50 Best Cocktail Bars near Van Nuys

“A must place for a sports“

“Went there for a little date on Halloween and didn’t disappoint. I had the mushrooms and my partner the duck, both were very delicious.
I think some more classy better quality cutlery and candle holders would help the place reflect the fancy vibe they want.
There’s lots of parking space around“

“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!“

“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.“

“This place is amazing! I hosted a friend’s 30th birthday here and it totally exceeded our expectations. The venue itself has a sexy, classy but really fun vibe. The events director, Jason, was so lovely and accommodating to our needs, the staff were super attentive and professional, the crowd and DJ were great and the drinks were delicious. The customised drink and menu were a cute touch too. Highly recommend Or Bar for an event but also just for an after work or weekend hang.“

“My girlfriend and I came in here looking for some solid ramen and got exactly that. She just got back from Japan and explained how it’s the exact style of ramen they have there. I’m a self-proclaimed food snob and this was easily the best ramen I’ve ever consumed. Plus, the cucumber appetizer will blow your mind.

I got the classic tonkotsu, she got the miso ginger. Both were incredible. The broth, the egg, the noodles (both vegan and not).

The service was also incredible. The host sat us at “his favorite table.” Our waiter, Rainer, was extremely kind and asked a ton about us. When we raved about the cucumber appetizer, he told the chef, Alex, who then came out and chatted with us about the dish, where we’re from, and our love for food.

Will definitely be coming back and highly recommending to the homies“

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

“nice place guys 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍“

“Great Food, Disappointing Service — A Missed Opportunity

Saltie Girl has a well-earned reputation for exceptional food, and in that regard, it delivered. Every dish that came out of the kitchen was flavorful and beautifully presented — the oysters, in particular, were a standout.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the service.

After ordering a bottle of wine, it took over 20 minutes for our server to return, only to inform us that the manager would be retrieving the wine. Another 10 minutes passed before she reappeared — not with the wine we ordered, but with a different, more expensive bottle. Rather than apologizing for the mix-up or offering it at the original price as a courtesy, the switch was presented matter-of-factly. A gesture of goodwill here would have gone a long way.

To make matters worse, our oyster order was mishandled — not once, but twice — with incorrect counts and missing varieties. For a restaurant that charges premium prices, these details matter. Guests expect not only excellent food, but also attentive, polished service to match.

In the end, the meal was delicious, but the experience left a bitter aftertaste. I truly hope management takes this feedback seriously and invests in training their staff. As much as I enjoyed the food, I won’t be returning until the service rises to the level of the kitchen. Dining here should feel seamless — not like a constant series of corrections.“

“We enjoyed the drinks as well as the food and the ambience 👍🏽😎“

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

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

“Dr Dre and Andersen Pak restaurant. Sign me up! The service and atmosphere were great. We ordered alot of food and got to try alot of different things. Some were great like the wagyu beef and others were just OK which is why I gave it 3 stars. It's probably closer to 4 considering the service was great. Drinks were good also. I will admit in not a sushi person so I only tried one piece of sushi and it wasnt for me.“

“The food is phenomenal!! Everything is amazing“

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

“Walked and found this little gem ❤️“

“Great crowd around the pool table! Right between a dispensary AND a Japanese infused, vegan hotdog joint!“

“we had a server in training who gave us the wrong information (that every drink could be a mocktail), made half the table wait longer for their drinks once he realized they couldn't get the mocktails they asked for, spilled a drink on one of our guests and didn't apologize, brought a warmed plate so close to our guests face he thought it would hit him, etc. the service is usually great at matu so this was extremely disappointing, esp since we planned this group dinner. tip was automatic so we couldn't adjust after.“

“Went to The Three Clubs for my birthday and had a great time. Lovely atmosphere that reminds me of a speakeasy. Music was great with some old and new stuff. My bartender Daniel was wonderful and made some really yummy drinks and shots and made my experience awesome. I will absolutely come back another time.“

“Stylish. Good food. Fun place!“

“Ah... The Maui Sugar Mill, in Tarzana, Ca.

I've been going to this venue on Monday nights for live music, mostly blues, for 17 years. All ages attend, and the atmosphere is chill very rare to see any issues there.

It never gets old! The fun never stops. I always have a great time, and the people (some I've seen or known for years) in attendance are fun and lively.

The first show, usually a local band, starts at 8pm.

The main event begins around 9pm and goes on until about 11pm.

Artists and bands, some famous (from all over the globe), perform here. Joe Bonamassa was just there performing. However, I believe tickets were sold for that event due to his popularity in the music world.

From about 11pm until close (around 1:30-1:45am), there is an open jam (featuring musicians and singers from all backgrounds) run by bassist Michael B. Bolden. Michael has played with many famous artists and is famous in his own rite!

During the open jam, you'll see all sorts of musicians get pared together and play and sing some amazing music.

It's certainly a treat, I often stay for this entertaining and interesting part of the evening!

The whole nights events are brought to you and run by a local promoter and blues guitarist Cadillac Zack. He's amazing and wonderful! Don't forget to get on his mailing list to be informed of upcoming events.

It's free to get in!
However, there is a two drink minimum. The bartenders render service with a smile, and they never pressure you. A voluntary contribution is asked for and collected by Cadillac Zack to pay the perfoemers sometime during the show.

No worries, though! You will get much more (amazing artists, entertainment, and people) out of it than what you put into the donation pot. Heck, you may become a regular like many of us!

Note: It gets pretty full, but you can reserve a table or seat for a fee (Contact Cadillac Zack, he's on Facebook) for more info.

Oh! One more thing! If you get hungry, the restaurant next door serves food until 10 pm. You can order right from where you are, and they'll deliver it right to you.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, it's wheelchair friendly but gets pretty packed.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Took my family to eat here last night we got sat quickly. Our food came out quickly, and our waitress was extremely kind And patient, Where I am from there are many Mexican restaurants with authentic Mexican food so to come by this place with original authentic Mexican food is amazing. I will suggest this place to anybody. I know coming around this area.“

“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.“

“Everything about the dining experience was exceptional!

Ambiance - The best outdoor seating on the street. They constructed some type of canopy, so that you were fully outside, yet covered.

Service. — Very friendly and prompt. The hostess took our reservation, gave an accurate wait time estimate…and maintained friendly eye contact as we waited. And our server was quite friendly and helpful.

Food — That is the main reason this restaurant gets a rare 5-star personal rating. The three of us chose from a wide array of dishes. EACH was so delicious that we were compelled to share with the others. Adult daughter ordered the Salmon pizza, amd raved. Wife got the Fish Tacos, and the Brussels Sprouts. Loved them. I ordered their Tremendous Burger. This had to be the first time in over a decade that a burger’s picture and description were compelling enough for me to order them at a sit down restaurant. I actually forgot how good an Ole’ Fashioned cheeseburger could taste.

There are clearly many restaurant choices in L.A. If you are in the Larchmont area, definitely try Great White!

Dietary restrictions: The server was very careful to ask if there were any allergies.“

“So so good! Their basic house salad had a very clean, delicious taste with a lemon vinaigrette. We also got a cheese pizza and 10/10 would recommend. Was a thin crust pizza but good crispy crust, not too thin. I got a strawberry spritz, non-alcoholic drink that was fresh and my friend got the Espresso Martini. I'd never tried one before but had a sip and will absolutely get it next time, very smooth. The bartender was nice and attentive.“

“Went on a Thursday night. Honestly I had a great experience. Not sure about these other people Lisa and Vince are extremely nice and welcoming you can tell they care about their customers. The drinks are good and strong. The food is also good. No complaints would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be coming back again

(:“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Food was great our server Dominique was great!“

“Really chill atmosphere but the bartender ron/rob (white young guy) was a dick. Really judemental about taking the orders of some of my friends. They werent “bar” experienced about what kind of drink to order and he was annoyed with that. Which is unfair regardless of how tired you are as a serve worker. Other than that, the place is all vibes and great ambience.“

“This restaurant should be received as a welcome addition to Westwood. I understand it's been here just shy of three years, but this was the first time for me. I started with a cocktail: the Robert, named for a regular who had his share of Sidecars there. After a Caesar salad, I tried their cacio e pepe. It was well prepared, al dente and clearly fresh pasta. Their draft beer selection was surprisingly well curated, too. I appreciate the friendly and thoughtful service, something increasingly rare. Check it out!“

“Had the best time, Nick was our server and he couldn't have been nicer and made our experience special. It was during lunch time and it was my friend's birthday. They took the time to even give her a sweet card to welcome her back and sent her a delicious desert. And food and drinks were delicious!“

“Cool dicey bar feel with great drinks and fabulous bartenders! Loved it when it was Oyster Bar, and still loving it as Oy bar!!!“

“we're just leaving Black Rabbit. kudos to the chef. The food was amazing especially though pad Thai and Patsy and drunken noodles. The service was fantastic. our host when we got there was Jackson he was fun, tremendous personality and provided great service. The Magic show was Amazing, hilarious and captivating. We definitely highly recommend the Black Rabbit !!“

“Omg. What a menu. Who ever thought Brussel spouts could ever taste so good. I could take a big bowl of those with a huge spoon! Wow! Everything was great!“

“We loved this place; delish food, great location and lovely Parisian vibe!“

“Went to Chloe’s birthday party this past weekend and it was my first time trying Sogno Toscano’s food.

The catering was impressive. Everything looked so beautiful… and the flavor of the sandwiches was incredible…

All those cheeses and meat really got me!

I can’t wait to come to the restaurant and experience a full lunch and dining experience!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Beautiful decor, very spacious, and easy to find. Delicious food that just happens to be vegan, and the service is decent but a tad bit slow when busy. Brunch is fantastic, and the drinks hit HARD. I recommend the hummus, mushroom calamari, burrito, and the country breakfast.

Recommend parking at the library down the street.“

“The music, ambiance“

“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!!“

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

“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 atmosphere, food and drinks!“

“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.“

“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“

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

“We live in Laguna and were up in Westwood for an art exhibition. We were referred to Ospi Brentwood by a friend. Upon arrival, we found the atmosphere alive and energetic, replete with college grads and their families and couples out for a nice evening. The mozzarella was phenomenal and the tagliatelli delicious.

The star of the play however was our waiter, Christian. He has this electrifying personality that is engaging, warm, really fun. He saw to our every need and was detailed oriented, which we love. The surprise of the evening was when Christian brought a newly frosted martini glass, unprompted. I've ordered martinis a million times, all over the world and never has anyone cared that much, or thought of the detail.

Christian is a true professional that has that balance to keep things light, fun, and all business.“