Nestled within the Beverly Hills Hotel, Bar Nineteen12 is named after its opening year. A cozy place to meet for drinks, the interior bar and lounge exudes effortless chic. The real showstopper, however, is the equally intimate terrace. Overlooking the hotel’s gardens and Beverly Hills, it is one of the best places to experience an LA sunset. The cocktails might be pricey at $21 apiece, but the view is worth it.
In 2016, the lukewarm Sidebar, located next to CUT by Wolfgang Puck, became CUT Lounge. Luckily, this Four Seasons bar did more than just change its name. The ambiance, drinks and service have steadily improved over the past few years. Stop by to rest your feet and have a drink after a stroll down Rodeo Drive. The spirits list is extensive, and the whiskeys are particularly impressive. In addition to a great happy hour, CUT Lounge also provides a taste of CUT’s food menu, for those who couldn’t get a reservation in time.
A rare standalone bar in Beverly Hills, the Honor Bar also stands out as one of the few LA bars that takes their business-casual dress code and ambiance seriously. The resulting atmosphere is devoid of flip-flops, provocative clothing, athleisure and even young children. Small groups can feel free to imbibe and explore the food menu without vibe-killing distractions. At first glance, the cocktails might not seem imaginative, but small tweaks transform classics such as the gin martini into revelations by switching sauvignon blanc for vermouth and adding St Germain liqueur for a hint of sweetness.
This wine bar and bistro features several organic and biodynamic wines that are clearly marked on the menu. Heritage Fine Wines also features a few of John Legend’s LVE wines. Guests can enjoy live music from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays, brunch on Saturdays, and a piano bar from 7pm on Saturdays. Sometimes Legend himself treats patrons to a surprise performance during the week.
Another restaurant offshoot, The Bar Room directly competes with Porta Via’s craft cocktail list as the two menus are always different. Its take on a Boulevardier will convert just about anyone who previously disdained the polarizing drink. If you’re looking for a great happy hour in Beverly Hills, The Bar Room is one of your best options. From 5pm to 8pm, Monday through Saturday, enjoy $4 select beers, $6 house wines and $7 well drinks.