Death & Co.

This underground bar in the Arts District is the L.A. outpost of a famous NYC cocktail bar known for its use of rare spirits and high-quality ingredients. The chances of you, a mere mortal, walking into Death & Co without a reservation on a weekend are slim to none, but the bar still has some of the best (and most expensive!) drinks in the city. Flavor profiles and vibes divide the menu under labels like “light and playful” and “boozy and honest.” The majority of drinks run in the $24 to $26 range—just the kind of the sky-high prices you’ll have to pay for time-tested techniques and a vast array of unique, hard-to-find spirits. If you’re in search of cheaper drinks, Death & Co. offers a happy hour (Mon–Wed, Sun 6–8pm) that includes $13 cocktails and half off bar snacks like popcorn and chip-and-dip. But in both spaces, a slightly damp, “old building” smell hangs in the air, and anyone who’s closed their tab at Death & Co. proper will definitely feel pressured by staff to leave.