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A daytime shot of a wood-paneled neighborhood bar.
Eagle Rock hotspot Capri Club celebrates all things aperitivo-related.
Capri Club

The 14 Hottest Cocktail Spots in Los Angeles

Sip LA’s newest drinks at these restaurants and bars

by Eater Staff and Paolo Bicchieri Updated
7 comments / new
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Eagle Rock hotspot Capri Club celebrates all things aperitivo-related.
| Capri Club
by Eater Staff and Paolo Bicchieri Updated
7 comments / new

The Los Angeles cocktail scene remains compelling even with a stunted pandemic period that saw numerous shutdowns and reopenings, to say nothing of current pressures like staffing and increased costs. It’s truly heartening to see bartenders across the city not only excelling, but innovating in the face of adversity, gaining inspiration from the Southland’s global outlook. Here now are the hottest cocktail spots to check out in LA. And peruse this guide for the essential cocktail places in LA.

Added: Vamos Vamos, the Hideaway, Canopy Club, Champ City Bar & Lounge, Capri Club

Removed: Desert 5 Spot, Fia Steak, Selva

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Capri Club

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Eagle Rock hotspot Capri Club celebrates all things aperitivo-related, which, drinks-wise, translates to a selection of Italian-leaning spritzes ranging from watermelon to vermouth-spiked, as well as classic cocktails like Negronis and martinis. There’s also a list of amaro-based 50/50 shots — like red bitters mixed with fernet — so no matter how one chooses to start their evening, there’s something refreshing to kick it off. —Karen Palmer

4604 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
(707) 337-0170
(707) 337-0170

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Grandmaster Recorders

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The 1970s are alive again at 71 Studio Bar at Grandmaster Recorders. Tucked near the entrance of this multi-faceted space that includes an Italian-Australian dining room and rooftop lounge, the side lounge has its own drink menu, semi-open dance floor, and private back area that was once a recording studio.

1518 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 963-7800
(323) 963-7800
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, California.
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders.
Wonho Frank Lee

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Bar Moruno

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This Silver Lake Spanish restaurant has veteran barman Dave Kupchinsky designing the drinks. The smoked salmon martini is a wild take on the salty-briny dirty martini, while the other cocktails veer toward the tonic varieties one would expect at a Spanish establishment.

3705 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 546-0505
(323) 546-0505
A light green and tall ceilinged bar inside of a new restaurant at evening.
Cocktail bar at Bar Moruno in Silver Lake.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Pijja Palace

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This busy Silver Lake spot is a boisterous place for drinks, with games blaring on TVs and sometimes even over the speakers. The cocktails served at the Indian sports bar take inspiration from Indian flavors. The colorful daiquiri gets a hit of tangy tamarind, while the painkiller variant gets a bit of guava.

2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A cocktail with rum, juice, spices, and a lime slice.
Pata-quiri cocktail at Pijja Palace.
Emra Visuals

Also featured in:

The Hideaway

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Jeffrey Best of Best Events and co-owner Sylvain Bitton of Warwick are no pushovers when it comes to coordinating a good time — they will, undoubtedly, provide. Bartending wizkid Julian Cox is another member of the team of this Beverly Hills temple to Mexican food and booze. The least expensive cocktail on the menu is the $18 frozen strawberry marg, but, knowing the handiwork of these service industry savants, every dollar will be well spent.

421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A neon sign for The Hideaway. The Hideaway

Ella

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The Sixty Beverly Hills has a totally revamped downstairs restaurant and bar managed by the Umbrella Hospitality team, one of the city’s best cocktail bar owners. Drinks at the bar are modern renditions of classics, like a kimchi bloody mary or a flaming cocktail of tequila, golden beet, and orange.

9360 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Ella’s cafe in Beverly Hills
Bar and cafe area of Ella in Beverly Hills.
Wonho Frank Lee

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Fanny's

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Julian Cox has put together the drinks at this impressive space in Mid-Wilshire’s Academy Museum of Motion Pictures inspired by, of course, movies. The Black Panther drink has cachaca, black currant, and Meyer lemon “air,” while the LA Confidential mixes vodka, black mission fig, cassis, and bitters.

6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-3080
(323) 930-3080
A bartender uses tweezers to finish garnishing a drink.
Bartender garnishes a drink at Fanny’s.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Camphor

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The bar is always a busy place at Camphor, with European-inspired drinks like a Provence martini that costs $30 but has enough booze for two drinks with its signature iced sidecar and herbaceous flavors. Chartreuse lovers will find one of the city’s most extensive menus here as well.

923 E 3rd St Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-8888
(213) 626-8888
Provence cocktail with Mulholland vodka, infused with French olive oil and herbs de provence, pear eau de vie, Dolin Blanc vermouth, and saline at Camphor in Los Angeles, California
Provence cocktail at Camphor.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Kato Restaurant

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Austin Hennelly has put together arguably the most ambitious fine dining cocktail bar menu at the newly reopened Kato in Downtown. Refreshing tonics like the Garden Tonic infuses seasonal herbs while the Lemon Drop blends yuzu with Suntory Haku vodka, shaken and poured over rice milk and crushed ice. The three-liquor milk punch, with cognac, bourbon, and rum with brown butter and five spice is a showstopper as well.

777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 797-5770
(213) 797-5770
Cocktail from Kato.
Cocktail from Kato.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Canopy Club

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Opening in late June, this summer banger of a rooftop bar matches vibey aesthetics with its decadent drinks. The cocktails here can be ordered by the carafe for $75, so if you’ve got a group who share a palate, this is the spot for you.

8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
(209) 364-7541
(209) 364-7541
Poolside tables and plants at Canopy Club. Sierra Prescott

Also featured in:

Nostalgia Bar and Lounge

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Santa Monica’s Nostalgia boasts fantastic eats and cocktails. Cannabis chef Chris Sayegh recruited Bradley Fry to develop throwback and new cocktails after managing bar menus at Long Beach’s Michael’s Restaurant Group and the defunct Bernard’s Bar in Chicago. There are delicious drinks along with ample theatrics in the form of gravity bongs — without cannabis — that releases smoky vapors from Fry’s favorite ingredients like rosemary or passionfruit. —Mona Holmes

1326 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-4989
(310) 450-4989
Bar with barstools.
Bar at Nostalgia in Santa Monica.
Nostalgia

Vamos Vamos

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Fancy a margarita here and there? A platter of nachos? What about a ton of both? That was the idea behind the new outpost from Randy and April Clement, industry vets known for owning and operating Silverlake Wine. The Gracias Jesus, a mezcal and watermelon drink, has made quite the splash.

2917 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 744-8408
(424) 744-8408
A side shot of a plate of nachos and pink cocktails with salted rims. Vamos Vamos

Champ City Bar & Lounge

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Just last month, Bleu Kitchen and Taco Mell joined forces at Champ City Bar & Lounge — an Inglewood bar near SoFi Stadium. In addition to a fresh coat of paint, the duo have introduced a new menu with truffle Parmesan wings, oxtail mac and cheese chili bites, and chicken taquitos, along with a slew of new cocktails and hookah service. —Mona Holmes

10612 Prairie Ave, Inglewood, CA 90303

Also featured in:

Ryla

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Find Japanese-influenced cocktails at Ryla in Hermosa Beach, the best place for quality drinks in the South Bay. The drink to get is Grandma’s Cigarettes, a version of a penicillin with tea-infused Suntory Toki and smoky Laphroaig scotch.

1220 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(424) 247-9881
(424) 247-9881
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin, egg white, St. German, honey, lemon.
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin at Ryla.
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

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Capri Club

4604 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Eagle Rock hotspot Capri Club celebrates all things aperitivo-related, which, drinks-wise, translates to a selection of Italian-leaning spritzes ranging from watermelon to vermouth-spiked, as well as classic cocktails like Negronis and martinis. There’s also a list of amaro-based 50/50 shots — like red bitters mixed with fernet — so no matter how one chooses to start their evening, there’s something refreshing to kick it off. —Karen Palmer

4604 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
(707) 337-0170
(707) 337-0170

Grandmaster Recorders

1518 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, California.
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders.
Wonho Frank Lee

The 1970s are alive again at 71 Studio Bar at Grandmaster Recorders. Tucked near the entrance of this multi-faceted space that includes an Italian-Australian dining room and rooftop lounge, the side lounge has its own drink menu, semi-open dance floor, and private back area that was once a recording studio.

1518 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 963-7800
(323) 963-7800
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, California.
71 Studio & Bar at Grandmaster Recorders.
Wonho Frank Lee

Bar Moruno

3705 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A light green and tall ceilinged bar inside of a new restaurant at evening.
Cocktail bar at Bar Moruno in Silver Lake.
Wonho Frank Lee

This Silver Lake Spanish restaurant has veteran barman Dave Kupchinsky designing the drinks. The smoked salmon martini is a wild take on the salty-briny dirty martini, while the other cocktails veer toward the tonic varieties one would expect at a Spanish establishment.

3705 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 546-0505
(323) 546-0505
A light green and tall ceilinged bar inside of a new restaurant at evening.
Cocktail bar at Bar Moruno in Silver Lake.
Wonho Frank Lee

Pijja Palace

2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A cocktail with rum, juice, spices, and a lime slice.
Pata-quiri cocktail at Pijja Palace.
Emra Visuals

This busy Silver Lake spot is a boisterous place for drinks, with games blaring on TVs and sometimes even over the speakers. The cocktails served at the Indian sports bar take inspiration from Indian flavors. The colorful daiquiri gets a hit of tangy tamarind, while the painkiller variant gets a bit of guava.

2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A cocktail with rum, juice, spices, and a lime slice.
Pata-quiri cocktail at Pijja Palace.
Emra Visuals

The Hideaway

421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A neon sign for The Hideaway. The Hideaway

Jeffrey Best of Best Events and co-owner Sylvain Bitton of Warwick are no pushovers when it comes to coordinating a good time — they will, undoubtedly, provide. Bartending wizkid Julian Cox is another member of the team of this Beverly Hills temple to Mexican food and booze. The least expensive cocktail on the menu is the $18 frozen strawberry marg, but, knowing the handiwork of these service industry savants, every dollar will be well spent.

421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A neon sign for The Hideaway. The Hideaway

Ella

9360 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Ella’s cafe in Beverly Hills
Bar and cafe area of Ella in Beverly Hills.
Wonho Frank Lee

The Sixty Beverly Hills has a totally revamped downstairs restaurant and bar managed by the Umbrella Hospitality team, one of the city’s best cocktail bar owners. Drinks at the bar are modern renditions of classics, like a kimchi bloody mary or a flaming cocktail of tequila, golden beet, and orange.

9360 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Ella’s cafe in Beverly Hills
Bar and cafe area of Ella in Beverly Hills.
Wonho Frank Lee

Fanny's

6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
A bartender uses tweezers to finish garnishing a drink.
Bartender garnishes a drink at Fanny’s.
Wonho Frank Lee

Julian Cox has put together the drinks at this impressive space in Mid-Wilshire’s Academy Museum of Motion Pictures inspired by, of course, movies. The Black Panther drink has cachaca, black currant, and Meyer lemon “air,” while the LA Confidential mixes vodka, black mission fig, cassis, and bitters.

6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-3080
(323) 930-3080
A bartender uses tweezers to finish garnishing a drink.
Bartender garnishes a drink at Fanny’s.
Wonho Frank Lee

Camphor

923 E 3rd St Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Provence cocktail with Mulholland vodka, infused with French olive oil and herbs de provence, pear eau de vie, Dolin Blanc vermouth, and saline at Camphor in Los Angeles, California
Provence cocktail at Camphor.
Wonho Frank Lee

The bar is always a busy place at Camphor, with European-inspired drinks like a Provence martini that costs $30 but has enough booze for two drinks with its signature iced sidecar and herbaceous flavors. Chartreuse lovers will find one of the city’s most extensive menus here as well.

923 E 3rd St Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-8888
(213) 626-8888
Provence cocktail with Mulholland vodka, infused with French olive oil and herbs de provence, pear eau de vie, Dolin Blanc vermouth, and saline at Camphor in Los Angeles, California
Provence cocktail at Camphor.
Wonho Frank Lee

Kato Restaurant

777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Cocktail from Kato.
Cocktail from Kato.
Wonho Frank Lee

Austin Hennelly has put together arguably the most ambitious fine dining cocktail bar menu at the newly reopened Kato in Downtown. Refreshing tonics like the Garden Tonic infuses seasonal herbs while the Lemon Drop blends yuzu with Suntory Haku vodka, shaken and poured over rice milk and crushed ice. The three-liquor milk punch, with cognac, bourbon, and rum with brown butter and five spice is a showstopper as well.

777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 797-5770
(213) 797-5770
Cocktail from Kato.
Cocktail from Kato.
Wonho Frank Lee

Canopy Club

8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Poolside tables and plants at Canopy Club. Sierra Prescott

Opening in late June, this summer banger of a rooftop bar matches vibey aesthetics with its decadent drinks. The cocktails here can be ordered by the carafe for $75, so if you’ve got a group who share a palate, this is the spot for you.

8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
(209) 364-7541
(209) 364-7541
Poolside tables and plants at Canopy Club. Sierra Prescott

Nostalgia Bar and Lounge

1326 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Bar with barstools.
Bar at Nostalgia in Santa Monica.
Nostalgia

Santa Monica’s Nostalgia boasts fantastic eats and cocktails. Cannabis chef Chris Sayegh recruited Bradley Fry to develop throwback and new cocktails after managing bar menus at Long Beach’s Michael’s Restaurant Group and the defunct Bernard’s Bar in Chicago. There are delicious drinks along with ample theatrics in the form of gravity bongs — without cannabis — that releases smoky vapors from Fry’s favorite ingredients like rosemary or passionfruit. —Mona Holmes

1326 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-4989
(310) 450-4989
Bar with barstools.
Bar at Nostalgia in Santa Monica.
Nostalgia

Vamos Vamos

2917 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
A side shot of a plate of nachos and pink cocktails with salted rims. Vamos Vamos

Fancy a margarita here and there? A platter of nachos? What about a ton of both? That was the idea behind the new outpost from Randy and April Clement, industry vets known for owning and operating Silverlake Wine. The Gracias Jesus, a mezcal and watermelon drink, has made quite the splash.

2917 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(424) 744-8408
(424) 744-8408
A side shot of a plate of nachos and pink cocktails with salted rims. Vamos Vamos

Champ City Bar & Lounge

10612 Prairie Ave, Inglewood, CA 90303

Just last month, Bleu Kitchen and Taco Mell joined forces at Champ City Bar & Lounge — an Inglewood bar near SoFi Stadium. In addition to a fresh coat of paint, the duo have introduced a new menu with truffle Parmesan wings, oxtail mac and cheese chili bites, and chicken taquitos, along with a slew of new cocktails and hookah service. —Mona Holmes

10612 Prairie Ave, Inglewood, CA 90303

Ryla

1220 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin, egg white, St. German, honey, lemon.
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin at Ryla.
Wonho Frank Lee

Find Japanese-influenced cocktails at Ryla in Hermosa Beach, the best place for quality drinks in the South Bay. The drink to get is Grandma’s Cigarettes, a version of a penicillin with tea-infused Suntory Toki and smoky Laphroaig scotch.

1220 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(424) 247-9881
(424) 247-9881
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin, egg white, St. German, honey, lemon.
Gin fizz with chamomile infused gin at Ryla.
Wonho Frank Lee

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