The best cocktail bars in Los Angeles in 2026 are Death & Co in the Arts District, Thunderbolt and Bar Flores in Echo Park, Seven Grand downtown for whiskey and Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood for a classic martini. Mírate in Los Feliz, The Wolves downtown and Gold Line in Highland Park round out a list that runs from craft cocktails to old Hollywood.
LA's cocktail scene is spread out, so pick a neighborhood: downtown and the Arts District for big-name bars, Echo Park and Highland Park for smaller neighborhood spots, Hollywood for history. For views, see our best rooftop bars.
The New York cocktail institution's big Arts District bar.
Death & Co's LA bar is a stylish, two-level space with a long, inventive menu from the team behind the famous New York bar.
The cocktails are precise and the service is polished.
Good to know: Reserve ahead for weekends.
818 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Southern-inspired cocktails and a top bar team in Echo Park.
Thunderbolt is a neighborhood cocktail bar on Temple Street with a focus on Southern-influenced drinks, seasonal ingredients and fast service.
It is a regular on lists of the best bars in North America.
Good to know: Go early in the evening for a seat at the bar.
1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A bright second-floor bar with Latin-inspired cocktails.
Bar Flores is a small second-floor bar on Sunset, above sister restaurant Adamae, with a patio, serving cocktails built on agave, fruit and herbs.
It feels relaxed and friendly.
Good to know: Grab a patio spot at sunset.
1542 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
A whiskey bar with hundreds of bottles and live jazz.
Seven Grand is a lodge-style whiskey bar with an enormous list, pool tables and live music on some nights.
Ask the bartenders for a flight.
Good to know: Check the calendar for jazz nights.
515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Hollywood's oldest restaurant, famous for its martinis.
Musso & Frank has been on Hollywood Boulevard since 1919, with red booths, red-jacketed waiters and a famous martini served with a sidecar.
Sit at the long bar for the full experience.
Good to know: The bar is first come, first served.
6667 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Mexican-inspired cocktails and a leafy patio.
Mírate is a multi-level Los Feliz restaurant and bar with an agave-focused cocktail list, a mezcalería and a big, plant-filled patio. It has been named one of North America's 50 Best Bars.
The food menu is modern Mexican.
Good to know: Book a patio table for dinner and drinks.
1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
A Belle Époque-style bar with seasonal cocktails.
The Wolves is a dark, ornate cocktail bar on Spring Street with a menu of seasonal drinks and a hidden-room feel.
It is a good stop before or after dinner downtown.
Good to know: Weeknights are calmer.
519 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
A record-lined bar from the Stones Throw label founder.
Gold Line is a cozy bar on Figueroa with a wall of records, DJs spinning vinyl and good cocktails. It was opened by Stones Throw founder Peanut Butter Wolf.
It is part of Highland Park's bar strip.
Good to know: Check who is spinning before you go.
5607 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Death & Co in the Arts District and Thunderbolt in Echo Park are two of the most acclaimed. Musso & Frank is the classic for martinis.
Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood, which has served martinis since 1919, is the most famous.
Some, such as Death & Co, take reservations; most neighborhood bars are walk-in. Weekends after 9 p.m. fill up.
Seven Grand downtown has a huge whiskey list and live jazz some nights.
Expect about $16 to $22 a drink at craft cocktail bars, before tip.