The best new bars in Los Angeles to try right now

What is it? A futuristic-looking Valley cocktail bar and the newest project from the team behind Thunderbolt.

Why we love it: All flavor, no frills—that’s the name of the game at Night on Earth. Located in the no man’s land between Hollywood and Studio City (a.k.a. the Cahuenga Pass), Night on Earth serves an all-star lineup of over a dozen signature drinks ($13–$19). Each one deftly riffs on a classic. While my personal favorite was the Bad Influencer (a clarified, carbonated version of a porn star martini), I was most impressed by the Blockbuster, the bar’s take on an old fashioned. The drink comes infused with actual movie theater butter flavoring. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, though, including three tasty booze-free options. Paired with the mood lighting, ample lounge seating and DJs on the weekends, plus a soon-to-debut happy hour menu, Night on Earth is the kind of drinking destination that’s worth building a night out around. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. On-site parking.

Time Out tip: Be sure to eat beforehand—the bar doesn’t serve any food, though you can bring in outside food (there’s a pizzeria next door, FYI) or opt for one of the eclectic snacks from the vending machine inside.

Address: 3256 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles, CA 90068

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

What is it? A reservation-preferred, second-floor Melrose Avenue cocktail bar from the same team behind Benjamin, which is located downstairs.

Why we love it: The service is great, the interior design is impeccable and the drinks here are on par with some of the best bars in Los Angeles. While many Angelenos are still catching onto the excellence going on behind the counter at Bar Benjamin—or merely figuring out that cocktail bars without standing room exist, for starters—locals and hospitality industry insiders have already begun flocking to this dimly lit, cocktail-oriented concept from Ben Shenassafar, the co-founder of The Hundreds, nightlife veteran Jared Meisler (Roger Room, Bar Lubitsch) and marketing and brand strategist Kate Burr. Every guest receives a complimentary welcome drink—for now, a clarified carrot-hazelnut-aquavit milk punch—before diving into a cocktail and bar bite menu that includes the tom kha-inspired Tommy Boy, two of the Benjamin’s signature martinis and one of the best non-alcoholic cocktails I’ve ever tried, anywhere (the strawberry- and gochujang-flavored Aura Farm, which uses a tequila alternative). The food menu is pricey and rather simple—think a way-too-mustard-heavy steak tartare, a shrimp roll and mixed nuts. The bites, however, generally complement the cocktails. My favorite drink is the Dead Heat, which comes with four different chili oil options to zhuzh up your drink, depending on your spice tolerance. (You can also do the same with the Mala Margarita.) Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Valet and metered street parking.

Time Out tip: While reservations are preferred at Bar Benjamin, walk-ins can usually be accommodated on weekday evenings or earlier on the weekends.

Address: 7174 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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

What is it? An intimate speakeasy in Long Beach serving izakaya-inspired fare and stellar cocktails. 

Why we love it: In the muraled alley of Long Beach’s El Barrio Cantina, one can find their way into Tokyo Noir by turning on a neon Godzilla sign. Kevin Lee (formerly of the Wolves in Downtown L.A.) has created an enticing bar program featuring drinks like Juice Theory for the tomato-loving crowd and a Moscow Mule riff for gin lovers called Stay With Me. Classic highballs and a robust Japanese whisky selection round out the menu of drinks crafted with Japanese-style flair; the bar food menu includes standouts like salmon crudo and wasabi fries. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: We recommend the kakigori-inspired First Love cocktail. Sure, the price ($22) might leave locals with a little sticker shock, but the shochu-laden shaved ice comes in a supersized cocktail glass, so you can share the delicious brain freeze with your friend or date.

Address: 1731 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802

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

What is it? A Mexican restaurant and bar in Sherman Oaks from the same team behind Mírate in Los Feliz. 

Why we love it: Max Reis is the mastermind behind one of the best bars in the city. Here, the Gracias Madre alum brings that same level of craft and focus to margaritas, which come in both sweet and savory renditions. Whether traditional or inventive, each cocktail is impeccably thought out. There’s a bright purple margarita inspired by a Baja-style fish taco, a verdant slushie that riffs on guacamole and a mangoneada version topped with fruity popping boba. What surprised me the most, however, were Daisy’s standout culinary offerings, which are a solid cut above most of the other Mexican options in the immediate area. Head chef Alan Sanz, formerly of Maisano in Costa Mesa, brings an upscale, modern twist to classic dishes like aguachile and guacamole. I loved the vegan-friendly aguachile de chayote and impeccably grilled branzino. The botanas (bar snacks) were especially clever, including the chicharrón del parque, which uses a puffed wheat cracker as a base for cured yellowfin and macha verde. Metered street parking and $10 valet.

Time Out tip: Skip the so-so tacos in favor of a starter and one of the surprisingly well-executed entrées (“fuertes”).

Address: 14633 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 5pm–midnight.

What is it? A classic cafeteria-turned-nightlife venue that recently reopened its doors once again—for real this time. 

Why we love it: This legendary Downtown building dates back to the 1930s, and I can’t think of anywhere else where you can drink among a taxidermied lion, bison and bear (oh my) and dance under the boughs of a three-story tall (faux) redwood. You shouldn’t come here solely for the cocktails—it’s more for the whimsy and novelty—but luckily the new drink program is solid too. The three main bars all have distinct menus. The first you’ll encounter is the Monarch Lounge, where themed cocktails like the Grizzly and Painted Fern complement the woodsy decor and aforementioned redwood. At the Gothic Lounge, bartenders mix drinks on either side of a 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite. The jet-black Event Horizon (gin, dry curaçao, Cocchi Americano, a black umami solution and a spritz of absinthe) is a suitably moody option here. Of all the bars, fourth-floor tiki bar Pacific Seas—accessible through a secret mirror door—has the most extensive menu, with over 100 bottles of rum. I recommend the Message in a Bottle (made with three kinds of rum, pineapple, lime, banana-walnut syrup, cinnamon and clarified coconut milk) or the Krakatoa, a guava-heavy, rum-based scorpion bowl that can quench the thirst of anywhere from two to six people. Street and private lot parking.

Time Out tip: For the full Clifton’s experience, it’s worth coming for one of its special events to catch live music in the Brookdale Ballroom, where burlesque performers and swing dancing transport you to another era. Clifton’s has also started previewing Shadowbox, a speakeasy in an underground space never before open to the public.

Address: 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 6pm–2am

What is it? A rooftop bar in Downtown L.A. that looks out on the Gas Company and U.S. Bank towers with a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail and bar menu.

Why we love it: If you’ve ever wanted to party above the Skechers store, this is your chance. The glinting metal of the skyscrapers in the distance offsets the neighboring ornate architecture common in the old Broadway Theater District. The modern Mediterranean design adds to this feeling of being not quite in the past or the future. Florentín is just large enough to feel alive on a half-full night, but the space is small enough that the bartenders can still crank out their meticulously crafted cocktails during a rush. Don’t resist an on-the-nose order; the Florentini is their most popular cocktail for a reason. The balanced sour that evokes spring on the Amalfi Coast is worth the $19 price tag, from taste to presentation. They also hopped on the beer cocktail trend with a Peroni-based Spaghett and the mescal-based House Special, both under $10. Don’t drink? Instead of settling for a few options, you can request that any of the bar’s cocktails be made without alcohol. Street and nearby private lot parking.

Time Out tip: The journey to Florentín requires you to walk through a parking lot into an alleyway that will put the sketch in Skechers, but the conspicuous green neon sign will let you know you’re in the right place.

Address: 617 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5pm–2am, Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? L.A.’s first women’s sports bar and an inclusive, queer-friendly casual hangout spot in Silver Lake. 

Why we love it: The food’s delicious and the drinks are cheap at Untamed Spirits, the city’s first-ever bar dedicated to all things women’s sports. Several flatscreens stream the latest game as guests munch on well-executed renditions of typical sports bar fare like burgers, tacos and chicken wings. All of the drinks are under $15, and the bar also offers a very long happy hour (Wed–Sat, 4–7pm) that includes $10 margaritas and glasses of wine and discounted bar bites. On the weekends, Untamed Spirits ups the ante with $24 bottomless mimosas and a breakfast burrito served with housemade aioli and salsa verde. The spacious outdoor patio and parking lot also includes areas for games like cornhole, and the place is queer- and women-owned. What's not to love? Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Metered street parking.

Time Out tip: The space isn't super large, so I wouldn’t recommend it for groups larger than eight.

Address: 3715 Evans St W, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening hours: Tue 4–11pm; Wed, Thu 4–10pm; Fri 4pm–midnight; Sat 10am–midnight; Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? The newest inhabitant of the Virgil Village space that formerly housed Bolita, Equal Parts and Smog Cutter.

Why we love it: Real Charmer in Virgil Village comes from the same folks behind Capri Club and Bar Covell—and like the two aforementioned places, this newcomer offers great ambience and a solid drink program. The intimate bar is now backlit by moody red-and-blue lighting and there’s a new pair of wooden booths along the wall. A bubbling fountain and handful of art pieces nod to a tropical-slash-nautical theme, but the handsome cocktail booklet wanders all over the map with under $20 drinks like the gin-based Midsommar Sour, a Japanese-inspired sesame highball and a vaguely Mediterranean martini flavored with kalamata olives, dill and rosemary. A menu of light bar bites includes spam musubi and Fishwife smoked salmon with crackers. Not every drink hits the mark, but most generally get the job done. Throw in the free self-serve popcorn and cozy date-friendly atmosphere, however, and Real Charmer ultimately lives up to its name—it’s the kind of neighborhood bar I wish I could walk to. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Skip the house highball. The carbonated water isn’t fizzy enough to do the drink justice. 

Address: 864 Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening hours: Mon 5pm–midnight; Tue 7pm–midnight; Wed, Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 5pm–1am

What is it? A casual Chinatown cocktail bar inspired by the French Quarter. 

Why we love it: Run by the folks behind Little Jewel of New Orleans (one of the city’s best sandwich shops), the Evangeline Swamp Room serves stiff, straightforward takes on Crescent City classics, including a well-executed French 75, a generously poured Sazerac and a bubbly, frothy Ramos Gin Gizz. Relatively affordable prices ($12–$18) and a TV hung behind the bar translate into a fun, accessible neighborhood hangout and alluring pit stop for Dodger fans during peak baseball season. On my visit, I enjoyed the Cajun (a.k.a. spicy Bloody) Mary, which the Evangeline Swamp Room tops with a pickled okra and grilled shrimp. There’s also a menu of delicious, deep-fried bar bites that includes charbroiled oysters, frog legs and crawfish macaroni and cheese—all the better to soak up all that booze. Street parking.

Time Out tip: You can order anything from the Little Jewel menu. If you’re asking me, you absolutely should.

Address: 701 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 5–11pm; Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight

What is it? A Y2K-inspired cocktail bar in Hollywood.

Why we love it: When Kevin De Nicolo took the former Noir space from Moulin Rouge! to vaporwave oasis, he committed to the bit. “We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he says, lit by a vibrant display striped across the ceiling that will remind you of Windows 98 file transfers and later haunt drunk-you with floating Furbies. Both the house spirit-free drinks and cocktails aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they’re reliably tasty at lower-than-average Hollywood prices with nostalgic names like Limewire and Nokia Nectar. Stussies line the bathroom wall while DJs spin Y2K tunes in a mini bedroom set just off the intergalactic hydroponic lounge area. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Bring out your competitive side by playing a bespoke racing game on the massive ceiling/wall screen with controllers hidden in the adjoining table.

Address: 1710 N Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8pm–1:30am

What is it? A buzzy West Adams cocktail bar owned by celebrity stylist Jason Bolden and his interior designer partner, Adair Curtis. 

Why we love it: The space may be small and the soundtrack is earsplitting,  but the energy’s downright electric at Damn, I Miss Paris—so if you’re looking for a Hollywood scene without the actual commute to Hollywood, this is the place to go. Even before opening to the public in early March, DIMP hosted an Oscars after-party and wildfire relief fund raiser. There’s a small food menu that includes chicken tenders and chocolate chip cookies, plus a straightforward menu of classic cocktails, wine and beer. I tried the paloma and the vesper; both were solid, but not particularly standouts. If you’re coming here, it’s either because you’re already in the area or because you’re seeking out the celebrity-adjacent vibes—no judgment here. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere, arrive on the earlier side of the evening. 

Address: 5162 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A dimly lit, reservation-only Hollywood cocktail lounge from Mother Wolf’s Evan Funke that feels like an extension of the popular restaurant, including some greatest hits from its menu. 

Why we love it: Where Mars (the space’s former occupant) couldn’t figure out what it wanted to be, Bar Avoja has a stronger sense of identity in the same velvet-draped space, where service blends concierge-level professionalism with personality. Mother Wolf’s squash blossoms and Roman pizzas join new fare like the sfincione all’aglione: a fluffy, pull-apart, garlic knot-like focaccia that’s already quick to sell out. Guests can enjoy the Italian-ification of popular cocktails or somewhat overpriced non-alcoholic cocktails. The pseudo-speakeasy spot manages an air of exclusivity that similar hideaways struggle to maintain in L.A. Non-alcoholic cocktails available. Valet or street parking.

Time Out Tip: The Morso di Vita, or Bite of Life, is the most unique drink on the menu, balancing savory tomato with sweet passionfruit for the perfect antidote to the city’s hottest days. 

Address: 1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Opening Hours: Thu–Sun 6–11pm

Time Out Tip: The Morso di Vita, or Bite of Life, is the most unique drink on the menu, balancing savory tomato with sweet passionfruit for the perfect antidote to the city’s hottest days.