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The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint.
The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood.
Wonho Frank Lee

The 14 Hottest Cocktail Spots in Los Angeles

Sip LA’s newest drinks at these restaurants, bars, and lounges

by Virali_Dave and Mona Holmes Updated
7 comments / new
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The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood.
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Virali_Dave and Mona Holmes Updated
7 comments / new

Finding the hottest cocktails in Los Angeles can often be a boozy scavenger hunt. The expected and nontraditional settings can yield outstanding results residing in hotel lobbies, new restaurants, hidden speakeasies, and beloved lounges. The spots on this list include openings less than six months old, along with new additions to cocktail bars that always hit the mark for cocktailing in Southern California. Here are 15 hot cocktail spots to check out in LA, arranged from west to east. (See the essential cocktail map for more established venues.)

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Casaléna

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Though there’s Mediterranean fare at this 8,000-square-foot Woodland Hills space, the European-inspired cocktails are the showstopper at Casalena. Try the Spanish gin and tonic, Sicilian spritz, Parisian fizz, or something from the martini menu featuring the eye-catching caprese martini made with gin, tomato, basil, vermouth, and tomato celery bitters.

22160 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 704-1185
(818) 704-1185
An Old Fashioned on a branded napkin from Casaléna.
An Old Fashioned on a branded napkin from Casaléna.
Wonho Frank Lee

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The Velvet Martini Lounge

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Above Vitello’s restaurant is the Velvet Martini Lounge, an Old Hollywood, Rat Pack-inspired space. The Studio City bar has one goal: to transport visitors to another time and place with live music, drinks, and dishes that stick to the theme, including an old-fashioned TV dinner served on a metal tray. Cocktails are well-made, especially Sammy’s jazzerac which comes together with rye, amaretto, bitters, and an absinthe rinse.

4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-0905
(818) 769-0905

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Jemma Hollywood

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Jackson Kalb’s clubby new Hollywood restaurant just opened with a solid array of modern Italian American food and easy-sipping cocktails, like this Bellezza made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint, which works as a sort of sweet-bitter starter to things like spicy vodka rigatoni and a shareable veal parmesan.

1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 450-9070
(323) 450-9070
The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint.
The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint.
Wonho Frank Lee

Donna's

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Echo Park hotspot Donna’s has a vibrant bar that fills up quickly with drinkers sipping on classic and signature cocktails, Negronis, and martinis. There’s also a nonalcoholic ghia spritz for those looking for a booze-free option.

1538 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 266-8132
(213) 266-8132
An orange-colored cocktail with a grapefruit slice next to a ceramic doll at Donna’s restaurant.
Donna’s.
Wonho Frank Lee

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The Airliner

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This 100-year-old dive bar has been given new life under the reigns of Vinh Nguyen, whose Asian-inflected menu of scallion noodles, chicken liver pate, and Hunan barbecue pork ribs are terrific bites to have with the inventive drinks. Try the Oingo Boingo at the Ritz, a refreshing sipper with tomato sweet and sour, Thai basil syrup, and Coke.

2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
A wooden bar space at the Airliner.
The cocktail bar of the Airliner in Lincoln Heights.
Wonho Frank Lee

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Shim Sham

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Historic Filipinotown’s new bar is what’s needed in every LA neighborhood. No fuss, $4 beers, outdoor seating, and $13 cocktails in a relaxed setting designed to foster conversation.

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 263-9787
(213) 263-9787
Shim Sham’s horseshoe-shaped bar in Los Angeles.
Shim Sham.
Bradley Basham

Cold Shoulder Bar

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If stationed inside Fairfax’s Blue Collar Bar, look for the hostess who (with a password) will open the hidden bookcase entry to Cold Shoulder. Once seated, order a Bananas Foster cocktail presented on an antique serving tray while observing the rugs and stools hanging from the ceiling, and psychedelic interpretive paintings of US presidents. It’s quite a vibe.

359 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 746-5157
(323) 746-5157
A cocktail in a glass with a s’mores garnish on top at Cold Shoulder in Los Angeles.
S’mores cocktail at Cold Shoulder.
Bella Marie Adams

Dante Beverly Hills

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Cocktail destination Dante has an extensive drink list featuring eight different Negronis, and nine martini recipes, with a range of classic and signature cocktails. The other bonus at this bar-restaurant is rooftop views for lunch or dinner.

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 860-7989
(310) 860-7989
A fizzy orange cocktail with an orange slice on top is placed on a white piano at Dante Beverly Hills.
Dante Beverly Hills.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Baroo

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The vibes at the reincarnated Baroo in the Arts District are so different from the original East Hollywood that fans will have to reorient, but the results are so suave and lovely from the get-go that most people will be delighted. Chef Kwang’s menu is now served as five courses inspired by life phases at $110 a person, with optional wine or non-alcoholic pairing. The Korean-inspired cocktails by Jason Lee, such as the Omija, mixing maesil soju with five berry tea cordial and txakolina, work as surprising interludes.

905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 221-7967
(213) 221-7967
Negroni shilsu at Baroo with sweet vermouth, cappelletti, angma makgeolli.
Negroni shilsu at Baroo with sweet vermouth, cappelletti, angma makgeolli.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Bar CDMX

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Bar CDMX offers a taste of Mexico’s bar scene, complete with arcade games and rock en Español. Agave-based spirits and rum are the focus with four options on draft: margaritas, mojitos, and mezcal palomas, while the tropic thunder is made with rum, orgeat, pineapple, lemon, and ginger.

Opt for the mezcal and rum punch, caipirinha, and an old fashioned made with a spirit of choice.

Basement, 515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
A planter’s punch cocktail with some billiard cue sticks at Bar CDMX.
Planter’s punch at Bar CDMX.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Sinners y Santos

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LA’s nightlife veterans the Houston Brothers opened Sinners y Santos in September, bringing a bold Gothic cathedral-looking nightclub lounge decked out in stained glass, table service, and live lucha libre wrestling matches on a stage suspended above the bar. Expect guest DJs spinning behind a church organ booth and a cocktail menu by barman Devon Espinosa.

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 789-7860
(213) 789-7860
Lounge area of Sinners y Santos in Downtown LA’s Level 8 project with Catholic-style Gothic decor.
Sinners y Santos.
Michael Kleinberg

Mr. Wanderlust

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At Level 8 in Downtown, Mr Wanderlust beverage director Devon Espinosa draws from bars and cocktail histories around the world. It’s an inventive approach that includes collaborations with exceptional mixologists. There’s also a rotating bar and various live performances in this library-like space.

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 789-7851
(213) 789-7851
A light yellow cocktail with flecked rim of seasoning on a leather shelf at new LA restaurant and bar Mr. Wanderlust.
Just What You Needed.
Wonho Frank Lee

XUNTOS

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Santa Monica’s pintxos bar and restaurant serves mostly wine and vermouth, but the cocktails are worth scoping out as well. There’s the classic Calimoxto made with red wine, Coca-Cola, and cherry. Sandra’s cocktail, made with ginger, passion fruit, soju, and vermouth, is a sweet start to happy hour.

516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(424) 744-8727
(424) 744-8727
The Calimoxto at Xuntos, made with red wine, cherry, and Coca Cola.
The Calimoxto at Xuntos, made with red wine, cherry, and Coca Cola.
Frank Wonho Lee

Also featured in:

Si! Mon

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This very dark but energetic restaurant in Venice features two bars, one for the semi-outdoor dining area that feels very much like a hip South American or Central American destination (think Cartagena or the chef’s hometown of Panama City) while the inside also features a handy bar for refreshing drinks like a lime leaf paloma mixing guava, mezcal, and grapefruit. Try the surf clam ceviche and the fried chicken wings to pair with the cocktails.

60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 302-0016
(310) 302-0016
A cocktail glass filled with reddish liquid and garnished with a cherry at Si! Mon in Venice.
Pricky Adonis cocktail from Si! Mon in Venice.
Ashley Randall Photography

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Casaléna

22160 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Though there’s Mediterranean fare at this 8,000-square-foot Woodland Hills space, the European-inspired cocktails are the showstopper at Casalena. Try the Spanish gin and tonic, Sicilian spritz, Parisian fizz, or something from the martini menu featuring the eye-catching caprese martini made with gin, tomato, basil, vermouth, and tomato celery bitters.

22160 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 704-1185
(818) 704-1185
An Old Fashioned on a branded napkin from Casaléna.
An Old Fashioned on a branded napkin from Casaléna.
Wonho Frank Lee

The Velvet Martini Lounge

4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

Above Vitello’s restaurant is the Velvet Martini Lounge, an Old Hollywood, Rat Pack-inspired space. The Studio City bar has one goal: to transport visitors to another time and place with live music, drinks, and dishes that stick to the theme, including an old-fashioned TV dinner served on a metal tray. Cocktails are well-made, especially Sammy’s jazzerac which comes together with rye, amaretto, bitters, and an absinthe rinse.

4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-0905
(818) 769-0905

Jemma Hollywood

1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Jackson Kalb’s clubby new Hollywood restaurant just opened with a solid array of modern Italian American food and easy-sipping cocktails, like this Bellezza made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint, which works as a sort of sweet-bitter starter to things like spicy vodka rigatoni and a shareable veal parmesan.

1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 450-9070
(323) 450-9070
The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint.
The Bellezza cocktail at Jemma Hollywood made with blanco tequila, Aperol, Bill’s honey, cucumber, and mint.
Wonho Frank Lee

Donna's

1538 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Echo Park hotspot Donna’s has a vibrant bar that fills up quickly with drinkers sipping on classic and signature cocktails, Negronis, and martinis. There’s also a nonalcoholic ghia spritz for those looking for a booze-free option.

1538 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 266-8132
(213) 266-8132
An orange-colored cocktail with a grapefruit slice next to a ceramic doll at Donna’s restaurant.
Donna’s.
Wonho Frank Lee

The Airliner

2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031

This 100-year-old dive bar has been given new life under the reigns of Vinh Nguyen, whose Asian-inflected menu of scallion noodles, chicken liver pate, and Hunan barbecue pork ribs are terrific bites to have with the inventive drinks. Try the Oingo Boingo at the Ritz, a refreshing sipper with tomato sweet and sour, Thai basil syrup, and Coke.

2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
A wooden bar space at the Airliner.
The cocktail bar of the Airliner in Lincoln Heights.
Wonho Frank Lee

Shim Sham

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Historic Filipinotown’s new bar is what’s needed in every LA neighborhood. No fuss, $4 beers, outdoor seating, and $13 cocktails in a relaxed setting designed to foster conversation.

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 263-9787
(213) 263-9787
Shim Sham’s horseshoe-shaped bar in Los Angeles.
Shim Sham.
Bradley Basham

Cold Shoulder Bar

359 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

If stationed inside Fairfax’s Blue Collar Bar, look for the hostess who (with a password) will open the hidden bookcase entry to Cold Shoulder. Once seated, order a Bananas Foster cocktail presented on an antique serving tray while observing the rugs and stools hanging from the ceiling, and psychedelic interpretive paintings of US presidents. It’s quite a vibe.

359 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 746-5157
(323) 746-5157
A cocktail in a glass with a s’mores garnish on top at Cold Shoulder in Los Angeles.
S’mores cocktail at Cold Shoulder.
Bella Marie Adams

Dante Beverly Hills

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Cocktail destination Dante has an extensive drink list featuring eight different Negronis, and nine martini recipes, with a range of classic and signature cocktails. The other bonus at this bar-restaurant is rooftop views for lunch or dinner.

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 860-7989
(310) 860-7989
A fizzy orange cocktail with an orange slice on top is placed on a white piano at Dante Beverly Hills.
Dante Beverly Hills.
Wonho Frank Lee

Baroo

905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The vibes at the reincarnated Baroo in the Arts District are so different from the original East Hollywood that fans will have to reorient, but the results are so suave and lovely from the get-go that most people will be delighted. Chef Kwang’s menu is now served as five courses inspired by life phases at $110 a person, with optional wine or non-alcoholic pairing. The Korean-inspired cocktails by Jason Lee, such as the Omija, mixing maesil soju with five berry tea cordial and txakolina, work as surprising interludes.

905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 221-7967
(213) 221-7967
Negroni shilsu at Baroo with sweet vermouth, cappelletti, angma makgeolli.
Negroni shilsu at Baroo with sweet vermouth, cappelletti, angma makgeolli.
Wonho Frank Lee

Bar CDMX

Basement, 515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Bar CDMX offers a taste of Mexico’s bar scene, complete with arcade games and rock en Español. Agave-based spirits and rum are the focus with four options on draft: margaritas, mojitos, and mezcal palomas, while the tropic thunder is made with rum, orgeat, pineapple, lemon, and ginger.

Opt for the mezcal and rum punch, caipirinha, and an old fashioned made with a spirit of choice.

Basement, 515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
A planter’s punch cocktail with some billiard cue sticks at Bar CDMX.
Planter’s punch at Bar CDMX.
Wonho Frank Lee

Sinners y Santos

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015

LA’s nightlife veterans the Houston Brothers opened Sinners y Santos in September, bringing a bold Gothic cathedral-looking nightclub lounge decked out in stained glass, table service, and live lucha libre wrestling matches on a stage suspended above the bar. Expect guest DJs spinning behind a church organ booth and a cocktail menu by barman Devon Espinosa.

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 789-7860
(213) 789-7860
Lounge area of Sinners y Santos in Downtown LA’s Level 8 project with Catholic-style Gothic decor.
Sinners y Santos.
Michael Kleinberg

Mr. Wanderlust

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015

At Level 8 in Downtown, Mr Wanderlust beverage director Devon Espinosa draws from bars and cocktail histories around the world. It’s an inventive approach that includes collaborations with exceptional mixologists. There’s also a rotating bar and various live performances in this library-like space.

1254 S Figueroa St 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 789-7851
(213) 789-7851
A light yellow cocktail with flecked rim of seasoning on a leather shelf at new LA restaurant and bar Mr. Wanderlust.
Just What You Needed.
Wonho Frank Lee

XUNTOS

516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Santa Monica’s pintxos bar and restaurant serves mostly wine and vermouth, but the cocktails are worth scoping out as well. There’s the classic Calimoxto made with red wine, Coca-Cola, and cherry. Sandra’s cocktail, made with ginger, passion fruit, soju, and vermouth, is a sweet start to happy hour.

516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(424) 744-8727
(424) 744-8727
The Calimoxto at Xuntos, made with red wine, cherry, and Coca Cola.
The Calimoxto at Xuntos, made with red wine, cherry, and Coca Cola.
Frank Wonho Lee

Si! Mon

60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

This very dark but energetic restaurant in Venice features two bars, one for the semi-outdoor dining area that feels very much like a hip South American or Central American destination (think Cartagena or the chef’s hometown of Panama City) while the inside also features a handy bar for refreshing drinks like a lime leaf paloma mixing guava, mezcal, and grapefruit. Try the surf clam ceviche and the fried chicken wings to pair with the cocktails.

60 N Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
(310) 302-0016
(310) 302-0016
A cocktail glass filled with reddish liquid and garnished with a cherry at Si! Mon in Venice.
Pricky Adonis cocktail from Si! Mon in Venice.
Ashley Randall Photography

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