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ZipPicks Awards
Best Happy Hour in LA Arts District
Master Critic Review
Tony's Saloon
7.8
A 1940s roadside saloon that functions as the Arts District's default neighborhood bar, running a craft cocktail program with specific house builds alongside cold cheap beer. The game-packed back patio and low-key energy make it the group-hangout pick when you want drinks without a production, and Pizzanista next door handles the food so the bar doesn't have to pretend.
Must-Try Dishes:
Old Fashioned, Tear Drop (Mezcal, Habanero Honey, Fresh Lime), The Castaway (Plantation Rum, Crème de Cacao, Lime, Mint, Nutmeg)
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: The Arts District's original neighborhood bar, set in a 1940s roadside saloon with a game-packed back patio, craft cocktails, and cold cheap beer.
Who should go: Groups wanting craft drinks, bar games, and a low-key night
When to visit: Happy hour (5–8 PM daily) for drink deals
What to order: Start with an Old Fashioned or the Tear Drop, grab a Pizzanista pie from next door, then settle into the patio with a round of pool or darts.
Insider tip: The dog-friendly back patio has pool, darts, ping pong, and foosball — arrive early on weekends to claim a table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small attached parking lot plus street parking in the Arts District; not difficult on most nights
Dress code: Dive bar casual—come as you are, no dress code enforced
Dietary Options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, for the right kind of date — this is a laid-back 1940s dive bar with Christmas lights, a jukebox, and pool tables, so it's ideal for a casual, low-pressure first date where you want something to do together. Challenge your date to a game of pool or ping pong on the back patio. Not the spot for a quiet, romantic dinner — it's better suited for someone who wants a fun, unpretentious night with strong drinks and good energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — as a neighborhood dive bar, Tony's is primarily a walk-in spot. Weeknights you should have no trouble grabbing a seat inside or on the patio. Weekends can get busy, especially later at night, so arriving earlier in the evening gives you the best pick of spots. The bar opens daily around 4-5 PM, and early happy hour (4-10 PM) is a great window to walk in comfortably.
Is it kid-friendly? No — Tony's Saloon is an adults-only dive bar. There's no kids menu, no family-oriented amenities, and the atmosphere is geared entirely toward drinking, late-night socializing, and bar games. The smoking-friendly patio and 2 AM closing time reinforce this. Not appropriate for children of any age.
Is it good for groups? Yes — the spacious back patio and indoor area give groups plenty of room to spread out. With pool tables, ping pong, darts, foosball, and board games on the tables, there's built-in entertainment to keep a larger group engaged. Reviewers frequently mention it as a go-to for birthdays and get-togethers. For big groups, arrive early on weekends to claim patio space. Pizzanista next door makes it easy to feed everyone without leaving.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — a large back patio strung with twinkling lights. The patio includes pool tables, a ping pong table, a dart board, and foosball. It's smoking-friendly and dog-friendly. No confirmed cover or heating, so it's best suited for LA's warmer months or mild evenings. The patio is a major draw and one of the best outdoor bar spaces in the Arts District.
Best For
Better for: Solo hangs, pub crawls, and unwinding with pool, darts, or ping pong on the back patio under string lights
Consider Alternatives If: You want a sit-down dinner or a quiet conversation spot—this is a lively dive bar with games, not a restaurant
Hours
Monday4pm - 2am
Tuesday4pm - 2am
Wednesday4pm - 2am
Thursday4pm - 2am
Friday4pm - 2am
Saturday4pm - 2am
Sunday1:30pm - 2am