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Best Bars In Los Angeles

idle hour 610
(credit: William Bradford/Idle Hour)

Los Angeles is home to some of the best bars in the country and the world. From cocktail bars to beer bars and everything in between, these are our picks for the best bars across LA right now!

the walker inn
(credit: The Walker Inn)

Walker Inn
3612 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 263-2709
www.thewalkerinnla.com

Los Angeles is really starting to see some great places popping up in Koreatown. In fact, that's where an awesome bar named Walker Inn recently opened. The speakeasy-like cocktail boasts cutting edge cocktails developed by mixology masters that are divided between two menus: The Book and The Walker Menu. To access the Walker Inn, you must go through the Normandie Club to the back. The main lounge accommodates 27 people and reservations are encouraged. However, there are ten rooms on the second floor to handle the overflow of walk-ins. The cocktails average about $20 a pop, but are totally Instagram-worthy.

Related: Best Speakeasies In LA

Matt Kemp
Kevork Djansezian /Getty Images

E.P & L.P
603 N La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 855-9955
www.eplosangeles.com

The concept for EP & LP could be confusing at first, but really all you need to know is that LP represents the patio bar at this establishment that also offers dining. As a must visit rooftop bar in LA, LP offers stunning views of the LA skyline, along with delicious cocktails from the people behind Hemingway's. When you get hungry, they've got plenty of delicious eats for you to dine on as well!

oktoberfest ashland
(credit: Ashland Hill)

Ashland Hill
2807 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-3300
www.ashlandhill.com

A self-described beach town-casual craft beer and wine garden, Ashland Hill fits in perfectly with the existing Santa Monica's Ocean Park eateries and bars. It's big on supporting local breweries as well as providing national and international brews for a well-rounded selection. So, don't find it surprising to select from a wide range of brews from all over, including local ones. White and red wines also have global range here. From Santa Barbara wines to Venezuela to Italy, they have a big selection. The interior is casual but trendy enough for the neighborhood, and the patio is inviting and open year 'round. The food menu is light and perfectly paired with the grapes and grains.

breakroom 86
(credit: Michael C./Yelp)

Break Room 86
630 S. Ardmore Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 368-3056
www.breakroom86.com

Break Room 86 will take you all the way back to when music and cocktails were decadent and the person with the high score on the most popular arcade game ruled. That's right: 1980s. Break Room 86 brings it all back with DJ spun 80s music, 80s album covers and other vintage decor like the phone booth from "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." There are also performances by breakdancers and a Michael Jackson impersonator. The karaoke rooms are a must if you can get in, if not for the list of fun 80s songs to sing but because each is equipped with a real Atari. Is this place an "Eternal Flame" or "Another One Bites the Dust?" You be the judge.

kwanza300
(credit: sassafrassaloon.com)

Sassafras
1233 N Vine St
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Neighborhood: Hollywood
(323) 467-2800
www.sassafrassaloon.com

Situated in a location reminiscent of a Savannah townhouse, Sassafras offers a setting in which you'll feel like you're really in the south. The southern-style bar, along with a dry cleaners rack above the bar, refashioned as a glass bottle holder, and details in the lavatory like an old-fashioned toilet with a chain pull flush, brings back barrel aged cocktails from the 1880's to the delight of Angelenos.

GuestRoomSpeakeasy
(Credit: Wonho Frank Lee )

Guest Room
Estate
1519 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
www.estate1519.com

It may not be easy to find, but isn't that the allure of bars these days? This secret Prohibtion-era speakeasy themed bar serves up cocktails that will make you feel as if you've just stepped out of a classic 20's car and into the backdoor of this bar. Situated next to the new Estate restaurant on Wilshire in Santa Monica, Guest Room's fancy new speakeasy vibe pays homage to those Prohibition days. Barman Grey Bryson oversees the bar and ensures that the secret entrance to the bar in the alley stays a bit secret to add to the allure. Inside, patrons find a heavy influence of Art Deco style with a refined, yet upscale feel and plenty of classic drinks like a Tom Collins or Mary Pickford, plus more creative drinks like an I've Still Got 99, mixing gin, strawberry cordial, lemon and a float of cava.

fiscal agent
(credit: The Fiscal Agent)

Fiscal Agent
11801 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 90603
(818) 623-8088
www.thefiscalagent.com

It's easy to see why Fiscal Agent has made a name for itself in the Studio City section of the Valley. Situated above Barrel and Ashes, the Julian Cox backed bar serves up some of the best drinks in town in a secret speakeasy type hideaway that is only open from Wednesday to Saturday. They also offer some great food too when it's time to snack on some small bites,

EPandLP Ep&LP - eplp_bar rooftop
(credit: Alen Lin)

E.P. & L.P.
603 N. La Cienega Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 855-9955
www.eplosangeles.com

A few years ago, a corner Persian rug store sat at the corner of Melrose Ave. And La Cienega. Today, that building has been transformed to include one of the hottest restaurants/bars LA has to offer. Given the neighborhood, it should come as no surprise that it was going to be a big hit. Offering stunning views from the rooftop, the kitchen churns out Asian bites, while the stylish bar serves up unique drinks from a carefully crafted cocktail menu. Offering views that are worth the visit alone, the patio is easily one of LA's best. From the "L.P. Pimms Cup with gin, sweet vermouth, fresh lemon and lime, cucumber, strawberry, fresh mint and ginger to the "Sunset in Rosarito," you can't go wrong with whatever drink you choose here as well. You can even order some of these great cocktails by the pitcher to enjoy with friends.

Everson Royce Bar
(credit: Eric A./Yelp)

Everson Royce Bar
1936 E 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 335-6166
www.erbla.com

With a tremendous outdoor patio, this downtown bar has made a name for itself this year. Open nightly until 2am, Everson Royce Bar comes to downtown LA all thanks the team behind one of the coolest and hipstery concepts in Silverlake: Silverlake Wine. Situated in the Arts District of DTLA, the cool crowd sips on cocktails like The Paper Plane, a bourbon based drink with Aperol and amaro, and many others that go great with Chef Matt Molina's small bites. With great cocktails, bocce ball to play, tasty eats, and their famed back patio, it could not be left off our list of the best bars of the year.

Idle-Hour pc william bradford
(credit:William Bradford)

Idle Hour
4824 N. Vineland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 91601
(818) 980-5604
www.idlehourbar.com

Located adjacent to that crazy six-point intersection near the infamous Odyssey Video store is where you'll find North Hollywood's newest and hottest ale house, Idle Hour. The place was first a taproom back in the 40s. In the 70s it was a flamenco bar, and after it closed it had a brief appearance in Lethal Weapon 4. It wasn't until the 1933 Group bought the place and restored 75 years of history that Idle Hour reopened in February of 2015. The cocktails are clever and delightful and the food offers the same. The interior is exactly what you would think a pub would like if it were inside of a barrel, and the giant Bulldog watching over the back patio is more cool that gimmicky. It's a welcomed addition to this rising neighborhood.

Related: The Best Burgers In Los Angeles

Kristine G. Bottone is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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