Venice Beach is known worldwide for its quirky citizens and quintessential California vibes. Whether you’re looking for a place for day drinking, or planning to dance the night away, we’ve got you covered!
From Windward Avenue (right below the famous “Venice” sign) to Abbot Kinney, there are plenty of nightlife spots in Venice, California. Visitors and locals alike can experience the sun, sand, and surf of the Westside with a drink in hand. Take a look at some of our top recommendations for the best bars in Venice Beach.
1. Townhouse
There’s no way to do a bar hop in Venice Beach without stopping by Townhouse, one of the oldest operating bars in Los Angeles.
Townhouse opened in 1915 and used to operate as The Del Monte Speakeasy during prohibition. These days, it’s a raucous destination for drinks, dancing, comedy shows, burlesque and more!
2. Belles Beach House
This island-inspired restaurant isn’t just for daytime dining. If you stop by for an evening drink at Belles Beach House, you’ll get to mix and mingle in a nightlife environment.
Dinner service shifts to bar service once reservations are done, leaving plenty of space for you to sip cocktails with friends or even meet someone new.
3. The Penmar
The weekly Sunset Sessions event at The Penmar went viral on TikTok for being a place to meet beautiful singles–and the rest is history.
Every Friday during the summer season, you can visit this spacious golf course-turned-social event that draws people from all over LA to picnic on the grass and enjoy live music. They end the night with a silent disco that adds the perfect touch to a summer under the stars.
4. The Venice Whaler
The Venice Whaler has been one of the best bars in Venice Beach since it opened in 1944. The divey restaurant has a classic beachside feel that locals know and love.
Grab a seat on the outdoor patio for quality people watching, or spend your time upstairs during the sunset to maximize your view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. And if you don’t order the fish tacos, you’re missing out!
5. High Rooftop at Hotel Erwin
High Rooftop is pretty much the only true rooftop bar in Venice Beach. Rise to the top floor of Hotel Erwin for an unparalleled 360°-view of the coastline.
You’ll have to book a reservation to be seated (and pay a fee for the good tables), but if you just want to enjoy the sunset in standing room, this spot is the place to be! They do close early so make sure to start your evening there for a bar crawl.
6. The Brig
You’ll get the best of both worlds at The Brig, one of the coolest Abbot Kinney bars in Venice. The indoor-outdoor design offers a spacious patio with a vibe that’s perfect for making new friends.
Inside, you’ll find a pool table and plenty of room to dance to the live DJ. The elevated dive bar atmosphere makes it an approachable spot worth a night on the town in Venice.
7. The Lincoln
If you’re looking for a good spot for couples or to catch up with friends, The Lincoln is the place to be.
Grab a table inside or out on the patio to enjoy the breezy, rustic setting. They’ve always got a great DJ and complimentary free hot dogs for the late night munchies.
8. Gin Rummy
Any tiki lovers in the house? Gin Rummy sits right on the border of Venice and Marina del Rey, serving up delicious tropical cocktails.
The space is decked out with a nautical, boho vibe and they even have pinball machines and TVs to catch the big game. Bring your own friends or stop by on a weekend night to mingle with the locals.
9. The Little Friend
There’s a hidden gem bar tucked away behind Gin Rummy that you’ll have to visit during your Venice bar hop adventure.
The Little Friend (sister bar to The Friend in Silver Lake) is a hot spot for dancing on the Westside. They have live DJs each night and a sizable dance floor where people are known to get down.
10. Venice Ale House
Venice Ale House is one of the best bars in Venice Beach due to its solid boardwalk location. There’s no better place to watch the parade of quirky and eccentric Venice Beach citizens than by grabbing a brew and a front row seat to the action.
It’s a pretty small layout, but a great choice for local craft beer and organic pub grub.
11. The Waterfront
If you’re looking for a place to meet someone new, The Waterfront is your jam. This Baja-inspired beach bar right on the boardwalk is known for its lively crowd and outdoor patio with views of the beach.
They’ve also got regular events like silent discos, bottomless brunch, happy hour, and live music performances bringing good vibes to the Westside.
12. Hinano Cafe
If you’re hunting for a divey beach bar, Hinano Café is the place to go. The beer and wine bar opens at 8am sharp to serve up burgers and brews to hungry locals.
They’ve been holding it down by the Venice Beach Pier since 1962, drawing in patrons to play pool, watch the big game, and snack on free popcorn.
13. Roosterfish
Roosterfish is one of the only gay bars in Venice, and is known to be a fun destination for cocktails on Abbot Kinney.
Since it opened in 1979, it’s been a queer-friendly haven where guests can enjoy a night out with dancing, quality drinks, and an inviting crowd ready to party.
Bonus:
Gran Blanco – This restaurant on Windward Avenue serves up delicious Japanese food, but is also a trendy spot for cocktails.
The Venice West – A great place to grab a beer and take in some live music.
Bar Nuda – This alcoholic-free bar is great for sober and sober-curious people to enjoy a quality craft mocktail.
Venice Beach Wines – Operating as a wine bar and restaurant, you’ll be able to taste a variety of flavors at this go-to neighborhood wine spot.
Final Thoughts on Venice Beach Bars
Which bar will be your go-to? The eclectic nightlife scene of Venice Beach has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for a sand-filled dive bar or a buzzworthy hot spot for singles, you won’t be disappointed.
Locals and visitors can all enjoy these neighborhood destinations that help connect the spirit of Venice with the buzzy spirit in your drink. Cheers! 🍻
Venice Beach FAQs:
Does Venice Beach have good nightlife?
Venice Beach has a lively nightlife scene that includes bars for dancing, cocktails, and mingling! Windward Avenue is the central hub for Venice Beach nightlife with multiple bars in walking distance of each other.
What are the best Venice Beach rooftop bars?
High Rooftop at Hotel Erwin is the only true rooftop bar in Venice Beach. The Venice Whaler has a second floor that has an open rooftop as well. You can find more rooftop bars in Santa Monica nearby for an open-air experience.
Can you have alcohol at Venice Beach?
Alcohol is not permitted outside of bars or restaurants in Venice Beach. If you are walking around with alcohol or drinking on the sand, you’ll be at risk of being ticketed. It’s best to enjoy alcohol at one of the many hospitality destinations throughout the area.
Is Venice Beach safe at night?
Venice Beach is not a welcoming place to be at night. After sunset, the boardwalk clears out from its daytime crowd and is empty outside of unhoused people who may be sleeping or lingering.
Outside of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Venice as a whole is a relatively safe city at night. Residential streets are quiet and nightlife destinations do not have big issues with safety.
However, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings at all times as pickpocketing is a big problem throughout Los Angeles.
Why do people like Venice Beach?
People like Venice Beach for its artsy and eccentric energy. Venice Beach locals are very creative and tend to be in touch with their spirituality, which lends a new perspective to traditional ways of life.
They also spend a lot of time at the beach and take up activities like surfing, yoga, or selling wares on the boardwalk. It’s a one-of-a-kind city that’s a must-visit during your Los Angeles vacation!
You should also check out:
- The best rooftop bars in Santa Monica 🌊
- Santa Monica’s best boutique hotels 😍
- Itinerary for a girls night out in Venice Beach 👯♀️
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Los Angeles Travel Resources:
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Skyscanner – Their site is super easy to use and gets you a ton of deals on cheap flights.
🛋 Where should I book my hotel?
Booking.com – You can compare info and reviews for hotels all around Los Angeles to see which one works best for your adventure.
🚗 Where should I book a rental car?
Discover Cars – Having a car is a huge convenience for your LA travel experience. You can browse the best offers from over 500 car rental companies all in one place.
🚘 What if I only want a car for a few hours?
Zipcar – Zipcar is great for travelers who aren’t looking to rent a car for the entire duration of your trip. You can reserve a rental car for a few hours, then park it back in its spot when you’re done.
🎬 Where can I find cool tours and experiences?
Viator – They’ve got lots of activities like hiking to the Hollywood sign, helicopter tours, and more!
Tiquets – They’ll help you skip the line at amusement parks, tour studio lots, and get tickets to the city’s best museums.
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