Rocco
Los Angeles is known for the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, great hiking, beaches, and some of the best places to go out on the town.
From visiting the Hollywood Sign and walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame, there’s more than one reason to visit the City of Angels.
Regardless of why you’re in town, there’s no shortage of places to grab a drink. If you need a break from the rooftop bars and high-end spots, here are the best dive bars in Los Angeles.
Hinano Cafe
15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 822-3902
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If you’re looking for a great dive bar right off the beach, then you need to check out Hinano Cafe.
The bar is exactly what you’d expect from a beach dive bar: sandy, welcoming, and a great atmosphere.
You’ll find some of the cheapest beer in Venice here, with mugs for less than $6. They have a vast list of local craft beer and domestic options.
Be sure to check out their world-famous burgers while you’re here.
The Kibitz Room
419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (323) 651-2030
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The Kibitz room is on North Fairfax Avenue, just south of West Hollywood. The bar is attached to an old-school deli and a local favorite. There’s minimal decor but plenty of seating and neon lighting.
This is the kind of place you go when you want a classic mixed drink like a rum and coke or domestic pour.
They have open mic nights and plenty of live music here. You have to order a sandwich from the deli no matter what drink you get.
HMS Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (213) 385-7275
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You’ll find HMS Bounty in Koreatown. This local watering hole is rustic, welcoming, and has a vast amount of nautical decor.
I love grabbing a drink here during happy hour and chatting with the bartenders.
They have a full bar with liquor, beer, wine, and a delicious food menu. I love grabbing a pint of local craft beer and their famous baseball steak when I come here.
Ye Rustic Inn
1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: (323) 662-5757
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Ye Rustic Inn is one of my favorite dive bars in Los Angeles. It’s on Hillhurst Avenue, north of East Hollywood.
Ye Rustic Inn has been a staple in the city since opening in 1971, so it’s a must-try. They have a great ambiance, jukebox, and games to play.
I love that they have a fully stocked bar with everything you could ever want and a menu with great food. I love their coffee martinis and whiskey sour shooters.
Ercoles 1101
1101 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: (310) 372-1997
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Ercoles 1101 is the best dive bar in Manhattan Beach. It’s within walking distance from the Manhattan Beach Pier and the perfect day or nighttime bar.
It has dim lighting, eclectic decor, and the perfect dive bar vibe.
I love popping in here for their cheap beer and delicious cheeseburgers. They have a fully stocked bar, so everyone can find something they love here.
Be sure to ask them about their daily specials when you arrive!
Frolic Room
6245 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 462-5890
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The Frolic Room is right on Hollywood Boulevard, next to the Walk of Fame. This no-frills bar is arguably the best if you want a dive bar that also appeals more to tourists.
Old-school photos of celebrities line the walls, and it’s famous for its jukebox.
The bar’s been around since 1931 and has some great drink deals. They have a fully stocked bar with liquor, wine, and beer.
I recommend getting a classic mixed drink since they’re affordable, but they can also make cocktails.
Cozy Inn
11155 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 838-3826
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You’ll find Cozy Inn about 13 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, closer to Venice Beach.
The atmosphere is exactly what you picture a dive bar to be. There’s dim lighting, wood fixtures, and billiards.
Something I love about this dive bar is that while most people go to dive bars for beer and mixed drinks, this one is known for its cocktails.
I recommend grabbing a Cosmo or trying some local Los Angeles beer.
The Roost Cocktails
3100 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Phone: (323) 664-7272
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The Roost Cocktails is a great dive bar right next to Griffith Park. It’s one of my favorite spots to stop in after hiking through the park for a nice cold drink and some food.
The atmosphere is cozy, welcoming, and a total dive.
Like other dive bars, they have a fully stocked bar and plenty of drink specials to go around.
I love their Guinness and a shot of Jameson special, but they have other options too. As for the food, I love their pork jerky.
Joe Jost’s
2803 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804
Phone: (562) 439-5446
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One of the oldest dive bars in Los Angeles is out in Long Beach. Joe Jost’s has been around since 1924 and is a must-stop bar.
The atmosphere differs slightly from classic dives since it has more natural lighting but is still cozy.
You can order whatever you want here, but they’re famous for their ice-cold Schooner’s beer and pickled eggs.
If you can’t bring yourself to order those, they have a full draft and wine list and full bar too.
Tiki-Ti
4427 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: (323) 669-9381
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Tiki-Ti is a unique dive bar in East Hollywood. It has all your classic dive bar vibes but with a tropical twist.
It’s like a dive bar; a beach bar had a baby with tiki torches for dim lighting but colorful decor.
You can order a beer or mixed drink here, but their tropical cocktails are where it’s at. I love their 151 Rum Swizzle, the Blue Hawaiian, and Chi-Chi cocktails.
Chez Jay
1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 395-1741
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Chez Jay is on the famous Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, right next to Tongva Park.
It’s been around since 1959 and has served dozens of celebrities over the years. It’s a great option when you want a laid-back and no-frills bar.
For a dive bar, their cocktail list is a little more elevated. I highly recommend trying their Lemon Moon and Jay’s Mai Tai.
They serve classic American food, but their steamed clams are my favorite.
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