These are the Best New Bars in LA (2024)

By

Ben Mesirow, and Danielle Dorsey

If you were worried that the aperitif craze might burn itself out anytime soon, take a glance around Coucou on a weekend evening. The new-ish bar and restaurant has a France-meets-California charm, a cool hybrid that draws a thoroughly trendy crowd, and on just about every table someone is drinking an aperitif. They have a half-dozen of them on the menu, from classics like an Aperol Spritz and a Kir Royale to the Montenegro-based Mosh Bites Back. If you’re not the bright and bubbly type, though, their full-strength co*cktail list is exciting in its own right, with a White Negroni next to creative takes on drinks that incorporate lots of fresh fruit and herbs. And the food menu is no afterthought, running from Ceviche to Steak Frites, with a focus on local produce cooked on a live-fire grill.

Remember a few years ago when everyonewent to Portugal? Well everyone’s back, and they’ve been clamoring for an infusion of that outstanding Portuguese drinking culture; enter Barra Santos. The spot is named for ownership partner Mike Santos, built as an homage to his Portuguese-American roots. The diminutive neighborhood space is cozy and stylish, oozing charm out of its blue and white-tiled pores. Ownership group Last Word Hospitality bills the place as a neighborhood restaurant, but it serves best as a cool new bar with some great bites. Get some ham and olives to snack on while you knock back a Porto Tonico or two, maybe move on to Tuna Crudo or Prawns or a Bifana sandwich when you order your carafe of lovely house wine. Kick back, sit for a while and sip on some draft Manzanilla, and reminisce about warm nights in Lisbon—even if you’ve never been.

The LA opening of a New York City institution is not reason enough to get excited; we have quite enough disgruntled NYC transplants here already. But Dante is something a little different, a 100-year-old legend in the city that’s regarded as one of the best bars in North America. And even better, they didn’t just copy and paste the original onto the West Coast, they transported it onto the roof of the luxurious Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel, metaphorically and literally elevating the bar into a high-end aperitivo bar and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. They did, however, bring their signature co*cktail, the legendary Garibali, a blend of Campari and fresh-squeezed orange juice that fits right in with this new location’s wood-fired proteins, farmers market produce, and stunning city views.

For a town with some solidbreweries, beer bars in Burbank are surprisingly few and far between. And beer bars that double as beer stores and casual markets are even rarer than that. So The Landing, the new opening from the Eagle Rock Brewery team, fills a valuable niche in North Burbank. There are 16 beers on tap, from Eagle Rock of course but also from a stellar lineup of other breweries both local and a little more distant. The vibe is mellow and mature, with bright walls under exposed beams, and a single large tv in the back for watching sports. And when it’s time to head out, they have the perfect selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and small bites to build your girl dinner when you get home.

As thrilling as it is to find a new bar that does everything well, it is even more so to find one that opens with a specific, focused perspective. And Mírate, the new Los Feliz bar and restaurant from the team behind the lauded modern Mexican restaurant Mírame, has a particularly exciting core principal—spirits from Mexico rule. The bar exclusively stocks alcohol produced in Mexico, including a standout selection of tequila and mezcal, of course, but also fun rarities like sotol, raicilla, Mexican wine, craft beer, and some truly fantastic artisanal Mexican rum. The co*cktails run super bright and punchy, mostly riffs on classic drinks with all the nobs cranked up to the max, as in El Guero, an updated margarita with aguachile salsa, coconut, and nopales granita, and El Repostero, a daiquiri flip with Oaxacan rum, smoked pineapple, and pasilla chile liqueur. The space is moody and stylish, with plenty of lush plant life, and the food menu is full of luxe antojitos—tacos, tlayudas, tostadas, and more with a creative touch.
How to book: Reservations are available through Resy.

Fat Tuesday is behind us, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on Mardi Gras-style revelry. The new Bar Envie brings year-round NOLA energy to Long Beach with a playful Southern-inspired co*cktail list featuring ingredients like chicory-infused whiskey, Mountain Dew falernum, grilled corn syrup, and a whole section dedicated to boozy floats. The food menu also leans into the theme, with Shrimp & Grits, Po-Boys, a Muffaletta, Bananas Foster for dessert, and rotating specials. As you might expect, the restaurant is full of green, gold, and purple accents. The feeling is warm and laid-back, emphasizing a carefully curated playlist of songs, occasionally featuring guest artists.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Most people will think of this new seafood-focused hotspot as more of a restaurant than a bar, and the expansive menu is full of great options for dinner. But it is perhaps more fun to consider the possibilities for a casual drink-focused drop-in. The co*cktails are whimsical and charming, and it’s hard to resist a giggle when the drink called Cinnamon lands at the table in an oversize ceramic fish with a smoking cinnamon stick arranged to look like a cigar in its mouth. Other co*cktails are similarly appealing, like the Plum, which comes with bourbon, umeshu, and lemon verbena in a smoked glass. The wine list is approachable and appropriately crisp, with plenty of natural wine, and large swaths of the menu feel just right for casual happy hour bites in between sips. The library of tinned fish is shockingly dense, the raw bar is as impressive as any around, and desserts by SweetBoy are a real highlight. It’s also worth noting that Saltie Girl is on an especially high-rent stretch of Sunset, and the people-watching is immaculate both inside and out front from the breezy wraparound patio.
How to book: Reservations are available through Resy.

The name of the new wine bar in Chinatown evokes moody, dim, stylish, and a little intimidating in a cool sort of French New Wave way, and that’s not too far off base. The interior is decked out in saturated primary colors and vintage bric-a-brac, the wine list and the food menu are concise to the point of opacity, and the crowd is exceedingly trendy. But the surface-level look undersells the quality of the bar. It is pretty remarkably fun. The menu makes up for its lack of readability with on-point execution, from a lovely mushroom and nettle pie to squishy tramezzino-style sandwiches, and the wine list is constantly changing into new, exciting shapes. The place buzzes with energy on weekends but stays just the right sort of chill on weeknights. Before you know it, you’ve spent a dozen evenings there, the menu no longer feels opaque, and you’ve become part of that intimidating crowd yourself.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

It is wild to think that LA hasn’t had a dedicated sapphic bar since the closing of the famed Oxwood Inn almost six years ago, but it makes it that much more lovely to welcome The Ruby Fruit to Silver Lake. The new inclusive space is casual and stylish, with bright pink walls, blonde wood, and a low-maintenance format designed to accommodate any sort of evening, from casual drinks to a big dinner. There is craft beer, natural wine, and house-made tonics and spritzes to go with a menu of creative small plates that can serve as snacks or a full meal. The menu centers on open-fire cooking and dishes that co-owners Mara Herbkersman and Emily Bielagus call “pleasure-forward.” That means Street-Style Hot Dogs, Mortadella with pickled chiles and hot honey, Jumbo Shrimp with ’nduja butter, and more. They also have big plans for events in the space, from wine tastings and pop-ups to readings, screenings, and a book club.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Poised to take advantage of LA’s recent obsession with aperitivo culture is this global brand that got its start in the very Italian-inspired city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Landing in the former A.O.C. space on 3rd Street, Negroni Bar & Bistro is an ideal choice for a—you guessed it—negroni, with several variations available, including the of-the-moment Sbagliato, plus more inventive versions that include an Espresso Negroni with mezcal, alongside Nikkei-driven plates. The interior eschews the usual coastal chic ambience for a sexy matte black that flows across the walls and furniture, while black-and-white tile flooring and matching striped umbrellas dot the streetside patio, with a red-neon Negroni sign beckoning you to come and stay for a while.
How to book: Walk in or make reservations online.

Named in honor of Anna May Wong, the iconic Chinese-American actress who broke barriers in Hollywood, Anna May Bar lands within the equally famed Crustacean restaurant that’s sat at the top of Beverly Hills’ fine dining scene for nearly three decades. The lounge is also helmed by the An family, so you can expect a handful of popular dishes like the caviar- and tuna-stuffed cigars (served with flair in a real cigar box) and the Garlic Noodles on the small plates menu, plus a similarly gilded aesthetic at the revamped bar area, where you can perch on velvet bar seats with hanging woven baskets swinging from the ceiling overhead. The co*cktail menu offers a few exclusive additions, like the Anna May, a strong and sippable concoction with Dos Hombres mezcal, Aperol, Peychaud bitters, and champagne yuzu foam, as well as reinterpretations of classic drinks like the High Tea Penicillin, with Kikori whisky, ginger, a spray of 16-year Lagavulin scotch whiskey, and a cloud of black tea and lavender.
How to book: Walk-ins only for the bar.

Taking over the former In Sheep’s Clothing space is this co*cktail haven from the same team behind the adjacent and similarly charming De La Nonna pizzeria. The bar recalls 1970s and 80s Italian discotheque culture with dusty rose stucco surroundings, a 24-foot-long jade marble bar, and Mario Bellini-style sofas, a tile-mirrored ceiling, and of course, a central disco ball, plus co*cktails like the Garibaldi Spritz and the Fizz Italiano. While the space is ideal for after-work drinks or a stylish date during the week, over the weekend it transforms into a dancing destination complete with disco sets from LA record labels, including Pleasure of Love, CQQL Records, Eric Tucker and Jeremy Sole from The Lift.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

This former titan in Weho’s see-and-be-seen nightlife arena has reopened following a dramatic renovation, offering chef-driven cuisine, a full bar, and a much-needed late-night option for the neighborhood. The Den’s stone brick facade and gable roof are immediately comforting features amid the concrete starkness of the rapidly developing Sunset Strip, but artist and sculptor Nora Shields has also revived the interior with eclectic and modern touches, including an expanded, mirror-tile-backed DJ booth and a tile art installation that stretches across the outdoor patio floor and fireplace. There are plush velvet booths for intimate conversations, as well as plenty of open space for dancing. The food menu is helmed by chef Ronnie de Leon, with updated comfort classics like a Buttermilk Fried Mary’s Chicken Sandwich and Grandma’s Meatballs, plus shareables like oysters and a selection of crudo, Jidori Chicken Wings, and Kennebec Potato Chips with an optional caviar supplement. Signature co*cktails range from the herbaceous Cross Pollinator with Spirit Guild Gin, Chaucer’s Mead, chamomile, yuzu soda, lemon, honey, and cardamom, to the fruity and refreshing Guava Island with Tres Generaciones Tequila, chinola passion fruit, hibiscus, guava, lime, and agave.
How to book: Reservations can be made online.

A short stroll from iconic Musso & Frank’s is this swanky, British-style pub from Ten Five Hospitality (Mother Wolf, Desert 5 Spot) that transports you across the pond with exposed brick, cozy leather booths, plaid carpeting, and a quaint garden patio that teems with vintage accents and hanging plants. There’s also a dining room for tucking into elevated pub classics like Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, and a weekly Sunday Roast with roasted prime rib, gravy, roasted potatoes, and Yorkshire Pudding, but do stay for post-dinner drinks like the Bloody Mary Martini and Paint it Black, their spin on an espresso martini. With two big-screen TVs airing rugby and soccer matches, plus weekly trivia nights and in-house fiddle band Fiddler and The Chaps, The Chap is a welcome addition to Hollywood’s revived bar scene, offering an option for every type of tippler.
How to book: Walk in for drinks or make dinner reservations via Resy.

Much of what makes dive bars so appealing also made them one of the worst places to hang out during the pandemic: they’re often cramped with a lack of windows, communal snacks sitting at the bar, and a handful of regulars who are varying degrees of charming to downright annoying or offensive, but you can also count on friendly bartenders ready to serve you strong, straightforward, and reasonably priced drinks. This worn-in ambience is part of their charm, and what the folks at Tiny’s Hi Dive are leaning into, featuring a jukebox, red leather booths, a pool table, and bar food that includes Windy City staples like an Italian Beef sandwich and a Chicago Dog. Stop by any day before 8 pm to take advantage of happy hour, and feel free to dig into their comfort-driven menu until the kitchen closes at midnight.
How to book: Walk in.

Jeff Strauss, the man behind modern deli sensation Jeff’s Table, is also to thank for this fun Studio City bar that slings classic co*cktails and a contemporary take on bar food—including a hoisin-dashed burger that’s already reached cult status. Cozy up at the bar or at one of the outdoor tables to enjoy scratch-made co*cktails and the aforementioned burger, or venture towards one of the rotating plates like Steak Frites served with a szechuan-peppercorn chimichurri and crispy potatoes. The kitchen is open until a generous 10 pm.
How to book: Walk-ins only. Prepare for a wait at dinner time.

The West Coast has long been a destination for Peruvian-Nikkei cuisine and more recently we’ve been the lucky recipient of several dining destinations from South American neighbor Brazil. From Last Word Hospitality (Found Oyster, Same Same Thai) Caipirinha Bar is part of this wave, featuring drinks and dishes from South Brazil, with three versions of its namesake caipirinha co*cktail, a Brazilian Mai Tai, and Brazilian beer, as well as traditional items like savory Coxinha pastries and Picanha Steak Skewers, plus hearty options like a Mortadello Sando and a vegetarian shepherd’s pie called Escondidinho. A full global wine list and a few classic co*cktails are on offer, plus creative twists like the Hibiscus Cooler with vodka, lemon, hibiscus, sugar, and bubbles. Stop by on Wednesday nights to enjoy Bossa Nova and other Brazilian hits on vinyl.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Italian aperitivo culture has taken hold of LA and there’s nowhere better to taste the trend than at recently reinvigorated Capri Club, a popular Italian restaurant from 1963 to 2019. Owner Robert Fleming and beverage director Nic Vascocu brought it back to life with vintage Italian style (think: hanging light fixtures, red leather booths, and deep green wood paneling) and a solid list of classic co*cktails and spritzes, plus a few fun touches like rotating frozen specials and the Bobby Special, which offers an ice cold mug of Peroni and a Ferrari shot for $10. The 50/50 menu is also worth a gander, featuring $6 drinks with two ingredients, like the Mezcaletti with mezcal and meletti, and The Closer, with amaro and Cafe Moka. A short menu of above-average bites is available, with options like Tuna-Stuffed Peppers and Pancetta-Wrapped Dates, Figs and Potatoes.
How to book: Walk-ins only.

Inglewood’s first and only wine bar is owned by sisters Leslie and Leann Jones, two lifelong Inglewood residents who wanted to offer a convenient and upscale nightlife option so that locals aren’t forced to leave the neighborhood when they want a night out. They serve the largest collection of Black-owned wine labels in California, along with elevated bar bites and a few entree choices like Kobe Beef Sliders and a creamy risotto with Creole-style shrimp. Happy hour is Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5–6 pm and Thursdays from 5–10 pm, with $2 off all house wines plus food specials, and on Sundays they serve brunch from 11 am–4 pm with bottomless mimosas and a live DJ.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted, but reservations are encouraged and can be made online.