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Historic Bars in Los Angeles
ATM / Artists / Bohemian / Casual / DJ
Party Earth Review Opened by Italian immigrants in 1915, Townhouse and its basement counterpart The Del Monte Speakeasy have withstood the test of time, and together remain a lively and whiskey-charged Venice destination. During prohibition, the staff at Townhouse smuggled alcohol into the downstairs through underground caves. The secret ... more
52 Windward Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
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All Ages / Bohemian / Brunch / Café
Reviewed by Lauren A.
"My take: Down a windy, dirt road in Malibu, you’ll find yourself at the grand entrance of the famous Calamigos Ranch. Tucked quietly behind a tea-lit ..." more
Calamigos Ranch
327 Latigo Canyon Road
Malibu, CA 90265
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20s / 30s / 40s / All Ages / All Types
Reviewed by Rolando P.
"I ate Canter's one night after bar-hopping (it seemed like other people there had been, too) and I was jonesing for some breakfast food. I ordered the ..." more
419 North Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
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Beer / Beer Lovers / Breakfast
Reviewed by Lauren A.
"There are very few bars or restaurants in the Malibu/SFV area that do not seek to be widely acknowledged for their excellence. When a sexy person is h ..." more
29983 Mulholland Highway
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
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20s / 30s / Balcony / Button-downs
Party Earth Review Visitors to El Cid may feel like they’ve time-traveled into a 16th-century Spanish tavern, but this multilevel club actually offers a very modern spot to drink and dance. Built in 1900 by pioneering American film director D.W. Griffith, the space now invites partygoers three flights of stairs below ground level ... more
4212 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90029
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30s / 40s / Button-downs / Casual
Reviewed by Daniel K.
"Situated on a strange corner of 8th Street and Armore Avenue in the heart of Korea Town, Taylor's Steakhouse is an old school joint that probably pre- ..." more
3361 West 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90005
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20s / 30s / 40s / Dance / DJ / Electronic
Reviewed by Efterpi Z.
"I was there for the monthly 'A club called Rhonda' night and the DJ's were amazing. If you like deep house and electro and heavy beats, this is the pl ..." more
3040 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
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20s / 30s / 40s / All Ages / All Types
Reviewed by Julio D.
"El Cholo has to be one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants around the LA area. Authentic food and drinks and the ambiance is fantastic all around. Tota ..." more
1121 South Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
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20s / 30s / Casual / Chill / Dinner / TVs
Reviewed by Hannah A.
"Formosa Cafe was one of the first places I ventured to in West Hollywood when I moved here less than a year ago. As an outsider, I hardly knew what th ..." more
7156 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
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All Ages / All Types / Breakfast
Reviewed by Kristen D.
"This place has great sandwiches the only down side is the line. There is always a line here but the food is worth it. This place is historic and a LA ..." more
1001 North Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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LA Historic Bars Overview
Sometimes there’s really nothing better than curling up and throwing back a few drinks in a place that has been around forever, and that’s where Los Angeles historic bars come into play. Sure, you could probably get a cheaper drink at that mass-market chain bar down the street, but how cool is it to sit in a tired old booth and think, “Cary Grant may have sat here,” or “John Belushi may have snorted a line off this table,” or “Lindsay Lohan….ah, who cares.”
There are several cool LA historic bars worth dropping in on, and they range from chic to incredibly budget friendly, so chances are good there’s one out there to suit everyone’s tastes. Over by the lovely Pacific Ocean, Townhouse and its basement counterpart The Del Monte Speakeasy have withstood the test of time, and together remain a lively and whiskey-charged Venice destination that’s been doling out fine spirits since 1915.
Then over in Hollywood, Barney’s Beanery transformed from its 20s-era roadhouse beginnings (where travelers could trade in their license plates for a free beer), to a gathering spot for Tinsel Town icons like Clark Gable and Errol Flynn, to a rowdy hangout for rockers like Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison.
And, of course, who could forget the famed Chateau Marmont hotel, a French villa icon where John Belushi overdosed, Jim Morrison fell off the roof, and members of Led Zeppelin rode their motorcycles through the lobby?
The oldest bars in LA are spread across this fine city, and unlike so many made-up celebrities, they only get better with age.
More Bars & Clubs in Los Angeles
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Chateau Marmont
Luxurious / Restaurant / Brunch -
Cole's
Jeans and Heels / Casual / Beer -
Rainbow Bar & Grill
Live Music / Ripped Fishnets -
El Cid
Historic Bar / Flamenco / DJ / 20s
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Barney's Beanery
Regulars / 30s / Karaoke / Lunch -
Harvelle's
Music Lovers / 20s / Groups / Soul -
Los Globos
Salsa / Patio / Latin Food / Tapas -
Townhouse + The Del Monte Speakeasy
Mid 30s / Speakeasy / Artists / DJ
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