50 Best Bars near Playa Del Rey

“Old school since 1972. It originally opened in 1955 as the Bowspirit.“

“This bar is awesome! We heard that it was the smallest bar in LA and expected to be greeted by regulars who resented our presence. We experienced the complete opposite. The bartender Pete immediately recognized my Midwest accent and engaged myself and my 2 adult children in conversation. The locals at the bar were also very engaging. Many reviews I have read described it as a dive. I completely disagree with that assessment. It is a local bar that is very welcoming to any patron. Keep in mind it is cash only! Looking forward to going back!“

“After a day at Playa Del Rey beach, we walked over to The Shack for a quick dinner. The burgers were so good (even the kids agreed)! The pineapple burger and its teriyaki sauce was amazing. Will definitely be back!“

“#AmazingBar #ORBarWEHO 🥰“

“Good time for my family when we visit L.A“

“After searching for the top burger spots in town, Benjamin quickly made it onto the list of visiting restaurants. Among them, Benjamin stands out with some of the best burgers around. The burger was very tasty and made with high-quality meat. Although it’s a bit pricey, I think it’s definitely worth trying. The service and atmosphere also contribute to a great overall experience. We weren’t sure if they took walk-ins, so we decided to make a reservation just in case.“

“Fabulous staff here with very affordable prices on food AND drinks! The new happy hour now starts at 2pm EVERY DAY till 8pm!!!! Love the upgrade draft beer options to a boom sh size for only $3 more!!!! Great new local neighborhood bar. Fantastic games room with something for everyone.“

“Wonderful place Great drinks and food“

“we went there for a quick bite and some drinks, our bartender Wyatt was so lovely, he turned my vegeterian friend to a pescetarian! he recommended the octopus, which we both really loved. the atmosphere was great too, definitely worth a try!!“

“Brought some friends there to watch playoff football and a ufc fight. Ended up having the best filet mignon of my life. So tender you could slice through it with the side of your fork. Had fresh oysters from Virginia, which I was told are only $2 on Tuesday or Wednesday (have to fact check here). And probably the best thing on the menu is the bacon wrapped plantains, not a lot of food, but every bite is heaven. Wife loved her fancy drinks, but I prefer scotch.“

“My favorite place to hang in LA. The staff is super sweet, the food is fantastic, the drinks are amazing, particularly the Ginger Margarita, the atmosphere is gorgeous—whether you’re inside the stunning deco bar or outside on the beautiful patio. It’s a true gem.“

“What a cozy welcoming atmosphere it has.. comfortable seating and friendly staff.. looking forward to going back soon“

“We had a great time! Thank you for making it so special I.“

“Had a great experience here. The service was great, someone was over at our table cooking our food frequently. We had unlimited Kbbq, access to the buffet, and sides. The premium option was worth the money. They also have a great selection of cocktails. Definitely recommend.“

“El Carmen is truly a hidden gem in the heart of Los Angeles. They offer a happy hour menu Monday to Friday from 5–7pm with incredible prices ($8 margaritas, $3 tacos) that make it easy to stop by after work without breaking the bank. The drinks are delicious, and I had some of the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever tasted here—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The chips, salsa, and guacamole are also a must-order, with everything tasting homemade and vibrant. It’s a cozy spot with great energy, and I can’t wait to go back.“

“😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍“

“Delicious and great service“

“🙂👍 Great food and delightful people!“

“Came across the on a walk back from Venice Beach. Highly recommend.“

“Amazing. I was surprised the first time I went. Such a beautiful decoration. Just amazing. The food is 100% healthy and hygienic. The staff's behavior is unparalleled. When I was confused the first time I went, they helped me very nicely. The owner's behavior is also amazing. Really very nice“

“A perfect stay!! Celebrating my husband’s 60th! From the time we arrived, the service and attention to detail was impeccable! The entire staff was so welcoming and went out of their way to make sure my husband was enjoying his birthday celebration. It was our first stay at the Maybourne. It will be the only place we stay from now on. Thank you so much to the entire staff for making our stay so special.“

“Cute stylish bar with good music!“

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

“Hands down one of the coolest bars in Manhattan Beach 🌴✨. Killer cocktails, super friendly staff, and chill prices (rare for the area). The vibe is stylish but laid-back — perfect spot for sunset drinks and real Manhattan Beach nightlife. 🍹🌊“

“Been here twice with my daughter - Got my husband the chai tea latte and I got the day dream, both delish. Great service everyone’s been super friendly. I even left my phone the second time and the girl came outside to give it back to me before I walked too far. Will be back!“

“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 :)“

“Good vibes, amazing drinks, awesome music, and top-notch service, what more could you ask for?“

“A very good discovery. Bang Bang Noodles is a bang and lots of other options. The bar upstairs is 👌🏼 too“

“In Culver city ..Chill Vibes..Great Date Night Venue“

“The entire experience was wonderful the food , drinks and service will definitely have me returning. Even the Owner was so friendly personable, came out spoke with us about different options on the menu, sang happy Birthday to my sister and even a picture with our was absolutely a worthwhile outing.“

“Excellent establishment with exceptional staff.“

“4.5 stars

The Alibi Room is the ultimate hangout spot, especially when you're reunited with old elementary school friends and teachers (yes, you read that right—grade school reunions are a thing). The service was friendly and on point, despite our large group.

Parking is classic LA—street parking, so be prepared to circle the block for 5-10 minutes. But once you're inside, it’s all good vibes. The drinks were spot-on: I had the Watermelon Margarita and the Gold Rush, both deliciously refreshing. And let’s not forget the Kogi tacos—I always go for the short rib beef and spicy pork. They never disappoint.

With bar seating, cozy couches, and outdoor tables, The Alibi Room is a fun, chill spot for drinks, tacos, and a good time with friends.“

“These bartenders are wizards, alchemists, Jedis of the cocktail Force. No menu, just chat with them and enjoy the cocktail they invent. The music is classic rock n roll. Go to this place, or just be boring.“

“Always great times! Wonderful people, fabulous world class live music & sweet vibes. A real community feel. Filled with music lovers. Definitely a staple LA hott spot. Keep Supporting live music! 🔥🎶“

“One of my favorite restaurants authentic Latin cuisine. I have been coming here for over 30 years and was so sad when it closed down during the pandemic. So glad it reopened! Can’t wait 😜 to go back. I give it 5 stars for sure!“

“It's a great place to enjoy great people.“

“Absolutely Phenomenal! Ann and her staff were excellent. The food was perfect. The night was perfect. The restaurant is perfect. You get what you pay for and everything in life. This is well worth it.“

“Good 👍 I’m so happy very much.“

“The food and service at Lunetta were outstanding! We absolutely loved the Tuna Tartare. The flavors were fresh and bright with the perfect seasoning. The prawn/shrimp dish with pasta in a bisque sauce was divine! I just hope that they will continue those two dishes so that I can return soon and enjoy them again!“

“Amazing decor, killer bands, great staff… When I come down from Vegas, SS is a must stop.“

“Fun place , great staff , love the decor and of course awesome Kombucha 😋“

“Please give George - who I renamed GMoney - a raise! In all seriousness, he made me (a California newbie) feel so welcome and happy while I was out here visiting my daughter... beyond words. He was amazing and nothing like the East Coast bartenders I’ve been used to! A wonderful night was had because of him!“

“Funke does many things right, yet still manages somehow to feel both warm but not inviting at the same time.

It’s odd to me because I recently met Chef Evan Funke and he seemed to be a super nice and warm guy(and clearly very talented), yet his spirit seems to not shine as bright as it could in this particular environment.

A protege of Wolfgang Pucks from back in the day, he himself has become quite a celebrity chef with hundreds of thousands of followers on IG, and all the other things: book, tv appearances, etc…

I believe he’s considered the “Pasta God of California!”

While I have yet to try his other concepts, Mother Wolf (Hollywood) and Felix Trattoria(Venice Beach) Funke is his newest addition to his portfolio of eateries, if not a huge departure in menu from the other two; freshly made authentic Italian pastas and elevated pizzas and animal proteins with a thoughtful bar and wine list. It’s all very good.

The standouts are the squash blossoms and pizza for me, and olive oil infused craft cocktail, but I have yet to try the pastas so cannot comment.

I’m giving this a 4/5 because I can’t help but feel that Funke can’t decide what experience it truly wants to give you. As I said, it’s warm, but not necessarily inviting.

All that said, add it to your list for fine-dining in Beverly Hills. It’s worth going for the open-air rooftop bar and squash blossoms alone.“

“The drinks are good and friendly people. Great vibes!“

“An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Spago Beverly Hills“

“Walked and found this little gem ❤️“

“Drink menu at the bar was decent. Wish the receipt would of been shown when they charge you at the bar. Since the drinks plus tax in my head didn’t add up. So would of been nice to know if they include a service fee to their checks. It’s a great spot in the community. Food looked great. Defiantly made me want to check it out again. Great place for an event or private event since there were so many open spaces.“

“First let me say I gave the food 5 stars but actually I didn't try it so I just kept everything five stars. I was in town for a funeral and I needed somewhere to go and have a drink shoot a game of pool and relax. I stopped by this place and everyone was very friendly including the bartender Michelle and they made me feel like I was a regular. When some of the guests found out that I was in town for a funeral some of them offered drinks to me and my family for our loss. This is a friendly place and I felt at home and I would definitely come back here and recommend that you try it as well.“

“We were visiting LA and I was dying to try TomTom so I took the whole family and also had my friend who lives in WEHO join us. Loved the location and everything about it. I wish I could remember our server’s name because he was amazing! Food was great and loved the cocktails! Next time I’m in the area I will definitely go back! Also want you to try Schwartz and Sandy’s.“

“The Cinema Bar is everything you want in a local spot — laid-back vibes, strong drinks, live music that actually slaps, and a crowd that feels like instant friends. It’s got that old-school charm you can’t fake. Whether you’re catching a band, hanging on the patio, or just sipping a whiskey solo, this place always hits the right note. No pretension, just good times. West LA gem for sure.“