It’s no secret that the Covid-19 outbreak hit the hospitality industry with a storm. We’ve spent the past year grabbing cocktail cans off store shelves, or picked some up from restaurants and bars offering to-go cocktails. But we do miss sitting on a barstool and sipping a freshly mixed cocktail at some of our favorite watering holes. 

As the LA County eases restrictions, vaccinations pick up and numbers go down, bars are set to open up once again, with both their indoor and outdoor dining facilities functioning. Over the last year, we’ve seen a lot of our favorite bars and restaurants close down, but the sunny city of Angels is never scarce of a drinking spot. 

We’ve rounded up 20 of the best bars in the city that are now open for you to stop by and enjoy a drink. 

The Roger Room

The Roger Room, source: Instagram

If you’re ever catching a show at The Largo on La Cienega Blvd, then make sure to stop by The Roger Room. The walls are graced with eclectic, vintage pictures adding to its speakeasy-like vibe. The drinks menu ranges from seasonal specials like a Winter Spiked Coffee to classics that we love, like G&T, Moscow Mule, and more. Did we mention they have an entire absinthe section on the menu? If you want to pay respects to the Green Fairy, try The Grifter, made with Mata Hari Absinthe, pressed mint, club soda, and crushed ice. 

Location - 370 La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Timings -

6 pm to 2 am (Monday through Friday)
7 pm to 2 am (Saturday)
8 pm to 2 am (Sunday)

The Abbey Food & Bar

The Abbey WeHo, source: Instagram

Whether you’re a local or have never even stepped into the city of Angels, you’ve probably still heard of this world-famous gay bar. Located in West Hollywood, The Abbey is also a two-time winner of the ‘MTV Logo Best Gay Bar in the World’ award. The Abbey Old Fashioned Lemonade has a special place in our hearts, so we recommend that you do give it a shot. 

Location - 692 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 99069 

Timings - 

11 am to 2 am (Monday to Friday)
10 am to 2 am (Saturday & Sunday) 

Tower Bar

The Tower Bar, source: Instagram

Running with the early Hollywood theme, Tower Bar is THE spot to mingle with the créme de la créme of Hollywood. Dress in your best because the chances of seeing a celebrity sipping on a cocktail are very high. When asked about Tower Bar, Michael Kors said: "Who says chic doesn't exist on our planet!”. But if you just want to relax in a sundress, then there’s also casual dress poolside dining for you to relax in. A great place for the chicest experience in the city. 

Location - 8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Timings -

7:30 am to 3 pm (Sunday & Monday)
7:30 am to 11 pm (Thursday to Saturday)
7:30 am to 10 pm (Tuesday & Wednesday)

The Bayou

The Bayou, source: Website

This New Orleans-themed gay dive bar in Boystown awaits to knock you off your feet with not one, but two happy hours every single day (Yes, you read that right). The Bayou was voted the #1 dive bar by Wehoville. There’s also an extended open outdoor patio to maintain social distancing. 

Their Happy Hours are:

Monday: Happy Hour from opening to closing.
Tuesday: Happy Hour 4pm-8pm & 10:30pm-12:30am.
Wednesday: Happy Hour 4pm-8pm & 10:30pm-12:30am + 80’s night! D.J. Ray Rhodes spins your favorite 80’s tunes with giveaways. No Cover.
Thursday: Happy Hour 4 pm-8 pm & 10:30 pm-12:30 am + Pint Night: You buy a pint, Bayou will buy you a pint. Plentiful pitcher specials, and beer bong bargains all night long. No Cover.
Friday: Happy Hour 4pm-8pm & 10:30pm-12:30am.
Saturday: Happy Hour 4pm-8pm & 10:30pm-12:30am.
Sunday: Happy Hour 4pm-8pm & 10:30pm-12:30am + Seltzer Sunday. Specials on ALL draft seltzers.

Location - 8939 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Timings - 

4 pm to 2 am (Monday to Friday)
2 pm to 2 am (Saturday)
2 pm to 12 am (Sunday)

Bar Bandini

Bar Bandini, source: Facebook

With its dark lighting, heavy music, suede banquettes, and black slate surfaces, Bar Bandini has become a hotspot for both locals and tourists. Quench your thirst with the bar’s wide selection of natural wines and beers. 

Location - 2150 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Timings - 

3 pm to 10 pm (Thursday to Sunday)
Closed (Monday to Wednesday)

Broken Shaker

Cocktails at Broken Shaker, source: Instagram

Located in the heart of Downtown LA, this rooftop offers a diverse menu of handcrafted cocktails and small plates. We recommend the Hibiscus Bliss with the heat rising, made with Grey Goose peach and rosemary essence, martini Fiero, fennel syrup, lemon & grapefruit juice topped with June shine hibiscus kombucha. The Broken Shaker is also a James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award. 

Location - 416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Timings - 

12 am to 10 pm (Everyday)

The Spare Room

Bowling Alley at The Spare Room, source: Website

Nuzzled in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, The Spare Room is an elegant bar and game parlor built to bring groups together with their drinks and games. Knock back a few drinks while aiming for a strike at the bar’s bowling lanes. We’ve been loving the Coral Fixation, an amalgamate of Skyy vodka, watermelon dill, Fino sherry, lemon, absinthe, and chamomile fizz. If you’re in for a boozy challenge, then ask for a Zoltar Vision and surrender the fate of your next drink to the bartenders for a surprise drink. 

Location - 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Timings - 

3 pm to 11 pm (Friday to Sunday)
5 pm to 11 pm (Wednesday and Thursday)
Closed on Monday and Tuesday

The Red Lion Tavern

The Red Lion Tavern, source: LA Eater

For over 60 years, The Red Lion Tavern has been serving German food and a wide selection of German beer in a cozy, old-world atmosphere. Snack on a German pretzel or pair a serving of their famous potato pancakes with the many beers on tap. In light of Covid-19 restrictions, The Red Lion Tavern has converted its parking lot into an outdoor dining space for you to safely enjoy your pints. 

Location - 2366 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Timings - 

12 pm to 11 pm (Monday to Thursday)
11 am to 1 am (Saturday)
11 am to 11 pm (Sunday)

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt outdoor patio, source: Instagram

Looking for a quiet spot without all the pounding music? Then head on over Temple Street, the intersections of Historic Filipinotown, Echo Park, and DTLA. Inspired by the American South, Thunderbolt is known for its beverage program that uses a ton of tech and innovation to make cocktails more sustainable, more efficient, more consistent, and most importantly, more delicious. Try the ‘Liquid Picnic’, a cocktail that reads like a salad and tastes like a martini, made with London Dry Gin, citron, tomato, rosemary, and black pepper. 

Location - 1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Timings - 

9 am to 10 pm (Wednesday to Sunday)
Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Ye Rustic Inn

Bartender Amels at Ye Rustic Inn, source: Instagram

Ye Rustic Inn has been a landmark dive since 1971, famous for having the best buffalo wings on the west coast. This neighborhood tavern is the perfect place to enjoy the perks of a full bar while watching your favorite sports team do what they do best. Pick a cocktail from their $12 drink list. We recommend the Skinny Margarita, crafted with añejo patron, agave, fresh lime, and a splash of orange juice. 

Location - 1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Timings -

4 pm to 10 pm (Monday to Wednesday)
12 pm to 10 pm (Thursday to Sunday)

Lowboy

Spritz weekend at Lowboy, source: Instagram

A relaxing spot on Sunset Blvd, Lowboy is one bar that will surely find a spot on your list of favorite bars in LA. No themes, theatrics, or gimmicks; just good times, good drinks, and good company. Along with delicious hamburgers to gorge on, Lowboy also serves many vegetarian snacks. Pair your Impossible Veggie Lowburger with the bar’s flagship Michelada, which will leave you coming back for more. 

Location - 1540 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Timings - 

4 pm to 12 am (Monday to Thursday)
4 pm to 2 am (Friday & Saturday)
12 pm to 12 am (Sunday)

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre, source: Instagram

Born out of love for Mother Earth, Gracias Madre is a nod to Mexican cuisine and drinks. Everything at this bar is vegan and made from scratch using local, organic ingredients. Even the drinks are vegan. The bar highlights independent producers and small-batch distillers from Mexico. The bar serves over 50 different brands of tequila and mezcal for you to choose from. If you prefer something light, Gracias Madre has a list of vegan wines, beers, and classic cocktails for you to indulge in. 

Location - 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Timings - 

11 am to 10 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
11 am to 11 pm (Friday and Saturday)

The Roost

The Roost, source: Instagram

Atwater Village is known for its dive bars, and The Roost ranks high on our list of favorites. The no-frills, cash-only bar will have you pulling out your leather jacket even in the summer. Order their ‘Well Drinks’ (house spirits) for $7 only, munch on the sumptuous pork jerky during happy hour (12 pm to 7 pm daily), and don’t forget to pop a coin in their old-timey jukebox. And did we mention there’s free popcorn?

Location - 3100 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Timings -

12 pm to 2 am (Everyday)

The Escondite

The Escondite outdoor patio, source: Instagram

A one-stop-shop for tasty eats, live music, and drinks. The Escondite does a great job at bringing out the kid in us with their rotating flavors of ‘adult slushies’. A place where everyone can come, be welcomed, and where strangers become friends. 

Location - 410 Boyd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Timings - 

3 pm to 1 am (Monday to Friday)
1 pm to 1 am (Saturday & Sunday)

Las Perlas

Las Perlas, source: Instagram

Another Mexican hotspot on our list is a tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of over 450 premium agave spirits available in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering Mexican cervezas (beers) alongside local craft brews on tap and in bottles.

Location - 107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Timings - 

5 pm to 2 am (Monday to Friday)
1 pm to 2 am (Saturday & Sunday)

Here And Now

Superbowl Pack at Here and Now, source: Instagram

While the train-style booths have been the main attraction of this bar, the Here And Now outdoor patio is also a must-visit. This summer, sip on the refreshing Frozen Maestra, made with Bacardi, Apple brandy, green apple, and lemon.

Location - 300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste n, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Timings - 

5 pm to 11 pm (Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday)
5 pm to 12 am (Friday & Saturday)
Closed on Mondays

The Den on Sunset

The Den, source: Instagram

A lively tavern serving a selection of sandwiches and flatbreads, along with a full bar. The Den also has a killer happy hour (Tuesday to Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm) offering well drinks for $7, and a one-on-one deal for wines, beers, and cocktails. If you’re a lover of all things hot, make sure to try the Spicy Paloma. We guarantee it will knock you off your feet. 

Location -  8226 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Timings - 

5 pm to 2 am (Tuesday to Saturday)
Closed on Sunday and Monday

Mignon

Mignon wine bar, source: Instagram

A cozy food & wine bar in the Historic Core of downtown LA that serves as an oasis for travelers and locals. Mignon specializes in small production, natural wines from all over the globe, emphasizing the Old World.  Pair your wine with their seasonal, rustic French cuisine, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.

Location - 128 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Timings - 

6 pm to 10 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
6 pm to 11 pm (Friday & Saturday)

Lolo wine bar & restaurant 

Lolo’s, source: Instagram

Dress up in your favorite little black dress and head on over to Lolo’s for a glass of wine, globally inspired small plates, and a candle-lit ambiance. Perfect for a date night or a quiet night out with the girls. And it’s also a great spot for some Instagram pictures! 

Location - 5140 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90027

Timings -

5 pm to 11 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Closed on Sundays and Mondays 

Summer Social Club by Employees Only 

Summer Social Club, source: Website

Famous both in LA and New York, Employees Only has created a new outdoor pop-up called the Summer Social Club. They have curated a list of pop-ups from local chefs offering a diverse menu that you will want to try everything from. To top it off, all craft cocktails are available in bottles. We are going to take a few of them home with us, and you should too. 

Location - 7953 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Timings - 

4 pm to 11 pm (Wednesday to Friday)
10 am to 11 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Closed on Monday & Tuesday