Best Bars to Visit in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles area is huge, with many options for partying the night away or winding down with a relaxing beer after work. Whether you're looking for an energetic atmosphere or something more quiet, purely drinks or some delicious food to go with it, read on for 10 of the best bar scenes around L.A.

The Parlor

1519 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA

Open everyday from 11:30am-2am and earlier during football season.

One of the best sports bars around, The Parlor has an extensive food menu with some of the most delicious food you could ever find in a bar. Food is served until midnight, and Happy Hour is every day from 4-8pm with drink and appetizer specials - $3 beers, $4 well drinks and $5 house wines. Two full service bars accompany this business, with 20 beers on tap and 20 different bottled beers to choose from, as well. The food is a little bit pricey for a bar, but also for a bar they have some of the best around!

Something is always going on here, whether you're there for Tuesday night Trivia (8-10pm) or Karaoke Night (from 10pm to close). The Parlor also offers Sunday night NFL drink and appetizer specials.

The atmosphere is very classy, with a cool, modern look and rock walls. Two floors take up the place, with a DJ on the lower level on weekend nights and smokers hanging out on the upstairs patio - both levels have comfy lounge seating and LCD TVs. Service is prompt and friendly, and the staff always seems to be wearing a smile.

It's recommended to get there early (before 10), because almost always there is a line to get in.

Website
Menu

Leo's All-Star Sports Bar

2941 Honolulu Avebue
La Crescenta, CA

Open Monday - Thursday 11am-1am, Friday - Saturday 11am-2am, Sunday 11am-12am (except during football season, 9am-10pm)

Another great sports bar, this one boasts itself as the only place in town where you can actually watch every NFL football game. 21 TVs are provided, six of them in high definition and one huge projection screen that takes up an entire wall. They also have a great selection of food, including their delicious hamburgers and fries, for very decent prices.

Weekly events include karaoke and live bands, along with amenities such as pool, pinball, darts and video bowling. They also offer pool and dart leagues.

This place is pretty upscale for a sports bar, with a nice neighborly environment. Inside is low-lit and humming with a lively atmosphere, while there is also an outside area with tables and chairs. The service is generally amazing, with a staff that goes out of their way for you even when they're very busy.

Drink and appetizer specials are offered Monday - Friday, 4-7pm.

Website
Menu

Crown Bar

7321 Santa Monica Blvd.

Open Monday - Tuesday 5pm-2am, Thursday - Saturday 5pm-2am

The Crown Bar is a classy lounge with a high-class menu of traditional American flavors. Famous for their specialty champagne cocktails, you should not leave without trying at least one. Other drinks are classics with a modern touch. Very high and price for the drinks, but their unique twist and high potency are well worth it.

The ambiance is made beautiful mostly by the decor, with walls covered in an elegant red wallpaper, beautiful mirrors and low-lit sconces. By 10, it gets much more crowded as the DJ comes in. If a crowd is not what you want, it's best to leave before then.

The staff is very kind and attentive, with bartenders that really know what they're doing.

If you plan on going for dinner, it is strongly recommended that you make a reservation no matter what night of the week it is.

Website

Seven

7929 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

Open daily 9:30pm-2am

This is a gorgeous lounge with high-class, pricey drinks. The dark ambiance along with the crowd gives it a slightly clubby feel, especially with the glass-enclosed DJ in the middle of it all. The candlelit gives a nice glow to the elegance of what this place really is, however. Two outdoor patios are provided for smokers or just those who want fresh air. The music is great, but if you want to eat this is probably not the best place. The staff is very generous and accommodating.

As a tip, free parking is available in the parking lot next door every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Website

Medusa Lounge

3211 Beverly Blvd.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 5:30pm-2am

A personal favorite, the Medusa Lounge couples a classy, delicious menu (mostly Californian-style cuisine with European influences) and a large selection of draft beer with beautiful, goth-style decor. Stepping into this place is almost like stepping into medieval times, but with a royal twist. Very romantic for those on a date, but great for hanging out with friends as well.

Great music is also offered, which turns into a DJ on late weekend nights. The friendly staff tops everything off; there really is no reason why you should check this place out!

Website

Bigfoot Lodge

3172 Los Feliz Blvd.

Open daily 5pm-2am

Truly unique, the Bigfoot Lodge is made up of a very forest-like decor with crazy stuffed animals and decorative signs all around. The dark coziness gives it all a perfect ambiance, along with the awesome music.

The drinks are great as well, especially when Happy Hour comes which is every day from 5-8pm. $3 drink specials are also from Sunday - Thursday, and Monday nights are reserved for Rock N Roll Karaoke from 9pm.

The fun staff is super friendly, with quick and knowledgeable bartenders.

Website

Lola's

945 N. Fairfax Avenue
West Hollywood

Open daily 5:30pm-2am

Lola's is in a class of its own, focusing mainly on the Martini - with over 50 variations of it and made very strong, it's hard to go wrong. They also have an extensive wine list and many different beers imported from around the world, on tap and in a bottle. Dinner is also offered, with a lot of unique items to choose from, at least different for a bar.

This establishment is great for dates, with the style of drinks and low-key atmosphere. It isn't the best if you're going in a large group, but it's a nice place to relax and talk if that is what you're looking for. The friendly and casual service compliments the atmosphere even more.

Website

Q's Billiards

11835 Wilshire Blvd.

Open daily 11:30am-1:30am

Happy Hour daily 4pm-8pm

Q's offers great food, but at a bit of a high price - unless you're there for Happy Hour, where prices drastically drop. But what this bar is most known for, as in the name, is pool, which is free on Sundays as long as you're buying something else. This place also doubles as a sports bar, with TVs always broadcasting a current sporting event.

The staff provides excellent and professional service.

Website

Bar Hayama

1803 Sawtelle Blvd.

This very expensive establishment is worth the cost, if you can afford it. They have some of the best sushi in Los Angeles, and their Sake menu just adds to it. Every third Thursday of each month (beginning at 7pm) also hosts the Sake Festival.

The atmosphere is very high-class and dimly lit, whether inside hovering around the stylish sushi bar, or outside around the firepit. The staff is courteous and does their best to accommodate.

Website

Bar Melody

9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Open daily 10am-2am

Find simply great food and entertainment at this casual bar, with the great feature of an all-day-long Happy Hour (until 7pm)! Pool tables and big-screen TVs take up this place, and usually there is wonderful live music and karaoke on some nights. The food is delicious, with everything from sandwiches and hamburgers, to juicy steaks. The drinks are made very strong here.