Your next favorite L.A. nightlife destination might actually be hidden inside another spot

Open since May, the natural wine list curated by Hall and Stewart’s classic-leaning drinks are bringing back a mix of MiniBar regulars and fans of the artisan L.A. bakery, whose buttery morning pastries can now be found everywhere from Downtown’s Grand Central Market to Brentwood Village. “Even now, there still really aren’t a lot of places in this neighborhood where you can order a drink and know you’re in good hands,” Hall said. Comparatively, at Lily’s, a well-made martini is always guaranteed under a team led by Stewart, who spent nearly a decade making drinks at the Roger Room, one of the city’s best bars.

This colorful nightclub inspired by Studio 54 had the misfortune of opening just before the pandemic hit, but the Koreatown jewel box has found its stride as of late on Friday and Saturday evenings. Head here to dance the night away on the multi-hued light-up dance floor, plus live dancers on roller skates and well-made specialty cocktails. Bottle service, guest lists and occasional pre-sale tickets are available; check their Instagram for updates.

With a balcony overlooking Figueroa, this Highland Park neighborhood spot isn’t exactly a secret, especially for those who frequent the Lodge Room for live music. The entrance to the bar itself, however, is actually a little bit hush-hush; look for the unmarked door up the street from Burgerlords, then head up the flight of stairs to find Checker Hall. Upstairs, the spacious second-floor bar’s throwback stylings, spacious booths and delicious cocktails make it a great Northeast L.A. destination even if you’re not headed to a show downstairs. Bar snacks like pita dips, skewers and vegetables up the ante for those looking to slide from early drinks into dinner, and Checker Hall even offers Sunday brunch for late risers (11am–3pm).

This Koreatown lounge-slash-nightclub hides on the fifth floor of a nondescript office building, though it’s easy to find it by the trickle of people attempting to find a way in on the street below. Once inside, novelty black-and-white line drawing design elements border on cheesy, but the crowd-friendly mix of electronic and hip-hop—and the throngs that accompany it—are second to none for a big night out in Koreatown. The cover charge usually runs $20, and there’s also bottle service (complete with sparklers).

Glittering Los Feliz bar Pinky’s is already known for cocktails, but the alley it shares with sibling restaurant Atrium is now home to an all-new outdoor satellite bar with a separate cocktail menu that channels summer, no matter the actual season. Stop by after 10:15pm for crushed ice cocktails like the Over It Negroni with gin, plum, blended vermouth and Campari and the De-Peach Mode, which combines tequila and yellow chartreuse with peach and citrus. Live music and curated DJ sets by Alex Rodriguez—curator of Coachella’s vinyl record store—add to the lively vibe in the open air brick-lined courtyard.