Best Happy Hour Restaurants in LA Arts District (90021)
5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
Bestia
9.1
A defining Arts District destination for house-cured charcuterie, blistered pizzas, and deeply flavored pastas from chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. The menu is bold and technique-forward, and the industrial dining room hums late into the night. Reservations are tough for a reason: the kitchen stays reliably excellent at scale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone marrow gnochetti with spinach and brown butter, Saffron tagliatelle with crab, uni, and chiles, Spicy lamb sausage pizza
What makes it special: A benchmark Arts District Italian kitchen with a top-tier salumi and pasta program.
Notable Picks
#2
Damian
8.8
A Michelin-recognized Arts District dining room from chef Enrique Olvera that leans modern without losing the thread of Mexican tradition. The kitchen excels at precise seafood and live-fire proteins, with polished service and an urban, greenhouse-like space that feels special for nights out. Reservations can be tough, but the payoff is a tightly executed, destination-level meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck carnitas tacos, Rockfish ceviche, Banana leaf flan
What makes it special: Olvera’s refined, California-seasonal take on contemporary Mexican cooking.
A sprawling moto-clubhouse-turned-restaurant where the food holds its own against the spectacle. Expect solid modern American comfort—breakfast through dinner—served in a high-energy warehouse setting that stays lively well into the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bike Shed Burger, Steak & Eggs, Breakfast Burrito
What makes it special: A full-scale restaurant embedded inside a genuine moto social club.
8.2
A neighborhood bar that quietly serves some of the Arts District’s most craveable American bar food. The vibe is dim, buzzy, and patio-forward, making it a reliable stop for drinks that turns into dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Sandwich, Smash Burger, House Pickles & Bar Snacks
What makes it special: Cocktail bar credibility with food worth a dedicated trip.
Worthy Picks
7.8
A laid-back, old-school Arts District dive with everyday happy hour, strong pours, and a come-as-you-are crowd. It’s a low-key alternative to the flashier neighborhood bars, perfect for cheap beers and simple cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Well-shot-and-a-beer combo, Classic margarita, Bar snacks (rotating)
What makes it special: No-frills neighborhood saloon with dependable everyday deals.