The best new bars in Los Angeles to try right now

What is it? A futuristic-looking Valley cocktail bar and the newest project from the team behind Thunderbolt.

Why we love it: All flavor, no frills—that’s the name of the game at Night on Earth. Located in the no man’s land between Hollywood and Studio City (a.k.a. the Cahuenga Pass), Night on Earth serves an all-star lineup of over a dozen signature drinks ($13–$19). Each one deftly riffs on a classic. While my personal favorite was the Bad Influencer (a clarified, carbonated version of a porn star martini), I was most impressed by the Blockbuster, the bar’s take on an old fashioned. The drink comes infused with actual movie theater butter flavoring. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, though, including three tasty booze-free options. Paired with the mood lighting, ample lounge seating and DJs on the weekends, plus a soon-to-debut happy hour menu, Night on Earth is the kind of drinking destination that’s worth building a night out around. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. On-site parking.

Time Out tip: Be sure to eat beforehand—the bar doesn’t serve any food, though you can bring in outside food (there’s a pizzeria next door, FYI) or opt for one of the eclectic snacks from the vending machine inside.

Address: 3256 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 5pm–1am; Sat, Sun 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–1am

What is it? An intimate Japanese cocktail bar inside Suehiro DTLA that draws inspiration from Tokyo’s famous whiskey bars and American-style speakeasies.

Why we love it: Run by Seven Grand and Steep After Dark alum Huy Nang Pham, the first-rate drinks at Bar Suehiro run the gamut from affordable to upscale, including a $32 Rob Roy that uses Yoichi whiskey and thoughtfully constructed non-alcoholic options made with Seedlip. Pham’s house drinks are equally interesting: Take the Peach Kid, a refreshing gin-and-soda-based creation that mixes creme de peche, Aperol, yuzu and sakura bitters. Those feeling peckish can also order anything off the food menu from next door. Given the recent closure of the Varnish, Bar Suehiro is a welcome addition to the Downtown bar scene—and a worthy destination for anyone who enjoys a well-balanced drink. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you’re planning on ordering cocktails (versus beer or wine), it’s best to come here in a smaller group, as each drink is made to order—and thus can take some time to come out. 

Address: 400 Main St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 7pm–1am

What is it? An intimate speakeasy in Long Beach serving izakaya-inspired fare and stellar cocktails. 

Why we love it: In the muraled alley of Long Beach’s El Barrio Cantina, one can find their way into Tokyo Noir by turning on a neon Godzilla sign. Kevin Lee (formerly of the Wolves in Downtown L.A.) has created an enticing bar program featuring drinks like Juice Theory for the tomato-loving crowd and a Moscow Mule riff for gin lovers called Stay With Me. Classic highballs and a robust Japanese whisky selection round out the menu of drinks crafted with Japanese-style flair; the bar food menu includes standouts like salmon crudo and wasabi fries. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: We recommend the kakigori-inspired First Love cocktail. Sure, the price ($22) might leave locals with a little sticker shock, but the shochu-laden shaved ice comes in a supersized cocktail glass, so you can share the delicious brain freeze with your friend or date.

Address: 1731 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A classic cafeteria-turned-nightlife venue that recently reopened its doors once again—for real this time. 

Why we love it: This legendary Downtown building dates back to the 1930s, and I can’t think of anywhere else where you can drink among a taxidermied lion, bison and bear (oh my) and dance under the boughs of a three-story tall (faux) redwood. You shouldn’t come here solely for the cocktails—it’s more for the whimsy and novelty—but luckily the new drink program is solid too. The three main bars all have distinct menus. The first you’ll encounter is the Monarch Lounge, where themed cocktails like the Grizzly and Painted Fern complement the woodsy decor and aforementioned redwood. At the Gothic Lounge, bartenders mix drinks on either side of a 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite. The jet-black Event Horizon (gin, dry curaçao, Cocchi Americano, a black umami solution and a spritz of absinthe) is a suitably moody option here. Of all the bars, fourth-floor tiki bar Pacific Seas—accessible through a secret mirror door—has the most extensive menu, with over 100 bottles of rum. I recommend the Message in a Bottle (made with three kinds of rum, pineapple, lime, banana-walnut syrup, cinnamon and clarified coconut milk) or the Krakatoa, a guava-heavy, rum-based scorpion bowl that can quench the thirst of anywhere from two to six people. Street and private lot parking.

Time Out tip: For the full Clifton’s experience, it’s worth coming for one of its special events to catch live music in the Brookdale Ballroom, where burlesque performers and swing dancing transport you to another era. Clifton’s has also started previewing Shadowbox, a speakeasy in an underground space never before open to the public.

Address: 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 6pm–2am

What is it? A rooftop bar in Downtown L.A. that looks out on the Gas Company and U.S. Bank towers with a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail and bar menu.

Why we love it: If you’ve ever wanted to party above the Skechers store, this is your chance. The glinting metal of the skyscrapers in the distance offsets the neighboring ornate architecture common in the old Broadway Theater District. The modern Mediterranean design adds to this feeling of being not quite in the past or the future. Florentín is just large enough to feel alive on a half-full night, but the space is small enough that the bartenders can still crank out their meticulously crafted cocktails during a rush. Don’t resist an on-the-nose order; the Florentini is their most popular cocktail for a reason. The balanced sour that evokes spring on the Amalfi Coast is worth the $19 price tag, from taste to presentation. They also hopped on the beer cocktail trend with a Peroni-based Spaghett and the mescal-based House Special, both under $10. Don’t drink? Instead of settling for a few options, you can request that any of the bar’s cocktails be made without alcohol. Street and nearby private lot parking.

Time Out tip: The journey to Florentín requires you to walk through a parking lot into an alleyway that will put the sketch in Skechers, but the conspicuous green neon sign will let you know you’re in the right place.

Address: 617 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–2am, Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A longtime Downtown watering hole given new life by a pair of nightlife veterans.

Why we love it: Though Spring Street Bar has traded its industrial sports bar decor for a warmer, more refined look, this old-but-new Downtown spot isn’t trying to squeeze out former patrons. A well-rounded, largely sub-$8 beer list is matched with craft cocktails at prices nearby bars would only consider during happy hour. Even the Japanese highball selection offers options starting at just $11. The milk punch elevates and clarifies a banana piña colada while the surprising addition of mango to the white Negroni makes it one the best of its kind east of Hollywood. This marks Bar Flores and Lowboy alums Alex Vaughan-Ruiz and Brandon Richard’s first bar together, and they seem intent on keeping it a locals-first spot. Since they’ve kept the TV screens, you might even still be able to catch a game or two. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you thought the prices couldn’t go any lower, stop by Spring Street Bar for one of Downtown’s best happy hours (weekdays 5–7pm, weekends 2–7pm). Cocktails start at just $7, spirit-free drinks are $5–$10, beers are only $5, and wine is $7.

Address: 626 S Spring St B, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–2am

What is it? A neighborhood cocktail bar in Altadena run by the same talented team behind Downtown’s Everson Royce Bar and Santa Monica’s Vamos Vamos.

Why we love it: While every remaining restaurant and bar in fire-adjacent areas needs our support right now, I’d like to specifically make the case for grabbing your next round of drinks at Good Neighbor. During the catastrophic Eaton Fire, the bar was miraculously spared from any lasting damage, but local owners Randy Clement and April Langford drove through the evacuation zone, helping displaced neighbors find out if their homes and businesses were still standing. The bar reopened on January 28, and has continued to be a vital part of the community in the weeks since; the adjacent parking lot is also home to a map that illustrates the magnitude of the devastation in the area. The space is stylish, with plenty of tables and ample seats at the bar. As with ERB, which we’ve long considered one of the city’s best bars, all of the cocktails here are excellent. The specialty drink menu includes highballs, “booze-forward,” “modern classics,” “exotic/tiki” and “shaken with citrus.” Order whatever your heart desires—whether that’s wine by the glass, some beer or one of Good Neighbor’s fancier house concoctions. Street and on-site parking.

Time Out tip: While there’s no food menu, you’ll typically find a pizza pop-up serving out of the parking lot next door on Thursday nights—and you’re welcome to bring in outside food.

Address: 2311 Lincoln Ave, Altadena, CA 91001

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri 5pm–1am; Sat 4pm–1am; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? An oh-so-trendy wine bar and café in Silver Lake favored by influencers (both wannabe and bona fide) and the bicoastal elite.

Why we love it: The 25-seat space, which recently debuted its daytime café menu, serves a series of flavorful small plates alongside natural wines by the glass that don’t taste like vinegar (for once). Culinary highlights include the bluefin tuna tostada and endive Caesar salad, but the reason you should come to Seco is the scene and the scene alone. The crowd that spills out onto the sidewalk nightly is full of people who want to LARP a night out in New York City. I’m not joking in the slightest—and honestly, I’d love to hate Seco if the food and wine offerings weren’t actually good. Fortunately, they are. Expect to be jostled and packed in like a sardine for your glass of vino—the price of being cool these days, I suppose. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Don’t come here for a full meal—you’re better off grabbing dinner down the street at Pine & Crane, the Win-dow or Azizam. If you want to keep the party going after 11pm, head to 4100 Bar or the Black Cat.

Address: 3820 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5–11pm; Sat 11am–3pm, 5–11pm; Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm

What is it? A tiny Highland Park wine bar that’s generated a lot of buzz simply because it has no social media presence. 

Why we love it: You could almost miss Sam’s Place in passing, but once this tiny Highland Park wine bar catches your eye, you’ll likely be hooked. A wood-paneled interior invites you into a few alcoves offering hints of privacy. A passthrough window between the bar and the simple, dog-friendly patio makes you feel more like a houseguest than a patron. A blend of New and Old World bottles along with a diverse skin-contact selection are served by a savvy staff eager to make recommendations. Whether you’re popping in for a snack or steak dinner, the Japanese sweet potatoes steal the spotlight on a small but well-executed food menu. Depending on availability, whether a wine is only served by the bottle is a suggestion rather than a hard rule at this cozy neighborhood spot. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Head over here early to snag one of their signature booths. Since Sam’s Place is meant to be a casual space for locals, the wine bar doesn’t take reservations; seating is on a first come, first served basis, and you place your order at the bar. 

Address: 5530 Monte Vista St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 4–11pm

What is it? The newest inhabitant of the Virgil Village space that formerly housed Bolita, Equal Parts and Smog Cutter.

Why we love it: Real Charmer in Virgil Village comes from the same folks behind Capri Club and Bar Covell—and like the two aforementioned places, this newcomer offers great ambience and a solid drink program. The intimate bar is now backlit by moody red-and-blue lighting and there’s a new pair of wooden booths along the wall. A bubbling fountain and handful of art pieces nod to a tropical-slash-nautical theme, but the handsome cocktail booklet wanders all over the map with under $20 drinks like the gin-based Midsommar Sour, a Japanese-inspired sesame highball and a vaguely Mediterranean martini flavored with kalamata olives, dill and rosemary. A menu of light bar bites includes spam musubi and Fishwife smoked salmon with crackers. Not every drink hits the mark, but most generally get the job done. Throw in the free self-serve popcorn and cozy date-friendly atmosphere, however, and Real Charmer ultimately lives up to its name—it’s the kind of neighborhood bar I wish I could walk to. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Skip the house highball. The carbonated water isn’t fizzy enough to do the drink justice. 

Address: 864 Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening hours: Mon 5pm–midnight; Tue 7pm–midnight; Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 5pm–1am

What is it? A casual Chinatown cocktail bar inspired by the French Quarter. 

Why we love it: Run by the folks behind Little Jewel of New Orleans (one of the city’s best sandwich shops), the Evangeline Swamp Room serves stiff, straightforward takes on Crescent City classics, including a well-executed French 75, a generously poured Sazerac and a bubbly, frothy Ramos Gin Gizz. Relatively affordable prices ($12–$18) and a TV hung behind the bar translate into a fun, accessible neighborhood hangout and alluring pit stop for Dodger fans during peak baseball season. On my visit, I enjoyed the Cajun (a.k.a. spicy Bloody) Mary, which the Evangeline Swamp Room tops with a pickled okra and grilled shrimp. There’s also a menu of delicious, deep-fried bar bites that includes charbroiled oysters, frog legs and crawfish macaroni and cheese—all the better to soak up all that booze. Street parking.

Time Out tip: You can order anything from the Little Jewel menu. If you’re asking me, you absolutely should.

Address: 701 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 5–11pm; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? A Y2K-inspired cocktail bar in Hollywood.

Why we love it: When Kevin De Nicolo took the former Noir space from Moulin Rouge! to vaporwave oasis, he committed to the bit. “We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he says, lit by a vibrant display striped across the ceiling that will remind you of Windows 98 file transfers and later haunt drunk-you with floating Furbies. Both the house spirit-free drinks and cocktails aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they’re reliably tasty at lower-than-average Hollywood prices with nostalgic names like Limewire and Nokia Nectar. Stussies line the bathroom wall while DJs spin Y2K tunes in a mini bedroom set just off the intergalactic hydroponic lounge area. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Bring out your competitive side by playing a bespoke racing game on the massive ceiling/wall screen with controllers hidden in the adjoining table.

Address: 1710 N Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8pm–1:30am

What is it? A buzzy West Adams cocktail bar owned by celebrity stylist Jason Bolden and his interior designer partner, Adair Curtis. 

Why we love it: The space may be small and the soundtrack is earsplitting,  but the energy’s downright electric at Damn, I Miss Paris—so if you’re looking for a Hollywood scene without the actual commute to Hollywood, this is the place to go. Even before opening to the public in early March, DIMP hosted an Oscars after-party and wildfire relief fund raiser. There’s a small food menu that includes chicken tenders and chocolate chip cookies, plus a straightforward menu of classic cocktails, wine and beer. I tried the paloma and the vesper; both were solid, but not particularly standouts. If you’re coming here, it’s either because you’re already in the area or because you’re seeking out the celebrity-adjacent vibes—no judgment here. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere, arrive on the earlier side of the evening. 

Address: 5162 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A menuless wine bar concept from NYC that’s taken over the old Ace Hotel rooftop.

Why we love it: This NYC transplant is known in its hometown as an ultra-hip, menuless wine bar. While it doesn’t seem as though its L.A. counterpart has drawn the same crowds, the beloved Downtown third space is thankfully mostly unchanged except for a bunch of new plants and a cringeworthy “Can’t Stop Drinking About You” neon sign. Head inside to the bar for a choose-your-own-adventure experience—guided by one of Sauced’s expert bartenders—and a small selection of light bites, then take your glass outside and take in the sweeping views of Downtown. Weekend evenings bring DJs and food pop-ups to the space (which are generally announced on the bar’s Instagram), so if you’d like to help resuscitate Downtown’s struggling nightlife scene, give Sauced the good old-fashioned college try. Outdoor patio and non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a fun night out, try to plan around one of the DJ residencies or other pop-up events going on at Sauced.

Address: 929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A stylish cocktail concept that has taken over the old Mandrake at the edge of Culver City.

Why we love it: While it’s a little too expensive to truly be considered a neighborhood dive, No Smoking is still a noteworthy bar opening for the Westside. Lowbrow touches like bar chips and $12 well drinks combine with pricey works of art on the walls and wood paneling. Reasonably priced $15 house creations include frozen ube coladas and Toki highballs (though you can find the same exact drink for cheaper at Afuri Ramen down the street). Happy hour (4–7pm) brings $10 wells and glasses of wine, plus $5 beers. If No Smoking was in Silver Lake or Northeast L.A., this opening wouldn’t be noteworthy—but in a part of town lacking in interesting cocktail options, I’ll take any decent-enough casual bar I can get. Outdoor patio and non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Check the bar’s Instagram for food pop-ups and weekend DJ announcements.

Address: 2692 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Opening hours: Mon, Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight