The best bars in Santa Monica

What is it? A casual taco and margarita bar on Main Street from the team behind some of L.A.’s best bars and bottle shops.

Why we love it: If you’re familiar with the relaxed ambience and polished drinks at Everson Royce Bar in the Arts District, it’s easy to understand why Vamos Vamos is so popular in Santa Monica. Now, anyone in the general vicinity of Main Street has ready access to the same level of high-quality food and cocktails that has long made E.R.B. one of the city’s best bars, albeit with a family-friendly twist. Though only open until 10pm (and 9pm on Sundays), the excellent margaritas, tacos and nachos make Vamos Vamos one of the best places in Santa Monica to grab a drink after work. For those coming from farther away, the reservation system makes a primetime weekend visit even more appealing. 

Time Out tip: Bummed by the 10pm close, and don’t want to hit up Main Street’s middling bar scene? It’s a short rideshare away to Gran Blanco in Venice, which stays open until 1am on weekend evenings. 

Address: 2917 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5–10pm, Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm

What is it? The wine bar and bottle shop from the hospitality group behind Birdie G’s, Rustic Canyon and Sweet Rose Creamery.

Why we love it: Part wine shop, part wine bar, Esters is a place where you can take your time with a glass of your favorite vino (or discover something new) while contemplating what bottle to pick up for your next dinner party. Inside, you’ll find comfortable bar seating, where your bartender will gently guide you through an impressive wine list featuring sparkling, white, red and dessert options. Outdoors, a small patio area lets you sip while people-watching. A seasonal small plates menu rounds out a trip to Esters, including baked Brie, chicken liver mousse and chef Jeremy Fox’s famous grilled cheese—as well as mix-and-match cheese and charcuterie boards.

Time Out tip: Esters also has one of the city’s best happy hours (all day Sundays and Mondays, plus 4–6pm Tuesday to Saturday). Snack on discounted oysters and cheese boards alongside $10 cocktails and select glasses of wine.

Address: 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4–10pm, Fri 4–11pm, Sat noon–11pm, Sun noon–9pm

What is it? A downtown Santa Monica mainstay beloved by tourists and locals alike for its all-day happy hour and tasty food.

Why we love it: With high, tinned ceilings, vintage tiled floors and columns, and ambient globe lighting, you could almost mistake the Misfit’s interior for 20th-century Paris. While an obvious shoo-in for a Westside date night, it’s also the perfect spot for a slightly classy form of day drinking, thanks to one of the best happy hours in town. From opening to 7pm daily, most of the bar’s specialty cocktails are half price, so you can easily lose yourself in a Saturday (or Sunday) stupor if you’re otherwise engaged throughout the week. On weekdays from noon to 4pm, the Misfit also offers the $9 Barfly Menu, which includes a smashburger, tacos, sandwiches and wraps. Don’t forget to snag one of their complimentary house-made chocolate chip and French sea salt cookies that come with the bill.

Time Out tip: Look to the $19 Bartender’s Feature section for seasonal creations that utilize local farmers’ market produce. 

Address: 225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri noon–midnight; Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? A Westside wine bar that serves natural wine with a side of vinyl music on the weekends and relaxed neighborhood vibes.

Why we love it: A little less buttoned up than Esters and more youthful than the Santa Monica outpost of Wally's, Offhand also offers craft beers, natural sakes and wine cocktails alongside the usual list of pet-net bottles and selection by the glass. Snack on bites like marinated olives, charcuterie boards and a killer grilled cheese sandwich with your glass of wine or two. Moreover, Offhand offers a stacked monthly calendar that includes regular DJs, visiting winemakers and occasional food pop-ups. 

Time Out tip: Check the bar’s Instagram page before heading out to see what’s going on tonight.

Address: 3008 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste A, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight; Sun 4–9pm

What is it? A Third Street Promenade-adjacent rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Why we love it: Taking over the old Onyx space, the Coco Club offers the same ambience that made the former occupant one of the best rooftop bars in town. A new island-inspired cocktail menu created by Dushan Zaric (best known for cofounding NYC’s Employees Only) adds intrigue with drinks—all of them a flat $21—like the green apple-tinged Coco Killer and a herb-infused gin creation called Sage Against the Machine. A complete design overhaul has given the indoor-outdoor space a completely new, tropical-leaning look and feel, including artisan-crafted rattan stools lining the balcony railings and a fire pit in the string-lit outdoor lounge. There’s also a small food menu that includes tacos, a burger, wings and nachos. Stop by during sunset to watch the Pier’s iconic Ferris wheel light up—just be sure to mind the crowds for Santa Monica’s only walk-in rooftop bar game in town. 

Time Out tip: If you’re looking to grab dinner before or after the Coco Club, I recommend the Georgian Room, Water Grill, BOA or Élephante, in no particular order.

Address: 1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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

What is it? A kitschy, beloved surf ’n’ turf joint that dates back to 1959.

Why we love it: Chez Jay is something different to everyone: an institution, a dive, a time warp, a wormhole to a totally bizarre experience. To me, it’s all of the above, with the red-and-white checkered tablecloths, taxidermied fish mounted on the wall and bit-of-everything clientele. It’s the diviest dive, but comfortable, and just as ready to serve you a heavy pour of well rum as it is some steamed clams or steak at cutthroat prices. Since the pandemic, the restaurant also operates its breezier outdoor counterpart, the Backyard, which closes earlier, offers weekend brunch and serves margaritas. The indoor cocktail menu includes all the classics, plus the mezcal-based Chevy to the Levy, which also involves amaro, fresh pineapple and a splash of citrus. 

Time Out tip: If you’re into Santa Monica history, order the swordfish “roti” au poivre, which uses a recipe developed by local Josiah Citrin, the chef behind Santa Monica’s two Michelin star Mélisse.

Address: 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon 5:30pm–midnight; Tue–Thu 2pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 2pm–2am; Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? The seventh-floor rooftop restaurant and lounge at the Santa Monica Proper.

Why we love it: The upscale Mediterranean food might be fairly mediocre, but the Goop-on-steroids aesthetic and breezy (but fairly pricey) cocktails keep this impeccably designed rooftop oasis top of mind whenever we’re drinking on the Westside. Located a few blocks from the Pacific, Calabra’s lounge seating and hidden poolside alcoves are the perfect place to impress folks coming in from out of town. The views from this seventh-floor hotel lounge don’t include the Santa Monica Pier, however, but the extremely chic elements of Calabra itself, fashionably dressed clientele included, provide more than enough eye candy to make up for it. 

Time Out tip: If you really want to order food, go for one of the mezze items, like the phyllo baked feta or roasted heirloom carrots.

Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–10:30pm; Fri noon–11:30pm; Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–10:30pm

What is it? A beloved British-themed dive in the sleepier part of Santa Monica.

Why we love it: After extensive renovations (including a larger-than-life outdoor mural of King Charles), the Daily Pint is back with its impressive collection of over 500 whiskeys, plus billiards, darts and other bar games for extra added fun. The ever-changing line-up of craft brews on tap have made the Daily Pint a go-to among serious beer lovers in Santa Monica, but the cozy neighborhood atmosphere and countless regulars has kept this place around for over three decades—and counting.

Time Out tip: Don’t come here looking for flashy nightlife vibes—this is a laidback hangout geared towards locals.

Address: 2310 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Opening hours: Daily 2pm–2am

What is it? An ultra-divey, old-school karaoke bar where locals of all ages let loose and get a little weird.

Why we love it: If you’re in the mood to drink, sing some tunes and witness a side of Santa Monica not represented in travel brochures—and definitely not on social media—the Gaslite is the place for you. First of all, it’s open starting at 6am, with happy hour specials that run from open to 9pm, which naturally draws an interesting crowd. Karaoke starts at 6pm on weekdays, plus morning and afternoon sessions on the weekends. In truth, anything goes at the Gaslite, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need when you’re looking for a bar.

Time Out tip: This bar is open 365 days a year. Yes, that means Christmas, New Year’s Day and all the rest of the major holidays. Do what you will with this information.

Address: 2030 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Opening hours: Daily 6am–2am