Imagine your grandmother’s house: Warm and inviting, with no shortage of antique knick-knacks. Now add a ton of booze. Welcome to Big Bar which, despite its name, is actually quite small—about 15 people inside feels snug, though more like a friendly hug than a claustrophobic nightmare. Yet somehow this utterly vintage nook adjacent to Alcove Cafe & Bakery hosts inevitably-packed events with utter ease, from weekly bartender takeovers to monthly movie-themed drinks coinciding with a screening on the patio. Add to that an uncomplicated yet whimsical drink program from master mixologist Cari Hah (Clifton’s, Three Clubs, City Tavern DTLA), and you’ve reached neighborhood bar heaven. Sit back, relax and sip a handcrafted swill, all prepared with fine spirits, house-made syrups and, most importantly, a whole lot of love.
Walk around the tight-knit community of Los Feliz and you'll pass by a handful of bars that seem to serve more as neighborhood meeting spots than watering holes. You'll find tiki bars—yes, plural—alongside wine bars and cocktail bars, bars with fantastic patios for easy day drinking and dives with a really great jukebox. Mostly, though, you'll find bars where friends and neighbors come to hang—and where, if you're a newcomer, you'll soon fit right in.
RECOMMENDED: See more in our guide to Los Feliz.