16 LA Hot Spots for the Perfect Girls Night Out, Winter 2017
Published by Eater Los Angeles
Every once in a while, the time comes to let loose with the main girls. Luckily for the ladies of Los Angeles, the city has a plethora of options to imbibe and entertain. Whether one’s looking for a night of gossip over a glass of wine, a hip lounge for a delicious libation, or to be surrounded by bottles and models at Hollywood's hottest clubs, there's a little something for everyone.
1. Poppy
h.wood group’s newest nightlife venture, Poppy, has transformed the former STK space on La Cienega into a surrealist dream with whimsically adorned storybook characters, outlandish bottle service, and all. Be sure to make arrangements to assure a spot on the list.
2. Toca Madera West Hollywood
It’s no wonder celebrities continue to flock to West Hollywood’s Toca Madera — the restaurant boasts just about everything one needs to kick off a night out. That means an expansive (and impressive) selection of agave-based cocktails to pair with luxurious takes on Mexican classics. The A La Roca, American Wagyu served on a searingly hot plate, is a show stopper, setting the tone for the debauchery to follow.
3. The Highlight Room
The final addition to the sceniest complex of restaurants and lounges in Hollywood, The Highlight Room is the Dream Hotel’s crown jewel, what with its absurdly gorgeous vistas from nearly ever corner of the space. Get there early to avoid a challenging situation at the door, and take in some of the city’s best people watching.
4. Broken Shaker
Head upstairs to the rooftop of Miami export the Freehand Hotel to soak up South Beach vibes from Broken Shaker. The Los Angeles location of one of the most celebrated cocktail bars in America boasts an effortlessly chic aesthetic that keeps the cool kids returning to sip their way through an exciting list of beverages.
5. Beauty & Essex
The ultimate girls night out in LA may very well be at Tao Group’s newish Beauty & Essex. The stunning bi-level space featuring a soaring ceiling and packed bars has exactly the cool vibes you would expect, with all the glitz and glam that encapsulates the archetype of a Hollywood restaurant.
6. TAO
Step into the first LA branch of the tentpole of the Tao Group complex, and breaths are likely to be taken away. Even after seeing photos of the glitzy new restaurant, the sheer scale and magnitude of luxury that oozes from every corner is rather appalling. Make a late night reservation to share small plates and sushi while drinks flow.
7. Avenue
After a dinner at Beauty & Essex or Tao, those looking to keep the party going will do very well at neighboring Avenue. The bottle service club is certainly one of the hardest doors in LA—it would be wise to assure a spot on the list before attempting to make your way inside.
8. Ysabel
Be sure to make an early dinner reservation at cool kid hangout Ysabel. Swing by a little too late in the evening, and one should dress the part to pass the doorman, who assures that only a certain type of crowd can sip decently made cocktails in its pretty surroundings.
9. Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre is without a doubt the trendiest vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, attracting celebrities and organic food enthusiasts alike. The well-crafted mezcal and tequila program helmed by Beverage Director Maxwell Reis features colorful slushies; favorites like The Dude Abides with horchata, vanilla cinnamon syrup, and mezcal; and some of the best spicy margaritas in LA.
10. Melrose Umbrella Co.
Arrive early to Melrose Umbrella Co to catch up with friends over one (or many) well crafted tipples, or arrive late for an eclectic crowd of pretty people. Just be willing to forgo extra elbow room.
11. Belle Vie Food & Wine
Brentwood scored a huge win when Vincent Samarco’s Belle Vie opened its doors on Wilshire. The wine bar is a haven for francophiles and groups of friends wanting to catch up over a lovely selection of affordable wine and small plates.
12. Catch LA
This new celebrity hot spot offers glitter-adorned vodka drinks, a full vegan menu, and exceptionally pricey seafood plates. With the lush rooftop setting and some of the city’s best people watching, it’s without question one of the sceniest spots in the city.
13. Everson Royce Bar
There is probably no more beloved Arts District bar than ERB. It doesn’t hurt that the local standby known for warm service and reliably delicious cocktails offers some pretty stellar dishes that come by way of former Mozza chef Matt Molina to soak it all up.
14. Nightingale Plaza
Some nights call for a chill bar to have audible conversations with friends, but for those other nights when popping bottles with LA’s finest models are in order, there’s Nightingale Plaza. SBE’s new iteration of Greystone Manor lives up to the legacy of the former club immortalized by Drake lyrics with its LEDs and mirrored panels that move to the high-energy beats.
15. Norah
Norah has become a favorite with locals for its insane cornbread and cauliflower popcorn. Not to mention the stunning marble bar that turns out some seriously delicious drinks that keeps the evening going late into the night.
16. Delilah
There are few hotter reservation to score in LA right now than Delilah, and for good reason. The admittedly sceney restaurant is more than a place to see and be seen—step through the paparazzi-flocked doors and instantly feel transported to the Rat Pack glory days. The debonair digs come with tuxedoed servers, classic American dishes, novel cocktails like the mini bottle service that comes with the Champagne Papi (which you can sometimes find Drake himself sipping in one of the prime booths), and maybe, just maybe, tunes from other familiar celebrity faces.