Big, bold, and beautiful, Arts District Brewing is changing the Downtown drinking landscape — particularly on weekends, when the place is absolutely mobbed.

Santa Monica’s Ashland Hill is more than just a strong patio with a restaurant attached. The Main Street option has become something of a craft beer stalwart, with great easy drinking options to match the casual all-day menu.

Recent World Beer Cup winner for best Large Brewpub, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing continues to fire on all cylinders. Not only are the housemade beers literally award-worthy, the food and ambiance is equally top notch.

After much delay, Firestone Walker Venice is alive and well. The ample brewpub still hasn’t fired up their pilot system to make in-house beers, but the full menu, ample taps, and sours from their Buellton location more than make up for the wait.

With tourist season in full effect, Grand Central Market is getting overrun. That’s good news for anyone happening through who’s eager for some craft beer, as the recently opened Golden Road allows for lots of heat-beating pints of Point The Way IPA.

Pomona newcomer Homage Brewing is tapping into the Inland Empire’s growing thirst for craft beer with a well-designed downtown space. Less a destination for long-driving Westsiders and more a local favorite, Homage nonetheless stays busy most nights.

Torrance brewpub addition HopSaint is a fan favorite that offers a casual hang for friends, families, or anyone wanting to watch the game on their array of TVs. They also make some mean baby back ribs.

Brash new option Iron Triangle has big plans for their Arts District space, and that includes the already up and running open taproom on Industrial Street. With room to spare, the open room looks into the brewery space and often features food trucks parked out front.

Melody Lounge is a Chinatown staple, having ridden the neighborhood’s rising wave to success as a casual craft beer destination with one of the city’s strongest rotating tap lists.

Arts District newbie Mumford has become a strong place for an afternoon drink, thanks to its laid-back vibe and ample seating. It helps, of course, that the beer coming from the fledgeling brewery is already strong.

Relative Torrance newcomer Scholb keeps weekend hours only, but is already winning over South Bay locals who are always hungry for more. Food trucks park outside most nights, while inside the brewery’s own brand of IPAs, amber ales, and other rotating offerings keep folks hydrated.

Longtime bottle shop Sunset Beer just keeps getting stronger, with an array of hard to source bottles and cans in the fridge, plus a small tap lineup that encourages friends to enjoy the dim confines all night long.

Already a strong local name, West Hollywood’s Surly Goat expanded into Encino not long ago and has become a Valley favorite for a variety of hard-to-find craft beers.