA Museums, and I always love to stop in at Lulu’s for a bite to eat, the 3-course meal, or just a cappuccino (at the bar.) The food is inventive and delicious, featuring local produce. The courtyard setting is quiet, yet festive with the murmur of conversations below stringed lighting. Service is perfect.“

“Great service , great ambience, great margarita drinks overall, an awesome place with outdoor patio. Just beautiful.“

“Great service, tasty food, and amazing views. Good brunch spot.“

“Just tried MIRATE Restaurant the food was amazing! Definitely worth checking out if you love great flavors.“

“Great atmosphere friendly staff and amazing food 😎“

“The Great White Breakie was delicious, I loved the combination of goat cheese and sourdough. The folded eggs were also really good, especially with the bacon slices. Overall the flavors were really well balanced on this plate, and I enjoyed how you could mix & match the different ingredients to your taste. The Caesar Salad was very good, would recommend adding grilled chicken on the side. We also liked the coffee here, especially the Shaken Iced Latte!

Great food and great service too. The atmosphere is also very relaxed, perfect for brunch but I could also see this being a nice dinner place too.“

“love the Quality of Food😍😍😍“

“Atmosphere was great! Service was fabulous. Drinks were tasty! Margarita Pizza lacked cheese but the Sweet Cheeks was amazing 🤩.“

“Bar Sawa is a total hidden gem—an intimate omakase adventure wrapped in speakeasy style. From the moment you enter the discreet entrance, it feels like you’ve stepped into a secret culinary world. The chef is a true artist: meticulous, passionate, and warm, guiding you through each course with care and storytelling that elevates the experience.

Every bite is exceptional—ultra-fresh fish, perfectly balanced flavors, and beautiful presentation that makes it almost too pretty to eat (but you will, and you’ll be glad you did). The service is attentive yet relaxed, striking the perfect tone for the cozy setting.

Theme nights add another layer of excitement—creative twists that keep things playful without sacrificing authenticity. It’s rare to find a spot that nails atmosphere, service, and world-class sushi in one go, but Bar Sawa delivers across the board. A must for anyone who wants something unforgettable.“

“One of the best hidden gems in LA. I stumbled into this wine bar out of curiosity, and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the city—and now I’m a regular.
The wine selection is outstanding: an ever-changing, thoughtful assortment that goes beyond the usual bottles you’ll find elsewhere. Whether you’re a wine nerd or just getting into it, this is a place where you can discover something new every time.
What really makes it special is the staff. They’re not just knowledgeable—they genuinely care about sharing that knowledge in a welcoming, down-to-earth way. Ian, the owner, is incredible. He’s the reason I know anything about neutral wine now. His passion is contagious, and he’s always happy to break things down or suggest something based on your taste.
Whether you're looking to expand your palate or just enjoy a glass in a great atmosphere, this place delivers every time.“

“When I tell you this place is incredible… on every point! Food amazing, atmosphere is such a vibe, service and staff are so welcoming and accommodating and QUICK!

We ordered the following for 3 people and were stuffed and had plenty of leftovers:

- chips and trio of salsa: I am still mind blown about the variety of salsas, the flavor complexity, the range of spice and ingredients in each. 10/10

- squash blossoms (forgot to take picture): so delightful, stuffed with a cheese mixture and the perfect consistency and crunch on the fried blossom. 10/10

- 3 mole plate: loved trying the different mole options, my palate is not quite as seasoned when it comes to mole so I favored the “traditional” sweeter brown mole. Would just get this one next time (forgot what they called it) 8.7/10

- carne asada plate: an assortment of Oaxacan cheese, grilled cactus, beans, mole enchilada, and the most tender, flavorful and juicy steak. Just wow 10/10

Churros: omg…. Just omg. Melt in your mouth churros, most DELECTABLE Mexican dark chocolate to dip them in… I dream about these 10/10

This is now our go-to Mexican spot. Such an elevated take on our traditional Mexican food outings. Prices were very fair especially for the quality and ambiance of this places picking up a to-go order as we speak.

It’s worth noting that we went with our friend who was born in Mexico City and has had the best of the best Oaxacan food and she was floored by this place!“

“This was hands down, the best surf and turf I have had in a very long time. The atmosphere is fantastic and the staff was amazing. Try them out!“

“The food is phenomenal!! Everything is amazing“

“The little plates are yummy. I love the pita bread that came with the hummus (Salatim plate). The other plates were good also. I loved the bread pudding (I think it's better than the best cake). What I like the most about Bacari, besides the beautiful ambiance, is the friendliest staff.“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“Wonderful food! I got the salmon with my salad and it was delicious! Get the June salad for lunch!“

“Beautiful day to sit outside“

“I recently revisited and was wondering why I didn't come at least every month here. This place has one of the best cocktails and vibes, but I always appreciate the bartenders' level of service and especially huge shout out to Daniel.
Daniel took care of us with utmost care with a single goal of making me and and my friend happy. My friend had a pretty particular taste and Daniel listened in and went out of his way to make a delicious drink.
Definitely love talking to the other folks at the bar. Highly recommend who wants great drinks, kind/fun bartenders, and just a good time overall.
Thanks again Daniel!“

“🐅🐅🐅🐅 yum yummy.. crying tiger so good“

“Great food and cocktails!! 🍸“

“New favorite. The yellow Japanese Common tableware plates !“

“Just had an amazing 40th birthday celebration here and can't recommend it highly enough. We priced out a ton of venues, particularly in Los Feliz/Silver Lake where we live, and Spare Room was hands down the best option and worth the 'schlep' from our side of town. Great cocktails, stellar pre-order food options (you can order there but for bigger groups it's worth pre-ordering), the bowling was a super fun activity to keep people entertained, and all of the servers were very attentive and friendly. Whether you're looking to host a party or just a fun night out with friends, Spare Room should be on your short list for sure. Also the hidden photo-booth! Always a sucker for fun details like that.“

“Came here after seeing Wicked at the Pantages. What can I say? Joe is a phenomenal bartender. Makes one hell of a cosmo.

This is definitely a dive bar. Very small, phenomenal atmosphere. Definitely a place to go when you want a little adventure alone.“

“From the outside, The Airliner looks like a dive bar serving standard dive bar fare. But make no mistake, Chef Vinh Nguyen has created a stunning menu of excellent, creative, and absolutely delicious food!

We had a tasting for my daughter's wedding, and we were served such terrific items as Green Chop Salad (spicy thair dressing), Hunan BBQ pork ribs, Green Curry Crispy Rice, onion noodles, and tater tots with Gochujang glaze.

I forgot to take pictures, but everything looked as great as it tasted.

The next time we are in LA, we look forward to going there for dinner, and we couldn't be happier that Chef Nguyen will be catering our daughter's wedding!“

“BEST DINNER IN WESTWOOD – PERFECT FOR GIRLS’ NIGHT OR DATE NIGHT!

We left our bubble and trekked into the city for an event, and I’m so glad we did — Wolfsglen in Westwood was absolutely worth it!

I went with a group of girlfriends and we ordered family style, which was the perfect way to try a variety of dishes. Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to say that every single plate was better than the one before. We loved everything we ordered: the Brussels sprouts, hummus, burrata salad, and the Gorgonzola pizza — all delicious, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor.

The atmosphere is that perfect blend of upscale but relaxed — stylish and comfortable without feeling stuffy. The service was outstanding. There was always someone nearby ready to help, and every staff member we encountered was genuinely kind and attentive. A special shoutout to Baron, the manager and co-owner, who was incredibly hospitable and made us feel so welcome.

I forgot to snap food photos (next time!), but I’ll be posting a shot of me and my friends enjoying our table. We’ll definitely be back. Whether you’re looking for a great restaurant for dinner with friends, a cozy date night spot in Westwood, or just some of the best food near UCLA, Wolfsglen is a must-visit.“

“Amazing food and atmosphere“

“If you’re going to the Academy Museum for a visit or a screening make sure to stop at Fanny’s (located inside the museum’s first floor) for a coffee, snack or meal. They have a cafe and restaurant, both offering quality food and beverages and a full bar. The restaurant has comfortable seating options and the cafe offers outdoor seating. The service is friendly and attentive. You’ll definitely have a great time and a good meal!“

“Amazing food - breadcrumb spaghetti, and Broccoli were standouts

deer tartare, pizzas, wild boar meatballs were great

Drinks were inventive and flavorful

Great service and ambiance, good music that we could still have a conversation over

Parking: Lots of meters and neighborhood spots“

“Super fun bar in dtla! Enjoyed the atmosphere, music, and drinks. Definitely going back!“

“The Angeleno Spritz was just what I needed after a long day of minor disappointments, that and the genuine smile from the tattooed guy working the bar this evening who was refreshingly upbeat and worked the room like a pro. So glad I stopped in!“

“whipped feta app was incredible, it's been almost a week and I'm still thinking about how good it was! the drinks were all memorable as well. was super busy when we went but worth the wait. can't wait to go back for dinner!“

“Cracking little restaurant.

Great food and friendly servers.

Skirt steak was to die for, would definitely get again.

Friendly and I didn't feel rushed.

Would recommend.“

“My friend told me this is a great neighborhood spot so I strolled over an hour before sunset.... I wanted to relax after a high-stimuli day of work and looked forward to winding down from work mode... Unbeknownst to me... a group of 30+ people came for a film networking event (!) a few minutes after I walked in. I had to leave much earlier than I wanted to b/c the atmosphere was not what I wanted or expected (but I am glad this film networking group was so well-attended - none of them knew each other!).

I had the chicken skewers - they were tasty!

Matt and Miguel were wonderful. Very friendly and attentive.

There are very cozy and comfy velvet couches... I look forward to coming come back with friends and/or a date :)“

“Great analog music and excellent drinks. The bartenders and dj's are top shelf.“

“great atmosphere and welcoming“

“Food was great our server Dominique was great!“

“The food, service and atmosphere was amazing. Restaurant dining was on the rooftop. Modern and classy. High attention to detail. Only setback was $14 dollar vodka sodas and I was up-charged for soda water (topochico). We had a resevation and still had to wait more than 10 mins for a table. All in all, I would go again.“

“Great experience with a great staff and the owners are super welcoming! Had an amazing time!“

“Beautiful bar. Modern with a home feel. The ambiance is very chill. Large and wide open window on one side gives you a good view of Sunset Blvd. opposite is the patio that has the food. You can order via a QR code and get a text when your food is ready. Drink menu is great! Bartenders are friendly.“

“Very nice good location and parkig“

“Was awesome to find a restaurant with my two favorites…GF and Southern!“

“Just the greatest tiki bar EVER!“

“Amazing, always come here before the Kings games!“

“Amazing place!! Do yourself a favor and go! Make it“

“😁wonderful place!! lots of fun“

“Food only got 2 stars because I didn't have any. I think they had snacks, but I'm not sure. There was an amazing taco spot right across the street, though! But service was good evening with the crowd and I loved the atmosphere. Very chill vibe and nothing to fancy. Definitely a good hang out spot but don't dress like a bum. Be cute casual!“

“Great place and atmosphere! Visited from Ohio back in March for our wedding. Tyler was super friendly to us!“