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A martini with dark ice at the edge of a table. Wonho Frank Lee

17 Bars to Sip Martinis in Los Angeles

Enjoy the classics cocktail at these Southern California bars

by Farley Elliott and Mona Holmes Updated
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by Farley Elliott and Mona Holmes Updated
Wonho Frank Lee

After ordering a martini, no one ever tires of the following question, “shaken or stirred?” The classic cocktail must be prepared with care, and everyone has a preference that goes beyond James Bond’s desire for the shaken variety. Over the last few decades, martinis evolved into varieties that are still ordered throughout the Southland (appletini and lycheetinis), but LA’s expert bartenders know how to make them incredibly well, whether dirty, dry, vodka, or with gin. Here are 17 places to find some of Southern California’s best from north to south.

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The Proper Restaurant & Bar

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When new ownership took over this longtime bar, it brought new life into this unassuming strip mall spot up near the Angeles National Forest. The Proper dirty martini is as wonderful as ever.

464 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-4888
(818) 790-4888

The Rendition Room

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This bar takes its cocktailing very seriously with a requirement that’s unique to LA: a dress code. Reservations are also required for the Rendition Room, which is nestled inside Vitello’s Restaurant. The martinis are only part of the experience here with the well-seasoned bartenders, so be sure to dress the part.

4349 Tujunga Ave #2, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-0905
(818) 769-0905

Also featured in:

Yamashiro

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Yamashiro is as timeless as Hollywood gets, but it also sports the best view of the LA Basin. It’s completely worth it to either dine or drink the famous lychee martini while taking in the the LA skyline from Downtown the the beach.

1999 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 466-5125
(323) 466-5125

The Dresden Restaurant

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The Dresden is absolutely full of kitsch and bartenders that don’t give a damn about your recurring guest star role on some NBC show. Grab a classic martini from one of the bartenders, then watch the crowds and piano show in action.

1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-4294
(323) 665-4294

Also featured in:

Musso & Frank Grill

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As classic as they come. Hollywood’s Musso & Frank stands the test of time for more than just its location (and those amazing vests): they’re still one of the best places in the city to drink martinis.

6667 Hollywood Blvd, California 90028
(323) 467-5123
(323) 467-5123

Also featured in:

The Three Clubs

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Hollywood’s longstanding the Three Clubs reopened after a long COVID-19 break, where seasoned staff serve classic martinis, or whatever your tastebuds desire.

1123 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Dan Tana's

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That modest yellow building on Santa Monica Boulevard still remains a powerhouse after 57 years. There’s always a wait (even if you have a reservation), so squeeze into the bar and order a classic martini to stave off time.

9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 275-9444
(310) 275-9444

Also featured in:

Greekman’s

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Greekman’s (temporarily and formerly Freedman’s) makes a classic martini with dry vermouth and bitters, which pairs surprisingly well with souvlaki or salty marinated olives and feta.

2619 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 500-0916
(213) 500-0916

Also featured in:

Bar Flores

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Martini consumption is often done in the corners of dark bars, Bar Flores offers something different. The bright Echo Park space overlooks Sunset Boulevard or a lush rear patio. Order Marla’s Martini with dry vermouth and chamomile.

1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 266-8006
(213) 266-8006

Also featured in:

Genever

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Historic Filipinotown’s stunning bar Genever is where you want to drink a martini. Be sure to order the riff on a traditional martini using fish sauce and Datu Puti Filipino-spiced vinegar.

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 908-5693
(213) 908-5693

Also featured in:

The Maybourne Bar

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If feeling extra fancy, pull into the valet and spend time at the Maybourne Bar. The $23 Connaught martini is prepared with Tanqueray No. 10 Gin, with blends of dry vermouths and bitters to make a very smooth drink.

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 860-7800
(310) 860-7800

The Grill on the Alley

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Beverly Hills’s power-player spot Grill on the Alley knows that the right martini can make a break tomorrow’s big media deal. That’s why they’ve been doing it right for so many years.

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-0615
(310) 276-0615

Also featured in:

Thunderbolt

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If there’s evidence that the martini evolved, it’s at Thunderbolt. The espresso martini is made with vodka, sherry, and nitro cold brew from Counter Culture Coffee.

1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 372-5099
(213) 372-5099

Also featured in:

The Normandie Club

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It can get packed at the Normandie Club, where quirky cocktails rule the day. But the bartenders know how to make an excellent martini.

3612 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 263-2709
(213) 263-2709

Also featured in:

Pips On Labrea

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It’s reservations-only at Pip’s On Labrea. But in addition to getting some quality martinis, Pip’s also has live music in the renovated space along with half-off bar menu Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

1356 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 954-7477
(323) 954-7477

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Steven's Steakhouse

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Commerce gem Steven’s is known for its old school charm and stiff drinks, none more reminiscent of the glory days than the classic martini. Stop in for a simple steak, or to spend your winnings from the casino nearby.

5332 Stevens Pl, Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 723-9856
(323) 723-9856

The Exhibition Room

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Long Beach’s Prohibition-themed bar takes reservations on Friday and Saturdays only. Give the password at the door, order a martini, and if the right night there’s live music, stand-up comedy nights, burlesque shows to accompany the drink.

1117 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 826-2940
(562) 826-2940

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The Proper Restaurant & Bar

464 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

When new ownership took over this longtime bar, it brought new life into this unassuming strip mall spot up near the Angeles National Forest. The Proper dirty martini is as wonderful as ever.

464 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-4888
(818) 790-4888

The Rendition Room

4349 Tujunga Ave #2, Studio City, CA 91604

This bar takes its cocktailing very seriously with a requirement that’s unique to LA: a dress code. Reservations are also required for the Rendition Room, which is nestled inside Vitello’s Restaurant. The martinis are only part of the experience here with the well-seasoned bartenders, so be sure to dress the part.

4349 Tujunga Ave #2, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 769-0905
(818) 769-0905

Yamashiro

1999 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Yamashiro is as timeless as Hollywood gets, but it also sports the best view of the LA Basin. It’s completely worth it to either dine or drink the famous lychee martini while taking in the the LA skyline from Downtown the the beach.

1999 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 466-5125
(323) 466-5125

The Dresden Restaurant

1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Dresden is absolutely full of kitsch and bartenders that don’t give a damn about your recurring guest star role on some NBC show. Grab a classic martini from one of the bartenders, then watch the crowds and piano show in action.

1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-4294
(323) 665-4294

Musso & Frank Grill

6667 Hollywood Blvd, California 90028

As classic as they come. Hollywood’s Musso & Frank stands the test of time for more than just its location (and those amazing vests): they’re still one of the best places in the city to drink martinis.

6667 Hollywood Blvd, California 90028
(323) 467-5123
(323) 467-5123

The Three Clubs

1123 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hollywood’s longstanding the Three Clubs reopened after a long COVID-19 break, where seasoned staff serve classic martinis, or whatever your tastebuds desire.

1123 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Dan Tana's

9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

That modest yellow building on Santa Monica Boulevard still remains a powerhouse after 57 years. There’s always a wait (even if you have a reservation), so squeeze into the bar and order a classic martini to stave off time.

9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 275-9444
(310) 275-9444

Greekman’s

2619 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Greekman’s (temporarily and formerly Freedman’s) makes a classic martini with dry vermouth and bitters, which pairs surprisingly well with souvlaki or salty marinated olives and feta.

2619 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 500-0916
(213) 500-0916

Bar Flores

1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Martini consumption is often done in the corners of dark bars, Bar Flores offers something different. The bright Echo Park space overlooks Sunset Boulevard or a lush rear patio. Order Marla’s Martini with dry vermouth and chamomile.

1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 266-8006
(213) 266-8006

Genever

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Historic Filipinotown’s stunning bar Genever is where you want to drink a martini. Be sure to order the riff on a traditional martini using fish sauce and Datu Puti Filipino-spiced vinegar.

3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 908-5693
(213) 908-5693

The Maybourne Bar

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

If feeling extra fancy, pull into the valet and spend time at the Maybourne Bar. The $23 Connaught martini is prepared with Tanqueray No. 10 Gin, with blends of dry vermouths and bitters to make a very smooth drink.

225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 860-7800
(310) 860-7800

The Grill on the Alley

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Beverly Hills’s power-player spot Grill on the Alley knows that the right martini can make a break tomorrow’s big media deal. That’s why they’ve been doing it right for so many years.

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-0615
(310) 276-0615

Thunderbolt

1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

If there’s evidence that the martini evolved, it’s at Thunderbolt. The espresso martini is made with vodka, sherry, and nitro cold brew from Counter Culture Coffee.

1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 372-5099
(213) 372-5099

The Normandie Club

3612 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

It can get packed at the Normandie Club, where quirky cocktails rule the day. But the bartenders know how to make an excellent martini.

3612 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 263-2709
(213) 263-2709

Pips On Labrea

1356 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

It’s reservations-only at Pip’s On Labrea. But in addition to getting some quality martinis, Pip’s also has live music in the renovated space along with half-off bar menu Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

1356 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 954-7477
(323) 954-7477

Related Maps

Steven's Steakhouse

5332 Stevens Pl, Commerce, CA 90040

Commerce gem Steven’s is known for its old school charm and stiff drinks, none more reminiscent of the glory days than the classic martini. Stop in for a simple steak, or to spend your winnings from the casino nearby.

5332 Stevens Pl, Commerce, CA 90040
(323) 723-9856
(323) 723-9856

The Exhibition Room

1117 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807

Long Beach’s Prohibition-themed bar takes reservations on Friday and Saturdays only. Give the password at the door, order a martini, and if the right night there’s live music, stand-up comedy nights, burlesque shows to accompany the drink.

1117 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 826-2940
(562) 826-2940

Related Maps