Must-see nightlife in Santa Monica

  • Basement Tavern

    Santa Monica

    A creative speakeasy, housed in the basement of the Victorian, and our favorite well in Santa Monica. We love it for its craft cocktails, cozy booths,…

  • Bungalow

    Santa Monica

    A Brent Bolthouse nightspot, the indoor-outdoor lounge at the Fairmont Miramar was one of the hottest nights out in LA when it burst onto the scene a…

  • Dogtown Coffee

    Santa Monica

    Set in the old Zephyr surf shop headquarters, where skateboarding was invented during a 1970s drought that emptied pools across LA, it brews great coffee…

  • Onyx

    Santa Monica

    Santa Monica's only indoor-outdoor roof bar has a swinging-'70s, Studio 54 vibe – brass-plated fireplace, hexagonal ceiling tiles – a bar made of a giant…

  • Copa d'Oro

    Santa Monica

    The cocktail menu was created by the talented Vincenzo Marianella – a man who knows his spirits, and has trained his team to concoct addictive cocktails…

  • Birdcage

    Santa Monica

    Climb the pale-pink staircase to this fun, classy spot that's become a hangout for good-looking, mostly younger, professional Westside LGBTs and those who…

  • Bardonna

    Santa Monica

    This neighborhood coffee shop is oh-so-LA. Think superfood coffee and tea drinks: matcha lattes, 'brain coffee' with MCT oil and ghee, sea-salt cold brew…

  • Bar Chloe

    Santa Monica

    Cozy, dark and elegant with dangling chandeliers, twinkling candles, intimate booths, crisp white tablecloths and a chamomile mai tai that has earned rave…

  • Chez Jay

    Santa Monica

    Rocking since 1959, this nautical-themed dive has seen its share of Hollywood intrigue from the Rat Pack to the Brat Pack. To this day it's dark and dank…

  • Misfit

    Santa Monica

    This darkly lit emporium of food, drink and fun is notable for the decent menu and phenomenal cocktails made from craftsman spirits. Set in a historic…

  • Circle Bar

    Santa Monica

    A long-running ‘meet market.’ Strong drinks, loud music and seductive red-on-black decor further loosen inhibitions, but waiting in line to get past the…

  • Rick’s Tavern

    Santa Monica

    When everywhere else on Main is dead, this reasonably priced, friendly sports bar has a pulse. Late night? Midday? There’s usually a fun vibe, a ball game…