50 Best Cocktail Bars near Tarzana

“Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is one of those rare places that feels less like a typical night out and more like stepping into a living, breathing slice of local culture.

From the moment you arrive, there’s an immediate sense that this venue has its own personality. It doesn’t try to imitate modern, overly polished entertainment spots—instead, it embraces a more authentic, slightly vintage, and effortlessly cool atmosphere. That character alone makes it stand out in a world where many places start to feel interchangeable.

What truly makes this place special is its energy. There’s a certain unpredictability in the best possible way—you never quite know how the night will unfold, but you can be sure it will be memorable. The space feels intimate yet lively, with a layout that naturally encourages connection, conversation, and shared experiences.

One of the strongest impressions comes from the live entertainment. The performances here don’t feel like background noise—they feel like the heartbeat of the room. Whether it’s music, local talent, or spontaneous moments that happen throughout the night, everything contributes to an atmosphere that feels genuine and unforced. It’s the kind of place where you catch yourself getting fully absorbed in the moment without even realizing it.

The crowd adds another layer to the experience. There’s a nice mix of regulars and newcomers, all blending together in a relaxed, welcoming environment. It creates a sense of community that is increasingly rare to find. People aren’t just passing through—they’re part of the experience, even if just for the evening.

The staff plays an important role in maintaining that vibe. Friendly, attentive, and grounded, they help keep everything running smoothly while still preserving the laid-back spirit of the place. There’s no sense of rush or pressure—just an easygoing approach that lets the night unfold naturally.

What I appreciated most is that Maui Sugar Mill Saloon doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks. Its charm comes from authenticity. It’s a place that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be anything else. That confidence translates into a consistently enjoyable experience where the focus is simply on good moments, good energy, and good company.

By the end of the visit, it’s not just about what you saw or heard—it’s about the feeling you leave with. A sense of having been part of something real, something local, something that still values atmosphere and human connection over trends.

It’s the kind of place you don’t just visit once. You return because it feels familiar, comfortable, and alive in a way that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. A true hidden gem for anyone who appreciates live energy, community spirit, and a relaxed, unforgettable night out.“

“Luis was awesome! Excellent service!“

“They have the best KJ in town!“

“I have been coming to this restaurant from the beginning and the food is just the best. Fresh ingredients, simple recipes and wonderful atmosphere. Not to mention the deserts, they have such lovely, delicious sweets. The service is fantastic too.“

“Beyond expectations! Best meal & service in at least 10 years. I’ll be back!“

“First time dining here, and it definitely did not disappoint! The food was delicious, the service was warm and welcoming, and the staff was attentive and friendly. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. I'll definitely be coming back!“

“My brother and I had the most amazing night of superb jazz and food this past Sunday, entertained by Betty Bryant and ensemble. Her fingers moved like liquid gold on the keyboard and her compositions were witty and mesmerizing. The word that kept coming to mind as they performed was "subtle." The music was powerful, but so discrete as to be gentle and gentile. Woodwinds, Bass, and Drums - all played with the kind of delight that makes everyone love the performers as well as the music. As for food, one dish stood out particularly: the creamed spinach with blue cheese. Please tell Chef I would love that recipe! I'm back home in Tennessee now and plan to attempt to copy it, but having the authentic recipe to serve to friends when we entertain would be over the top! Can't wait to visit my brother in LA again and return to Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. Just wow! And Thank You!“

“We catered a Christmas dinner for 8 with Il Moro and all the food was delicious! We especially loved the melt-in-your-mouth short ribs, divine vegetables and pasta with olives dishes. We will definitely be back!“

“We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Casita! Brittany, the concierge, and our server Delilah provided exceptional, warm, and professional service that truly stood out. The food was not only delicious but also incredibly flavorful, and the atmosphere was simply stunning—inviting, elegant, and perfectly suited for a memorable evening. We can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed every moment. This was an experience to remember, and we’re already looking forward to coming back soon!“

“This place totally hit the spot! The ramen was absolutely delicious, seriously some of the best I've had. And the service? Top-notch, they really made us feel welcome. We had such a good time here. It was a genuinely enjoyable experience from start to finish. I'm already looking forward to coming back. You should definitely check it out if you're craving some amazing noodles. It's a winner in my book!“

“Always a great experience and meal at Orto, strongly recommended!“

“Went here for Easter brunch and was surprised I hadn’t heard of this place before. The food was great! I ordered the steak and eggs and while my steak wasn’t a perfect medium rare, the flavor and portion size made up for that immensely. The cocktails were delightful as well! Pricing was as expected for the area and quality. We were seated outside in a makeshift patio in the parking lot, but it was well done and the service was quick and attentive. Next time I would probably try to eat inside or in the smaller patio by the entrance, where the vibes and decor are beautifully done. There is ample free parking in the back as well. I will be back!“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“If you want to go to a bar with perfect seating, great airflow, excellent drinks, flawless service l, a fantastic DJ, a parking lot, a nyc vibe, no one rushes you and you can even reserve a table for drinks…go to the Chestnut Club. My favorite new bar. 14th & Santa Monica Blvd @TheChestnutClub same owners as scopa and black market liquor!“

“Food is worth of every penny, I know food is little bit costly (if you compare it with other restaurant), but surely you'll definitely like the food. The only thing which I don't like is the atmosphere of the restaurant, I mean I was there at dinner time, and lots of rush was there, and because of over crowd surrounded by me, I cannot eat peacefully.
But overall my experience was good. 4/5 rating from me“

“The artistic name of the bistro matches the artistry and delicious flavors of the cuisine. A threesome: vegetarian, vegan, and carnivore found a multitude of savory options. Our waiter/thesbian: Chris was charming and anticipated our every request. Foreseeing a return.“

“Delicious food, eclectic menu, reasonable prices, friendly waiters, bar, nice ambiance.“

“Stylish. Good food. Fun place!“

“Best Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica! Food was fantastic, great ambiance and our server Sebastian was amazing. Super accommodating and considerate which we really appreciated dining with our baby. Highly recommend this spot for a family or date spot :)“

“Best steak and service . Say hi to Hillary she is the best !!!“

“The best! If you are craving the tiki experience of a lifetime, you owe yourself a visit. The staff is freaking amazing, too! They all are so knowledgeable and friendly. Super recommend!“

“Always a good time there!“

“What an amazing neighborhood bar!! I’ve been to the many iterations of this bar, and this is a Great place. Karaoke, games, tables and couches to sit on and hang out with friends, a pool table and outdoor patio.
I unfortunately didn’t catch the karaoke lady’s name but she remembered my name.
Celebrated my 19 anniversary with friends and we had a great time.
Super honest people there too- a purse was left at our table when we moved to a different part of the bar, and they had put our purse behind the bar. We will definitely be back. Drinks were a little expensive, but everything is going up in price. Worth it to have a cute neighborhood bar. It was a nice mix of straight and gay, young and older.
Thank you, Happy Rabbit! We’ll be back again soon.“

“Service,drinks.food,ambiance.staff,etc.“

“I really love this place! Cocktails menu is amazing, the Lychee Mojito 10/10, always a must for me.
Place was packed, of course it was a Friday night and the Lakers were playing, I recommend making s reservation.
Despite how busy the place was, out server David took care of us, great service and delicious food!“

“best pastas ever!!! And the tiramisu was fabulous“

“Delicious food and drinks“

“Best bar in LA! Go for the mezcal, stay for the exceptional service and ambiance. I was a regular for many years, because everywhere else pales in comparison.

(Pro tip: Ask about recommendations from their exclusive mezcal selection.)“

“I had a wonderful solo drinks and tapas last week. The experience was wonderful, the vibe in the restaurant is whimsical, the drinks were fantastic, ..they had an excellent gin choice. The staff was amazing and attentive. The food was delicious and filling. I had the bikini con Carino, Patatas Bravas, Anchoa and one more thing, i cant remember. All of it was MORE than enough for a full dinner. I cant wait to go back again with friends.“

“Go for the Buffalo cauliflower, stay for the wine/beer 🍔🍟🍕🥗🍗🧇🍺🍷“

“A must place for a sports“

“Tried Nerano and had a really good experience. The food was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared—everything felt high quality and nicely done.

The place has a clean, modern vibe and the service was attentive without being over the top. Great spot for a nice Italian meal“

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

“An absolutely phenomenal restaurant from top to bottom. The food is world class and the service is absolutely impeccable. Phillip, the front desk manager, was accommodating to a level that I have rarely seen. A wonderful experience and one that I hope to repeat many times over.“

“The food and the service was so nice!!“

“Local bar, friendly staff, friendly patrons, pool table and darts. 🥂“

“Great KJ, great bartenders and great customers! What more does one need?!“

“old school~ great food~ great host~ a treasure~“

“We had the Most Amazing Experience at La Monique. Exceptional Ambience, Food & Service.“

“as a newyorker in los angeles the fact that there is a bar open after 9pm in brentwood to eat and drink 🍹 😱.“

“Phish PHUN carpet, great drinks and fabulous VIBE!“

“Beautiful restaurant and bar with tasty food and great service. I’ll be back!“

“Sugar Suite is my favorite bar in the valley! I usually come on Monday and Friday after work to see the blonde bartender! She makes the best Michelada and is the sweetest! The atmosphere is always great. Don’t forget to stay for Karla after her on Mondays!“

“Absolutely love this place! The atmosphere is so inviting, and the staff always go above and beyond to make you feel at home. The food is consistently delicious, especially their signature dishes – I can't recommend it enough!“

“Fun ambiance, good drink selection and it's easy to meet nice people as they host lots of events here.“

“Great Bartenders with good service. A good local bar...also there's shuffleboard,pinball & pool.“

“Looks like a nice hotel with great service.“

“Great food! Friendly staff and quick service. Casual atmosphere.“