We here at LAdventure Tour have a great appreciation for out of the way places to drink and be merry after a fun day of Los Angeles sightseeing. To call these places dive bars, is not paying homage to what they truly are. These are the places that we probably shouldn’t share with tourists but for you, we will. You definitely won’t find them on the LA Board of Tourism website. These are the underappreciated establishments of Los Angeles where a well drink is under $15 bucks and the atmosphere is still electric and eclectic.
1. Boardners: Built in 1942, Boardner’s has established itself as one of Hollywood’s top night spots. This vintage, unpretentious dive bar is often packed with late night revelers drinking at the art deco antique bar while filling its legendary and iconic walls and twenty-two foot high ceiling. There’s cozy seating overlooking the entire venue and patio, a large dance floor and great sound system to make this a truly entertaining Hollywood dive bar experience. If you’re looking for an early night out, Boardner’s happy hour, which goes until 8pm Monday through Saturday (and all day Sunday) and is great for the early drinkers. 1652 North Cherokee Ave., Los Angeles; 323 462-9261 www.boardners.com
2. Ye Rustic Inn: A friendly dive bar off the beaten path for the LA visitor catering to an eclectic clientele of locals. The staple of this bar aren’t the drinks but the hot wings. The spicy, tender little beauties here are now legendary but certainly not the only reason to drop in. The bartenders are friendly while serving stiff drinks at great prices while the waitresses are sweet and sassy, with or without the hot wings. There are plenty of TV’s that go with a great jukebox. Rustic opened in 1971 and it hasn’t changed very much since. It may look pretty plain, but it’s the crowd that makes this place interesting. You may even see the odd celebrity on occasion. (Kiefer Sutherland may drop in when he’s off the wagon). 831 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; (323) 662-5757 https://www.facebook.com/ye.r.inn
3. Burgundy Room: The Burgundy Room, a former speak-easy, is the joint you will want to crawl into for a night of booze-fueled debauchery. The lights are low and the music is loud as it blasts away rock music while the bodacious barmaids hand you the drinks. There are DJs at night with a great music selection. There is an awesome art gallery attached near the entrance that has really cool local artist work that you can check out at night. The door guys are very friendly and the bartenders know how to make you a good cocktail at reasonable prices. 1621 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles (323) 465-7530 http://www.yelp.com/biz/burgundy-room-los-angeles
4. Frolic Room: From its famous neon sign out front on Hollywood Boulevard to its historical, glamorous past that dates back to the 1930’s, the Frolic Room has a certain mystique about it that makes it such a desirable watering hole for locals and tourists alike. Located next to the Pantages Theatre where it is rumored that as a speak-easy it catered to the patrons who felt like escaping the crowded theatre through the then adjoining door for a quick cocktail. The crowd is diverse and a lot of fun to be around, though a lot of the time that can depend on what is playing at the Pantages next door. A row of stools runs down its center and the wall behind them features a jukebox and not much else. The cocktails are strong and won’t disappoint and you can use the Frolic Room for a pit stop before hitting the Hollywood clubs that surround it. 6245 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 462-5890 http://www.yelp.com/biz/frolic-room-los-angeles
5. HMS Bounty: When you step through the door, it is as though you are stepping back in time to a steakhouse and pub of years gone by. The HMS Bounty is a nautically themed British-style pub with a bar by the door as soon as you walk in or if you’re eating, there are plenty of tables around it to choose from. But if its just a drink you’re there for then pull a stool up next to a local and have a chat on any weekday or on weekends expect a bit of a party atmosphere and join in. Either way, this dimly-lit hole in the wall in Koreatown is a hidden gem for a quiet evening out and an inexpensive drink. Even if you don’t really need to go, make a trip to the Men’s room through the historic lobby of the apartment building to which the HMS Bounty is “docked” – 1920’s faded style at its best. 3357 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; (213) 385-7275 www.thehmsbounty.com
6. The Roost: One of the most relaxed bars in Los Angeles, this woody, barn-like watering hole is always a welcoming and hospitable hangout. The building opened as a bar in the 1940’s and has since changed names several times until The Roost first opened its doors in 1974. This dive bar is popular with the local hipsters as well as the Hollywood crowd with its friendly neighborhood atmosphere and very affordable drinks. The jukebox plays tunes from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s and there are comfortable lounge chairs strewn about where you can just sit back and relax with a nice drink. Expect the TV set to always be on so if there’s a big game happening you’re not going to miss it. It’s a cash-only bar but offers its own private parking lot. There’s also free popcorn if you so desire with an old-fashioned machine from which you can serve yourself with tiny brown-paper bags. 3100 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz; (323) 664-7272. http://roostcocktails.com
7. King Eddy: On the ground floor of the King Edward Hotel and a stone’s throw away from Skid Row, the King Eddy is the oldest bar in downtown Los Angeles, dating back to the 19th century. After a recent change of ownership and renovation this remnant of a bygone era has slowly been infiltrated by authenticity-seeking gentrifiers to make this bar a must-see watering hole for history buffs as well as those looking for that extra special dive ambiance. In its prime of yesteryear, crime bosses as well as literary figures were regulars. These days you’ll find a very mixed combination of drinking interests but you’ll certainly leave with a story to tell as well as a hangover – drinks are so cheap you won’t worry about buying another. 131 W. Fifth St., Downtown Los Angeles; (213) 629-2023 www.kingeddysaloon.com
8. Good Luck Bar: A favorite with the Los Feliz locals as well as those just looking for a place to hang out with a feel-good vibe. There’s an extensive menu of specialty drinks that draws a mixed clientele of hipsters and young professionals. Once you walk in, it’s easy to see why this dim yet inviting space has cultivated such a loyal following. For those in the know, Good Luck Bar offers up signature tropical drinks that are nothing short of divine. The staff are friendly as is the fun and lively atmosphere. Expect a very social, outgoing crowd interested in hanging out and meeting new people. Snag a booth if you can. 1514 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles; www.goodluckbarla.com
9. Tattle Tale Room: This hole-in-the-wall strip mall joint is a place to come to for a good time and a fuzzy memory. With fun bartenders, stiff drinks, and friendly locals you’ll see why this is a neighborhood favorite. Very unpretentious with regulars who prefer to drink during daylight hours before a more assorted crown makes things a little more interesting later in the evening. The Tattle Tale Room’s popular karaoke nights attract a mixture of party enthusiasts as well as the more musically inclined and as the bargain booze gets consumed you cannot tell the difference. 5401 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; (310) 390-2489. www.tattletaleroom.com
10. Jumbo’s Clown Room: A burlesque dance venue yet still a dive bar experience, Jumbo’s Clown Room is family owned and operated and has been around since 1970. Called “Jumbo’s” by the locals, this is a divinely dirty little sinkhole to abandon your conscience while dialing into your liver. There’s no nudity here but you won’t care. The stiff drinks will take you where your imagination wants you to go. Just tip your bartender while throwing every other dollar onto the stage and you’ll have a night you won’t forget. There’s no cover. 5153 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood www.jumbos.com