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Great neighborhood watering holes populate just about every corner of this massive city, playing to locals who know when to follow the neon lights and weekend karaoke sounds. Best of all, these dependable haunts are frequented by true regulars who have often been working the jukebox for decades and know everyone in the place by name — though there are always plenty of first-timers and wandering souls around, too. Sure, they’re called dive bars, but the truth is these places are all about low-key fun, stiff drinks, a sense of community, and — on the right night — a little bit of anything-can-happen magic.
Here are 20 of Los Angeles’s best dive bars. Copper Bucket The Copper Bucket is a Reseda staple, first opened in 1951. Drinkers still come through to this family-owned dive for the delightfully kitschy wood paneling, neon signs, shuffleboard, and weekend crowds.
Drinks are what you might expect: draft beers or brews by the bottle, and plenty of affordable well cocktails. A post shared by Joshua Wintringham (@jdwdigital69) Fox Fire Room For a dive bar that looks like it’s right out of a 1970s television sitcom, drop by this Valley Village lounge that’s replete with saloon doors, wood-paneled walls, well-lit dart boards, and even a cushion running along the edge of the bar top to rest weary barfly elbows. Locals flock here to enjoy strong pours while watching a game and singing karaoke.
For those looking for an early start, the saloon doors swing open at 8 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.
m. on weekends. OyBar Television writer Jeff Strauss, who also runs Jeff’s Table in Highland Park, took over the former Bar at Oyster House and turned it into OyBar, a more polished dive experience with excellent food by chef Kenya Bovey.
Serving one of the best burgers in town and thoughtful versions of dishes Strauss grew up with , OyBar is a destination-worthy dive with strong cocktails and impressive food. A post shared by Yung Vecchio (@yungvecchio) Also featured in: The 25 Essential Restaurants in the San Fernando Valley Permanent Records Roadhouse Permanent Records Roadhouse is a dive bar, record store, and venue in the former Cafe NELA building. Find live music, vinyl for sale, and strong drinks in a dimly lit low-key space with red booths.
Plus, there’s also an outdoor patio space off the garage that offers beer for as low as $2.50 during daylight hours. A post shared by Permanent Records Roadhouse (@permanentrecordsroadhouse) Tiki-Ti The fun seemingly never stops at Tiki-Ti, the Sunset Boulevard cocktail legend that seats only a few dozen drinkers some nights, owing to its tiny space and customers’ penchant for lingering.
They stick around for good reason: the drinks are strong and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in LA. Also featured in: 20 Essential Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles LA's Best Dive Bars for Hiding Your Feelings Sign up for our newsletter. Check your inbox for a welcome email.
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The Bayou West Hollywood can get expensive, but there’s always the Bayou where drinks are impressively cheap and strong. The bar is small and gets busy on the weekends, so be prepared to be one of many who are starting or ending their night. A post shared by the bayou (@bayouweho) The Kibitz Room Historically, the cocktail lounge attached to Los Angeles landmark Canter’s Deli on Fairfax is where one ends the night.
That’s the way it’s been here since it opened in 1961. And everyone who’s anyone has performed on its tiny stage including Joni Mitchell, Guns N’ Roses, and Lenny Kravitz. Grab a beer and Reuben, chat up some locals, and stick around for an impromptu jam session.
Frank 'n Hank This historic hole in the wall off Western Avenue, established in 1933, has long been the go-to for Angelenos pregaming before a Wiltern concert or ending a night out in Koreatown. Apparently, even Charles Bukowski was a regular. A diverse collection of patrons connect over jukebox picks, a game of pool, and $4 happy hour PBRs, but make sure to also scan the curated selection of mezcals and whiskeys.
The Mermaid This low-key nautical-themed bar located in a Little Tokyo strip mall wants to be everyone’s neighborhood spot; it seals the deal with live music, Tiki Goth Mondays, karaoke Thursdays, and a daily happy hour that runs all day Sunday. Order up a Shot + Tots, a well shot and tots with ketchup, for $10. Even when it’s not happy hour, the drinks are affordable and approachable.
Close out a night of high-end drinking Downtown with a tropical punch like Drink Like a Fish with rum and Earl Grey tea. Also featured in: 19 Delightful Places to Sip Cocktails Outside in LA The Living Room Don’t overlook the magic of this longtime South LA haunt. Stationed next to Chef Marilyn’s on the border of Jefferson Park and West Adams, the Living Room keeps the vibe chill as DJs spin old-school grooves.
Make sure to swing by on Sunday nights when a jazz band performs the blues. Tiny's Hi-Dive Chicago transplants and fans of the show The Bear will feel right at home in this dive by the owners of Santa Monica’s Craftsman Bar & Kitchen. Congregate with other Chicago Bear die-hards while tucking into cheesesteaks and washing them down with martinis.
The bar, which took over the old Arsenal space on Pico Boulevard in West LA, leans into its divey vibes with kitschy decor, year-round Christmas lights, and, of course, a jukebox. On Sundays, the doors opens at 9 a.m.
Every other day? 11:30 a.m. Also featured in: 17 Roaring Los Angeles Sports Bars to Watch the Dodgers Play in the World Series The 15 Essential Late-Night Restaurants in Los Angeles Hinano Cafe Hinano Cafe is a staple beachside dive bar , the kind of sandy spot that visitors and locals love equally.
From the simple burgers and hot dogs griddled behind the bar to the friendly staff and proximity to both sun and surf, Hinano is pure Los Angeles. On weekends, it can be a scene, so prepare accordingly; keep in mind that it’s cash only. Also featured in: 19 Best Restaurants in LA’s Beachy Venice Neighborhood The 20 Best Burgers in Los Angeles Prince O' Whales While there’s no shortage of beach city bars with high prices and a scene, this bar, in the small beach enclave of Playa del Rey, has neither.
It’s simply an unpretentious destination for locals and those looking for a chill place to catch the game, any game. Said to be the oldest sports bar in LA — built in the ‘50s and christened “Prince O’Whales” in 1972 — it features 17 TVs, two patios, ping pong, and darts — the makings of a fun night out with friends. On Mondays, score a burger and two draft beers for under $10.
A post shared by Prince O’ Whales (@princeowhales) Joe Jost's Dive bars don't get much older (or more famous ) than Joe Jost's, a Long Beach essential for going on 100 years. Yes, the place is that old — and that cool. Go for sandwiches, beer, and the famous pickled eggs.
A post shared by Joe Jost's (@joe_josts_1924) Also featured in: The 20 Essential Hot Dogs in Los Angeles LA's Best Dive Bars for Hiding Your Feelings Reno Room Attached to casual takeout Mexican restaurant Cocorenos, this classic longshoreman’s bar opened in the 1950s serving the after-work crowd starting at 6 a.m. and open until 2 a.
m. Go in the morning for affordable breakfast burritos and a hair-of-the-dog margarita or hit it up in the afternoon for cheap beers and tasty tacos. Whatever one’s needs, Reno Room fits the bill in classic Long Beach style.
Also featured in: The 20 Best Long Beach Restaurants.
