The Best Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has firmly established itself as one of the premier cocktail destinations in the world. The city’s bar scene is vast, blending Hollywood glamour, hidden speakeasies, high-concept liquid gastronomy, and sun-drenched patios.
Whether you are looking for a classic cocktail behind a hidden door or a cutting-edge drink using advanced clarification techniques, the City of Angels has a bar for you. If you’re looking to experience the absolute best drinks LA has to offer, these six essential cocktail bars deserve a permanent spot on your itinerary.
Here are the five essential stops for a craft cocktail crawl in Los Angeles. Listed in no particular order*
- Death & Co– Arts District
- The Roger Room– Beverly Grove
- Thunderbolt– Echo Park
- Vandell– Los Feliz
- The Normandie Club– Koreatown
- Bar Flores– Echo Park
- Apothéke– Lincoln Heights
Death & Co- Arts District
Specialty: High-precision mixology, expertly curated menu categories, and house-made bitters/infusions.
“Opened on New Year’s Eve 2006/07 in Manhattan’s East Village, Death & Co quickly became a cocktail institution, owed greatly to its staff of incredible bartenders. In 2010, Death & Co won Best American Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited awards. Death & Co continues to receive worldwide recognition as a cocktail industry leader.”
What to order: Try the Hattori Hanzo if you like gin, or explore their Boozy & Honest section for something like the Echoes of Silence.
Vibe: A dark, subterranean lair with plush seating and an intimate atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside.
Price: $$$
Address: 818 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Rating: 4.4 stars, 1,128 total reviews
The Roger Room- Beverly Grove
Specialty: Pre-prohibition style classics, circus-themed aesthetics, and “psychic parlor” mystique.
“The Best Of Everything. Nothing But The Best.”
What to order: The Japanese Maple is a fan favorite for its smooth maple and bourbon profile, or go for the Thug if you want something spirit-forward.
Vibe: A windowless, lively speakeasy tucked behind a storefront on La Cienega. It’s dimly lit, bustling, and features tuxedoed bartenders.
Price: $$$
Address: 370 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048
Rating: 4.5 stars, 1,452 total reviews
Thunderbolt– Echo Park
Specialty: Advanced liquid technology, clarified draft cocktails, and elevated Southern hospitality.
“Thunderbolt is a neighborhood cocktail bar with delicious, Southern-inspired food, located at the intersections of Historic Filipinotown, Echo Park, and DTLA. We are inspired by the American South, and you’ll notice it from the smiles that greet you, to the countless bottles of Madeira on the backbar.“
What to order: The Echo Park is their signature clarified highball that hits perfectly every time. Also, don’t sleep on their biscuits.
Vibe: Bright, airy, and unpretentious. It feels like your favorite neighborhood local, but with a world-class drink program.
Price: $$
Address: 1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Rating: 4.7 stars, 942 total reviews
Vandell- Los Feliz
Specialty: Clarified milk punches, vintage spirits, and intelligently designed “mood zones”.
What to order: Their Winter Melon Old Fashioned is a technical marvel. Pair it with the anchovy toast.
Vibe: A Los Feliz “it-spot” that manages to feel cozy even at capacity. It’s trendy, buzzing, and always has a line for a reason.
Price: $$$
Address: 1966 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Rating: 5.0 stars, 312 total reviews
The Normandie Club- Koreatown
Specialty: Modern minimalist riffs on seven iconic classic cocktail structures.
“Rooted in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, The Normandie Club is housed inside the landmark Hotel Normandie circa 1926. Established in 2015, The Normandie Club is a community cocktail bar featuring a unique drink program that showcases both classic and modern cocktails complemented by a signature service philosophy. Our menu features our take on the classics, but there are plenty of incredible drinks that we’re excited about. Let us know what you’re in the mood for, and we’ll find the right drink for you.”
What to order: The Normandie Old Fashioned with its subtle coconut and spiced notes is a masterclass in balance.
Vibe: A sophisticated, walnut-heavy lounge inside a historic Koreatown hotel. It’s the perfect spot for a moody late-night conversation.
Price: $$$
Address: 3612 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Rating: 4.5 stars, 895 total reviews
Bar Flores– Echo Park
Specialty: Agave-forward spirits, fresh botanicals, and award-winning house sangria.
“The idea of Bar Flores was born in 2012 and gradually took shape as Sip, a pop-up speakeasy hosted throughout Los Angeles. Sip offered an immersive experience to Angelenos centered around live music, vibrant cocktails, and a chance to dress up, seek new spaces, and get away from the world for a night. For years Sip jumped from place to place but has finally found a home in Echo Park and been renamed Bar Flores.”
What to order: The House Margarita (made with hibiscus) is legendary. If it’s the weekend, grab some tamales on the patio.
Vibe: A vibrant, flower-filled “treehouse” with a gorgeous back patio overlooking Echo Park. It’s sunny, social, and smells amazing.
Price: $$
Address: 1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Rating: 4.5 stars, 361 total reviews
Apothéke– Lincoln Heights
Specialty: Botanical prescriptions, house-distilled elixirs, and exotic herbal tinctures.
“Come Celebrate Life!”
What to order: Choose from the Aphrodisiac or Pain Killer categories—the Spiced Pear or anything with their garden-fresh herbs is a win.
Vibe: A hidden apothecary in a quiet pocket of Lincoln Heights with a stunning marble bar and a lush outdoor garden terrace.
Price: $$
Address: 1746 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Rating: 4.3 stars, 722 total reviews
