The best bars in Beverly Hills

Sure, there’s exotic tea, caviar service and backgammon. But the Garden Bar, the Montage Beverly Hills’ ground-level lounge, is anything but stodgy. There’s a palpable sense of style from the moment guests step inside: Mid-century modern sofas, posh brass light fixtures, rich finished wood and verdant indoor palms give the former Parq Bar space a chic, contemporary vibe. White-jacketed bartenders craft cocktails with only the finest ingredients, which is why the going rate for a sidecar is $22 (made with top-shelf Hennessy Vsop Cognac, if it’s any consolation). You may gawk at the price, but you’ll gawk even more at the bar’s 35-page wine collection covering the globe from British Columbia to the Canary Islands. Sip your crystal glass of Italian orange wine (yes, it’s a thing) as you gaze upon the hoi polloi beyond closed glass doors.

This secret-ish bar inside the Montage Beverly Hills is dedicated to one thing: Scotch, namely Macallan. Sure, there are other spirits brown and otherwise on offer, but the reason to visit is the hard to find selection of Macallan Single Malts. Browse the list of Sherry Oak, fine oak, Highland Park and "old & rare" bottles aged 15 and up to 64 years. Then there's the ice. Your barman rolls out a cart of chilling options that include Kold-Draft cubes, soapstone rocks, a water ball made from water from the Highland Springs and, finally, the ice sphere with the house £10 logo. Lounge for at least a couple hours with a date—opt for the fireside outdoor patio.

Located adjacent to South Beverly Grill, Honor Bar offers up their take on classic finger foods, such as burgers, sandwiches, fries and even sushi—along with outstanding drinks, all set to a sleek yet casual atmosphere. A must try? Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a hit among regulars. But if you're here for the alcohol, the pours are aplenty—Honor Bar has a separate wine by the glass list, a cocktail menu and draft and bottled beer options. Be sure to leave plenty of time to snag a booth in the back or grab a seat at the bar, especially during the rush of the post-work crowd since the small bar doesn't take reservations.

The Club Bar is all swagger, a masculine lounge within the Peninsula Beverly Hills that begs to be admired with a scotch swirling in one hand. Dark wooden panels line the walls, while leather chairs are illuminated under sultry lighting. The menu consists of a beautiful lineup of rare scotches, cognacs and tequilas, along with a craft cocktail menu that boasts barrel-aged classics (old-fashioneds, negronis, Manhattans) and specialty drinks. Nibble on mini lobster rolls, short rib tacos and charred Caesar salad while you people watch.

If you're coming to Nic's Beverly Hills for one thing—and one thing only—it's probably for the vodka. Nic's has a lot of it, including an entire menu dedicated to vodka martinis, plus the VODBOX, a walk-in freezer where guests don faux-fur coats and sip on vodka to their heart's content. There's food at Nic's, too—caviar and lobster beignets, oysters and duck, filet mignon and the house burger. But we wouldn't blame you if you just ordered martinis.

Attached to Thomas Keller's beloved Bouchon is Bar Bouchon, a casual wine bar and eatery where diners share small plates and sip cocktails and wine well into the evening. Looking out onto the Beverly Canon Gardens, the bar offers cheese and charcuterie boards, hors d’oeuvres, salads and sandwiches, plus an extensive wine and cocktail menu. Stop by for happy hour (daily 4-7pm) and you'll be able to enjoy $9 cocktails, $6 glasses of wine and $4 beers.