Best Happy Hour Mexican Restaurants in Downtown LA
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
El Cholo (Downtown LA)
Downtown branch of a century-old LA Mexican institution with classic plates.
Notable Picks
8.5
This downtown outpost of LA’s 1923-born El Cholo tradition serves classic enchiladas, fajitas, and green corn tamales in a festive, margarita-fueled setting. Large portions, strong drinks, and decades of loyal fans make it a go-to for groups before or after games at LA Live.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sonora-style enchilada with fried egg, Green corn tamales, Filet mignon or mariscos enchiladas
What Makes it Special: Downtown branch of a century-old LA Mexican institution with classic plates.
#2
Bar Amá
8.4
Josef Centeno’s downtown Tex-Mex cantina balances comfort and craft, with puffy tacos, borracho beans, and mole-leaning plates that feel personal rather than performative. The room stays lively without losing warmth, and the menu rewards both quick bites and full dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Puffy tacos with lengua carnitas, Menudo, Super nachos
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven Tex-Mex with puffy tacos as the signature.
8.4
At LA Live, Sol Agave brings an upscale take on Mexican cooking with organic ingredients, polished plating, and a lively bar scene before and after games or concerts. Expect lobster enchiladas, refined tacos, and strong margaritas in a modern dining room with patio seating near the arena.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enchiladas de langosta (lobster enchiladas), Taquiza mini street taco sampler, Guacamole sampler with lobster and carnitas
What Makes it Special: Organic, polished Mexican plates steps from Crypto.com Arena.
8.4
A high-energy modern Mexican room that blends dinner-and-a-show vibes with a cocktail-forward happy hour. The kitchen leans luxe—seafood, steaks, and bold sauces—while the bar anchors the experience with mezcal and margarita builds that keep the crowd rolling in before the nightlife spike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster enchiladas, Birria quesatacos, Signature mezcal margarita
What Makes it Special: DTLA’s nightlife-leaning Mexican happy hour with showy cocktails.
8.2
A Wilshire-front cantina with a real downtown happy-hour pulse, where tacos are the main event and margaritas keep the room humming. The menu leans classic-to-modern Mexican, and the taco lineup holds up whether you’re here for after-work bites or a late-night reset. Expect lively energy, steady crowds, and a bar-driven flow that suits sharing plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Quesabirria tacos, House margarita
What Makes it Special: A bar-first DTLA cantina where tacos and margaritas anchor a true happy hour.
Worthy Picks
#6
Las Anitas
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Happy Hour Hotspots
Counter-service Mexican built around familiar staples—carne asada fries, taquitos, menudo—served from a stall on Olvera Street, the pedestrian plaza that has anchored LA's Mexican marketplace culture since 1930. The draw is the setting and the price point more than any single dish, making it a natural stop for families working their way through downtown's historic core. Expect cafeteria-speed service, outdoor seating on the plaza, and a check that stays well under $15 a head.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Fries, Taquitos, Enchiladas
What Makes it Special: Counter-service Mexican staples served on historic Olvera Street, LA's oldest marketplace dating to 1930