LA is one of those cities where you can find just about anything. Yet, in a city that has everything, sometimes it can be a little hard to find that something special. If what you’re looking for happens to be a drink, here are the 7 Best Places to Get a Drink in Hollywood.
The Frolic Room
Possibly one of my favorite dive bars ever, The Frolic is a Hollywood staple and has been for decades. It’s the perfect little hole in the wall located right next to the Pantages Theater on Hollywood Boulevard between the stars whose names I hadn’t heard of. There’s an old mural inside that shows all of the stars of the glory days enjoying martinis. It is rumored that the Frolic was a speakeasy during prohibition. It’s pretty well known that the spot used to be a favorite of Frank Sinatra, and it’s rumored that it was the last place Elizabeth “Black Dahlia” Short was seen alive.
For a taste of history with your drink, The Frolic Room is the spot.
The Pikey
I don’t come to LA often, but when I do, it’s likely I’m going to stop by The Pikey. Whether you are looking for a cheap beer or a cool cocktail, this place has it all. My favorite drinks are the Kate Moss, a shot of Vodka and a glass of Champagne; the, a Pabst and a shot of whiskey; and the, a minty tangy whiskey cocktail. There’s also a great food menu for brunch as well dinner. It’s a dimly lit cave for the semi-mature hipster.
Nestled on a quiet stretch of Sunset Boulevard, it has a convenient yet far from the crowd location, which has made it a go-to spot for some of the local celebs like Channing Tatum and Scarlet Johannesson.
The Nice Guy
When I went to the Nice Guy, I didn’t actually get into the Nice Guy because place is pretty popular with the swanky crowd and requires reservations. Next time I’m in town, I will most definitely make reservations to the Nice Guy because it is the coolest spot in town as judging by its clientele, the likes of which include Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Drake, Selena Gomez and everyone else you secretly hate to love. Besides luring in a hot crowd, the Nice Guy has a unique throwback vibe. The interior is decorated with 70’s era vintage furniture and yellow booths that scream Goodfellas. It was recently featured in a short film by Niclas Larson for Vogue called The Magic Diner starring Alicia Vikander.
La Descarga
If you’re in the mood for a atmosphere, it’s hard to beat La Descarga. The bar has a speak-easy vibe with a Havana look. Upon entering a hostess guides you through a coat closet onto the top of a spiral staircase which overlooks a tropical vintage bar. The evenings entertainment may be a band or, if you’re lucky, an alluring burlesque dancer. Make sure to take a walk to the back room, a chesterfield couch lounge that houses another bar that in addition to tasty beverages also serves a wide range or cigars.
Little Dom’s
For the sophisticated and hungry, Little Dom’s is a haven. ted steps away from Griffith Park, it sits in Los Feliz, one of the quieter areas of LA. It’s a place that’s perfect for daydreaming and having a smooth old fashioned drink, with maybe one or two other people. There’s a little more space, and a little less crowd. Little Dom’s is a classic LA haven that’s reminiscent of an older Hollywood. Its frequents, Dita Von Teese and John Hamm, only perpetuate its charm.
The Rainbow
I had heard of the Rainbow long before I made it a point to explore the Sunset Strip. It was mentioned in some of my favorite songs and the breading ground for some of my favorite rock & roll legends. It’s one of those places that most people don’t usually end up at, except for those who’ve spent the brunt of the last three decades there, like the late Lemmy Kilmister who had been a frequent up until his untimely death earlier this year. Still, for a cold drink, rock & roll memorabilia and rock stars, skip Hard Rock Cafe and check out the Rainbow.
The Three Clubs
I’m not sure what makes the three clubs special, maybe it’s that there isn’t anything ]special about it and it meets all of the expectations for a dive bar/club, which makes it the perfect place to go when you’re looking for nothing special, just a drink and a table with some friends.
Penned by Alina K. A. 