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Best Cocktail Happy Hours In Los Angeles

bartender bar drinks alcohol 610 header
(credit: Shutterstock)

When the drinks make your taste buds feel rich at a price your wallet can appreciate, there's no better way to unwind from a long day at work (or play) than by kicking back a few cocktails at the best happy hours in Los Angeles. If a sip of the finest cocktails from these establishments doesn't impress you, then perhaps a little live entertainment or a unique atmosphere might change your mind after a few drinks into the evening.

craftsmanbar and kitchen
(credit: Eriko P./Yelp)

The Craftsman Bar
119 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-6037
www.thecraftsmanbar.com
Happy Hour: Every day until 8pm

Get handcrafted cocktails for only $5. The happy hour cocktail menu includes margaritas, Brown Derbys made with whiskey and grapefruit juice, Brandy Sidecars, Gin Southsiders and Bee's Knees made with vodka, lemon juice and honey. You can also get well drinks and house wine for $5 but the best bang for your buck is on the cocktails. Sip on your favorite cocktail all throughout happy hour or enjoy one of each until time is up. The best part about the Craftsman Bar is the live music that goes on every Tuesday through Sunday -- no cover charge required.

Culver Hotel Lounge
(credit: Culver Hotel)

The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 558-9400
www.culverhotel.com
Happy Hour: 4pm to 7pm daily

The Culver Hotel is mostly known for its live music, which transforms the grand lobby into something of a piano bar with a jazz club vibe every evening after 7:30 p.m. Come early for good seats and fancy drinks that take you back to the days of prohibition. During daily happy hours, enjoy $5 beer and wine, $6 bites and $7 cocktails. The cocktail happy hour menu includes the Cucumber Mule, the Culver Hotel's own rendition of the popular Moscow Mule; Prohibition Punch made with Absolut; and the Yellow Brick Lemonade, an homage to the hotel's history when the cast of "The Wizard of Oz" stayed there. If you're too toasted to go home, sober up to the tune of musicians like Paul Di Blassi, Glenn's Circle or the Mark Alan Group.

Bigfoot West
(credit: Bigfoot West)

Bigfoot West
10939 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 287-2200
www.bigfootwest.com
Happy Hour: 5pm to 9pm daily

For a cocktail happy hour in a unique environment, look no further than Bigfoot West where whiskey lovers go for special concoctions made using techniques and recipes from the olden days. During happy hour, get all drinks for only $5. The happy hour cocktail menu includes Western Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Gin Gimlets, Vodka Presses and Sazeracs served in an Absinthe-kissed glass. From 5 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. or 8:50 p.m. (depending on the night), Bigfoot West also serves empanadas from the Venice Bakery for only $3. All cocktails are made with freshly-squeezed juices, homemade purees and seasonal ingredients from the local farmers market.

Related: Best Late-Night Happy Hours in Los Angeles

Copa d'Oro
(credit: Copa d'Oro)

Copa D'Oro
217 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 576-3030
www.copadoro.com
Happy Hour: all night on Mondays and 5:30pm to 8pm Tuesdays through Saturdays

At Copa D'Oro, get half off on quality cocktail drinks made using premium ingredients and organic produce from the local farmers' market. The $5 cocktail happy hour menu includes Copa originals like the Imperfect Manhattan, Caribbean Collins and Lenin Aid. For $6 cocktails, try a Moon Goddess made with St. Germain, grapefruit juice and sparkling wine or a Cannon Fire made with bourbon, honey-ginger syrup and organic apple juice. Happy hour also includes $4 beer and $5 glasses of wine if you feel so inclined.

cocktail
(credit: Shutterstock)

The Association
110 E. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-7385
www.theassociation-la.com
Happy Hour: 8pm to 9pm Tuesdays through Thursdays and 7pm to 9pm Fridays

Drink as many discounted specialty cocktails as you can in one hour for $7 a cocktail or learn how to make them instead. This swanky speakeasy offers complimentary cocktail classes on Friday nights teaching the basics of craft cocktail designs and includes a few tastings of The Association's signature drinks. The happy hour cocktail menu includes a unique concoction revolving around each of your favorite liquors. The Rising Sun is a good option for scotch and coffee lovers and the Rose Bowl is great for vodka lovers. If you prefer bourbon or rum, try the King's Cup or Bay of Smokes. The crowd here is said to be trendy so dress accordingly.

Related: Best Cocktail Bars In Los Angeles

Niki Payne is a freelance writer covering all things Entertainment in Los Angeles. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
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