Los Angeles’s 10 favorite bars

Co-owners Amy Knoll Fraser and Neal Fraser brought new life to the Downtown dining scene in 2014 when they opened Redbird inside the historic Cathedral of St. Vibiana. Much of the church’s interior remains intact with modern details, such as an all-glass ceiling inside the former rectory and wrought-iron gates at the entrance. It’s an ideal setting to enjoy award-winning bar director Tobin Shea’s seasonal cocktails, inspired by LA’s bounty of produce, flowers, and international flavors. Sip on fruit-forward favorites such as the Stonefruit Spritz, made with apricot wine and plum brandy, and a Cardinal Punch with bourbon, cognac, amaro, roasted orange, and clove. Wine director Matt Fosket pours a selection of well-rounded finds from Portland to Irancy, Burgundy.

Superfine Playa is the newest Californian-Italian restaurant by inimitable duo Steve and Dina Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza fame. The spot is all about exquisite thin-crust pizzas and bright cocktails that complement the sunny Playa Vista weather. A seat at the bar gets you a full view of the kitchen, plus an up-close look at the fresh ingredients sourced from the local farmers market. The current cocktail menu—helmed by Ella Zoller, the force behind cocktails and community pop-up bar Honey House—features variations on classics, such as the Pomelo Paloma, which gets its sun-kissed color from orange and tajin. Bonus points for the zero-proof mocktails with equally delicious ingredients such as cucumbers, Cara Cara oranges, kiwi, and more.

Guerilla Tacos is locally loved for its scrappy beginnings as a taco truck. Its brick-and-mortar location is decked with a vibrant graffiti wall (a tribute to its street roots) and a stenciled drawing of the late LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold. Friendly service and a fully stocked bar make this spot well-suited for a first date or a lively night out. The most popular cocktails have cheeky names such as the cherry liqueur-accentuated Peach, Please or the Pansy Dropper, a spicy and nutty mezcal drink with tamarind, falernum, and ancho chile tincture. Mezcal lovers come for flights featuring notable Oaxacan producers. Post up here, order some chips and guac, then make way for a ribeye taco, and you’ll see why this casual spot is a local gem.

Ella Beverly Hills is a contemporary riff on the Prohibition era inside the posh SIXTY Beverly Hills hotel. It’s a vision carried out by executive chef Brian Min and bar directors Zach Patterson and Doran De Tappan, whose penchant for Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian influences defines much of the menu at this swanky cocktail bar. For those who want to linger past happy hour, there’s an additional Ella Rooftop area. At both locations, you can get artful spins on classics, such as a milk punch sweetened with unfiltered apple juice and pearl jasmine tea, or an old fashioned with applewood and cinnamon-smoked, brown butter-washed bourbon. Ella also invites budding wine sommeliers into its Bottle Shop, which sells natural and biodynamic wines (to enjoy onsite or at home).

Musso & Frank Grill reigns as the century-old steakhouse superstar in Hollywood. The area icon is the oldest operating restaurant in the neighborhood and buzzes with large groups gathered for birthdays, anniversaries, and more. And yet, Musso & Frank’s bar—decked with swiveling chairs, a vintage mirror backsplash, and a fiery open grill—feels like one of Hollywood’s most intimate escapes. Get an old-timey appetizer, such as baked escargot or Roquefort mousse-stuffed celery and the world-famous martini, stirred 12 times in ice, then carefully strained into a vintage glass. The liquor comes with a bucket of crushed ice and a small carafe that holds a refill. Drink in the classic surroundings and make good use of the swiveling bar chair, ideal for people-watching and the occasional celebrity-spotting.

This underground parlor in the Wayfarer Downtown Hotel features whimsical entertainment (stand-up comedy, magic shows) and drinks that follow suit. Opt for the “High Tea & High Balls” experience, which includes tea infusion-inspired craft cocktails. The vibe at Lilly Rose, though, is anything but buttoned-up. Eccentricity is welcome here and surfaces in the form of fantastical decor, including pig-shaped tables.

All Day Baby is the second restaurant from chef Jonathan Whitener and managing partner Lien Ta and is an acclaimed Silverlake fixture for its joyful vibes and Southern-accented fare. ADB is a diner at heart, which explains the glass pastry case, linoleum floors, and coffee counteresque bar, adorned with hanging plants. Come nightime, the bakery-diner hybrid becomes Tet-a-Tet, a pop-up serving innovative Vietnamese dishes with a blend of flavors (not unlike Whitener and Ta’s other venture, Here’s Looking At You in Koreatown). Treat yourself to a boozy milkshake for brunch, or get the strawberry-heavy ADB Painkiller on a hot summer day. In the evening hours, must-try drinks include the Long Goodbye, a vodka-forward cocktail with a lime and chipilín cordial. It makes a zesty complement to dishes such as the fried whole huachinango or Veracruz-style red snapper.

Award-winning Californian mixologist Julian Cox (responsible for masterminding the bar programs at popular LA spots including Las Perlas and the now-shuttered Barrel & Ashes) oversees the drinks program at Fanny’s, a restaurant set in the Academy of Museum of Motion Pictures. Fittingly, cocktails are named for critically acclaimed films and Oscar winners. Case in point: the Parasite—a tribute to the acclaimed South Korean film—made with soju, rye, vermouth, gochujang, and bird’s eye chile. If drinks turn into dinner, choose between elegant New American plates such as whole sea bream with matcha hollandaise and spinach linguine with green asparagus. Fun fact: the bar and restaurant are supported by Wendy Stark Morrissey, granddaughter of comedian Fanny Brice (for whom the restaurant is named).

This hidden whiskey lounge in the back of Seven Grand bar provides mellow and moody vibes for a sexy night out. The 18-seat bar specializes in more than 120 varieties of Japanese whisky, and there’s even an outdoor cigar lounge. Expect classics on the cocktail menu, including expertly prepared old fashioneds and manhattans. This is the place for an intimate drinking experience and a whiskey crash-course—minus the crowds.

Zach Negin and Nicole Dougherty, the pair behind beloved Thai Town bar Tabula Rasa, head west with this elegant all-day wine bar. It’s a stylish place for Angelenos who want to support small-scale wine producers. Caviar, kanpachi crudo, and charcuterie boards accompany vino from family-run winemakers around the globe. Enjoy it all in an emerald jewel box-like space (Sur Le Vert is French for “on the green”) decorated with enchanting light fixtures and velvety couches—there are no bad views from any corner of this pretty wine bar.