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Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)

5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

$$$$ Arts District
David Chang’s warehouse-sized Chinatown restaurant blends Korean flavors with playful American and Asian riffs, built for sharing. The cooking leans smoky, savory, and big-format, with a lively open-kitchen energy. Massive review volume and long-running popularity back up its reputation as a Downtown destination.
Must-Try Dishes: Bo ssäm-style pork shoulder, Bing bread with pickled butter, Spicy kimchi fusilli with pork jowl
What makes it special: Korean-leaning share plates in a high-energy, warehouse setting.
8.4
$$$ Historic Core
A former rectory turned airy dining room where Californian-leaning American plates meet a serious cocktail program. The kitchen is at its best with market-driven vegetables and wood-grilled mains.
Must-Try Dishes: Grilled Hamachi Collar, Housemade Pastas, Seasonal Vegetable Plates
What makes it special: New American in a dramatic historic church setting.
$ Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo’s neighborhood whiskey bar with a focused happy hour built for sipping Japanese whisky and easy highballs. The room is compact but stylish, and the crowd is equal parts locals and downtown regulars.
Must-Try Dishes: Japanese Whisky Flight, Highball + Snack Pairing, Beer and a Shot Special
What makes it special: A whisky-forward Little Tokyo bar with community roots and smart HH deals.
$$$ Little Tokyo
A dependable neighborhood sushi bar with a broad menu, clean nigiri, and a popular happy-hour draw. Rolls skew traditional with a few modern touches, and quality holds steady across busy nights. It’s a reliable choice when you want variety without omakase prices.
Must-Try Dishes: Albacore with yuzu ponzu, Toro hand roll, Assorted sashimi platter
What makes it special: Well-rounded sushi menu with strong weekday value.

Worthy Picks

7.7
$$ Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo’s late-night hang for wings, whiskey, and bar burgers in a brick-and-neon setting. Kitchen hits best on shareables that match the beer-and-cocktail flow.
Must-Try Dishes: Far Bar Wings, Sapporo Burger, Whiskey Flight
What makes it special: A dependable Little Tokyo bar with legit late-night food.