Yes, I know: Canto VI is all the way out in Chatsworth, but this sophisticated drinking den is worth the trek for serious wine lovers. Run by Mélisse’s former sommelier, Brian Kalliel, Canto VI’s premium by-the-glass selections punch well above their weight class. (Kalliel is a total wine snob, which means the bottles open on any given night are rarer, more interesting and usually more expensive than those at most L.A. wine bars, which translates into more bang for your buck.) Paired with reasonably priced, rustic cuisine from Joan’s on Third alum Chester Hastings, the overall experience is an epicure’s delight. Next to the U-shaped counter, a cocktail bar offers top-shelf liquor and excellent renditions of classics for those in the mood for something stiffer. Upscale touches like complimentary valet, a killer playlist and live music on select evenings round out a surprisingly classy night out in the Valley. Street and valet parking.
Though we consistently cover new restaurants with killer cocktail offerings, new bars in L.A. are few and far between—but deserve just as much attention. To keep you up to date on the city’s bar scene, we’ve got a quarterly guide to the city’s best new bars, where you can find the city’s freshest places to drink that are actually worth checking out.
Plenty of newer drinking-oriented establishments straddle the line between bar and restaurant, but on this list we prioritize venues where it’s not strange at all to order a single nightcap or aperitivo—without your server trying to upsell you on bar bites when you aren’t hungry. We also strive to include establishments that stay open past 10pm on weekends, though we of course make exceptions for standout spots.
While these fledgling watering holes and lounges might lack the storied reputations of the city’s best bars and cocktail dens, they make up for it with stylish interiors and unique booze offerings. Some even have delicious bar bites perfect for whenever you’re feeling peckish, but this list focuses on destination-worthy venues with excellent drinks or first-rate atmosphere for going out (ideally, a combination of both).
So just how new are these drinking dens? We limit our list to bars, lounges and breweries that have opened in the past nine months. We check out each bar personally to make sure it’s worth your time and hassle—since there’s only so much booze money to spare.
Oct 2024: This summer has seen an explosion of new bars across the city, and we’ve got eight(!) new openings for you, including great wine bars, cocktail dens and neighborhood watering holes. Of course, that means some spots (Cold Shoulder) have hit the nine-month mark, and one (STAY. Zero Proof) has unfortunately already closed. Happy fall drinking!