Are you looking for an excellent craft beer scene to unwind or spend some good time with friends or family in Southern California? Below is a selection of some of the best places in town to drink beer or sample your favorite wines.
Los Angeles’ Best Local Craft Beer and Wine Bars
Tabula Rasa Bar
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Opened in September 2016, this craft beer and wine-centric spot with dark, moody lighting have plenty of eclectic by-the-glass offerings and craft brews. They are open daily with a happy hour from 4 to 6 pm, making for the perfect kind of neighborhood bar.
Nixo Patio Lounge
Location: DTLA
Featuring light bites, specialty cocktails, and stunning views of Downtown Los Angeles, Nixo Patio Lounge is the electric, urban hotspot you need to light up your night.
The Little Bar
Location: Mid Wilshire
This festive local tavern with a great buzz and stunning ambiance has a great selection of craft beer and well-crafted cocktails. There is also a jukebox and darts where you can tag with your friends for game nights.
Westside and Beach Communities’ Best Local Craft Beer and Wine Bars
Delilah
Location: West Hollywood
This 1920s-inspired lounge serves the best shrimp cocktails, carrot soufflé, and strip steaks, along with all of the fancy cocktails. You can opt for the bottle service if you feel like a big spender. With lots of celebrity sightings and live entertainment, you will enjoy this joint.
The Library Alehouse
Location: Santa Monica
As one of the best craft beer bars on the Westside, Library Ale House has roughly 25 taps making it perfect for big groups of friends and day drinking. They also occasionally host the extremely popular tap takeover nights.
Varro
Location: Venice, CA
This Argentinian- inspired spot opens daily, serving the adventurous, mostly natural wine list, nicely paired with wood-fired cuisine curated by Chef Leo Lanussol using organic, seasonal produce from local farms in Southern California.
San Fernando Valley’s Best Local Craft Beer and Wine Bars
Black Market Liquor Bar
Location: Studio City
Serving a sophisticated collection of craft cocktails complemented by their extensive wine and craft beer collection in a cozy spot underneath a curved brick ceiling with a dining room lined with candle-lit tables, this bar provides an unparalleled drinking experience.
House of Billiards
Location: Sherman Oaks
This laid-back bar and pool hall in the heart of Sherman Oaks features plenty of tables, TVs, and has one of the best craft beer selections perfect for a drinking throwdown with a group of friends.
The Surly Goat
Location: Encino
This nautical-themed Irish bar is the go-to craft beer drinking spot for west San Fernando Valley locals. With a great tap list where you get to choose from over two dozen beers on tap and more than 40 rare and international bottles, Surly Goat is a cool space hosting some of the best trivia nights.
Conejo Valley’s Best Local Craft Beer and Wine Bars
Tarantula Hill Brewing Company
Location: Thousand Oaks
This spot offers numerous brews on tap, along with several ciders and wine. It also has a fantastic outdoor patio ideal for outdoor drinking accompanied by light bites servings such as organic pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and tacos.
Bottle & Pint
Location: Newbury Park
This specialty craft beer store is open seven days a week, serving a revolving list of 20 beers on tap. You can also opt to bring your food.
Topa Topa Brewing Company
Location: Ventura
This sophisticated microbrewery in Ventura features taprooms, a nice outdoor beer garden area with tables, cornhole, and food trucks, which is everything you want during this summer’s inevitable heatwave.