Our Favorite Bars To Vitist For A Casual Night Out in LA
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Sometimes you just want to head out for a drink without all the fuss that comes with the LA nightlife.Use this guide to find the best spots to unwind and enjoy a straightforward, relaxed experience.
Verdugo Bar
Location: Glassell Park
Verdugo Bar is a hidden gem on the Eastside, perfect for outdoor drinks without the hassle of Silver Lake or downtown crowds. Tucked away on a side street in Glassell Park, it offers a spacious back patio, a top-notch beer selection, and a weekend Happy Hour from 3-7pm, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back Saturday with friends.
Tony’s Saloon
Location: Arts District
Tony's in the Arts District is a low-key spot that hasn't hit the mainstream yet. It's the kind of place you intend to drop by for a quick drink but end up spending the entire night. Located on the southern edge of the neighborhood, this old-school bar offers great cocktails, a laid-back crowd, and a back patio.
Red Lion Tavern
Location: Silver Lake
For an easygoing Friday night, this spot has it all—great food, plenty of beer, and a laid-back vibe. Start by enjoying a sausage sampler and boots of beer on the back patio, where the atmosphere might just make you feel like you're in Germany. If the outdoor beer garden gets too crowded (and it often does), simply head inside to the dark and cozy downstairs lounge for a more intimate experience.
Chez Jay
Location: Santa Monica
This nearly 60-year-old, nautical-themed icon offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can savor a dangerously strong drink and a buttered steak in the same place. With peanut shells crunching underfoot, a jukebox filled with timeless classics, and a giant fish on the wall that seems to watch your every move, it’s full of charm. If you're searching for one of the last truly authentic spots in Santa Monica, this is it.
The Brickyard Pub
Location: Hollywood
This relaxed bar, located just a few blocks north of Hollywood Blvd., manages to escape the usual Hollywood frenzy. Instead of the typical scene, you'll find a laid-back crowd playing billiards and shuffleboard, all while enjoying one of the many beers they have on tap.
Champs Sports Pub
Location: Burbank
Champs is a local neighborhood bar where everyone knows your name. They have happy hour Mon-Fri 3-6pm, pool tables, darts, shuffleboard, TouchTunes (our favorite), and the food from the kitchen is DELIGHTFUL. If you’re a sports fan, this is the place to be. 24 flat screen HIGH DEF TV's and they show ALL the games on Sunday.
Hinano Cafe
Location: Venice
Laid-back and relaxed, this 1960s staple is the kind of place where one drink easily turns into a few more. With a daily happy hour from 4-8pm, free popcorn, pool tables, and a legendary burger, it’s got everything you need for a chill evening. After a day of dodging tourists and street magicians on the boardwalk, Hinano is the perfect spot to unwind with a drink.
Thunderbolt
Location: Echo Park
Thunderbolt is a neighborhood cocktail bar with delicious, Southern-inspired food, located at the intersections of Historic Filipinotown, Echo Park, and DTLA. Their beverage program uses a ton of tech and innovation to make cocktails more sustainable, more efficient, more consistent, and most importantly, more delicious. Once you visit, you'll find yourself wanting to come back again and again.
The Fable
Location: Eagle Rock
With a fantastic atmosphere, great prices, and generous drink pours, this place has it all. Enjoy a free comedy show on Wednesday nights and karaoke on Thursdays. The venue features a darts board and ample seating, plus a dog-friendly outdoor patio perfect for al fresco cocktails. It's a spot where every visit leads to engaging conversations with interesting people.
Tiny’s Hi-Dive
Location: Sawtelle
Tiny’s is a Midwest dive bar with strong ties to the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs and Sox. Touted as “The Westside’s High Class Dive Bar” - at Tiny’s, you won’t find mixologists, drinks with 15 ingredients, or top-40 hits blaring on the speakers. What you will find are bartenders who remember your go-to drink order, a jukebox that plays only the best of the best, arcade games, a pool table, and shuffleboard. It's the ideal place to unwind, hang out, and experience what a bar is truly meant to be.
Residuals Tavern
Location: Studio City
Residuals Tavern is your neighborhood bar - enjoy good drinks and even better company among the likes of actors, writers, and musicians. Escape the bustling city life and let loose on karaoke or relax under the dimly lit glow of lanterns and catch up with friends. Whether you're trying to break into the industry or just ready to have a good time, this historic bar is the place to be.
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