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The Best Looking Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles

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There are dives, and then they are cocktail bars — beautiful rooms where conversation and merriment seem to blend like gin and Campari in a Negroni. These places shine just the right light, play beats in the background, and take care in overall aesthetics. Most of these bars can't get away with serving swill either — they have respectable cocktail programs put together by passionate bartenders who elevate the establishment to a cut above the average neighborhood bar. Below, Eater presents that best looking bars in which one can look great, too.

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1) The Edison: The original showstopper of a bar and lounge, this massive underground extravaganza has so many nooks and crannies, as well as a sweeping view upon entry, that it's impossible not to be impressed by it.

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2) The Varnish: This den of a cocktail bar happens to make the finest stirred and shaken drinks in the city. The Prohibition speakeasy feels alive and well here.

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3) The Prince: The glam of the mid century clashes with the more modern Korean refinements brought to this elegant room in Koreatown. Still a used as a Hollywood film location from time to time, though there's Korean fried chicken on the menu now.

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4) Bar Centro: Jose Andres' molecular-inspired drinks go well together with Philippe Starck's mish-mash, whimsical design at the SLS Hotel.

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5) Skybar: Not always easy to gain entry, but this perch overlooking the rest of LA from the foothills of the Hollywood mountains makes for a great place to enjoy a cocktail.

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6) Perch: This newcomer in Downtown quite literally has an aerie looming over Pershing Square. The open patio feels both fun and refined.

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7) The Standard Downtown: The mod digs and appointments aren't the distraction here - it's mostly the excitable crowd from every strip of life that gathers for a jolly good time on the rooftop of this boutique hotel. Drinks are a bit more 'standard'-issue though.

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8) Bar Marmont: A classic Hollywood hangout, with loud music and regal appointments all around, it's easy to forget the glam and get immersed in the great environs.

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9) The Spare Room: With two bowling lanes somehow carved into this long lounge at the Roosevelt, The Spare Room's many lounge areas provide great people watching at this arresting space.

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10) Bar Chloe: A bit more lowkey, which is ideal for Santa Monica, where drinks and conversation come by easily on comfy chairs and a charming room.

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11) Sassafras: Taking the whole old-time Southern theme to its ideal, the weathered and old pieces at this Hollywood lounge has all the small details to delight the imbiber.

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12) Oldfield's: A bit like the Varnish, but more open and brightly lit in comparison, Oldfield's gives Westsiders a proud place to drink excellent cocktails without having to drive to Hollywood or Downtown.

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13) Seven Grand: One of the original major cocktail bars in L.A., the whiskey program and "man-cave" appointments at this Downtown spot veers on a little over-the-top on the weekends with the college crowd, but during the week, jazz bands and a more relaxed mood take over.

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14) Broadway Bar: If Cruella DeVille had an ideal drinking den, it would be Broadway Bar, a bit like a feminine version of Seven Grand with sweeping views and varied sightlines all around.

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15) Musso & Frank: The perfect place to get a strong, classic drink and feel like a character in Mad Men. In fact, Mad Men had one of their wrap parties here. The bartenders are effortlessly amazing.

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16) Pour Vous: This Parisian-lounge newcomer has great drinks in a fun space that blasts modern, electronic tunes and features burlesque dancers on the weekend. Definitely worth visiting for those looking to get transported out of L.A.

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17) The Association: This dark, sexy room feels a bit like NYC's Tribeca or London, but it's a great place to gather with friends and toast to the good life.

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18) 1886: An unexpected success, this bar behind a restaurant in South Pasadena pits great drinks from creative bartenders in a room straight out of the Prohibition (or before it).

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19) Bar Covell: This dimly lit wine bar makes it easy to strike up conversation or relax with friends, the wall-kitsch and swirl of glasses providing just the right visual stimulation.

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20) Harvard & Stone: Rosie the Riveter would've loved a place like this to unwind, with loud rock bands and risque dancers putting on shows in the catwalks. Drinks at both the front and back R&D bar are probably better than any other lounge of this size.

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21) WP24: The ultimate city view in LA, WP24's lounge leaves one breathless from the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton hotel.

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22) SHOREbar: With a clean, beach-club feel straight out of Cape Cod, SHOREbar makes great drinks in a relaxed, "locals bar" type feel just a few steps from the ocean.

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23) Roger Room: There's a circus theme at this West Hollywood sliver of a bar that packs in revelers nightly, with colorful accents and tight-fitting booths along the wall. The cocktails are also some of the best in the city.

·All Cocktail Week 2012 Coverage [~ELA~]

SHOREbar

112 W Channel Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402 310 429 1851 Visit Website

The Edison

108 West 2nd Street, , CA 90012 (213) 613-0000 Visit Website

Bar Marmont

8171 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 323 650 0575

WP24

900 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Visit Website

Spare Room at The Roosevelt

7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 323 769 7296 Visit Website

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