Still one of the most happening bar scenes in the city, the rather pricey, exclusive Bar Centro is known for their custom gin & tonics (a popular bev in Spain), cotton candy mojitos, and other more creative sippers like the Rosa de Oaxaca, made with mezcal, hibiscus, and rose water. The dark, clubby space melds with the rest of the ground floor, and a meal afterwards at The Bazaar seems like the right thing to do.

Already insanely popular and boasting sweet views of Downtown, the rooftop bar at the Ace Hotel comes with a better than average set of cocktails and solid service. On top of all that, the crowd seems to be one that's usually more than eager to party and mingle, though not quite in the jetset way that The Standard is known for.

A simple, yet rather whimsical place to grab a drink, Matthew Biancaniello and Roy Choi worked together to create some of the most unusual and remarkable cocktails ever found in the hotel bar. Think uni, seaweed, and natto as flavors that one might find in a drink here. As for ambiance, except for the bar, which is filled with childhood kitsch, the expansive seating area is a little on the stark side, but works well for more private liaisons.

Formerly the domain of bartender Matthew Biancaniello, the seasonal produce-driven cocktail menu is now put together by Rob Floyd, who previously managed Bar Centro at the SLS. The same vegetal/fruit-forward menu is offered, but with a little more on the theatrical side. Think burning rosemary branches or smoked cocktails. The dark ambiance makes for a good weeknight meeting place while the room becomes more of a party on weekends.

Though just adjacent to the iconic Chateau, Bar Marmont is still considered "the bar" for the hotel, featuring an expansive space that's generally the scene of mass revelry on weekends, and a little more staid (though not by much) on weekdays. The fare is excellent on the whole, especially the burger, and the drinks are probably going to be better than the average vodka-soda place.

Just beyond the main lobby (and the smallish bar inside that lobby), Skybar is a quintessential L.A. experience, with pleasant views of Mid-City and Downtown in an open bungalow-like perch.

Relish in the uber refinements of The Peninsula, a gentlemanly spot with pluhs seating, plenty of scotches to choose from, and a wide fireplace to feel like a pretty darn sophisticated person. Suit and tie, or cocktail dress optional, but highly recommended.

This funky, Moroccan-themed hotel has all the over-the-top decor one might expect, but in an unlikely location in Downtown's South Park. A swell place to get a drink before or after a show or ballgame at nearby LA Live or Staples.

Long established as a place to see and be seen, the service is definitely one of the reasons to hang out here. The drinks are more than respectable, but most people are going to order vodka anyway. Don't skip the lobster mac & cheese, which is legendary.

A classy lounge that almost doubles as an upscale beer bar, the Tap Room at the Langham is the place to be if you're ever in Pasadena. The cocktails and brews are more than respectable, if a bit on the pricey side (think $16 for cocktails, $9 for beer). This is the Langham, remember.

The unbeatable view is probably the main draw, other than the fact that the Living Room is easily one of the first places that pop into peoples' minds when looking for a spot to meet up in Santa Monica. The beach house-like spot has easy-drinking cocktails like cosmos and vanilla butter martinis that are straight out of the 90's, but you won't mind.

The open-air rooftop lounge at the Shangri-La is a classic place for daytime or nighttime debauchery, with an unbeatable view of the ocean and sunset. The former Penthouse suite has off-color modern furniture with comfy touches both inside and out.

Though well-known as a cougar hangout, sidebar, directly across from Wolfgang Puck's CUT, can still be an excellent place to grab a cocktail like an Aviation or Samurai Sword, which touts 12-year Japanese whiskey, honey, and ginger.

Definitely a place for the post-modernist, the crazy colors and more high-energy vibe is probably better suited to a younger crowd. There's also some tasty bites by chef Dakota Weiss, if you're hungry.

A sexy, modern lounge with a new drink menu by Matthew Biancaniello (the guy sure loves to reform hotel bar menus), the red, black and white interior that was once the Stone Rose Lounge still has that panache.

The Millennium Biltmore is already one of the classiest places to be in Los Angeles, and the Gallery Bar inside is no exception. Definitely the place to dawn a suit or evening dress and sip on cognac or champagne, the Old World grandeur of the place is a refreshing change of pace. Try something from the Manhattan menu, too.

A few years ago, this was the ultimate place to see a celebrity, or just be a celebrity, and hang out. It might not be that crazy now, but the overall ambiance is there: solid tunes and a mingle-friendly atmosphere that works well as a launching point for the rest of a night out in Hollywood.