The best bars for singles in Los Angeles

What is it? This Arts District cocktail lounge from the team behind De La Nonna.

Why we love it: The nostalgia cycle has come for the ’70s—The Let’s Go is right on the money with tasty, deftly made house drinks, live DJ sets and a singles-heavy crowd. On the weekends, Angelenos fill up the tiny dancefloor on weekends to soak up the party-hearty atmosphere under glittering disco balls. A nightclub, this isn’t—the space is just a tad too small for that—but dangerously delicious cocktails like the Donna Summer Dress and a hi-fi sound system make for a glamorous night out that just might make you want to get up and dance. 

Time Out tip: For a more relaxed vibe, arrive early on a weekday—the Let’s Go opens up at 5pm, and offers $12 happy hour cocktails until 8pm. 

Address: 710 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Wed 9pm–1am; Thu–Sat 5pm–1am

What is it? A speakeasy with outposts on opposite ends of L.A.

Why we love it: A cut and a cocktail are easily found at this New York City export that made its West Coast debut in Culver City, then cropped up in Highland Park. The hidden (literally) gems are a barbershop by day and a speakeasy by night, serving up some tasty libations. In Culver City, nearby locals like the hip Venice crowd mix with those simply looking for a quality quaff (and, hopefully, someone to share it with). In Highland Park, the vibe is laid-back and no-fuss, echoing this location’s cool, ’70s-inspired decor—which makes it an ideal spot to casually buy someone a drink.

Time Out tip: After 10pm on the weekends, there’s typically a $10 cover.

Address: 10797 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: (Culver City) Tue, Wed 6pm–1am; Thu–Sat 6pm–2am; (Highland Park) Tue–Sun 6pm–close

What is it? A sprawling Arts District bar with good food and even better drinks.

Why we love it: When first approaching the orange door to E.R.B., it’s hard to know what to expect behind it. The concrete exterior of the downtown Arts District haunt seems intentionally nondescript, but inside, the bar is not only bustling, but bright: The large, elegant space is bathed in soft light, illuminating its features—and all its guests—in a way that feels warm, flattering and inviting. Out back, a spacious patio offers ample seating for drinking, dining and stargazing (or eye-candy–gazing) through the twinkle of overhead light strings. 

Time Out tip: This place is a party on weekends, when groups of friends descend on the patio—come with your own crew, then make eyes at the other tables.

Address: 1936 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Wed 4pm–10pm; Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–10pm

What is it? A Latin-fueled bar perched above Echo Park.

Why we love it: With rotating cocktails in the mid-teen price range and a patio you can lose track of time on, it’s easy to find yourself saying “One more drink” at Bar Flores. Though patronage is mixed, the space is increasingly becoming a sapphic-forward queer bar. Whether you’re here for the mushroom tacos or another folded snack, you’re most likely to find people from their mid-20s to mid-30s open to finding connection the old-fashioned way.

Time Out tip: For explicitly queer nights, follow their Instagram to see when their next The World Is Your Oyster queer night (and yes, there will be oysters).

Address:1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–2am; Sat, Sun noon–2am

What is it? A multi-faceted venue where you can sweatily dance your way into a situationship.

Why we love it: Most nights of the week, this Silver Lake institution hosts an irresistible mix of live music, stand-up comedy, and dance parties (now with a steady stream of disco and queer nights, including the infamously monochromatic Futch). The eclectic programming attracts a creatively inclined crowd of twenty- and thirtysomethings (and often older—this is L.A., after all) that’s always ready to mingle and have a good time, and the cocktails are cheap as well. 

Time Out tip: The venue’s hidden patio is also a great place to strike up a conversation with that cutie you spotted from across the room—and if all else fails, you can always duck out onto Sunset Boulevard.

Address: 4212 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 4pm–11:45pm

What is it? A Western-chic rooftop bar where a cute stranger can teach you how to line dance.

Why we love it: For a mellower evening, you might actually prefer this Spot. The vaguely Western bar in the heart of Hollywood possesses a unique, oddly winning combination: breathtaking city views, live rock and country music and the rare L.A. crowd that genuinely, unironically enjoys dressing in theme. Weekly line dancing classes on Wednesdays draw country enthusiasts on the slowest day of the week, while Desert 5 Spot’s still-quite-flashy aesthetic appeals to out-of-towners and more casually dressed locals hoping to score drinks and a view without significant hassle.

Time Out tip: They’re pretty serious about their cowboy dress code so leave the athleticwear at home.

Address: 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 6pm–2am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 2pm–8pm

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What is it? A dark wine and beer bar that teems with singles spilling out onto Sunset Boulevard on the weekends.

Why we love it: This cozy beer and wine bar in Echo Park offers a well-curated selection of (often local) beers, red, white, and sparkling wine, as well as small bites—think mixed olives, cheese and crackers. Exposed brick, a wood bar, and soft, yellow glass light fixtures give this place a comfortable feel without sacrificing style. The music here comes from an old-school record player and an ever-changing vinyl collection, which adds to that warm, homey feeling—however, the scene changes on weekends. A DJ booth replaces the piano that sits beside the bar and vinyl sets are spun by local mixing masters. 

Time Out tip: For a change of scenery, there’s a small wood patio out back.

Address: 1805 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat, Sun 2pm–2am

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What is it? A rustic romantic spot during the week with a full dance floor on the weekends.

Why we love it: Walking down a section of Venice’s Lincoln Boulevard that’s home to little more in the evenings than Night + Market Sahm, you’d be forgiven for thinking you might be looking in the wrong place for a swanky cocktail bar. And yet, just as you begin to wonder if you’re totally turned around, the familiar sight of a bouncer appears and the Lincoln calls you home. 

Time Out tip: Arrive between 7 and 9pm, and you’re likely to have space more or less to yourself, making getting a good spot to post up for a spell easier than ever. As the night unfurls, seating becomes increasingly scarce as a line begins to form outside.

Address: 2536 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 7pm–2am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 7pm–2am

What is it? An edgier version of The Bungalow for day drinkers.

Why we love it: This boardwalk day-drinking destination has quickly become the grungier, slightly cooler alternative to The Bungalow for young, thirsty and single L.A. professionals. On weekend afternoons, the sun-dappled indoor-outdoor space fills with people who want to party and just maybe meet someone they like—and they’re not gonna let a few watered-down tropical drinks stand in the way of a good time.

Time Out tip: Keep it casual; your freshest fit won’t enjoy the bathroom trailers.

Address: 205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Opening hours: Tue–Wed 3pm–10pm; Thu, Fri noon–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A neighborhood dive with a friendly dance floor and affordable drinks.

Why we love it: Underneath Footsies’ glittering disco ball is a dancefloor aching to see your best moves. Though largely a Cypress Park dive, weekends pull in baddies in sky-high heels, punks and goths (in the 90s way), and the funkiest souls east of the 5 alike for cheap drinks and good vibes. There’s such a strong come-as-you-are energy that softens every interaction to the point where we’ve never left here without at least four new friends and one number.

Time Out tip: When you need to cool off your dancing shoes, there’s a smoker-friendly patio in the back.

Address: 2640 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Opening hours: Daily 5pm–2am 

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What is it? A fun, colorful bar in Downtown that’s serving one of the city’s most comprehensive selections of tequila and mezcal.

Why we love it: This watering hole attracts more of the cocktail aficionados of the city, and many bartenders have met their matches here on their night off. While you can always play it safe and order a margarita, we encourage starting your South of the Border evening with the creative cocktails.

Time Out tip: It can be sleepy early during the week, so stop in on weekend nights when tequila lovers, from locals to cocktail geeks, pack in—especially for live DJ sets, which always lead to tequila-fueled dancing.

Address: 107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–2am; Sat, Sun 3pm–2am

What is it? A swanky cocktail lounge tucked in a corner of Chinatown.

Why we love it: This apothecary-themed bar is the sibling of New York City’s, which racked up acclaim through detail-driven, botanical-toned drinks in a dimly lit setting. Here in Chinatown, the vibe, atmosphere and menu are all similar, with a few unique drinks for good measure. Don’t miss out on the side patio—one of the cutest in the city—nor the rotating and resident DJs. Those looking for a good time any day of the week know that this is one of the spots to be at for mixing and mingling.

Time Out tip: Earlier in the evening has more of a sultry date night energy, but it ramps up after 10pm as the dance floor expands.

Address: 1746 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Thu 7pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 6pm–1am; Sun 7pm–midnight

What is it? Cafe Triste is a buzzy wine bar with plenty of natural wines, beautifully plated bites and gorgeous floral arrangements.

Why we love it: This unassuming space in Chinatown has transformed into a designer’s art project, elevated with blue-hued lights, a partition made of glass blocks, and an open kitchen hemmed in by imperial red ceramic tiles. The list of light-bodied wines by the glass is full of aromatic, crisp flavors–ideal for both aficionados and newbies and perfectly suited to the seasonal bar bites. More than anything, the tiny bar is a sight to behold, particularly on the weekends. Behold the high entropy of late-twenty-something musicians and multi-hyphenate creatives prone to stopping mid-conversation to swivel around and see who's making an entrance. 

Time Out tip: Cram in on Monday nights to sip and swirl to whichever jazz artist is in residence this month.

Address: 980 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 5pm–11pm

What is it? A dive bar with the thrills of a pinball arcade.

Why we love it: Walt’s Bar is Eagle Rock’s very own funky destination, which feels like the kind of cozy but colorful Midwestern dive you’d sneak into in the late ’70s. Serving California beer and wine—but not above a can of Hamm’s—Walt’s is an ideal, low-key place to meet other solo flyers. You might find them perched at the bar or at one of the vintage machines, training for the Wednesday night pinball tournaments.

Time Out tip: If you’re confident, maybe you can challenge a cutie to a game—the loser buys the next round.

Address: 4680 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–midnight; Fri, Sat noon–2am; Sun noon–midnight

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What is it? A club. A lounge. A secret third thing.

Why we love it: General Lee’s has maintained an adaptability through the years that doesn’t seem to ever stray too far from their core DNA. This feat has allowed the space to maintain its loungey upstairs and club-like main level on the weekends, with both areas serving tropical, tiki-adjacent cocktails. If you want to slow things down, their weeknight programming includes groovier DJs and mahjong on Mondays. 

Time Out tip: While it’s not impossible to shoot your shot on the weekends, you’re much more likely to meet (and hear) new people during the week.

Address: 475 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon 8pm–midnight; Tue 8pm–1am; Wed–Sun 8pm-2am 

What is it? A choose-your-own-adventure retro cocktail bar.

Why we love it: Once you make it inside, you’ll be led through the hotel’s back corridors into a scene outfitted with a DJ booth made out of boomboxes, an old Pepsi vending machine that opens up into a karaoke room (one of four)—as well as vintage arcade games, because duh. Throughout the night, performances by breakdancers and a convincing Michael Jackson impersonator materialize on a hidden stage behind the bar. In the corner of your eye, you just might spot a replica of the phone booth from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Most outstanding, indeed.

Time Out tip: To enter Break Room 86 is a bit of a doozy. Start by heading to the back side of K-Town’s Line Hotel, where you’ll most likely discover a line already forming.

Address: 630 S Ardmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 9pm–2am

What is it? A 70–year-old dive with enough charm in its walls to boost your game.

Why we love it: Heavy-handed pours and a digital jukebox have made Club Tee Gee an all-around great dive bar, but this Atwater Village watering hole is also a great way to connect with other folks who just love to dance sans any kind of pretension. Almost all the live music events, including the country-oriented Two Step Tuesdays, are free, and the spinning disco ball and covered patio make for the ideal indoor-outdoor space to get your groove on, then cool off outside—and just maybe meet someone cool enough to go back next week with.

Time Out tip: The adjacent dance floor starts to open around 11pm so you can schedule out your night based on your level of extroversion.

Address: 3210 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am; Sun noon–2am

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What is it? This lantern-lit Chinatown mainstay is as much for date nights as it is for finding someone to date.

Why we love it: Beneath the canopy of glowing paper lanterns, you’ll find an eclectic crowd kicking back with glasses filled to the brim. The beer-focused bar is walking distance to Dodger Stadium, so Melody Lounge's regulars range from pregaming baseball fans to neighborhood denizens. With dozens of beers available on draft or by the bottle, it’s easy to ask someone what their favorite is or for a suggestion—and now you’re deep in conversation with a new crush. 

Time Out tip: Though DJs spin quirky jams so loud it’s difficult to maintain a conversation, strike up a chat where you can about brews or baseball and then head to the intimate dance floor to get to know each other a little better.

Address: 939 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–2am; Thu 1pm–2am; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 2pm–2am

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What is it? A dive with a dress code.

Why we love it: Right in the middle of Downtown, this seemingly divey bar always encourages passersby to stop in after a glimpse at its glowing sign above the bouncer. Prices are reasonable, the jukebox is stocked with oldies-meets-Coachella, and an old-school arcade (think Pac-Man) allows for friendly drinking games. On a Friday or Saturday night, it can get crowded, and you may have to push some elbows to get to the bar, but towards the later side of the night things start to mellow out, and the ambiance gets cuter and more lowkey. Plus, a super cute photo booth in the corner makes for a sweet moment at the end of a meet-cute. 

Time Out tip: Don’t be fooled, though; this is no dive bar! The loose dress code means no sneakers or caps, making it a dedicated spot for some of the classier folks in Downtown looking for a drink (if those are the types you’re looking to flirt with).

Address: 417 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Daily 3pm–2am