From a wraparound hilltop terrace overlooking the glittering city to a grungy Hollywood “bikini bar” reinvented as a hipster hangout, these nightspots are ready for their close-up. You don’t want to look like you never get up to after-hours hijinks, do you? Rotate a couple of these locations into your curated feed.
The 12 Most Instagrammable Bars in Los Angeles
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Published Nov 28, 2018
Yelp/Yudi C.
Broken Shaker In Dtla
The rooftop of the Freehand Hotel is a little bit beach shack, a smidge pool party and a dash of urbane scene making. And somehow it all works, with the twinkling high-rises eavesdropping on it all. Impress your date by ordering the Aubrey 2 and raving about how the black pepper tincture really sets off the Grey Goose and house-made basil liqueur.
416 W. Eighth St.; freehandhotels.com
Élephante
Élephante Beach House In Santa Monica
Sure, there may be more FOMO-inducing images you can post than your hand languidly cradling a gingery bourbon and Aperol cocktail in front of the beach view from this rooftop bar and restaurant. (Let us know when you can name a more perfect spot. We’ll wait.)
1332 Second St., Santa Monica; elephantela.com
Highland Park Bowl In Highland Park
A soaring 1927 bowling alley with upstairs doctors’ offices where Prohibition Era patrons would get medicinal alcohol prescriptions has been re-created as a steampunk date spot with bands, karaoke and lots of bowling—as well as medicinal cocktails best enjoyed from the deep leather couches by the lanes.
5621 N. Figueroa St.; highlandparkbowl.com
Pour Vous In Hollywood
This French-themed bar is among the most beautiful not only because of its amazingly patinaed walls, gilt mirrors and stunning glass dome ceiling but also thanks to its gasp-inducing burlesque performers who bend, twirl and drop down from said ceiling. Feel the esprit de corps with a refreshing Moulin Rouge cocktail (vodka with a hint of Champagne).
5574 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; pourvousla.com
Sunset Tower Hotel
Tower Bar In West Hollywood
The wood-paneled walls in gangster Bugsy Siegel’s former apartment still glow, and sophisticated lady Gabé Doppelt has taken over Dimitri’s post as maître d’, but for our social media needs, the gorg refreshed indoor-outdoor area is the main focus. Ditto a tall, cool cucumber mojito. (Psst: Be careful you’re not observed flouting the strict no-photos policy.)
8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; sunsettowerhotel.com
Bibo Ergo Sum In West Hollywood
This bar brings the glamour after a hard day of shopping on Robertson. Low-lit art deco interiors and impeccably made old-school cocktails like a Singapore Sling will mellow you out enough to forget the damage you just did to your credit card at Chanel.
116 N. Robertson Blvd.; biboergosumla.com
Gold Diggers In East Hollywood
Scantily clad dancers used to be the draw here, but these days the place is a combination of hotel, recording studio, dance club and live music venue. Inside are large, sparkly pendant lights, but we think this place is worthy of a ’Gram for its retro front sign alone.
5632 Santa Monica Blvd.; gold-diggers.com
The Green Room In Burbank
Behold sweeping views of Los Angeles at the new speakeasy hidden inside classic Valley restaurant Castaway. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights, the bar is reservations only. We recommend staking a claim on the patio and ordering a movie industry–inspired cocktail such as the Belle, based on Beauty and the Beast and served in a smoky, rose-adorned bell jar.
1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank; tgrburbank.com
Bar Franca In Dtla
This new little spot is like a charming Euro neighborhood bar, with a welcoming arched door leading into a cheerful space of bright patterned wallpaper and sexy wall murals. But the drink menu is more sophisticated than that of your usual white-wine-and-beer local, including a negroni made with strawberry-infused gin.
438 S. Main St.; barfranca.com
La Ax In North Hollywood
Chain-link fence, plywood and pitchers of beer. This is Instagrammable? Well, yes, when you’re in a warehouse of ax-throwing lanes where you’ll learn how to wind up, swing and release. (It’s impossible not to post your exploits to IG Stories.)
7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood; la-ax.com
Library Bar In Dtla
The artfully arranged bookshelves of our dreams live at this literary bar where drinks are named for authors (try the Hemingway daiquiri, a zesty mix of pineapple rum and citrus). But don’t think this place is pretentious. On Sunday nights, everyone settles into the comfy couches to watch GoT or The Walking Dead.
630 W. Sixth St.#116A; librarybarla.com
Everly Hotel Hollywood
Miracle At The Everly In Hollywood
The sleek lobby bar at the Everly hotel has been transformed this holiday season into a pop-up bar called Miracle at the Everly, complete with a 15-foot inflatable Santa Claus, a candy cane selfie station and a tunnel made of Christmas lights. Enjoy drinks like a hot toddy called Bad Santa and a rum drink based on Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie).
1800 Argyle Ave.; everlyhotelhollywood.com
