19 Best Bars in Hollywood, Los Angeles

Here’s a rooftop joint where you can cowboy (or cowgirl) up while eating tacos, learning to line dance, and belting out your favorite country western jams (Wednesday is karaoke night). Mirror-clad cowboy boots float above the dance floor, while cowhide covered chairs and mounted longhorns create a Wild West vibe. This glam honky-tonk prides itself on being a little bit country and a whole lotta Hollywood. 

Tucked away in a basement on quiet Hudson Avenue, Dirty Laundry is a former speakeasy turned proper late night cocktail bar with live music and DJs spinning both fresh and throwback music. There’s beer on hand, but here, cocktails are king.

It's a fridge; it's a door; it's the entrance to Davey Wayne's, a bar and lounge that pulls out all the stops to transport you back in time to the '70s. The interior is your living room; the outside is an ongoing backyard barbecue with all your friends. Come early to beat the crowds or be prepared to get up close and personal with your neighbors.

This multitasking art deco venue offers both live music and club nights. The killer sound system, cavernous space, and multiple bars make it a perfect venue for both. The club is best known for its DJs, who often spin well past the 2 am cutoff for drinks. The crowd can be a mixed bag, depending on the night, but if you're looking to dance, you likely won't be disappointed. Upstairs is Bardot, which hosts special events including a Monday night showcase of up-and-coming artists.

They call it your neighborhood bar, because even if you don't live in the neighborhood you'll feel at home at this Alfred Hitchcock–themed eatery. Located in Franklin Village, a block-long stretch of bars, cafés, and bookstores, come here for pub food or a poultry-centric dinner. Weekend nights mean cheap beer and well drinks, crowds spilling onto the streets, and a few rounds of oversize Jenga. Weekdays there's happy hour drink prices; holidays and major sporting events are celebratory occasions at this street side spot.

Priding itself as one of the last remaining neighborhood bars in Los Angeles’s ever-evolving bar scene, Boardner’s has maintained its no-nonsense vibe since 1942. Leave your self-importance at the door, order ice-cold beer and hearty mac and cheese, and keep an eye out for any weird apparitions—this place is known to be one of the most haunted spots in the city. Live music, a killer sound system, and a large dance floor bring out L.A.'s party people to this last-of-its kind Hollywood speakeasy.

Around since 1919 in various incarnations, Burgundy Room attracts a fiercely loyal crowd of locals, as well as the occasional wandering tourist. The bar is supposedly haunted (check out the Ouija boards toward the back) with famously dark interiors, but those details just add to its charm. Its rock-and-roll vibe, strong drinks, and people-watching opportunities make this a worthy detour on any night out on the town.

A British pub might look out of place in Hollywood, but the Cat and Fiddle's punk-rock influence and 43-year stint give it more than enough street cred. Besides, classic pub grub like fish-and-chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie are a nice counterpoint to L.A.'s vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. There have been a few changes over the years, but it remains the perfect spot to just grab a pint and a savory pie or to satisfy one's inner Anglophile. There's even afternoon tea during the weekends.

Although the exterior might not look like much, El Floridita is a popular live salsa music spot Friday through Monday, with dancers ranging from enthusiasts to those just trying to keep up. There's a $15 cover to listen to the band, although admission is free with dinner. Cuban food is the specialty. Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table.

Right on the edge of the Walk of Fame, this historic venue was one of the area's first theaters when it opened in 1926. The Spanish Colonial--style theater now hosts some of the biggest names in indie music, but don't expect any major acts on the calendar. Drinks are pricey—so grab a cocktail on Hollywood Boulevard before the show—as is parking, which will cost you at least $25 in the adjacent lot.

Once frequented by one of L.A.’s most famous literary sons, Charles Bukowski, the Frolic Room was also owned at one point by Howard Hughes and has served as a filming location for period flicks like L.A. Confidential and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Despite its impressive history, its down-to-earth atmosphere and proximity to the Pantages Theatre makes it the perfect place to start off your night. The bar's brilliant neon sign is hard to miss.

An interior that's one part industrial, one part mid-century modern, and one part ski lodge plays witness to the coolest live music this side of the city and serves some of the most exquisite cocktails you’ll ever try in your life. Of course, if live music isn’t exactly your thing, there are also dark, quiet corners where you can enjoy your drinks in peace.

This intimate venue caters to fans of folk, indie rock, and music on the softer side. With red velvet backdrops, hardwood furnishings, and the occasional celebrity surprise performance—notably John Mayer—music lovers will not only be very happy but will receive a respite from the ordinary Hollywood experience.

At first glance, No Vacancy might convey an air of exclusivity and pretentiousness, but its relaxed interiors and welcoming staff will almost instantly make you feel like you’re at a house party. You know, the kind with burlesque shows, tightrope performances, a speakeasy secret entrance, and mixologists who can pretty much whip up any drink your heart desires.

Put on your dancing shoes and step back in time. The Sassafras boasts not only an oddly cozy, Southern-style atmosphere, but also plenty of opportunities to strut your moves on the dance floor. Indulge in exquisite craft mezcal, whiskey, and tequila cocktails for some liquid courage before you dance the night away.

This Hollywood Roosevelt cocktail bar is worth a visit for its luscious cocktails, elevated bar bites, and collection of classic board games. It can get a little too crowded, especially on the weekends, but if you come early, you should be able to admire its art deco appeal and perhaps enjoy a game at one of its two vintage bowling lanes.

Cocktail bars are a dime a dozen in Hollywood, but there’s something about this Vine Street joint that makes patrons keep coming back for more. Maybe it's the down-to-earth attitude, delicious no-frills cocktails, and raucous nights of live music from up-and-coming bands. Come to see one of the burlesque or comedy shows for a full experience.

Don’t let the forest fairy-tale vibe—one that'll make you think that a woodsman fell in love with a tree nymph and then went on to open a bar—or the baffling strip mall location fool you. When the occasion calls for it, this little dive bar knows how to throw a party and show you a good time with the simple concoction of jukebox music, DJ spins, daily happy hour until 10 pm, and signature drinks.

Modeled after a mansion in Kyoto, this Japanese place with a hillside perch has spectacular koi ponds and gardens, as well as sweeping views of Hollywood's twinkling lights. Additional lures here include the tasty, if pricey, food and delicious drinks but the views, especially at sunset, are Yamashiro's draws.  The mandatory valet parking costs $20.