Best happy hour in downtown Los Angeles

Cocktails at a downtown Los Angeles happy hour

Downtown Los Angeles has one of the best happy hour scenes in the city, and it is only getting better. From rooftop bars with skyline views to historic hotel bars, cozy wine bars, and late-night spots, DTLA offers a happy hour for every mood and budget.

This guide covers the best happy hour in downtown Los Angeles, with the best deals, the best times, and the best spots for every occasion. Prices below are for happy hour specials, and times are as listed by the venues, so always confirm before you go.

Quick picks: best happy hour in downtown Los Angeles at a glance

Bar Best for Happy hour Deals
Perch Rooftop, French, views Mon–Fri, 4–7pm $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beer
The Rooftop at The Standard Rooftop, pool, views Mon–Fri, 4–8pm $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer
Bar Jackalope Whiskey, cozy, Arts District Mon–Fri, 5–7pm $8 cocktails, $6 wine
Everson Royce Bar Cocktails, Arts District Tue–Sun, 5–7pm $9 cocktails, $7 wine
The Varnish Classic cocktails, speakeasy Mon–Fri, 5–7pm $8 cocktails, $6 wine
Clifton’s Republic Historic, multi-level, fun Mon–Fri, 4–7pm $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer
Seven Grand Whiskey, live music Mon–Fri, 4–8pm $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beer
Spire 73 Highest bar, views Mon–Fri, 5–8pm $12 cocktails, $10 wine

Best rooftop happy hours in downtown Los Angeles

1. Perch — Downtown

Perch is one of the most popular rooftop bars in downtown Los Angeles, with French-inspired cocktails, a stunning rooftop terrace, and views of the city skyline. Happy hour offers some of the best deals in DTLA, with discounted cocktails, wine, and beer.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–7pm
  • Deals: $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beer
  • Best for: Rooftop views, French cocktails, and special occasions

2. The Rooftop at The Standard — Downtown

The Rooftop at The Standard is a classic DTLA rooftop bar with a pool, skyline views, and a lively atmosphere. Happy hour is a great time to visit, with discounted drinks and a more relaxed vibe than late night.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–8pm
  • Deals: $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer
  • Best for: Rooftop, pool, and skyline views

3. Spire 73 — Downtown

Spire 73 is the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Hotel. The views are unmatched, and happy hour offers a slightly more accessible way to experience this sky-high bar.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 5–8pm
  • Deals: $12 cocktails, $10 wine
  • Best for: Views, special occasions, and sky-high drinks

4. Broken Shaker at Freehand Los Angeles — Downtown

Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel is a tropical, laid-back rooftop bar with creative cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Happy hour offers discounted drinks and a great way to start an evening in DTLA.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–7pm
  • Deals: $8 cocktails, $7 wine
  • Best for: Tropical cocktails, relaxed rooftop, and groups

Best cocktail bar happy hours in downtown Los Angeles

5. Bar Jackalope — Arts District

Bar Jackalope is a whiskey-focused bar in the Arts District with a cozy, intimate atmosphere and an impressive whiskey collection. Happy hour offers discounted cocktails and wine, making it a great stop for whiskey lovers.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 5–7pm
  • Deals: $8 cocktails, $6 wine
  • Best for: Whiskey, cozy atmosphere, and Arts District

6. Everson Royce Bar — Arts District

Everson Royce Bar is a beloved Arts District cocktail bar with a beautiful interior, creative cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. Happy hour offers discounted drinks, and the bar is a great place to start a night out in the Arts District.

  • Happy hour: Tuesday–Sunday, 5–7pm
  • Deals: $9 cocktails, $7 wine
  • Best for: Cocktails, Arts District, and date night

7. The Varnish — Downtown

The Varnish is a classic speakeasy-style cocktail bar in downtown Los Angeles, hidden behind Cole’s French Dip. The bar offers expertly crafted cocktails in a moody, intimate setting, and happy hour is a great time to experience it without the late-night crowds.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 5–7pm
  • Deals: $8 cocktails, $6 wine
  • Best for: Classic cocktails, speakeasy, and intimate atmosphere

8. Seven Grand — Downtown

Seven Grand is a whiskey bar with live music, a large whiskey selection, and a lively atmosphere. Happy hour offers discounted drinks, and the bar is a great place for groups and whiskey enthusiasts.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–8pm
  • Deals: $7 cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beer
  • Best for: Whiskey, live music, and groups

Best unique and historic happy hours in downtown Los Angeles

9. Clifton’s Republic — Downtown

Clifton’s Republic is a historic, multi-level bar and restaurant in downtown Los Angeles with a whimsical, forest-themed interior. Happy hour offers some of the best deals in DTLA, with discounted cocktails, wine, and beer.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–7pm
  • Deals: $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer
  • Best for: Historic, fun, and budget-friendly

10. The Edison — Downtown

The Edison is a stunning, industrial-chic bar in a historic power plant, with live entertainment, creative cocktails, and a unique atmosphere. Happy hour offers discounted drinks and a chance to experience this one-of-a-kind venue.

  • Happy hour: Tuesday–Friday, 5–7pm
  • Deals: $8 cocktails, $7 wine
  • Best for: Historic, unique atmosphere, and live entertainment

11. Bar Amá — Downtown

Bar Amá is a modern Mexican restaurant and bar in downtown Los Angeles with creative cocktails, a lively atmosphere, and a great happy hour. The bar offers discounted margaritas, wine, and beer, plus tasty small plates.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–6pm
  • Deals: $7 margaritas, $6 wine, $5 beer
  • Best for: Mexican cocktails, margaritas, and small plates

12. Bavel — Arts District

Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant and bar in the Arts District with a beautiful interior, creative cocktails, and a popular happy hour. The bar offers discounted drinks and small plates, making it a great spot for a pre-dinner drink.

  • Happy hour: Tuesday–Sunday, 5–6:30pm
  • Deals: $9 cocktails, $8 wine
  • Best for: Middle Eastern, Arts District, and pre-dinner drinks

Best wine bar happy hours in downtown Los Angeles

13. Vinovore — Arts District

Vinovore is a natural wine bar in the Arts District with a curated selection of natural wines, a cozy atmosphere, and a great happy hour. The bar offers discounted wine by the glass and small plates.

  • Happy hour: Tuesday–Sunday, 4–6pm
  • Deals: $7 wine, $6 beer
  • Best for: Natural wine, Arts District, and wine lovers

14. The Wine House — Downtown

The Wine House is a wine bar and retail shop in downtown Los Angeles with a large selection of wines, a relaxed atmosphere, and a popular happy hour. The bar offers discounted wine by the glass and tasting flights.

  • Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 4–7pm
  • Deals: $6 wine, $5 beer
  • Best for: Wine, tasting flights, and relaxed atmosphere

15. Everson Royce Bar — Arts District

As noted above, Everson Royce Bar also offers a great wine happy hour, with discounted wine by the glass and a beautiful setting for wine lovers.

  • Happy hour: Tuesday–Sunday, 5–7pm
  • Deals: $7 wine

How to choose the best happy hour in downtown Los Angeles

Check the times. Happy hour times in downtown Los Angeles vary by venue, with most running Monday–Friday from 4–7pm or 5–7pm. Some bars, like Everson Royce Bar, also offer weekend happy hours, while others are weekday-only. Always confirm times before you go.

Consider the vibe. DTLA offers happy hours for every mood, from rooftop bars with views to cozy whiskey bars, historic venues, and wine bars. Choose based on what kind of evening you want: lively and social, intimate and romantic, or relaxed and casual.

Look for food deals. Many happy hours in DTLA also offer discounted food, from small plates to full menus. Check if your chosen bar offers food specials, as this can make happy hour an even better value.

Plan your route. Downtown Los Angeles is walkable, and many of the best happy hour spots are clustered in the Arts District, the Historic Core, and around Pershing Square. Plan a crawl to try multiple spots in one evening, but remember to drink responsibly and use rideshare or public transit.

Book ahead for popular spots. Some of the most popular happy hour bars in DTLA, especially rooftop bars, can get crowded. Arrive early or book ahead if possible, especially on Fridays.

FAQ: Happy hour in downtown Los Angeles

What is the best happy hour in downtown Los Angeles?

Perch, The Rooftop at The Standard, and Clifton’s Republic are among the best happy hours in downtown Los Angeles, offering great deals, beautiful settings, and a range of atmospheres from rooftop views to historic charm.

What time is happy hour in downtown Los Angeles?

Most happy hours in downtown Los Angeles run Monday–Friday from 4–7pm or 5–7pm, with some bars offering extended hours until 8pm and a few offering weekend happy hours. Always confirm times with the venue before you go.

What are the cheapest happy hours in downtown Los Angeles?

Clifton’s Republic, The Rooftop at The Standard, and Seven Grand offer some of the cheapest happy hours in DTLA, with cocktails from $6–7, wine from $5–6, and beer from $4–5 during happy hour.

Are there happy hours on weekends in downtown Los Angeles?

Yes, some bars in downtown Los Angeles offer weekend happy hours, including Everson Royce Bar (Tuesday–Sunday), Bavel (Tuesday–Sunday), and Vinovore (Tuesday–Sunday). Most other bars are weekday-only, so check before you go.

What is the best rooftop happy hour in downtown Los Angeles?

Perch and The Rooftop at The Standard are the best rooftop happy hours in downtown Los Angeles, offering skyline views, discounted drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Spire 73 offers the highest views, but at a higher price point.

Sources

Photo credit: Cocktails on a bar counter by Skills Media via Pexels.

Related reading

  • The Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles, by Occasion
  • Best Bars in Downtown Los Angeles: A Complete Guide
  • The Best Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles
David Christopher Lee

Editor-in-Chief

David Christopher Lee launched his first online magazine in 2001. As a young publisher, he had access to the most incredible events and innovators of the world. In 2009, he started Destinationluxury.com, one of the largest portals for all things luxury including 5 star properties, Michelin Star Restaurants and bespoke experiences. As a portrait photographer and producer, David has worked with many celebrities & major brands such as Richard Branson, the Kardashians, Lady Gaga, Cadillac, Lexus, Qatar Airways, Aman Hotels, just to name a few. David’s work has been published in major magazines such as GQ, Vogue, Instyle, People, Teen, Men’s Health, Departures & many more. He creates content with powerful seo marketing strategies.

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