4100 Bar
The tragically hip artsy crowd of Silver Lake like to relax in this informal bar with its long oblong bar and hanging tapestries. Black booths line one wall, while a bigger- than-life Buddha watches over the mixed crowd. Shuffle your way around the busy bar to the corner couches or back round to the jukebox, which is packed with everything from Billy Joel to Johnny Cash to the Velvet Underground.
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Bar at the Standard
The bar within the Standard hotel is decked out in the same surreal retro- cyberspace décor. Frequented by a stylish crowd of the local beautiful people and Sunset Strip club kids, who lounge at the tables inside or the inflatable couches in the lobby, which carpeted floor to ceiling white shag pile. Like numerous hotels on this side of the strip you can enjoy panoramic views of LA from the unusual Astro Turfed pool deck.
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Bar Marmont
If staying in the Chateau is a little out of your budget, then make do with a martini in the Bar Marmont. Like the hotel, the bar’s decor is striking, bathed in red light, with fake butterflies meticulously applied to the ceiling. Just as the hotel attracts stars so does the bar – Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Edward Furlong have all spent evenings drinking here.
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Cat & Fiddle
If the need for a good old British pint grabs you whilst in LA, you could do worse than head for the Cat and Fiddle. A large outdoor patio makes it perfect place to enjoy LA’s warm summer evenings. British food is also served. Skip the Sunday dinners but the fish and chips; bangers and mash will make you feel at home.
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Drawing Room
This cash only bar has all the glamour of a seedy Hollywood dive bar, in a good way with its dark interior, larger than life bar maid and small half booths. Sports fans can enjoy Monday night football here, although at the weekends sports make way for people just talking and drinking heavily. With strong cheap drinks, and an anything goes dress code, this Los Feliz bar is direct opposite of any of the Sunset Strip bars.
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Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub
Immortalised in Jay-Z’s 'Give It To Me’, this large and often rowdy sports bar is split into two leaves. Downstairs there are dozens of TVs, a dining area, a pool table, and bins of free peanuts. Where as upstairs is booth-lined and transforms in a moment’s notice from a can jumping nightclub, to karaoke bar or comedy showcase. The drinks are strong; is probably why it’s been known to attract Irish playboy Colin Farrell when he’s in town.
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Formosa Café
Marilyn Monroe used to sit in the dark, Mandarin-themed train car booths here. The inside is so dark; it’s not surprising it used to be an old favourite for stars to sip a cocktail in relative peace. Since Marilyn’s days the bar has expanded with a bigger and better bar area and an upstairs level. Chinese cuisine is served.
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Good Luck Bar
Tucked out the way on the corner where Sunset and Hollywood Blvds meet, at first glance, this bar looks like another dive bar. Step inside and you’ll feel transported back in time to a Chinese opium den complete with paper lanterns, carved- dragon ceiling panels and big mirrors. Although not as cheap as some of the other Los Feliz bars, the drinks are just as strong.
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HMS Bounty
Set inside the magnificent Gaylord apartments and just down the road from the Ambassador Hotel where Robert Kennedy was shot, there is nothing theme park or tacky about The Bounty as the name might suggest. An old favourite of those in the know, The Bounty features a solid wooden bar and dark red leather booths. Even the juke box is an original. Classic American food is available.
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Hollywood Billiards
With over 40 tables, everyone from the serious pool shark to the casual player should get a game here. If pool’s not your game, then football, darts, air hockey are all offered. Or you can just watch how the pros do it on one of the eight big-screen TV sets.
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