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Electric Owl
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Electric Owl
8.3
Perched along a former rail line, Electric Owl is a compact American bistro-bar known for cocktails, burgers, and patio seating that works for casual dates or after-work hangs. The menu leans into upgraded comfort food while the bar turns out serious drinks without feeling overly formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
House smash burger with fries, Spicy vodka rigatoni, Grilled chicken sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 6.3
What makes it special: Railside American bistro-bar pairing strong cocktails with elevated comfort food and a compact patio.
Who should go: After-work groups and couples wanting drinks plus dinner.
When to visit: Golden-hour happy hour or early evening before it fills.
What to order: House smash burger, spicy vodka rigatoni, grilled chicken sandwich.
Insider tip: Grab a rail or patio seat for the best mix of people-watching and breeze.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Sunset and surrounding side streets; meters open up after 6pm but can be tough during peak hours. No dedicated valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans and a nice top fit the room, but many guests lean slightly polished for evening cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate; conversation is doable at most tables, quieter on the patio than inside during peak dinner service.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially during golden hour and early evenings.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins seated quickly on the patio or inside.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A handful of options including salads, veggie sides, and customizable pasta dishes.
Vegan options: Limited; possible with modifications, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Several GF-friendly items like salads and certain proteins; staff can guide modifications but no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The intimate patio seating, strong cocktails, and relaxed-but-polished atmosphere make it a comfortable first-date setting without feeling too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes for small parties. Walk-ins are common, but expect longer waits during happy hour and weekend evenings. Patio seats fill fastest.
Is it kid-friendly? It's more adult-leaning due to cocktails and compact seating, but older kids or teens are fine earlier in the evening. No dedicated kids’ menu or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Strong cocktails, a rail-adjacent outdoor patio, and upgraded comfort dishes make it ideal for relaxed date nights or after-work hangs.
Skip if: If you need extensive vegan options, very quiet dining, or group-friendly indoor space, you may want alternatives nearby.
Electric Owl
8.2
Electric Owl is a compact, retro-inspired bar and grill tucked along the Sunset corridor with a streetside patio that welcomes dogs. Burgers, pastas, and strong cocktails make it as useful for a casual date as for a quick neighborhood bite while your dog lounges under the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
L.A. Smash Burger, Grill Daddy Burger, Pasta Spicy Vodka
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A neighborhood bar and grill with serious burgers, strong drinks, and a dog-friendly corner patio.
Who should go: Burger and cocktail fans who want a casual hangout.
When to visit: Late afternoon into happy hour before the patio fills.
What to order: L.A. Smash Burger, Grill Daddy Burger, and Spicy Vodka Pasta.
Insider tip: Bar seats facing the patio give you quick access to drinks while keeping an eye on your dog outside.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Sunset and adjacent residential blocks is the main option; it’s manageable early evenings but gets tight after 7pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans, tees, and light layers all fit the relaxed bar-and-grill vibe.
Noise level: Moderate. Patio tables allow easy conversation, while indoor bar seats can get lively during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes, especially for patio tables during warm evenings.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even for outdoor seating.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options, including salads, sides, and occasional pasta or veggie-forward specials.
Vegan options: Limited—expect 1–2 adaptable items but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Some dishes can be made gluten-friendly (e.g., salads, certain proteins), but no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its casual but stylish atmosphere, strong drinks, and small patio make it great for low-pressure dates where conversation matters more than formality.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Electric Owl is walk-in friendly. Arrive before 7pm for the best shot at a patio table, especially if you’re bringing a dog.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—kids are welcome and the menu has approachable items, but the space skews more adult, especially during happy hour and late evenings.
Best For
Better for: Casual burgers, cocktails, and relaxed outdoor seating where you can dine with your dog without fuss.
Skip if: You want a quiet environment, a large menu with extensive dietary accommodations, or a full-service restaurant experience over a bar-and-grill format.
Electric Owl
8.0
Electric Owl is a compact American restaurant and cocktail bar on a former train platform along Sunset, known for its martinis, cheeseburgers, and retro-inspired design. Locals use it as a neighborhood happy-hour stop and casual date spot where you can slide from burgers into a late-night bar hang without leaving your booth.
Must-Try Dishes:
L.A. Smash Burger, Grill Daddy Burger, Mac N Cheese with add-ons
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A small, train-station–inspired bar and grill where strong drinks and burgers anchor one of Sunset’s more relaxed hot spots.
Who should go: Neighbors chasing good cocktails, burgers, and a low-key scene.
When to visit: After-work into early evening for happy hour and bar seating.
What to order: L.A. Smash Burger, Grill Daddy Burger, Mac N Cheese.
Insider tip: Bar seats along the window are ideal if you want both people-watching and quick service from the bartenders.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Sunset is limited and competitive after 6pm; nearby residential streets offer additional space but check signs carefully. No valet service.
Dress code: Casual but intentional — jeans and a nice top are perfect, though many guests lean slightly dressy for evening cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate — lively bar energy, but you can still hold a conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes for two without a reservation; bar seats turn over fastest.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially before 1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several veg-friendly items like salads, fries, and customizable sandwiches.
Vegan options: Limited — most items contain dairy or meat, but a few sides and modified salads can work.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — burgers can be served protein-style, and a few salads are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — its cozy booths, strong cocktails, and relaxed retro vibe make it low-pressure but still fun. Ideal for a casual first meet-up where you want good food without a long, formal meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually — the indoor booths fill during peak hours, but bar seating and the patio tend to free up consistently. Arriving before 7pm improves your odds significantly.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the menu is approachable, but the space leans adult-centric with a bar-forward atmosphere. Good for older kids or teens; not ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Stronger cocktails, a cozier date-night feel, and faster service than many neighboring Sunset hotspots. Particularly good for quick-but-quality dinners.
Skip if: You want a sprawling menu, quiet dining room, or dedicated vegan/gluten-free options — nearby full-service restaurants will be better fits.
Electric Owl
8.1
Electric Owl is a train-station-themed cocktail bar and grill on the 90046 edge where a short, focused happy hour menu centers on burgers, wings, and well-priced drinks. With Sunset views, bar seating, and a compact patio, it works as both a solo bar stop and a low-key meetup spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
L.A. Smash Burger, Krabby Patty Burger, Ranch Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A cocktail-first bar where the smashburger-and-fries happy hour is a draw on its own.
Who should go: Burger and cocktail fans who appreciate a neighborhood bar feel.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour window for $4–style burger and fries deals.
What to order: L.A. Smash Burger, Krabby Patty Burger, ranch fries.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar during happy hour for the quickest turn on burgers and martinis.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Sunset and the adjacent residential streets is generally available before 6pm but becomes competitive after sundown; no valet offered.
Dress code: Casual to casual-nice; jeans and tees are common, but many guests lean slightly polished for drinks on Sunset.
Noise level: Moderate; the bar area has steady cocktail chatter, but solo diners and pairs can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes for bar seats; patio tables can push closer to 30 minutes during peak HH.
Weekday lunch: N/A — not a lunch destination; afternoon/evening HH typically has open bar seats early.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but present — salads, fries, and select sides work for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Very limited — most items are burger- or dairy-leaning; fries are the main vegan-friendly option.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free menu, but burgers can be served protein-style; cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates — the bar’s Sunset views and cocktails help set a relaxed tone, but it’s not ideal if you want a quieter or more intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — Electric Owl is primarily walk-in friendly. Bar seats fill fastest, but the patio usually turns over quickly during happy hour.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it’s a cocktail-forward bar with limited seating and no dedicated children’s menu. Best suited for adults or teens accompanying adults.
Best For
Better for: One of the strongest choices in the area for a quick smashburger + cocktail combo at happy hour prices, especially for solo diners or casual meetups.
Skip if: Skip if you want a full dinner menu, extensive dietary accommodations, or a quieter sit-down meal — more traditional restaurants nearby will serve you better.