Everywhere You Need to Know For Great Day Drinking in L.A.

A new chef and menu is breathing new life into the beloved outdoor-only Mexican restaurant beset by cacti and palms. Drink-wise, margaritas and micheladas, plus daily slushies like the Frozen Dreamsicle, keep things cool during the blazing summer heat. For food, go for the carne asada steak tacos, or the whole grilled fish if you’re feeling fancy. There’s perhaps no more idyllic way to spend a Saturday afternoon in L.A.

The E.P. and L.P team has transformed this storied former Hollywood recording studio, where legends like Stevie Wonder and David Bowie once laid down tracks, into a polished Italian restaurant with subtle Australian influences. But our favorite reason to visit is day drinking on the show-stopping 4,000 square-foot rooftop deck. Snack on pizza by the slice, a chicken parm-inspired roll, or mini mortadella panini while you slurp frozen drinks and other cocktails all day long.

The Silver Lake offshoot of the plant-based Mexican spot from the West Side has a vibey, foliate-filled backyard patio and daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Look for $12 margaritas, $10 wines, and bites like guacamole and mulitas. On weekends, come earlier for a leisurely cocktail-fueled bunch, and stay for the DJ in the back. 

Not only is Alta Adams a culinary destination for its unique interpretation of soul food by way of  West Africa and California, it also features a charming patio (open on weekdays!) blanketed in greenery that makes you feel like you’re dining inside a secret treehouse. Try the Flights and Bites menu, which features pours of three different wines, plus snacks like black eyed pea fritters and the kitchen’s beloved fried chicken.

If a Hawaiian-themed outdoor bar on the Venice boardwalk doesn’t put you in the mood to day drink, then we’re not sure what will. Take advantage of Belles’ Golden Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday for discounted food and drink like $10 pina colada slushies, spritzes, and wines, plus bites like mochiko-dusted chicken nuggets and crispy rock shrimp.

This long-running beachside bar atop the Hotel Erwin is a perfect spot for day drinking and people watching. Kick back with crowd-pleasing frozen drinks like the Palomita (aka a frozen paloma) and frose while you snack on sweet Thai chili wings and “macho nachos” with housemade tortilla chips. Stay all day or head over just before dusk and you’ll be in prime position for some of the best sunset views in town.

This country-western themed bar atop the tommie Hotel  (also home to red-hot Ka’teen) features finger-friendly Mexican snacks like tacos from chef Wes Avila. All of their cocktails are named after country songs, so you can enjoy them, plus the panoramic city views, while you casually recount the lyrics to “The Gambler.” More info here.

This newly opened destination for Spanish tapas from chef Brendan Collins is perfect for a boozy brunch with dishes like Moorish Avocado Toast and a Spanish Bloody Mary (with jamón-washed vodka, sherry, and pickled vegetables). Or go all in with larger format cocktails like the Nude Beach (mezcal, rum, allspice, lime, and pineapple) served in a golden pineapple, or a pitcher of sangria for the table.

The ever-enchanting Silver Lake standby is known for its Cal-Med menu made with market-fresh produce, as well as its selection of natural wines. Dine al fresco on their back patio during brunch and enjoy Bloody Marys and newer concoctions, like a hard lemonade made with cava and limoncello, or The Bean (Haymaker’s vodka, Forthave Spirits‘Brown’ Coffee Liqueur, and iced coffee)–their riff on the ubiquitous espresso martini.

This new bar and restaurant located inside a former warehouse is a London transplant that serves as many things to many people. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you’ll definitely want to check it out. If you love an old-fashioned English breakfast, it’s for you, too. But our favorite part? They’re open early Monday through Friday and throughout the day, making it a prime destination for day drinking. Oh, and built right in is a barber and tattoo shop, in case you want to revamp your look after a couple of pints.

All Season Brewing is one part auto museum, one part brewery and drinking establishment. Located within a landmarked Firestone Tire Station dating back to 1938, the space was lovingly reborn and updated in 2021. They brew their own beers onsite, which range from amber lagers to pale ales, make their own ginger beer, and serve up signature draft cocktails as well as classics like a Negroni or Penicillin. Food is provided by Chicas Tacos. It’s also all ages until 7:30 p.m. and pets are welcome on the patio, so you can roll with your entire brood. More info here.

This downtown classic is known for its natural wine list and a killer burger, but it’s also a prime day drinking destination, thanks to a large back patio and extended weekend hours. Everything from IPAs to frozen palomas to micheladas are on offer, plus a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., making this a no brainer anytime you’re near the Arts District.