Thank our reinvigorated produce , our large atmospheric condition , the advent of Uber , the newfangled prolongation of the tube organisation , or all of the above : the retiring few eld have seen a wave of awing cocktail bar collide with LA and our drinking refinement lift to be among the most exciting in the US . From intimate speakeasy - style haunt to sleek and modern lacrimation holes , here are the best cocktail bar in LA .

The Chestnut Club

Dim lighting , disconsolate wood , leather sofas , and exposed brick make this relaxed and refined westside cocktail repair find a existence away from the flip - flop , wharf - bound Mass just down the road . The team from Black Market Liquor Bar and Scopa Italian Roots extends that distinguished simpleness to the cocktails , which are serious-minded yet unfussy . The menu incline pretty heavily on the chocolate-brown spirits , with collision like the Poor Man ’s Pappy Old Fashioned or the rye and mezcal - fueled El Camino , but if you ’re appear to guess into new territory , the helpful legal profession team will gladly conduct you through their massive collection of mostly small - batch strong drink and liqueurs .

The Walker Inn

While youcouldenjoy a swallow at The Normandie Club , do yourself a favor : skip over the crew , hit the doorbell in the back of the bar , and enter The Walker Inn to have your cocktail expected value all muff away . ( Though if you need to go at a busy metre , you should make a reservation . ) There you ’ll observe unexpected cocktail ground around an elaborate theme and a batting order that alter roughly every four to six weeks . presently the drinks are inspired by regional clime , so , uh , imagine Japanese rice Paddy and Alpine meadow and you ’ll kinda sorta have an idea of what to expect . And while youcouldorder your carefully crafted cocktail a la bill of fare , we recommend opting for the unusual omakase - dash pairings at the legal community .

ETA

This new Highland Park kit from the hombre behind The Greyhound delivers with a sleek den for serious cocktail sippers . The drinks are daydream up by Mauricio Canales , who previously ran the saloon show at Mercado , and includes winners like the refreshing Penultimate Word with gin , mezcal , dark-green Chartreuse , and cucumber or the Prettiest Girl of All Time with tequila , royal perilla , and lemon balm .

Big Bar

Venture beyond brunch on the patio of the always - packed Alcove terrace and grab a crapper at the marble bar of the deceptively named Big Bar . This tiny cocktail oasis turns out Brobdingnagian results with sport , groundbreaking , and smartly theme drink menus that turn out regularly . The award - winning team frequently host invitee bartenders with a curated soundtrack ( aka “ Mixtape Mixology ” ) , costumed party with unfermented giveaways , and movie - theme cocktails for thesummer moving-picture show on the terrace . In other parole , they make love how to have a well fourth dimension .

Everson Royce Bar

You ’re here forthatpatio . You ’re here forthatburger . And now you ’re here forthatcocktail . Andthatone , too . And … OK , the tempting range of cocktail at this lay - back Arts District newcomer wo n’t make a such a singular determination quite so easy . But there are bad problem to have . You could remain On Point with a intermixture of cactus pear brandy , mezcal , lime and grapefruit , or attempt out the Talent Scout with Elijah Craig 12 year and aged Curaçao . Or relinquish the decision - making all together and put your religion in the Bartender ’s Choice . As with the eternal rest of ERB ’s offerings , you ’ll be in good hands . Now , go play a secret plan of boccie on the terrace .

The Corner Door

This out - of - the - way Culver City favorite offers an eclectic range of ace cocktails sure to redeem , whether shaken , conjure up , or on - tap . From the smoky Taco Truck with mezcal , pineapple , and cinnamon bark - instill Campari to the Jesse Pink Gin with gin , bitter , coconut liqueur , and orgeat , you ’ll line up heap of honest regulars , as well as seasonal hits like the totally rad Goonies menu with the whisky - filbert - cacao combo of the Truffle Shuffle and the Secale cereale - espresso - coconut meat of the Mama Fratelli . And with the impart bonus of a knockout food carte from Birch ’s Brendan Collins , plan on sticking around for a few rounds .

Westbound

All aboard this fresh addition to the Arts District ’s One Santa Fe building , a slick rig that pays tribute to the classy days of luxuriousness train travel . Order up refined classic like the French 75 or Sazerac or research creative , travel - inspired kink that favour strange and market - fresh ingredients like The Conductor ( with Bourbon dynasty , black benny , and tamarind ) or La Remedia ( with gin , watermelon , grapefruit , and pink peppercorns ) . Grab a seat at the copper - clad bar or opt for the privacy of the leather - clad booths , urge on by vintage train cars and subside in for the ride .

1886 Bar

To talk of nifty cocktail bars and not raise a glass to this Pasadena mental home would be blasphemous . And while the consummate squad behind 1886 Bar could well sit on their laurels and consort through the classics blindfolded , they ’re always experimenting like boozy mad scientist with house - made infusions , tinctures , and atypical ingredients . And to ensure timber with their creativity , each swallow must be sanction by five of the barkeep before make its way across the legal community . Their latest seasonal creations take discriminative stimulus from international fashion tendency through the age , like the King Tut - inspire blood line In Heaven with mezcal , passion yield and honey sirup , pineapple and lime succus , and bitter or The Blue Steel , aZoolander - breathe in intermixture with gin , violet liqueur , green Chartreuse , yuzu bitters , and a “ Mugato Umbrella ” garnish , which is so red-hot the right way now .

Old Man Bar at Hatchet Hall

tuck in the back of Hatchet Hall , this hunting lodge of a cocktail legal profession is what your granddad ’s favorite bar probably dreams of becoming . From the taxidermied animals and classic vinyl to the well - worn arm chairs and vintage barware , Old Man Bar has all the tactual sensation of a thoughtfully craft bar without palpate like somebody think too much about it . The obvious drink of choice here is an Old Fashioned , and prosperous for you they have an intact menu devote to the sure-enough - timey favorite , with plenty of mutation to keep thing interesting ( if you opt something on the light - side , you ’ll find deal of well - craft choice as well ) . Just do n’t narrate grandpa .

The Lincoln

From the squad behind Power House , The Wallace , and other fashionable watering holes around town , this fresh vintage car - themed cocktail spot is definitely worth a pit - arrest . With barstools made from motorcar jacks to a complete 1927 Model T Roadster , The Lincoln makes you experience like you ’re in the nerveless garage in tow – which also happens to have exceptional cocktail . With a cautiously curated survival of the fittest of 100 liquor and a delicately tuned list of cocktail like the whisky - and - Earl - greyness - fueled Grandpa Cal ’s Old Tyme Cure - All or the Menthylamine with gin andatomized - fernet , you ’re bound to gayly expend some tone time on the wide patio .

Sassafras

This lilliputian corner of New Orleans in Hollywood lays on plenty of Southern charm , specially when it comes to their cocktail . From their barrel - aged renditions of classic French Quarter cocktails like the Vieux Carré or Sazerac , to playful originals like Sex on the Bayou , the Browning automatic rifle squad plough out upstanding hits that are easily accessible . You ’ll also find that many of the key fixings have been housemade from amaro to gingerbeer . hail early on if you ’re looking for a still drink on a wicker chairman on the front porch , and flummox around late for rambunctious unrecorded music .

The Varnish

One of the standouts from the early waving of back - to - craftsmanship , speakeasy - fashion cocktail bars , The Varnish still manages to yarn-dye . Once you ’ve devoured aFrench Dip(or two ! ) at Cole ’s , make your means through the overlooked threshold in the back – assuming they have n’t reached their purposefully special capacity – and find yourself transport to an versed , Prohibition - epoch hideaway . There you ’ll detect cozy wooden booths , jazz playing softly in the background , and expertly crafted Greco-Roman cocktails with elusive innovations and top - ledge spirits . arrange a Gibson or the Improved Whiskey Cocktail from the concise menu or turn yourself over to the barman ’s alternative for an unexpected braid , literally , and figuratively .

Harvard & Stone

While this East Hollywood spot can become a packed scene most weekend dark , those in the know amount early on or on off - night for tone and originative pours like the Tamarind Tiki with rum , Campari , lemongrass , and tamarind shrub , or the Kiwi Paloma with mezcal , kiwi , grapefruit , Ananas comosus , and jalapeño . Thosereallyin the know will lead to the small “ R&D ” bar in the back to order from rotate special carte and frequent guest bartenders . You ’ll find a well - timed felicitous hour from 8 pm to 9:30pm every night and a reverse one Mon - Thurs 12:30 to 1:30am with $ 5 Old Fashioneds . And should you pass off to linger while a band takes the stage and the burlesque performer take to the raftman , well , you might just want to grade another turn .

Melrose Umbrella Co.

If you ’re looking for where an off - duty bartender from elsewhere on this list is hanging , there ’s a just chance you may happen them relax at this post - Prohibition cocktail haven . A soaring and easy space with plenty of rough wood and discover walls , the wide bar offers a laid - back neighborhood vibration sodding for explore their extended and adventurous boozing menu . From reworked classics and long - block recipe , to inspired introduction and seasonal special , there ’s a small something for everyone here , and the bartenders are well-chosen to guide you through .

Faith & Flower

While this graceful Downtown favorite has been impress date / parent / in - laws for a while now with their theme song English Milk Punch and other staple cocktails , they also manage to keep thing fresh with new seasonal additions . From the punny Shiso Easy with tequila blanco , vermouth , Cucumis sativus , and shiso leaf to the bibulous and citrus tree - twist of the Tradewinds Collins , the squad at Faith & Flower deliver strong on refreshful seasonal twists without overcomplicating matters . And their huge food carte du jour is no jest .

The Spare Room

Tucked inside the Roosevelt Hotel , this silken cocktail lounge / bowling skittle alley of late stepped up their potable secret plan with the add-on of award - get ahead beverage film director Yael Vengroff . While pee-pee a reservation on a engaged night can still be a bother and the bowling is a bit pricey , you ’ll be well - rewarded with a heedful portmanteau word of booze . From a Salt & acetum Martini serve with dill potato chips to the pandan leafage - adorned Lucky Smoke with Nipponese whiskey , rum , banana liqueur , and vanilla , the carte is full of welcome surprises . And should you resolve to bring the crowd , the punch stadium are waaaaay more refined than that awful Jungle Juice you hurl together in college .

Break Room 86

While you probably made your way through the mystical entryway of this Line Hotel speakeasy for the extremist ' LXXX decor , breakdancing Michael Jackson - imitator , and tricked out karaoke rooms , you ’re also going to need to search the crapulence menu . You ’ll find a playful fresh lineup of Mood Ring - instigate cocktails that even have corresponding scratch - and - sniff stickers on the menu . From the glow ice cube of the purple Contemplative with mezcal and pea green or the Passionate combination of rum , pisco , passionfruit and banana , they ’re as fun to look at as they are to drink . You ’re also go to require to impinge on the boozy ice emollient truck out back to crest off your night .

General Lee’s

This stylish tiki - inspired cocktail den select over a former Chinatown institution about a class and a half back and has been steadily turning out excellent , Asiatic - inflect concoctions since . The menu changes often , but you’re able to count on unusual twists like wasabi - infuse vermouth or grim sesame syrup to catch you off guard . The well-disposed team behind the legal community is also glad to go off script to find what you ’re await for . As the night wears on and the DJ direct over , the place tends to get a bit packed , so if you ’re looking for a peaceful sip , get there too soon .

The Roger Room

Another loyalist from the other solar day of LA ’s obsession with all - things - speakeasy , The Roger Room retains all of the socio-economic class and magical spell that first made it a welcome respite in the neighbourhood . With an easy - to - navigate menu divided by base spirits , you ’ll find farm - to - glass ingredients , but not too much fuss . range up the Four Aces , a house favorite with vodka , St. Basil the Great , gullible grapes , and ginger liqueur , or the Nipponese Maple with whiskey , egg whites , and maple sirup , then settle into a cubicle beneath the helping hand - paint carnival mural and be fain to stay for a while .

Bull & Barrel

The saloon at Alexander ’s Steakhouse just got a sharp makeover complete with terrace , firepits , a weekday happy hour from 5 pm to 6:30pm and a solid batting order of quality cocktail to mate with decadent bar sting like wagyu gyoza and hamachi hit man . Bar manager Erik Lund has thoughtfully devised a collection of cocktails dedicated to each of his bartenders . There ’s the Family Tree with tequila , Taiwanese whiskey , and drinking chocolate nib salt brim as a protection to Suzy ’s ancestry or the Grumpy Pants with rye , beer , ginger , bitterness , and citrus for Ben ’s inclination . And then there ’s the Fifty Dollar Rob Roy for Chef Matt Bata , which includes a 25 - twelvemonth - honest-to-god single - malt liquor Scotch , fancy vermouth , sherry , and a gold - leafed rim , and does , in fact , cost $ 50 . Sometimes you have to go big . Sign up herefor our day-to-day LA e-mail and be the first to get all the food / deglutition / playfulness Los Angeles has to offer .

Everson Royce Bar

Courtesy of Everson Royce Bar

The Chestnut Club

Courtesy of The Chestnut Club

The Walker Inn

Katie Hoss/The Walker Inn

ETA Highland Park

ETA Highland Park

Big Bar

Big Bar|Eugene Lee

Everson Royce Bar

Dylan + Jeni

The Corner Door

The Corner Door|Acuna Hansen

Westbound

Westbound|DYLAN + JENI

1886 Bar

1886 Bar|Acuna Hansen

Hatchet Hall

Hatchet Hall

The Lincoln LA

The Lincoln LA

Sassafras

Sassafras|Danielle Bernabe/Courtesy of Sassafras

Harvard & Stone

Harvard & Stone

Faith & Flower

Faith & Flower|Danny Jensen/Thrillist

The Spare Room

The Spare Room

Break Room 86

Break Room 86|Jakob Layman

General Lee’s

General Lee’s

Alexander’s Steakhouse Pasadena

Alexander’s Steakhouse Pasadena