The best holiday bars in L.A.

The city of L.A. has its fair share of tiki bars, but it doesn’t have anything as downright chill as this prime tiki destination down in Long Beach. Home to killer tropical cocktails and vinyl nights, the Bamboo Club serves up some of the most affordable tiki concoctions in L.A. County, and this year, the bar team has put together a killer list of holiday-themed tiki cocktails. We’re talking creations like Not Your Papa’s Nog, a tropical take on eggnog and the Blitzen Spritzen, a breezy champagne-based drink that gilds the tongue with a little Lillet Rouge. Hot rum, whiskey and mezcal will also be on offer.

In a surprising show of Christmas cheer, this critically acclaimed, ultra-serious basement bar in the Arts District will host a holiday pop-up in its Standing Room space from December 5 through 30, Wednesday through Sunday. Kitted out with festive lights and a comfort-oriented food menu, the Death & Co bar team will serve a seasonal drink menu, including the company’s popular aged eggnog, a frozen boozy horchata and four seasonal highballs. Note that Season's Greetings will only be available in the smaller Standing Room—not the entire bar. (This is the usual area for walk-ins and guests waiting for table reservations.)

We shudder to think of what Casa Vega’s electric bill looks like after the month of December. A kaleidoscope of floor-to-ceiling Christmas lights with garland and tinsel cover this throwback every holiday season, and have for more than 40 years—making it one of the most festive spots in town. This year, owner Christy Vega has pulled out all the stops: Christmas trees, tinsel, string lights, light-up Santas, reindeer and garlands galore will deck the halls, including a newly renovated outdoor patio area with string-lit trees. This year, patrons can also enjoy a to-be-announced holiday menu of drinks and bar bites, which will include a Snowball Margarita.

A Prohibition-themed cocktail bar might seem passé by today’s standards, but the well-balanced drinks, transportive (and friendly) atmosphere and antique decor have helped make Melrose Umbrella Co. a reliable mainstay within L.A.’s generally fickle bar and nightlife scene. During the holidays, Melrose Umbrella Co. decorates with tinsel, lights and plenty of baubles, but the real star of the show is the traditional holiday drink menu, which includes mulled wine, eggnog and spirit-forward cocktails like the Spice Up Your Life (featuring pumpkin spice and two kinds of rum) and A Wild Hare (which involves gin, amaro, espresso liqueur, pecan and cinnamon).

For a truly luxurious holiday bar experience, this iconic Century City hotel is offering a $115 per person “apres-ski” dining experience (5–11pm) inside five outdoor dining areas styled as Swiss chalets. With a two guest minimum (each table holds up to eight), each reservation-only experience includes your choice of soup or salad, main (duck confit, Arctic char or wild mushroom risotto), plus herb spaetzle and campfire cocoa for the table. Guests can also add on cheese fondue or a charcuterie plate for $40 apiece. In terms of cocktails, Fairmont Century Plaza is serving four seasonal drinks, including a cranberry margarita and whiskey sour made with Christmas bitters.

For a darker, more nautical take on Christmas cheer, the Mermaid in Little Tokyo is hosting “The Siren Who Stole Xmas,” a holiday pop-up that will run from now through January 5th. Decor-wise, expect Christmas lights intertwined with skulls and fishnets, alongside a menu of six seasonal drinks. Sip on the likes of  tiki-inspired Seas & Greetings or opt for the minty chocolate X-Mas Marks the Shot—either way, you’re also spreading a bit of holiday cheer: a portion of proceeds from all pop-up menu sales will go to Cocktails For A Cause. In addition to drinks and decor, the Mermaid will also screen obscure holiday horror movies on Monday night, plus a few special events, including boozy bingo on the 18th and a pajama party-slash-karaoke night on Christmas Eve. 

It's a Jersey City Christmas at this Eagle Rock aperitivo bar, where this trendy watering hole in Northeast L.A. is now decked out in full holiday cheer and offering six spirit-forward seasonal cocktails by head bartender Patricia St. Peter. Sip on a classic hot toddy (non-alcoholic option available), a ginger persimmon old-fashioned and a peppermint espresso martini, among other spirit-forward libations. I'm particularly curious about Daiq the Halls, which pairs two kinds of rum with heirloom alchermes liqueur and cherry bark vanilla bitters.

For the second year in a row, this Southern restaurant in Downtown L.A. will deck the halls with plenty of decor and strong line-up of new and returning holiday drinks. Sip on eggnog spiked with bourbon and rum out of a leg lamp-shaped glass (Fra-Gee-Lay), or maybe warm yourself up with a mulled red wine (Santa-gria). Other seasonally inspired cocktails include the Papa Elf (gin, lemongrass ginger syrup, lime, pomegranate ice) and the Yippie Kai Yuletide (bourbon, housemade gingerbread syrup, sassafras, sorghum bitters), which comes top with an adorable decorative cookie.

Every December, this Culver City speakeasy hidden behind FIN Asian Tapas throws down for the holidays with seasonal cocktails and plenty of festive decor. This year, they're offering the Candy Cane Crush, made with coconut rum and peppermint syrup; the North Pole Express-O, a vanilla-infused take on an espresso martini; the Grinch, made with gin, midori sour, lemon and simple syrup; and other themed cocktails meant to invoke the holiday season.