If you’re looking for an extraordinary place to bring a date, or just a place where you can hang out with friends, check out some of my favorite vintage Los Angeles bars below. These will surely impress!
1. Clifton’s (DTLA)
I’ve already raved about Clifton’s in my Top 20 Downtown LA Date Ideas article; it’s one of my favorite Downtown LA hangouts. Originally opening in 1935, Clifton’s underwent a $10 million renovation and re-opened in 2015. It’s a huge space with multiple bars, a cafeteria, a ballroom, and of course, taxidermied animals including a life-sized Bison! It’s quirky, to say the least and unlike anything else in Los Angeles.
On weekends, there is DJ’d music on the second floor and live Swing band on the third floor in the Brookdale Ballroom. If you’re on a date and things are going well, try to find the hidden “make out room” on the second floor, The Stone Chapel.
The Pacific Seas Tiki Bar Inside Clifton’s
If you are able, check out the Pacific Seas, a wonderful Tiki bar on the fourth floor. This sometimes has a separate line and even separate admission (but sometimes not). It’s worth going up, even just to take a look.
2. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Lobby, Pool, and The Spare Room
Built in 1926, the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is located right in the middle of the most active part of Hollywood Boulevard but its interior will transport you back in time. It’s a great place for a drink after dinner and isn’t too crowded so you can have some quality conversation if you want. On some nights (currently Thursdays) they have a live jazz band with some Swing dancing going on.
Or, head over to the bar by the pool for one of the coolest outdoor areas in Hollywood. On Thursday nights, they show movies by the pool (Tropicana Movie Nights). Cost is only $12.
There are all kinds of cool events going on at the hotel. Check the Hollywood Roosevelt event schedule for what’s currently on deck.
The Spare Room is the swanky bar and bowling alley(!) is inside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Bowling is expensive (over $100), but grab a drink and you can play Jenga for free while people-watching. It’s not open every night, but when it is, it’s pretty awesome!
3. Sassafras Saloon (Hollywood)
If Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride had a bar, Sassafras Saloon would be it. Designed to make you feel like you’re outdoors (even though you’re inside), this is one of my favorite Hollywood-area bars. Grab a drink, then ease into the “building” directly across for some intimate conversation. Some nights they have a live band playing on the balcony at the end of the bar.
4. Angel City Brewery (DTLA Arts District)
Housed in an over-one-hundred-year-old brick warehouse, Angel City Brewery is one of my favorite casual, fun hangouts. The company that was here is famous for making the cable holding up the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, it’s a hipster hangout featuring board games and brews nestled in the always-interesting Downtown LA Arts District.
5. The Rhythm Room (DTLA)
If there was a Dave & Buster’s in the 1930’s, this would be it. The Rhythm Room features ping-pong, pool, darts, shuffleboard, and more in a vintage underground setting.
6. The Formosa Cafe
This West Hollywood institution was completely renovated and recently re-opened. The historic Formosa Cafe is on my “to do” list and it looks amazing!
7. Highland Park Bowl
Highland Park Bowl is an amazing vintage bar and bowling alley in the heart of Highland Park on Figueroa. It claims to be L.A.’s oldest bowling alley, though getting a lane can be difficult and is a bit expensive. Still, it’s worth going to just grab and drink and hang out!
8. The Wolves (DTLA)
The Wolves is a Parisian-style bar at the Alexandria hotel in Downtown LA, meticulously restored and decorated to it’s early 20th century glory days. It’s not quite as big as the publicity photos would suggest, but it’s still a great place to hang out with a date after dinner. The drinks are amazing, with all locally-sourced ingredients except for the alcohol itself.
For quiet conversation in an intimate space, try to get one of the two-person tables in the balcony.
9. Sirena at the Georgian Hotel (Santa Monica)
Known as “Santa Monica’s First Lady”, the Georgian Hotel was established in 1933, welcoming guests like Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe. It underwent extensive restoration to revive its vintage glory.
Overlooking Ocean Avenue, Sirena is the hotel’s lobby restaurant, featuring Italian cuisine by chef David Almany, who worked under Nancy Silverton for almost a decade, so you won’t be disappointed by the food if you decide to dine there.
You can also come for drinks and intimate conversation with an ocean view at the Sunset Terrace, or at the exquisite Sunset Bar. Afterward, take a walk down to the pier!
More restaurants and bars on Ocean Avenue here.
10. The Lucky Tiki (West Hollywood)
Located behind the Tail o’ the Pup in West Hollywood (not to be confused with Pink’s), The Lucky Tiki might be small, but it makes up for it in its uniqueness and coolness factor. First of all, the entrance is secret! There are no signs. Go behind Tail o’ the Pup and look for a pickle barrel, and open the hatch to buzz in. When the door opens, go up the stairs to reveal a wonderful Tiki wonderland. Of course, the drinks are unique and fun! Just make reservations beforehand!
11. Seven Grand (DTLA)
If you’re in the mood for a little adventure (and are not driving), try a flight of whiskeys at Seven Grand, a vintage-styled whiskey bar in the heart of downtown LA. If you’re like me, and know nothing about whiskey, ask the bartender, who will be happy to make some recommendations.
12. The Victorian / Basement Tavern (Santa Monica)
The Victorian is a charming vintage mansion on Santa Monica’s Main Street. Sometimes it’s rented out for special events, but other times, it’s open as a bar or even as a Salsa club.
Basement Tavern is a secret underground bar hidden below The Victorian. Enter through an obscure passage at the rear of the building. This place can get insanely crowded on the weekends, but come here on a weeknight for a quiet time with someone special, or to check out their whiskey collection. Wednesday night is karaoke night. More Santa Monica date ideas here.
13. The Misfit (Santa Monica)
The Misfit, inside a historic 1929 clock tower building, is a bar you’d expect to see in Downtown LA. But, it’s blocks from the beach, next to Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade (so it’s named appropriately). Surrounded by dark wood and leather, you’ll find respite here from the tourists roaming outside. But be warned, it can get super crowded during peak periods. Its happy hour was named one of the best in LA by the Los Angeles Times and Eater LA.
14. La Descarga (Hollywood)
You enter La Descarga through a closet on the second floor and emerge in pre-Castro Cuba complete with salsa music, dancing, and a burlesque show between sets. Brush up on your salsa moves before going, and be prepared to have a good time. Note there is a dress code.
15. The Edison (temporarily closed)
Brought to you by Andrew Meieran, the developer of Clifton’s, The Edison is an amazing subterranean space featuring early 20th-century electrical generator equipment and silent movies projected on the walls (“Metropolis” from 1927 for example). Perfect to satisfy all of your Steampunk needs, it also has live music and entertainment on some nights. Although there is a dress code, this place is not pretentious; it’s enforced to preserve the vintage ambiance!
More Date Ideas
What are your favorite vintage bars in LA? Let me know in the comments below. – Brian
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