Find the best bars in Downtown Los Angeles with our top picks, perfect for any vibe or budget with must-try drinks in DTLA, California.
DTLA's bar scene runs from a members-only rum bar to a rooftop pool at a boutique hotel. Seven Grand is the pick for serious whiskey, Broken Shaker for rooftop views, and EightyTwo if you want arcade games with your cocktail. All 10 below are confirmed open as of July 2026.
Downtown LA's bar scene has grown into one of the most varied in the city — whiskey societies, tiki dive bars, immersive cocktail-tasting experiences, and everything between. We re-checked every address and price on this list in July 2026; nothing on it has closed.
An '80s-themed Arts District bar with palm trees, checkered floors, and pink everything, plus a nightly live DJ. Affordable cocktails, a small American bar-food menu, and free street parking nearby if you get there early.
Arcade-inspired cocktails alongside a rotating lineup of 55+ arcade and pinball machines, with DJs daily from open to close. Home to the LA Pinball League and regular competitive arcade events.
A gentlemen's-club-esque whiskey bar with hand-crafted cocktails, live music, and pool tables. Home to the Whiskey Society, a membership club with tastings and whiskey education, plus private event buyouts.
A woman-owned, under-the-sea-decorated dive bar with tropical classics like the Mai Tai and Painkiller, plus a seafood-leaning bar-food menu. Weekly theme nights include TikiGoth Mondays and karaoke on Thursdays.
A DTLA hidden gem for rum drinkers. Membership runs $20/year (bought in person with the host) and lets you bring guests. Daily happy hour, pool tables, a dance floor, and Salsa Nights every Thursday at 9pm.
Two floors: a public ground-floor bar and an upstairs live-show room (tickets required) featuring everything from DJs to comedians. Full beer and cocktail list either way.
A cozy, pirate-themed bar and grill with shareable American bar food and cocktail classics alongside draft beer. Regular live bands and karaoke nights; they even sell their own merch online.
A candlelit piano bar and jazz lounge inside Level 8, styled like an elegant library with fireplaces and plush seating. Surprise live performances range beyond music to acrobatics and theater.
The Freehand Hotel's rooftop bar and pool, open to the public with skyline views, small bites, and happy hour Monday-Thursday 3-6pm. Large groups can order a $300 build-your-own Punch Bowl.
A fantasy-themed cocktail-tasting experience and distillery in the Arts District, indoor/outdoor and ticketed rather than walk-in. The two-hour session includes 3 house spirits, 3 signature cocktails, and live painters working as you drink. Their spirits now ship nationwide.
Seven Grand, hands down — it runs the Whiskey Society membership club with tastings and education on top of its regular hand-crafted cocktail list.
Yes, Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel has a rooftop pool deck bar that's open to non-hotel-guests, with happy hour Monday through Thursday.
The Obscure is a ticketed, fantasy-themed cocktail-tasting experience with live painters, starting at $65 a person — it's more immersive theater than a normal bar night.
Yes, but membership is only $20 a year, purchased in person with the host, and members can bring guests.