16 Best Bars in West Hollywood and Fairfax, Los Angeles

The Abbey in West Hollywood is one of the most famous and friendliest LGBTQIA+ bars in town. Seven days a week, a very good-looking crowd comes to eat, drink, dance, and flirt, with a bevy of theme nights and parties. Creative cocktails are whipped up by buff bartenders.

Reservations are definitely required for this swanky, New York–style space in West Hollywood. Waiters in white coats serve a mix of upscale American cuisine, but the true reason to come happens a little later when live jazz and burlesque dancers turn the night into a sultry singles scene that's visited by a see-and-be-seen crowd.

Right at the start of the Sunset Strip, Bar Marmont at the Chateau Marmont is a partygoer's staple. Get fancy and come here with a group. The kitchen serves a changing menu of classic French-style dishes.

Three stages give seasoned and unseasoned comedians a place to perform and try out new material. Sometimes big-name performers drop by just for fun. The front bar along Sunset Boulevard is a popular hangout after or between shows, oftentimes comedians mingle with fans.

This comedy club is not technically in Hollywood, but it brings Hollywood stars such as Ali Wong and Dave Chappelle popping in to try out a set in development. The club features theme nights throughout the week, so check the schedule online.

All-star stand-up comics regularly appear at this Sunset Boulevard mainstay, often working out the kinks in new material in advance of national tours. Stars such as George Lopez and Tiffany Haddish sometimes drop in. This venue has theme nights like Chocolate Sundaes and Tehran Thursdays that are extremely popular, with comics performing more daring sets.

The intimate vibe of the Troubadour helps make this club a favorite with music fans. Around since 1957, this venue has a storied past where legends like Elton John and James Taylor have graced the stage. These days, the eclectic lineup is still attracting crowds, with the focus mostly on rock, indie, and folk music. Those looking for drinks can imbibe to their heart's content at the adjacent bar.

Open since 1920, Barney's Beanery is an iconic spot along the original Route 66 that drew legendary regulars Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison (among others) to its doorstep. There's an extensive menu, but all anyone talks about is the famous chili and the list of more than 85 beers. There are plenty of distractions, including three pool tables, a foosball table, and arcade games. There's great trivia on Tuesday.

This tiny hip hop space has cozy red walls and an all-around good vibe. The music usually gets going by 10 in the evening, and can span the decades. Come on Sunday night if you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. The small food menu is priced well.

This spot offers a chic craft cocktail and zero-proof mocktail program with a robust comfort food menu. Local favorites include fried pickles, an aged cheese board, and pizza. Save room for the spiked espresso martini tiramisu custard with chocolate and the right amount of vodka.

Italian food and serious cocktails are the mainstays at Jones. Whiskey is a popular choice for the classic cocktails, but the bartenders also do up martinis properly (read: strong). The Beggar's Banquet is their version of happy hour (10:30 pm to 2 am, Sunday through Thursday), with specials on drinks and pizza.

Being located next door to a long-running music venue, the Roxy, helped cement this bar and restaurant's status as a legendary watering hole for musicians of The Who, Guns N' Roses, Poison, and KISS. Many others have passed through the doors, including their entourages and groupies.

This beautiful poolside bar is well worth a visit, but it can be a hassle to get into if you're not staying at the hotel, on the guest list, or know someone who can pull strings. The drinks are on the pricier side, but in this part of town that's to be expected, and the views might just make it all worthwhile.

At Trunks Bar, the drinks are strong and so are the bartenders; see for yourself as these shirtless muscly men pour your drinks. Open for more than 25 years, the space is welcoming and the staff is friendly. People come here often to watch a game, play pool, listen to music, and meet friends.

This 21-plus live music rock club on the edge of the Sunset Strip has been around for more than 30 years; legends like Tom Petty and Lenny Kravitz have performed on the stage. Today the venue books rising alt-rock acts and cover bands.

Lines form outside early to enter this hard-core metal and rock venue, where Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, the Doors (they were the house band for a short stint), and Frank Zappa have all played. On the Strip for more than five decades, the club books both underground acts and huge names in rock.