A-Frame
Legendary chef Roy Choi’s urban-rustic cabin serves up burgers and rustic dishes, all with his signature Korean twist, plus A+ cocktails and sensory-exploding side dishes. It’s mess-hall style and a casual flare. 12565 Washington Blvd.; 310.398.7700
One-Eyed Gypsy
Sexy and perfectly boudoir, the Arts District’s latest watering hole is from the folks behind Villians Tavern. Grab a whisky or a beer and then spend the night enjoying live music and challenging friends to gratis skee-ball. 901 E 1st St.; 626.340.3529
Mélisse
Reservations are a must at this legendary Santa Monica eatery, where the Hollywood elite dine and we, every day folks, keep it cool. This romantic French-fare outpost still serves up seafood. So, don’t miss the mussels! 1104 Wilshire Blvd.; 310.395.0881
Industriel
With walls textured with vintage-decor items, reclaimed wood, and antique pulleys, Industriel’s urban farmhouse aesthetic is cozy and very culinary focused. Each day begins with a trip to the local farmers’ market to create food presented in mason jars adorned with twine. 609 S Grand Ave.; 213.488.8020
Hotel Figueroa
Many know Hotel Figueroa as the must-book place for an Eastern-inspired soirée and as a relaxed spot to grab a drink or a swim. With an ornate Moroccan motif, Hotel Fig maintains a subtle nod to Los Angeles’ glory days, and is a gem in the heart of DTLA. 939 S Figueroa St.; 213.627.8971
Tres by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
Seductive and modern, the grounds of the SLS hotel are worth a walk around, if only to take in the eye-catching details from designer Philippe Starck’s latest lounge. Grab a cocktail, get lost in the surreal, Alice in Wonderland vibe, then settle in at the communal table for a fun evening of amazing see-and-be-seen people watching. 465 S La Cienega Blvd.; 310.247.0400
Seven Grand
Up the dark staircase past Mas Malo lies Seven Grand, where connoisseurs of fine whiskey, play in a dimly lit atmosphere adorned with loads of antlers. 515 W 7th St.; 213.614.0737
Salvage
Salvage keeps the vibe true to its DTLA locale by embracing design elements that reflect the 20’s era. Think vintage fixtures, doors, panels, and windows, all perfectly preserved and updated. The atmosphere is polished but also casual. 717 W 7th St.; 213.688.7755
The Penthouse at The Huntley
Although this place can be very sceney, this place is uber inviting and extremely sexy. With priceless views of the Santa Monica coastline, enjoy the super-chic Penthouse resto, and pitch-perfect martinis. 1111 2nd St.; 310.394.5454
Villains Tavern
Villains has a rotating roster of bluegrass Americana bands six days a week. Order up the founder’s favorite, the Fatal Hour, crafted from rye whiskey, chili bitters, and cherry syrup and enjoy the tunes. 1356 Palmetto; 213.613.0766
Avalon Hotel
Stepping into this cool poolside oasis that is reminiscent of Mid Century Palm Springs. The Avalon’s resto, Oliverio, dishes up the freshest Italian fare inspired by the culinary exploits of Milan. 9400 W Olympic Blvd.; 310.277.5221
Eveleigh
After the artisanal cocktails, Eveleigh’s biggest draw is its indoor-slash-outdoor appeal. Reminiscent of a chic urban treehouse, take a seat at the round bar that is front and center with fellow patrons, or, head to the back of the sprawling space for treetop views. 8752 Sunset Blvd.; 424.239.1630
Cafe La Bohème
Seductive enough for a hot date, but unpretentious enough for a good time with friends, the transformed La Bohème has an alluring abundance with fireplaces, candlelight, and sparkling chandeliers. Don’t miss happy hour! 8400 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323.848.2360
Church & State
Nestled in the old loading dock of the original Nabisco Building, strings of bistro lights hang from vaulted ceilings, and brick walls, smoky mirrors, and an open kitchen create a distinctly European feel. Along with your cheese and charcuterie, we advise you to order The Hemingway, a cocktail crafted from Matusalem Platino Rum, Luxardo, lime, and grapefruit. 1850 Industrial St.; 213.405.1434
Bow And Truss
If you have yet to hit up the NoHo Arts District, let Bow and Truss be your intro to the eclectic area. Head for the spacious, brick patio and order up some Latin-inspired cuisine, which pairs perfectly with the bevy of craft beers on tap. On chillier nights, head indoors and grab a seat at the bar. It’s perfect for taking in the gorgeous industrial space and sharing a few dishes amongst friends. 11122 Magnolia Blvd.; 818.985.8787
Another Notable:
Las Perlas, 107 E 6th St.; 213.988.8355.
Whist Restaurant at The Viceroy, 1819 Ocean Ave.; 310.260.7511.
Good Luck Bar, 1514 Hillhurst Ave.; 323.666.3524.
Library Bar, 630 West 6th St., #116A; 213.614.0053.
The Edison, 108 West 2nd St., #101; 213.613.0000.
Sassafras, 1233 N Vine St.; 323.467.2800.
The Phoenix, 14 La Cienega Blvd.; 310.289.5925.
