What the hell are you doing drinking in LA? Well if you hit up any of these bars and venues you’ll be having an absolutely fantastic time, we promise. From bona fide dives to legendary music spots, these are the best music bars in Los Angeles.
1Zebulon
2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown, 90039
With its outdoor patio and semi-hidden location in the Frogtown neighbourhood, Zebulon is where LA’s chicest shows take place. Expect to see the likes of art-punk queen Kim Gordon and our new favourite lounge act, the whistler Molly Lewis at this sleekly curated bar, venue and cafe.
2The Troubadour
9081 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, 90069
The Troubadour has been LA’s gig go-to for over 50 years. You might no longer find Linda Ronstadt and Carly Simon downing tequila in the cosy front bar, but it remains the city’s most iconic small venue.
3El Cid
4212 Sunset Blvd, Silverlake, 90029
A dose of old Hollywood glamour is baked into the walls of the historic El Cid, which hosts everything from flamenco and burlesque to rowdy punk shows and soothing folk nights.
4The Echo
1822 Sunset Blvd, Echo Park, 90026
The Echo – alongside its slightly bigger sister venue The Echoplex – is the jewel in the crown of Echo Park. Catch rising stars like Doja Cat and Arlo Parks or huge acts like The Rolling Stones playing intimate warm-up shows.
5The Hotel Cafe
1623 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, 90028
Teeny tiny Hollywood hotspot Hotel Cafe is a rite of passage for singer-songwriters. The hushed room has hosted early shows by Katy Perry and Laura Marling, so stop by if you want to see the next big thing in a super small space.
6The Burgundy Room
1621 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, 90028
Just around the corner from The Hotel Cafe you’ll find The Burgundy, a dimly lit heavy metal dive where the sound of Judas Priest on the jukebox is so loud you’ll forget all your worldly problems.
7The Moroccan Lounge
901 East 1st St., Arts District, 90012
One of the city’s newest venues, the last time we went to the Moroccan Lounge was for a fabulously fringed Orville Peck show. You’re also likely to see local DIY heroes like Bleached and Illuminati Hotties at this chic space.
8Lodge Room
104 N Ave 56 2nd floor, Highland Park, 90042
Ever wanted to blag your way into a Masonic Lodge? Now’s your chance. You don’t even need to fake a fancy handshake to get into The Lodge Room, which has hosted gigs from Phoebe Bridgers, Skullcrusher, Starcrawler and Slowthai.
9The Rainbow
9015 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 90069
The Rainbow’s hair metal glory days might be long gone, but there’s still fun to be found at this West Hollywood institution. Sip a Jack & Coke on the patio and raise it to the statue of the bar’s most famous regular, Lemmy.
10Pappy & Harriet’s
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, 92268
Alright, so it’s not technically in LA, but we can’t not mention the paradise that is Pappy & Harriet’s. Found on a winding desert road out in Joshua Tree – a two hour drive from the city – Pappy’s is a fully decked out cowboy saloon bar with killer margaritas, blue cheese nachos (trust us, they’re divine) and the very best artists, from Laura Jane Grace and Waxahatchee to Sharon Van Etten and Jenny Lewis, gracing their two – indoor and outdoor – stages.
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