The 18 Best Bars For Outdoor Drinking In Los Angeles

While our friends in other parts of the country may have to wait for the spring and summer months to drink in the great outdoors, we Angelenos have the good fortune and sunshine to imbibe al fresco year round. Whether you're looking to stick your toes in the sand while you sip or challenge a friend to ping-pong over a beer, we rounded up our favorite bars for outdoor drinking in Los Angeles. Get ready to catch a breeze and a healthy buzz.

The patio of Everson Royce Bar (via Instagram)
EVERSON ROYCE BAR

The spacious patio at this recent Arts District addition is the perfect retreat for cooling off on a balmy L.A. night. While you could hang inside at the 40-foot long marble bar we suggest heading outside where you'll find plenty of seating options at picnic tables, small two-tops and a long wooden bench block complete with twinkling string lights overhead. And if you're feeling restless you can always show off your skills on the bocce court. E.R.B. was opened by a crack team of L.A. bar and restaurant vets—including Randy Clement, owner of Silver Lake Wine, chef Matt Molina of Mozza and Chris Ojeda, who helped start the Varnish—so you'll find an excellent line-up of cocktails, wine, beer and small bites. Plans for a second bar in the back are still in the works, so in the meantime, have a friend save your seat while you order inside.

Everson Royce Bar is located at 1936 E 7th St, Arts District, (213) 335-6166.

The groovy backyard of Good Times at Davey Wayne's (via Facebook)
GOOD TIMES AT DAVEY WAYNE'S

Take a trip back to the 70s and hit the backyard bar of this retro-themed Hollywood joint from the Houston Brothers. Once you've made your way through the secret entrance in front, head back to the porch and AstroTurfed yard. There you'll find a vintage Airstream, where you can order a stiff drink and a bite from the grill like their spicy pork belly sammies or street corn. Then cozy up on a bench, swing from a hammock or boogie down to some sweet classic jams. Groovy.

Good Times at Davey Wayne's is located at 1611 N El Centro Blvd. in Hollywood.

The party at Block Party (via Facebook)
BLOCK PARTY

This Highland Park craft beer bar offers a laid-back neighborhood vibe and expansive patio complete with a huge shuffleboard game. Order a pour from one of the 10 rotating Cali-centric taps, special release bottles and cans, margarita slushies or a Michelada head to a picnic bench in the back. They also offer some solid bar bites from their pop-up cart on the patio or you can even order food from nearby restaurants. Welcome to the party.

Block Party is located at 5052 York Blvd, Highland Park, (323) 741-2747.

Aloha from Duke's (via Facebook)
BAREFOOT BAR AT DUKE'S MALIBU

It's tough to compete with the incredible ocean views, mellow vibe and stiff, tropical-inspired cocktails at the outdoor Barefoot bar at this Malibu institution, so why try. Inspired by Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian father of international surfing, this kitschy beachside classic is a killer spot to scope out some tasty waves and catch a cool buzz. If you can ditch work early, we definitely recommend their Aloha Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for $4 off select drinks and $2 off draft beers. And you really should check out their Mai Tai Madness on Fridays from 4 p.m. to close, where you'll find $6 Mai Tais and Hawaiian dancers.

Barefoot Bar at Duke’s Malibu is located at 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, (310) 317-0777.

Ping-pong and darts at Tony's Saloon (via Facebook)
TONY'S SALOON

This dimly-lit and laid-back Arts District haunt is a great neighborhood dive perfect for losing a few hours and offers a spacious backyard that offers plenty of fun without the frills. Grab a well-crafted cocktail or cold beer at the bar and head out back for game of ping-pong, foosball or darts, or just to hang with friends under the twinkling light strings. As an added bonus you can grab a slice next door at Pizzanista or order up at the bar, and during the summer months they often host a cookout on Sundays. Rumor has it that Hunter S. Thompson used hang at the bar and bet on the ponies before 213 Hospitality took it over, which is good enough for us.

Tony's Saloon is located at 2017 East 7th Street, Arts District, (213) 622-5523.

The downstairs patio of Preux & Proper (via Preux & Proper)
PREUX & PROPER

This stylish New Orleans-inspired downtown spot offers two cozy patios—one upstairs for dining and a more casual one downstairs—ideal for day-drinking or wiling away the hours at night. You'll find an excellent selection of beer and wine, plus well-executed classic cocktails like a Sazerac or French 75, as well as refined twists on Bourbon St.-style frozen daiquiris at the open-air downstairs bar. And if you're in the mood to share their boozy punch bowls should do the trick. And should you get hungry, owner and Louisiana native Joshua Kopel recently brought on chef Samuel Monsour to crank up the Creole and Cajun flavors with killer menus for both upstairs and down. You can also hit up happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. everyday for deals on drinks and bites perfect for drinking like their "Frito Pie Chili Chz Dog" and Prince's hot style fried catfish po'boy, which are also offered as late night bites from 11 p.m. to 1:30am on Saturday and Sunday.

Preux & Proper is located at 840 S. Spring St. in Downtown L.A., (213) 896-0090.

La Verbena on the patio of El Cid (via Facebook)
EL CID

Silver Lake's historic El Cid sprawling multi-level outdoor patio is utterly transporting. Make your way down the long stairs from Sunset Boulevard and disappear into a world of Spanish-inflected California cool. Think old-school leather booths, strings of twinkling lights, and an umbrella of tree branches overhead. The eastside institution—long known for live music and flamenco shows—now boasts a new pop-up outdoor restaurant on weekends with a menu that includes grilled flat breads, roasted dips, skewered meats, veggies, seafood, and rotating specials. —Julia Wick

El Cid is located at 4212 Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake, (323) 668-0318. La Verbena, the pop-up restaurant, is open Thursday through Sunday nights.

ASHLAND HILL

This relatively new Santa Monica joint delivers with a spacious patio to enjoy their excellent rotating selection of locally brewed craft beer and options from across the country and the globe. They also have a solid line-up of wine if you prefer. Grab a seat in the tree-lined beer garden, order a drink and get familiar with their food menu, which includes tasty bites perfect for sipping and sharing. Sit back and enjoy the sunshine for a day drinking session or get cozy under a heat lamp for those cool L.A. nights.

Ashland Hill is located at 2807 Main Street, Santa Monica, (310) 392-3300.

The patio at No Vacancy (via Facebook)
NO VACANCY

If you can manage to find your way through the secret entrance of this Houston Brothers joint—housed in a 1903 Victorian home that once schooled the children of Chaplin and DeMille—you'll find a beautiful back patio ideal for sipping cocktails. Grab a drink at the standalone greenhouse-covered bar, get cozy by one of the stone fireplaces, and on the weekends you can catch plenty of live entertainment. From live music on the porch, to sideshow acts and burlesque dancers, to impressive feats on the tightrope above the patio, there's plenty to take in. This is not your typical backyard patio. Keep in mind, the patio is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

No Vacancy is located at 1727 N Hudson Ave, Hollywood, (323) 465-1902.

The Idle Hour patio (Photo by William Bradford via Idle Hour)
IDLE HOUR

If you ever find yourself in North Hollywood, spend an hour or two on the back patio of the giant barrel on Vineland Avenue with some friends, classic cocktails, and its hearty, griddle-centric menu. While Idle Hour has been lovingly restored to its circa-1941 vintage glory with a few modern improvements by the 1933 Group, there's nothing pretentious or overly slick about its homey space. Floor-to-ceiling the building's walls are unsexy wooden planks, and the building opens to an open-air patio that feels more akin to your neighbor's backyard than some new, trendy bar. You'll want to kick back with some bourbon cocktails and an Idle Hour Sloppy Joe. Or two. —Carman Tse

Idle Hour is located at 4824 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, (818) 980-5604.

Back on the Beach, mon. (via Facebook)
BACK ON THE BEACH CAFE

It doesn't get much more L.A. than sticking your toes in the sand while sipping a drink on the beach. This Santa Monica institution recently allowed beer and wine on their beach patio, and you should definitely take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. While we're fans of taking out-of-towners to Paradise Cove further up the coast, the laid-back vibe at Back on the Beach is typically less crowded and easier to get to. Keep in mind that during the off-season they're open until 8 p.m. on Friday through Sunday and close at 3 p.m. the other days. But starting on June 3, their summer hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.

Back on the Beach Cafe is located at 445 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, (310) 393-8282.

These guys get it (via Facebook)
THE PUB AT GOLDEN ROAD

While some craft beer drinkers were riled by the Anheuser-Busch purchase of Golden Road, it's hard to deny that the expansive outdoor area at The Pub is a great place to throw back some brews and grab a bite. The dog-friendly patio offers plenty of picnic tables for large groups and an outdoor bar with TVs, so you can catch the game. Or if you prefer to be the one playing the games, you can also hit the ping-pong table or cornhole set-up in the back. Though you'll probably have to face off against someone's toddler if you want to use the giant Jenga set.

Golden Road is located at 5410 W San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, (213) 542-6039.

THE RAYMOND 1886

Head to the gorgeous tree-lined patio of this cozy Craftsman cottage and enjoy a lazy afternoon or a romantic date while sipping their excellently crafted cocktails. While the team behind Bar 1886 is constantly pushing the cocktail envelope (glass?) with inspired creations, they also know the classic hits forwards and back. They also know the history behind the drinks and why they're prepared the way they are, and they make all of their syrups, tinctures and infusions in house, taking great care with each ingredient. You're also probably going to want to stick around for a great dinner.

The Raymond 1886 is located at 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, (626) 441-3136.

Gracias Madre patio sets the mood (via Gracias Madre)
GRACIAS MADRE

Regardless of where you fall on the idea of plant-based Mexican fare or the recent vegan controversy, the stunning patio, great cocktails and impressive tequila and mezcal offerings at this WeHo joint are likely to help sooth any disagreements. Head straight for the less-crowded outdoor bar or wait for a table or picnic bench on the large, brick-tiled and white-walled patio, which centers around a welcoming hearth. And whatever creative cocktail concoctions beverage director Jason Eisner has dreamed up will definitely be worth checking out, including their recently launched "blended" margaritas made with crushed ice like the Once In A Melon made with muddled watermelon, mezcal Espadin, jalapeño, elderflower and lime. And if you're able to hit up their weekday happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can score select cocktails, beer and wine for $6.

Gracias Madre is located at 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, (323) 978-2170

Abigaile patio (via Abigaile)
ABIGAILE

The patio of Abgaile offers the perfect retreat in Hermosa Beach for catching an amazing beachside sunset while cozied up by a fireplace. While in the past the 1920's era building may have been home to a church, a rehearsal space for Black Flag, and a steakhouse with a mechanical bull, the latest revision offers an excellent selection of craft beers, which includes house-brewed options and great choices from elsewhere. In lieu of beer, you can also choose from refreshing cocktails from scratch or their well-balanced wine list.

Abigaile is located at 1301 Manhattan Ave, Hermosa Beach, (310) 798-8227.

The Red Lion biergarten (via Facebook)
RED LION TAVERN

Grab one of Red Lion's two- or four-liter boots when you get in—you're gonna be sitting at that patio for a while. Whether it's the good company, extensive German beer list, giant pretzels, or the nightly music downstairs, the patio at Red Lion is one of the best spots in Los Angeles to waste away a relaxing Saturday night. Bring lots of company, the patio's picnic-style tables can accommodate plenty. —Carman Tse

Red Lion Tavern is located at 2366 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 662-5337.

VILLAIN'S TAVERN

The canopied patio of this Arts District favorite is a fun spot to check out live music without a cover or play a bit of tabletop shuffleboard. Grab a quality cocktail or mason jar full of craft beer at the beautiful bar mirrored with antique church windows and find a cozy nook to unwind. As an added bonus, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. they offer $5 draft beers and $5 whiskey shots to keep the villainous party going. You can also grab some late night eats from their Larder like tacos and sliders for $5, shoestring fries for $6 and mac 'n cheese bites and tots for $7.

Villain's Tavern is located at 1356 Palmetto St, Art's District, (323) 637-4153.

Enjoying Delirium Tremens on the patio at Verdugo Bar (via Facebook)
VERDUGO BAR

This Glassell Park outpost offers an extensive selection of quality brews from home and abroad and a spacious beer garden-like patio to soak up the sun and suds. You'll find plenty of drinking options with 22 regularly rotating taps, as well as a nicely stocked fridge with an excellent bottle selection, as well as cocktails and wine. Then head to the patio to grab a picnic table, enjoy your beverage and if grab a bite from one of the food trucks that often set up at their convenient service window. They also have a great happy hour with $2 off draft beer, well drinks and wine (Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Verdugo Bar is located at 3408 Verdugo Road, Glassell Park, (323) 257-3408.