Now that the worst of the pandemic is over and the social distancing rules are a lot more relaxed, it’s time to socialize and to see old friends and meet new ones. Bars and lounges are great for social activities, and it’s not surprising that there are lots of those in Los Angeles.

Now, much of Los Angeles’ drinking scene appears to have found its post-vaccine footing, and we’re happy to be back at a bustling bar, armed with our credit cards. L.A.’s bars might be located near the beach or in the hills overlooking Hollywood, but if you ask us, here are the 11 greatest bars in LA right now.

To help make sure you and your companions find the bars that will suit your taste, here’s a list of terrific LA cocktail bars where the drinks are flowing and the vibes are just terrific.

Best Cocktail Bars & Lounges in Los Angeles

Check out the hottest cocktail bars in Los Angeles, where you can go with your date or with your group of friends for a nice night out.

Belles Beach

Address: 24 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

You’ll realize at first look that the place, with its tropical interior design, wants to bring to some cool Pacific Island where you can relax and feel free. It does help that the place is fully opened so you can enjoy the fresh air, and it gives you a break from constantly being cooped up.

Even the menu is tropical, with lots of shaken Tiki cocktails and frozen drinks to choose from. They all go nicely with the izakaya treats, so just sit back and relax.

Winston House

Address: 23 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

You’ll find this music bar and lounge in Venice, and it’s a great place to enjoy live music instead of all the digital music you’ve been enjoying at home. The place doesn’t really have any windows so it’s as if you’re transported to another place, though the décor suggests that this place is just situated on a hipster Venice beach. At least the place is vast, so you don’t feel cooped in.

The menu offers contemporary American dishes, and the cocktails sure help you to appreciate the live music. It’s a great place for friends to gather and socialize.

Celestina Rooftop

Address: 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

This is a luxurious rooftop pool and lounge, with fresh air and open views to soothe the senses. To help with that, the menu has mostly Mexican-focused food and drinks to just help you de-stress. Sit back and relax, even as you enjoy the fare.

La Boucherie

Address: 900 Wilshire Blvd fl 71, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Located high up, the La Boucherie steakhouse in downtown LA also offers a terrific bar, where you can relax after a busy work day or even meet business associates to discuss workplace matters. The cocktail quality is quite high, as they’re better than the drinks you might encounter at a typical hotel bar. When you can enjoy some barrel-aged Vesper, you know that this is no ordinary dive.

Wyman Bar at NeueHouse Bradbury

Address: 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

NeueHouse actually offers lots of creative workspaces, but there’s also the Wyman Bar at the Bradbury building where workers can go once the business is concluded.

The place has a membership, but non-members can get in if they make a reservation. Though it may not be all that easy to get into, it’s a relaxing bar with an interior design that smacks the 1940s and 1950s. The bar offers beer and wine, along with plenty of creative cocktails.

Ella Beverly Hills

Address: 9360 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

The Umbrella Hospitality team is widely regarded as one of the best overall cocktail bar owners in the whole city of LA, and they have completely upgraded this downstairs restaurant so it looks nicely bright and inviting.

The drinks at the bar are contemporary tweaks of classic drinks, so you can get quite adventurous here. Try the flaming cocktail with tequila, golden beer, and orange to start your evening right. And you should also get a taste of their intriguing kimchi Bloody Mary.

The Cigar and Whiskey Bar at the Maybourne Hotel

Address: 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

This used to be the Ten Pound bar, but it’s been upgraded to greet the more relaxed post-Covid social scenario. The general atmosphere still gives you that feeling of exclusive privilege in both the outdoor and indoor areas, where you can enjoy a wide range of superb whiskey options along with some terrific mixed drinks.

The new bar now offers a much better cigar experience, with the humidor offering plenty of the best cigars you can find in the city. This is a great place to visit next, once you’re done with your Beverly Hills dinner.

Grandmaster Recorders 71 Studio Bar

Address: 1518 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

This is a snug 1970s-era side lounge near the entrance, as the building also features a rooftop lounge along with an Italian-American dining room. You may want to visit the 71 Studio Bar for something different, as it offers a semi-open dancefloor while you enjoy its own drink menu. There’s even a more private area at the back that was previously used as an actual recording studio.

Bar Lis

Address: 1541 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

This LA rooftop bar offers mostly indoor space, but there’s also an outdoor section as well. It offers live music and cocktails, along with an interior design which might remind you of the French Riviera. You’ll love the drinks if you like them based on gin or vodka, and they’re nicely easy to sip and enjoy. Just get your drinks, sit back, and appreciate the live music while you feel like you’re on vacation.

Desert 5 Spot

Address: 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

If you’ve enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of places such as Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Palm Springs, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised that you can find that same vibe here in LA, once you’ve entered this bar. This is a great rooftop lounge with both indoor and outdoor spaces, where you can socialize without feeling all that stressed. They have live bands on most nights, and you can always enjoy the robust drinks and cocktails as you soak in the vibes.

The Grant

Address: 3515 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Check out this place at Eagle Rock Blvd., Glassell Park, where the locals love getting their evening cocktails. The interior design is simply stunning with its Art Deco design, and it offers a stress-free, low-key atmosphere that’s perfect for post-work winding down.

The drinks menu doesn’t offer too many strange options that might seem uncomfortably unfamiliar. Instead, you can pick from among the classic drinks, although the place puts in their own tweaks and twists so you’re delightfully surprised.