The best new bars in Los Angeles to try right now

What is it? A buzzy cocktail lounge with delicious bar bites that's taken Los Feliz by storm.

Why we love it: In a city known for its lines, Vandell is worth the wait. The result of Republique, Bar Flores, and Donna's alums, the lounge is spacious yet intimate, offering different zones for different parties. Massive six-seater booths, cozy bistro tables, and even a special room for the end of the bar allow each visit to feel unique, depending on who you're with and how long you stay. To further curate your visit, the cocktail menu is broken down into sections like "Light" or "Spirit Forward," complemented by a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails your spirit-forward friends might steal from you. The American fare menu achieves simplicity at a high level, delivering a consistently decadent experience.

Time Out tip: Put your name down for a table while you're in line and explore Los Feliz while you wait.

Address: 1966 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5pm–1am

What is it? An intimate cocktail bar in East Hollywood with one of the best new burgers in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Intended as the more casual, no-reservation counterpart to Brian Baik’s soon-to-open tasting counter Corridor 109, Bar 109 serves a menu of refined, classically inspired cocktails and reasonably priced wine and beer, plus elevated bar bites like a decadent hot dog and a crispy fish sandwich inspired by McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish. The Tuesday 10pm Burger is the ultimate culinary Easter egg—true to its name, the juicy, bistro-style creation made with a blend of different Australian Wagyu cuts is only available after 10pm on Tuesdays. Before decamping to Bar 109, head bartender Kayla Garcia helped open Thunderbolt’s Valley sibling, Night on Earth, and previously oversaw the drinks program at Chicago’s Kumiko, which has earned both regional and global recognition from World’s 50 Best Bars. On my visit, I enjoyed the non-alcoholic Chic Hey (inspired by Korean sikhye, a fermented malt and rice beverage) and the Marine Layer, Garcia’s seaweed-infused take on a dirty martini. Boozier options like the Mikan Old Fashioned and the rum-based Sanshito will appeal to those who enjoy darker spirits, though the bartenders here also more than know their way around lighter options if the Ichigo Punch (vodka, mezcal, strawberry, basil, clarified milk) is any indication.  

Time Out tip: Come here before or after grabbing dinner at Kuya Lord or Bar Etoile. 

Address: 641 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 6pm–midnight

What is it? This Korean gastropub from Chef Debbie Lee wows with inventive cocktails and her take on a pojangmacha's street food.

Why we love it: When you hear that Chef Debbie Lee has finally put down roots, the first thing you're thinking of is probably not the drinks, and that would be a mistake. Yi Cha offers an intriguing cocktail menu that then overdelivers on your expectations. The buttery and complex Corn Quartet plays well with some of the richer dishes, while their martini riff Radish to Riches (essentially a boozy dongchimi) went from seasonal to full-time on the menu. A well-rounded but modest selection of wine, soju, Asian beers, and non-alcoholic drinks completes the menu. Yi Cha's Southern-Korean-Filipino fusion has also earned it the top spot on our best new restaurants guide.

Time Out tip: Don't leave without trying some makgeolli! The shareable, occasionally hard-to-find fermented beverage is a delicate digestif, served here in colorful fish cups.

Address: 5715 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California 90042

Hours: Wed, Thu 5pm–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun noon–9pm

What is it? A South Pasadena watering hole for locals and music lovers spilling out from a show at the adjacent Sid the Auditorium.

Why we love it: Sid's walks the cocktail dive tightrope perfectly. Reasonably priced beer flies out of the bar during busy show nights, while a tiny cocktail menu offers approachable versions of drinks like an amaro manhattan (the Lucile Lloyd, so named after the auditorium's ceiling muralist) or the Dirty Shirley (the Dirty Sid, a genuinely refined take that can be made "clean"). The non-alcoholic options are of the ready-to-drink variety, ranging from zero-proof beer to classic sodas. Show nights tend to pack the bar and a DJ keeps the groove going on the weekends. On slower nights, the music mellows out for those seeking a cocktail and conversation or a seasonal sour and a book.

Time Out tip: We were surprised to find four excellent Japanese whiskies behind the bar just waiting to be in a sub-$20 highball.

Address: 1022 El Centro St South Pasadena, CA 91030

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5pm–late

What is it? A downtown staple reimagined as a hi-fi bar with a club-like energy.

Why we love it: Though stools line the main wall and cozy booths hide in the back, after 11pm, no one's thinking about sitting down at Bar Franca. Longtime promoter Rolando Alvarez took over this Main St. mainstay, swapping in a hi-fi sound system that you can feel in your bones without sacrificing conversation. The only other change is a seasonal, spirit-free-friendly bar program from Broken Shaker alums. The drinks are approachable and reasonably priced, but you're more likely to see simpler drinks in patrons' hands. DJs are front and center as soon as you walk past the tropical enclosed patio, so you have to dance your way to the bar to place an order.

Time Out tip: The sound system seems to only hinder the hearing of those behind the bar; we both experienced and witnessed all of the bartenders struggle to hear orders, but they were very accommodating. Use your outside voice or notes app to get back to the dancefloor faster.

Address: 438 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Thu–Sun 9pm–2am