Guidebook for Los Angeles
Drinks & Nightlife
A must-visit 20s-themed bar built in the city's old electricity factory. It's full of giant turbines and beautiful golden decor. Hundred-foot ceilings, acrobats, and absinthe fairies. Yes, fairies.
241 locals recommend
The Edison
A must-visit 20s-themed bar built in the city's old electricity factory. It's full of giant turbines and beautiful golden decor. Hundred-foot ceilings, acrobats, and absinthe fairies. Yes, fairies.
Trendy, intimate little speakeasy in the back of Cole's. They do incredible hand-made cocktails.
109 locals recommend
The Varnish
118 E 6th StTrendy, intimate little speakeasy in the back of Cole's. They do incredible hand-made cocktails.
Brand-new speakeasy/lounge located in the basement of the adjoining building. Impossible to spot from the street--the only sign of its existence is a big blue door. Downstairs, the drinks are awesome.
37 locals recommend
The Continental Club
116 4th StreetBrand-new speakeasy/lounge located in the basement of the adjoining building. Impossible to spot from the street--the only sign of its existence is a big blue door. Downstairs, the drinks are awesome.
Directly across the street. Used to be called Pete's Cafe, which was chill and relaxed. Now it's an uppity, polished establishment. Still serves awesome food, and it's convenient.
33 locals recommend
Ledlow
400 Main StreetDirectly across the street. Used to be called Pete's Cafe, which was chill and relaxed. Now it's an uppity, polished establishment. Still serves awesome food, and it's convenient.
This is a really trendy hipster bar. Inside, you'll find a horse statue with underwear on its head, a little dance room in the back, and lots of cool quirky people.
24 locals recommend
Bar 107
107 4th StreetThis is a really trendy hipster bar. Inside, you'll find a horse statue with underwear on its head, a little dance room in the back, and lots of cool quirky people.
Hands-down one of the raddest rooftop bars in LA. The views of the DTLA skyscrapers are insanely awesome--every bit as cool as the city views in New York. Crowd is fun. Cool 60s-modern decor.
330 locals recommend
Standard Downtown
550 Flower StHands-down one of the raddest rooftop bars in LA. The views of the DTLA skyscrapers are insanely awesome--every bit as cool as the city views in New York. Crowd is fun. Cool 60s-modern decor.
An incredible whiskey bar with awesome hunting lodge decor. The old-fashioned is delicious.
206 locals recommend
Seven Bar Lounge
515 W 7th StAn incredible whiskey bar with awesome hunting lodge decor. The old-fashioned is delicious.
Las Perlas
107 E 6th StAwesome tequila and mescal bar nearby. One of the best.
Yet another super-cool bar in the area. This is one is near Umami Burger, so it's a double-whammy.
41 locals recommend
Golden Gopher
417 W 8th StYet another super-cool bar in the area. This is one is near Umami Burger, so it's a double-whammy.
Another great rooftop bar (the other two are The Standard Rooftop and Perch). This one is brand-new, and the Ace hotel is located inside the old United Artists theater, which is a historical landmark.
239 locals recommend
Ace Hotel
929 S BroadwayAnother great rooftop bar (the other two are The Standard Rooftop and Perch). This one is brand-new, and the Ace hotel is located inside the old United Artists theater, which is a historical landmark.
Cool brewery where they used to manufacture the cables used in the Golden Gate Bridge.
179 locals recommend
Angel City Brewery
216 S Alameda StCool brewery where they used to manufacture the cables used in the Golden Gate Bridge.
Food Scene
An incredible breakfast spot only a block away. They have homemade Pop-Tarts that are ridiculously tasty.
58 locals recommend
Nickel Diner
524 Main StreetAn incredible breakfast spot only a block away. They have homemade Pop-Tarts that are ridiculously tasty.
Great place for the original French dip sandwich. Like many places in DTLA, this is a pretty 1920s-themed spot. Also, the Varnish in the back room is a really trendy speakeasy with amazing cocktails.
153 locals recommend
Cole's French Dip
118 E 6th StGreat place for the original French dip sandwich. Like many places in DTLA, this is a pretty 1920s-themed spot. Also, the Varnish in the back room is a really trendy speakeasy with amazing cocktails.
Right downstairs. Considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in LA. The "baco" is a weird sandwich/wrap thing that the chef has invented, and they're all delicious. So is everything else.
125 locals recommend
Bäco Mercat
408 S Main StRight downstairs. Considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in LA. The "baco" is a weird sandwich/wrap thing that the chef has invented, and they're all delicious. So is everything else.
One of the coolest places downtown. Perch is situated on the roof of a 13-story building just a couple blocks away. It serves awesome French food and has a two-level killer bar. The views are badass.
786 locals recommend
Perch
448 S Hill StOne of the coolest places downtown. Perch is situated on the roof of a 13-story building just a couple blocks away. It serves awesome French food and has a two-level killer bar. The views are badass.
A DTLA institution. Go here for Sunday brunch, and save room for the macaroons. They're life-changing.
584 locals recommend
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand AveA DTLA institution. Go here for Sunday brunch, and save room for the macaroons. They're life-changing.
An LA institution, serving some of the best burgers on the planet. Do yourself a favor and get the Hatch burger. Note: they serve their burgers a little rare, so adjust accordingly.
17 locals recommend
Umamicatessen
An LA institution, serving some of the best burgers on the planet. Do yourself a favor and get the Hatch burger. Note: they serve their burgers a little rare, so adjust accordingly.
Considered to be an incredible Italian place. Small and cozy--great for dates.
44 locals recommend
Colori Kitchen
2019 W 8th StConsidered to be an incredible Italian place. Small and cozy--great for dates.
The best tacos in the world. Guaranteed. Tortillas are hand-made in front of you. Ingredients are colorful, diverse, fresh, and insanely delicious. This place is a godsend.
395 locals recommend
Guisados
1261 Sunset BlvdThe best tacos in the world. Guaranteed. Tortillas are hand-made in front of you. Ingredients are colorful, diverse, fresh, and insanely delicious. This place is a godsend.
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StSuper delicious cafe in the Arts District. Amazing coffee.
Arts & Culture
A really quirky, really hipstery bookstore that occasionally plays club music and has an awesome cafe upstairs. Worth taking a look if you have a free minute, since it's only a block away.
324 locals recommend
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring StreetA really quirky, really hipstery bookstore that occasionally plays club music and has an awesome cafe upstairs. Worth taking a look if you have a free minute, since it's only a block away.
Essentials
A really nice corner grocery store right below the apartment. The guy who owns it is hilarious.
Old Bank District Market
409 Main StreetA really nice corner grocery store right below the apartment. The guy who owns it is hilarious.
Shopping
Just in case you need some trendy clothes on the cheap. Neat because it's built inside of a historical theater.
71 locals recommend
Urban Outfitters
1520 N Cahuenga BlvdJust in case you need some trendy clothes on the cheap. Neat because it's built inside of a historical theater.