Here’s a concise, visitor-friendly snapshot of each of these 12 standout Hollywood bars—curated for anyone looking to skip the tourist traps and dive into LA’s vibrant, quirky, and often retro-fueled nightlife:
1. Honey at Star Love
A dreamy, intimate rooftop bar perched above Star Love (a stylish Hollywood eatery). Think soft pink lighting, tropical cocktails, and skyline views—perfect for sunset drinks with a romantic or chill-vibe crowd.
2. Tramp Stamp Granny’s
Don’t let the name fool you—this is a glam-punk dive with a heart. Expect cheap drinks, rock ‘n’ roll on the jukebox, pinball, and a “granny’s basement” aesthetic gone wild. Open late and proudly unpretentious.
3. Power House
A sleek, modern craft cocktail bar with an industrial edge. Known for inventive drinks, strong pours, and a cool-but-not-trying-too-hard crowd. Great pre-game spot before hitting nearby clubs or shows.
4. Bar Lis
Hidden inside The Hollywood Grande, this is Old Hollywood meets Parisian salon: velvet booths, crystal glassware, and expertly crafted cocktails. Sophisticated, quiet, and ideal for meaningful conversation.
5. Franklin Lounge
A low-key, candlelit hideaway with a speakeasy feel—no sign, just a door near the corner of Franklin and Wilcox. Strong drinks, jazz or soul on vinyl, and a loyal local following. Cash only.
6. Sunset & Vinyl
Part bar, part record store (yes, really). DJs spin vinyl from behind the counter, and you can browse LPs while sipping natural wine or craft beer. Laid-back, artsy, and deeply analog in a digital world.
7. Gold Diggers
A boutique hotel, bar, and recording studio rolled into one. The bar area—lush with greenery and vintage mic decor—hosts live music, DJ sets, and industry folk. Feels like a 1970s Laurel Canyon hangout reborn.
8. Frolic Room
Hollywood’s oldest bar (since 1930s), tucked next to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Tiny, iconic, and always buzzing. Red neon, cheap beer, and a no-frills vibe—frequented by everyone from rock stars to night owls.
9. Jumbo’s Clown Room
A true Hollywood institution (since 1947). By day, a dive; by night, a campy, cabaret-style burlesque bar with live shows, karaoke, and circus-themed decor. Equal parts weird, wild, and wonderful.
10. Good Times at Davey Wayne’s
Step into a 1970s suburban rec room—complete with wood paneling, vintage board games, and a fake garage door entrance. Cocktails are served in retro mugs, and there’s often a DJ spinning disco or funk. Pure fun.
11. Harvard & Stone
Ground zero for LA’s music and cocktail underground. Home of the famed Rhythm Room (free live music nightly—rock, soul, punk). Sharp drinks, killer sound, and zero attitude. A must for music lovers.
12. Three Clubs
This one’s legendary: the bar where Swingers was filmed. Recently revived with its original mid-century charm intact—think red booths, martini glasses, and Sinatra vibes. Great cocktails and a nostalgic Hollywood feel.
Whether you’re into burlesque, vinyl spins, craft cocktails, or dive-bar karaoke, Hollywood’s nightlife has soul—if you know where to look. Skip the overpriced clubs on the Walk of Fame and explore these instead.
