Co-owners Amy Knoll Fraser and Neal Fraser brought new life to the Downtown dining scene in 2014 when they opened Redbird inside the historic Cathedral of St. Vibiana. Much of the church’s interior remains intact with modern details, such as an all-glass ceiling inside the former rectory and wrought-iron gates at the entrance. It’s an ideal setting to enjoy award-winning bar director Tobin Shea’s seasonal cocktails, inspired by LA’s bounty of produce, flowers, and international flavors.

Superfine Playa is the newest Californian-Italian restaurant by inimitable duo Steve and Dina Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza fame. The spot is all about exquisite thin-crust pizzas and bright cocktails that complement the sunny Playa Vista weather. A seat at the bar gets you a full view of the kitchen, plus an up-close look at the fresh ingredients sourced from the local farmers market. The current cocktail menu features variations on classics, such as the Pomelo Paloma.

Guerilla Tacos is locally loved for its scrappy beginnings as a taco truck. Its brick-and-mortar location is decked with a vibrant graffiti wall (a tribute to its street roots) and a stenciled drawing of the late LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold. Friendly service and a fully stocked bar make this spot well-suited for a first date or a lively night out. The most popular cocktails have cheeky names such as the cherry liqueur-accentuated Peach, Please.

Ototo helped Echo Park become a hub for modern Japanese fare when it opened in 2019. The tiny but mighty sake bar wows with its warmly lit interior, cozy nooks, private den (bookable for larger groups), and educational programming. As the only sake spot nominated in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages category for 2023’s James Beard Awards, Ototo offers a rare imported sake lineup aimed at Japanese rice wine neophytes and more seasoned connoisseurs.

Ella Beverly Hills is a contemporary riff on the Prohibition era inside the posh SIXTY Beverly Hills hotel. It’s a vision carried out by executive chef Brian Min and bar directors Zach Patterson and Doran De Tappan, whose penchant for Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian influences defines much of the menu at this swanky cocktail bar. For those who want to linger past happy hour, there’s an additional Ella Rooftop area. At both locations, you can get artful spins on classics.

Musso & Frank Grill reigns as the century-old steakhouse superstar in Hollywood. The area icon is the oldest operating restaurant in the neighborhood and buzzes with large groups gathered for birthdays, anniversaries, and more. And yet, Musso & Frank’s bar—decked with swiveling chairs, a vintage mirror backsplash, and a fiery open grill—feels like one of Hollywood’s most intimate escapes. Get an old-timey appetizer and the world-famous martini, stirred 12 times in ice, then carefully strained.

Zach Negin and Nicole Dougherty, the pair behind beloved Thai Town bar Tabula Rasa, head west with this elegant all-day wine bar. It’s a stylish place for Angelenos who want to support small-scale wine producers. Caviar, kanpachi crudo, and charcuterie boards accompany vino from family-run winemakers around the globe. Enjoy it all in an emerald jewel box-like space (Sur Le Vert is French for “on the green”) decorated with enchanting light fixtures and velvety couches—there are no bad views.

This underground parlor in the Wayfarer Downtown Hotel features whimsical entertainment (stand-up comedy, magic shows) and drinks that follow suit. Opt for the “High Tea & High Balls” experience, which includes tea infusion-inspired craft cocktails. The vibe at Lilly Rose, though, is anything but buttoned-up. Eccentricity is welcome here and surfaces in the form of fantastical decor, including pig-shaped tables.

All Day Baby is the second restaurant from chef Jonathan Whitener and managing partner Lien Ta and is an acclaimed Silverlake fixture for its joyful vibes and Southern-accented fare. ADB is a diner at heart, which explains the glass pastry case, linoleum floors, and coffee counteresque bar, adorned with hanging plants. Come nightime, the bakery-diner hybrid becomes Tet-a-Tet, a pop-up serving innovative Vietnamese dishes with a blend of flavors.

Award-winning Californian mixologist Julian Cox (responsible for masterminding the bar programs at popular LA spots including Las Perlas and the now-shuttered Barrel & Ashes) oversees the drinks program at Fanny’s, a restaurant set in the Academy of Museum of Motion Pictures. Fittingly, cocktails are named for critically acclaimed films and Oscar winners. Fun fact: the bar and restaurant are supported by Wendy Stark Morrissey, granddaughter of comedian Fanny Brice.