City guide

Los Angeles Bar Guide

Tucked behind Cole's French Dip restaurant, the Varnish is LA's most serious classic cocktail bar. Low ceilings, candlelight, and drinks made with real intention. Arrive before 9pm for a seat.

The Top 50 in Los Angeles 50 bars

How this guide was made

Every bar in this guide is researched against multiple independent sources, including the venue's own channels, Google and Yelp reviews read in volume, local Reddit threads, and published reviews from outlets like Time Out, The Infatuation, and Eater. No bar is listed without at least three corroborating sources, and each entry is approved by a named editor, never an algorithm and never a paid placement. Read our full methodology and editorial standards, or meet the editors behind the reviews.

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