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In a thriving, over-populated city like Los Angeles where nightlife is generally served with a $20 cover charge and an hour wait in line, neighborhood bars are essential for locals to maintain a semblance of sanity and familiarity in their nightlife routine. These plucky havens often vary drastically in ambiance, some boasting retro décor, some looking more like run-down dives, but the familiarity is bred in the patrons. As the name implies, neighborhood bars are the best place to see your neighbors and regular friends, and they are often one of the best places to meet new people. In the wide recreation spectrum, these haunts are the "Cheers" of every neighborhood, the place where the bartender might actually remember you, where your money serves as drink funds instead of entrance fees and where you don't need to be wearing designer jeans to get in.
Alibi Room
12236 w. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 310.398.5516
Los Angeles can be a trendy nightclub mecca full of see and be seen club sheep which makes the existence of a local bar like the Alibi Room a blessing. And, seriously, this Los Angeles dive bar is really just one room with some vintage basement carpet, a line of neighborly sots bellied up to the bar, a single pool table with iffy geometrics and dead rails, a decent juke and the best dive bar attraction of all time: cheap booze. |
Blue Room
916 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, California; Tel. 323.849.2779
This is the one of the most "IRISH" of Irish pubs anywhere in the world. Words just can't describe just how Irish this good old drinking bar is. It's green, and Brennan's is bombarded from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, with every thing from wood-carved leprechauns, four leaf clovers, hundreds of booze-plaques, and sayings of Irish folklore. Never been to a real Irish pub? Gotta go to Brennan's and go on Thursday nights when they have turtle races—yes, with turtles. No turtles get harmed, but the people... that's another story. |
Brennan's
4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, California; Tel. 310.821.6622
Known for turtle racing at this Westside LA bar, Brennan's also has everything from pinball machines and pool tables to '80s cover bands and Irish folk songs. The excitement never wanes at this Los Angeles watering hole with so much activity, a testament to the Irish in the pub. The folks are friendly, the beverages are quality, and the food is scrumptious at this LA neighborhood hang out. The loud and raucous atmosphere at Brennan's Irish bar in Los Angeles is half the fun for those looking to have a good time while watching sports, drinking, and playing bar games. |
Cock N Bull Pub
2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.399.9696
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Footsie's
2640 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.221.6900
Taking all the snobbish fakery out of Los Angeles bars and you might be left with Footsie's—that is, until the hipsters discover this Highland Park dive. New customers are always welcome, but regulars seem to be the primary clientele at the bar. A few pool tables give those with a competitive edge an activity while a jukebox plays classic rock and metal. Drinks are cheap at Footsie's and Pabst Blue Ribbon is the beer special during happy hour Monday through Friday. Half-circle leather booths and a comfortable lounge provide seating to relax in while enjoying conversation with those in LA who appreciate being able to hear in a bar. |
Crane's Hollywood Tavern
1611 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.467.6600
This drinking bar is off the beaten path of the Hollywood strip, slightly away from all the post-modern glitz and trashy Hollywood glamour. Crane's feels more like a relaxed house party, hosted in a small watering hole that, on most nights, is home to many artsy type locals with their own groove and their own opinions. It's a "too-cool-for-you" crowd, but cool nevertheless. The vibe ranges from hip-hop to down home bluesy. One might find Weezer stopping in for a beer or for the Sunday "do over" party where industry hipsters gather to celebrate that script deal or just to see the droves of smoking hot chicks here. Crane's is primarily a good drinking bar, and they make a mean sangria. |
Frank and Hank's
518 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 213.383.2087
What a great dive bar Frank and Hank's is, and they're proud of it. This legendary Koreatown booze hole, is the pool-shooting, dart playing, TV-watching kind of a joint that people love to guzzle in, mostly because of the cost of the drinks. It was rumored that a drunken man once left Frank and Hank's after a night of heavy saucing and found he had more money in his pocket than when he had arrived. Well... who knows if that's true, but one's thing for sure: the drinks ARE cheap. |
Joe Jost's
2803 E. Anaheim, Long Beach, California; Tel. 562.439.5446
Back before there were hip Los Angeles lounges, swanky nightclubs, and people drinking and dancing under neon lights, there were bars like Joe Jost's. A bar where you don't have to get dressed up and if you want a pickled egg, gosh-darn-it, they have them. Down in Long Beach, Joe Jost's has been serving sausage sandwiches and beer for over seventy years to workingmen and down-to-earth people. The Los Angeles County location has kept things simple, and it seems to be a recipe that works. You know when a LA bar celebrates a "Customer of the Month" that they have their priorities straight. |
Library Alehouse
2911 Main St., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.314.4855
The Library Alehouse is more of a down-home bar than its Los Angeles neighbors, but that doesn't mean it can't be just as good or better. The bar is like a library of beers with a lengthy and thorough selection of the brew from around the world. They one up other LA restaurants by also offering a respectable menu of wines at the bar to accompany a variety of food. The Library Alehouse has taken bar food and made it gourmet with appetizers such as Papaya Goat Cheese Quesadillas and Chipotle Shrimp Quesadillas. Those interested in watching sports pack the main room but there is also plenty of seating at the bar and on the outside patio. Santa Monica is the perfect place for this great bar. |
Little Bar
757 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.937.9210
The Little Bar has an East Coast college vibe. It's housed in a 1930s building and was rumored to have once been a Japanese speakeasy. The Little Bar is a cool local hangout with Journey or Marvin Gaye on the jukebox, Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap and all sorts of menus from restaurants in the area, so people can order food for pickup or delivery, then eat it at the bar. Play pop trivia on Saturday nights. |
L'Scorpion
6679 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California; Tel. 323.464.3026
This new and hip tequila bar is a hit with the locals. L'Scorpion is located in the center of THEE tourist trap. It's Hollywood Boulevard after all and when it costs $5 for a hot dog at most grease stands, it's nice to know there is at least one place that knows how to treat it's patrons. L'Scorpion, with its trashy-trendy calf-skin walls and 300 different kinds of tequila, served half-priced everyday from 6 to 8pm, attracts all sorts of people from the boulevard, and that's what's so cool about it. Plus, the women here are hot and so are the ladies who will serve drinks with as much enthusiasm as most here will down them. |
Nic's
453 Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, California; Tel. 310.550.5707
It's happy-hour chic at this Beverly Hills bar and cafe, with decently priced drinks from 5 to 7pm daily. Nic's offers $5 martinis and a $5 appetizer menu for the ritzy clientele that flock to it's doors, but there is no dress code, so even though the address spells swanky, some of the faces here can be skanky, and their just as welcome as the famous ones, that make Nic's a once a week if not more, thing. |
Poop Deck
1272 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, California; Tel. 310.376.3223
The Poop Deck is a classic Hermosa Beach bar for sunburnt and sandy bodies to take a load off at the end of the day. People come from all over Los Angeles County to people watch just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean. Red vinyl-topped bar stools and a peanut vending machine reminds customers that the pub hasn't changed much over the years. Cheap domestic beer is always flowing from the bar taps at the Poop Deck and LA beach beauties are often around to play foosball and pool with friends. The bartenders know who their regulars are, so if you're a newcomer, make sure to tip them well to get on their good side. |
Roosterfish
1302 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, California; Tel. 310.392.2123
The relaxing Venice atmosphere of the Roosterfish makes it one of those bars that everyone feels comfortable in, not just the local gays. Many local Los Angeles folk are regulars at the bar, and the gay dudes who aren't into the West Hollywood night scene have also found their way here. It might be a little dark at the Roosterfish, but not in a way where there are cruisers. In fact, those who aren't sitting at the bar may be at the pinball machine, pool table, playing darts, or selecting music from the jukebox instead. The glitz of Los Angeles hasn't invaded the chill atmosphere of the bar, and it doesn't look like it will anytime soon. |
Rusty's Surf Ranch
256 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.393.7386
There's a place off Ocean Avenue where I used to—sit in the sun and have a cold beer while watching people go by? Maybe not, but it's possible at Rusty's Surf Ranch, a Santa Monica surf themed bar and restaurant. Los Angeles folks looking for a laid back time head to the bar to sit on the cozy patio looking onto the beach. Rusty's also offers a full menu and great bar food. In the afternoons there is karaoke and later in the night live music often takes over. Rusty's is an all around LA restaurant and bar that anyone can enjoy. |
The Mor Bar
2941 Main St., Santa Monica, California; Tel. 310.455.6720
The Mor Bar was recently revamped into a swanky draped lounge place that is so common to Los Angeles. The Mor Bar itself isn't common though. The Main St. Santa Monica location has dancing every night and is the perfect place for bar hoppers to hit on their route. Monday nights have salsa dancing, Tuesday and Thursdays have house and elecronica, Wednesdays host '70s and '80s classics, and into the weekend funk, hip-hop, and soul take over. Drink specials are abundant to please the Los Angeles crowd swarming at the bar. The Mor Bar looks good and feels good every night of the week. |
The Otheroom
1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, California; Tel. 310.396.6230
One of the perks of being a Venice resident is being able to surpass the long line of Los Angeles citizens and get right into The Otheroom with a plus-one. That makes all Venice citizens VIPs at the wine bar and brewery. Once you're at the bar, you can drink wine by the glass or by the bottle, but don't expect to dine at the bar as they only offer local delivery restaurant menus. Venice and Los Angeles hipsters, architects, and artists convene at the bar over a glass of wine every night of the week. There are plenty of singles looking for romance, so dress your best if you hope for success. |
The Prospector
2800 E. 7th St., Long Beach, California; Tel. 562.438.8839
Flashback to the 1849 Gold Rush in The Prospector restaurant and bar in Long Beach. Los Angeles County saw the opening of the Prospector in 1965 and has seen it thrive ever since. Two nights a week the bar offers karaoke and the other nights feature live rock and electro acts. The hipsters have forgotten Hollywood and adopted Long Beach as their home. The Prospector also offers a full menu of meals that will fill you up with all the fixin's. Los Angeles requires a long trek through traffic to get to the bars, so for those who are looking for a good time further south, the Long Beach Prospector is an excellent option. |
The Red Room
1229 4th St., Long Beach, California; Tel. 562.432.4241
Hipsters galore in a tiny room, it's the ideal place to go and end up making new friends in Long Beach. The cozy Red Room bar might be in Los Angeles County, but leave your ideas about Los Angeles bars behind. The Red Room is a dive bar in every detail. There is a pool table, but it's nearly impossible to play with so many people around. Drinks are cheap and strong. Locals are almost always at the bar. The best part, jukebox screams with the Pixies, Sex Pistols, and Johnny Cash all night long. |
The White Harte Public House
22456 Ventura Hills Blvd., Woodland Hills, California ; Tel. 818.224.3822
Staying away from Los Angeles, the White Harte Public House is a bar that brings in authentic Brits looking for a bit of home away from home. Right outside of LA in Woodland Hills the traditional pub serves up pints, cocktails, and wine at the bar or to the tables by a fireplace. The patios and bar area have elegant wrought iron accents and stuffed game decorating the walls. There are five-flat screen TVs at the White Harte Public House that have sporting events from across the sea to national events, and depending on what the game is, the bunch can get rowdy for their home teams. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining room which also has a TV and a retractable roof to enjoy all the sunny Los Angeles weather, the one thing the Brits appreciate when they're not at home. |
Tiki-Ti
4427 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California; Tel. 323.669.9381
It's hard to believe that 12 bar stools and a few tables have kept the Tiki-Ti bar open for more than 45 years, but then again, it is probably the only bar in Hollywood that has a menu with 86 tropical drinks. Focusing on their tropical concoctions, the bar draws hipsters and locals into the tiny location every night that it's open, which is only Wednesday to Saturday and only until half an hour past midnight. The Tiki-Ti is one of those bars that always makes you feel right at home even if you're in the heart of Los Angeles. For the men, make sure you're comfortable with your masculinity before you go to the Tiki-Ti to have a colorful drink with an umbrella and cocktail fruit. |
Union Cattle Company
1301 Manhattan Ave., Hermosa Beach, California; Tel.310.798.8227
There's enough giddy-up at the Union Cattle Company to go around. If you're looking for a Los Angeles bar where you can ride the mechanical bull—after the precursory several drinks—then you've stumbled upon the right bar. The Union Cattle Company is a restaurant and bar in Los Angeles County that's a little bit o' country and a little bit rock n' roll, if you will. They brew their own beer, they have fantastic steaks, and they attract a handsome crowd of younger drinkers. Thursday nights are a staple at the bar for the bull-riding contest. The crowd gets rowdy and the beer flows like a golden river. Plus, there's no line at the door but you can be assured there are people inside. |
—Los Angeles bar and club reviews by Alanna Lee, Ryan Osterbeck and Buddy Seigel
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