It Feels like summer is here! Whether the sun is out or not, there are plenty of spots for playing hooky around Los Angeles:
Big Bar At Alcove
Here, you’ll find an indoor/outdoor experience.This Los Feliz fav has great wine, beer, or great cocktails that the mixologists are happy to have you sample. Order the Harvest Moon, packed with Laird’s Applejack, Amaro Nonino, Lillet, and house-pressed apple juice. 1929 Hillhurst Ave., 323.644.0100
ABH at The Thompson Hotel
Hotel bars are the best place to people watch. I mean they are filled with out-of-towners. The rooftop here, has panoramic views and cocktail pitchers filled with Pineapple Mojitos or Watermelon Margaritas. 9360 Wilshire Blvd.; 310.273.1400.
Los Angeles Brewing Company
With 100 beers on their menu, you won’t know where to start when you enter this downtown watering hole. Up for a challenge? LABC has a beer club, which offers an incentive to try each one of its brews. When you reach your 50th, you receive a beer mug with your name engraved on it (which they will keep at the bar for you), and then at your 100th, they’ll serve you a free brewskie each time you visit. You just have to drink got up every two weeks to keep the tally afloat. 750 S Broadway; 213.622.0500.
The Belmont
The outdoor patio at this Los Angeles staple is always bumpin’. On the weekends, you can build our own Bloody Marys with the setup that includes just about any ingredient you could want to cure your hangover. 747 N La Cienega Blvd.; 310.659.8871.
Café Habana
This NYC transplant has the girliest margarita. Order the Prickly Pear, and a magenta cocktail will hit your table. Come on guys, you’re manly enough to order one. Head over here on a Tuesday, they have $3 tacos and Tecate. 3939 Cross Creek Rd., 310.317.0300
High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin
It’s almost summer. Catch some rays at this Venice hot spot while you sip some coconut-rum-infused drinks or their delicious Sangria. They don’t open until 3 pm Monday-Thursday, but get there early for the 1 pm on the weekends. Be warned, it’s consistently packed. 1697 Pacific Ave., 310.452.1111
The Roof On Wilshire at The Hotel Wilshire
This mid-city rooftop haven is ideal for drinks, brunch, dinner…you name it. Add some sunshine and a breeze, and you’ve got pure bliss on! It’s a rooftop pool with out the sceney vibe. 6317 Wilshire Blvd., 323.852.6002
The Village Idiot
With a pub-like feel and a large wine list, this is a great afternoon spot. Plus, they have a list of beer cocktails like the “Shandy,” which blends lager and lemon-lime soda into one delicious libation. 7383 Melrose Ave., 323.655.3331
Oscar’s Cerveteca
A Venice locals’ bar, Oscars has an unparalleled cool factor. With a a great wine list and amazing food, they may have to kick you out. 523 Rose Ave., 310.310.8937
Bar Bouchon
Relax in Thomas Keller’s courtyard-casual alternative to the upstairs Bistro. Have a swanky lunch (Try the Grilled Cheese) and be low-key amongst the Hollywood heavy-hitters. 235 N Canon Dr., 310.271.9910
The Escondite
On this eatery’s Triple Threat Thursdays, you can score a burger, a beer, and a shot for a only $15. Their Hangover’s Revenge weekend brunch has $4 Bloody Marys and Mimosas. It’s deals, deals, deals. 410 Boyd St., 213.626.1800
The Cabana Café at The Beverly Hills Hotel
Poolside here is probably the most exclusive place to spend a beautiful day in Los Angeles. They’ll treat you like a queen and you’ll soak up some rays. If you’re not looking at the price, reserve a cabana for the ultimate glam experience. 9641 Sunset Blvd., 310.276.2251
Moonshadows Malibu
This Pacific spot is the coziest view of the coast you’ll find. The seafood is as fresh as it gets, and make sure you stay for the sunset! 20356 Pacific Coast Highway; 310.456.3010
Larry’s
Larry’s is located right on the Boardwalk in Venice, and named for iconic CA minimalist artist Larry Bell. Order a Wild Mushroom Pizza (wild mushrooms, wild arugula, topped with burrata) from the original Palihouse chef Brendan Collins, and wash it down with the restaurant’s Sangria. 24 Windward Ave., 310.399.2700
Blue Plate Oysterette
Right in the middle of Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica is a little taste of the East Coast. This glam clam shack has a smorgasbord of seafood. 1355 Ocean Ave., 310.576.3474
The Penthouse at The Huntley Hotel
With a sky-scraping view of the ocean and sexy-cool decor, this is always at the top of my list for an occasion. It’s bright, sexy, and they have cocktails like the Mello Mojito, made with watermelon, mint, and rum. 1111 2nd St.; 310.394.5454
The Rooftop at The Standard Hotel Downtown & The Standard Biergarten
Enjoy a drink and a dip in the pool! If you haven’t hit the Biergarten yet, they stock German snacks like currywurst and pretzels and, of course, a ton of brewskies. 550 Flower St.; 213.892.8080
Marix Tex Mex Café
WeHo’s ultimate Mexican restaurant never disappoints with its ginormous margs (you can get them in skinny versions and in pitchers too). Soak up the booze with their delicious menu. 1108 N Flores St., 323.656.8800
Notables:
Red Lion Tavern, 2366 Glendale Blvd.; 323.662.5337
Tortilla Republic, 616 N Robertson Blvd.; 310.657.9888
Venice Whaler Bar and Grill, 10 Washington Blvd.; 310.821.8737
The Abbey, 692 N Robertson Blvd.; 310.289.8410
Saint Felix, 8945 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310.275.4428
