Los Angeles' Best After-Work Bar

Hybrid martini-and-wine bar livens up subdued Santa Monica neighborhood with stylish drinking enclave.

Reviews:

• “Great DJ and Courteous Doorman”
• “nice atmosphere”
• “It clearly isn’t air conditioned…”
• “bottomless sangria!”
• “Nothing to get all hot & bothered about”

Tips: Most of the surrounding side streets are permit restricted, so guests can park at meters along Pico and the rear parking lot.

AIR CONDITIONED

Enjoy live music and pub grub at this Brit-themed bar.

Reviews:

• “Cigarette Smoke, Bad food (think air plane), AWFUL SERVICE”
• “Absolutely horrible! Worst experience in years..”
• “Friday nights are very crowded”
• “Very rude working staff”
• “a right fiddle "

Tips: Take your pooch along, but don’t expect to sit inside. Four-legged friends are welcome only on the patio.

Cat & Fiddle

Inventive rolls and a fun, cheap happy hour fuel this relaxed WeHo sushi spot.

Reviews:

• “Nice atmosphere, decent food, poor service”
• “Trendy, good food, worth the price”
• “Great for the Under 40 fast crowd – Not as pricey as one would think”
• “everthing was good”
• “worst policies ever”

Tips: Savor $4 sushi rolls, $6 salt-and-pepper prawns and $3 margaritas daily, 5pm-7pm. Or splurge on a creative cocktail like the Tokyo Tonic (green tea, sake, Absolut vanil).

Fat Fish or email Fat Fish

Blow off steam after work in this old-school Culver City lounge.

Reviews:

• “Happening Spot Everytime”
• “This is where I started to love LA….”
• “So much more than a dive bar!”
• “Who would have thought a "
• “A night well spent!”

Tips: Thursday, Friday and Saturday pack them in with karaoke nights, especially Fridays with a grateful post-work crowd.

Backstage Bar & Grill or email Backstage Bar & Grill

Popular San Diego bar opens its second Westside branch, with boldly styled supper club in Venice’s former El Marquez space.

Reviews:

• “No shorts, no notice, no entry…”
• “Great music, lame crowd”
• “Worst Bartender Ever…”
• “I’ve never been disappointed here”
• “Awesome music, glitchy bartender”

Tips: The bar (and crowd) is best on Thursday and Saturday nights between 11pm and 1am, with rarely a line or any hassles at the door.

AIR CONDITIONED Supper Club

Sunset Boulevard’s favorite “subterranean” hot spot has become more than just a cocktail destination.

Reviews:

• “Fantastic Night Out”
• “why mess with perfection? THE NEW SALMON SALAD???”
• “Great food and service”
• “Pretty good food, cute patio”
• “Eh…it’s alright. "

Tips: The dinner menu starts at 4pm. Customers can also mingle late into the night at the bar with a variety of wine and seasonal cocktails like the raspberry mojito, watermelon martinis and housemade sangria.

Mirabelle Restaurant or email Mirabelle Restaurant

Bigfoot Lodge owner launches swinging ’70s-themed nightclub with early neighborhood/industry bar scene and live, late-night DJs.

Reviews:

• “Fun Birthday Celebration Place”
• “my favorite bar!”
• “The name is cooler than the people”
• “Great bar”
• “Great little find!”

Tips: The bar is small and the DJ scene very popular on weekends—plan to arrive before 11pm to avoid a wait in line.

Saints & Sinners or email Saints & Sinners

The spot that launched the green apple martini offers a casual retreat from the attention-starved cruisers on the Strip.

Reviews:

• “Martini Madness!”
• “This place has an unbelievably bad reputation and it is well deserved”
• “Nice atmosphere, setting and crowd”
• “Great for dates”
• “manifest destiny”

Tips: A valet awaits those with deep pockets, but the streets nearby abound with metered and even free parking.

Lola’s or email Lola’s

Authentic teas, pints and fish and chips at this lively British pub by the beach.

Reviews:

• “Not what it used to be”
• “Terrible and rude service”
• “Don’t eat here”
• “Maybe it was a slow week for treacle pudding?”
• “Fun place to play darts!”

Tips: Every afternoon, Monday-Saturday, high tea is served in the aptly appointed Hunt Room. Finger sandwiches, petit fours, scones, fruit, Devonshire cream, tea and a dose of gentility are available.

Ye Olde King’s Head or email Ye Olde King’s Head

Hip neighborhood martini bar boasts stylish full-service restaurant popular with the business crowd and entertainment community.

Reviews:

• “Fun atmosphere, great service”
• “Good food and warm service in an unlikely setting”
• “Great Friday Night Dinner & Drinks Spot!”
• “Great Lounge!”
• “Drink up!”

Tips: One of the busiest happy hours in Beverly Hills, the lounge offer appetizers and drink specials from 5pm to 7pm. Throw a private party for eight or more during happy hour, and the restaurant will provide five appetizers for only $10 per person. Drinks not included.

Nic’s Restaurant or email Nic’s Restaurant