Los Angeles · West Hollywood
West Hollywood runs from the hotel bars on the Sunset Strip to the cocktail rooms along Santa Monica Boulevard. The run below covers a hotel martini room, a storied music club, a hidden Negroni bar, and a rooftop over the Strip. Each pick is a real, currently open room with its own profile on the site.
COCKTAIL BARS · $$$$
The Tower Bar sits in the Sunset Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, a wood panelled room that keeps an old Hollywood hush. The Tower Martini is the order. Reserve for dinner or take a stool at the bar for a quieter seat.
LIVE MUSIC · $$
The Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard has booked breakthrough acts since 1957, with a front bar that fills before doors. The house whiskey keeps the night moving. Buy tickets ahead and arrive early for the rail.
HIDDEN GEMS · $$$
The Darkroom hides off Sunset Boulevard, a dim cocktail room that locals keep to themselves. The Darkroom Negroni is the call. It opens Wednesday through Saturday and the small room fills quickly after ten.
COCKTAIL BARS · $$$$
Bar Marmont sits beside the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard, a long running room with a ceiling of moths and a steady crowd. The Marmont Negroni is the house pour. Go midweek for the calmer version.
COCKTAIL BARS · $$$
The Roger Room hides behind a palm reader sign on North La Cienega Boulevard, a tight room with a careful list. The Hollywood Negroni is the order. Come on a weeknight, since the small space books up by the weekend.
COCKTAIL BARS · $$$
Melrose Umbrella Company runs a vintage themed room on Melrose Avenue, with a long classic list and a back patio. The Umbrella Punch suits a group. It opens daily and works as a steady neighbourhood stop.
COCKTAIL BARS · $$
The Formosa Cafe on Santa Monica Boulevard returned after a careful restoration, a red boothed room packed with studio history. The Mai Tai is the order. The old trolley car room is the seat to ask for.
ROOFTOP BARS · $$$$
Skybar tops the Mondrian on Sunset Boulevard, a poolside terrace with a wide view across the Strip. The Skybar Margarita is the house pour. Reserve for sunset, when the deck draws a hotel and visitor crowd.
Use this guide as a route through West Hollywood or as a checklist for a weekend in Los Angeles. Reservations are flagged where they matter. For the wider picture, see the full Los Angeles bar guide, the city's best cocktail bars, and the rooftop bars in Los Angeles.