The Best Bars for a First Date in Los Angeles

Mírate is a Los Feliz Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar with a long mezcal and tequila list. The open-air room has several levels and is built around a tree. We recommend the Tu Compa, a force-carbonated paloma, or the La Sonodora, a gin milk punch, if you are skipping agave. It is also ranked first on a June 2026 list of the city's best bars. Hours are 5pm to 11pm Monday through Thursday and 5pm to midnight Friday, as of June 2026.

Roger Room is a cocktail bar on La Cienega in West Hollywood. A neon PSYCHIC sign and a curtain mark the entrance. Dim lighting keeps the room low-key for couples and solo drinkers alike. The menu is organized by spirit, plus seasonal cocktails, and we recommend ordering the bartender's choice. Nights with big comedy shows at the Largo next door pack the place, so arrive early or late.

Melrose Umbrella Co. is a Prohibition-themed cocktail bar on Melrose Avenue. It is dimly lit and has a date night-friendly feel, and it has been open since 2013. Out back, a heated, string-lit patio has a fireplace and couches. Cocktails come in five sections, with four house takes on the Old Fashioned among them. Doors open at noon Tuesday through Sunday, and Friday and Saturday run until 2am.

Amaro and Negronis are the focus at Capri Club, an aperitivo bar in Eagle Rock. Indoors and out, the room feels intimate, and it fits a date or a small group. The frozen Negroni is the standout drink. On weekend evenings the room is packed, and tables are hard to come by. Hours start at 4pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends.

Apothéke is a dimly lit, apothecary-themed cocktail lounge in Chinatown, and a sibling of the New York original. In the early evening the mood leans date night, then the dance floor expands after 10pm and the energy rises. Cocktails are grouped as cures, such as stress relievers and euphorics. The side patio gets high marks for its looks. Listed hours are Thursday through Sunday evenings, starting at 7pm on Thursday and Sunday and 6pm on Friday and Saturday.

Melody Lounge is a lantern-lit bar in Chinatown that focuses on beer. Paper lanterns glow overhead, and the beer list runs to dozens of draft and bottled options. It suits date nights as much as meeting someone new. The DJs play loud enough to make conversation difficult, and there is a small dance floor. Hours are 5pm to 2am Monday through Wednesday and on Friday.

The Lincoln is a Venice cocktail bar that feels rustic and romantic on weeknights. On weekends the dance floor fills up. Arrive between 7pm and 9pm for space, since seating gets scarce and a line forms later. It is open from 7pm Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and from 5pm on Friday and Saturday.

Highland Park Bowl packs a bar, a restaurant, and a bowling alley into one Highland Park building. Bowling shows up on first-date lists, with cocktails on the side. The building dates to 1927 and was restored by 1933 Group. Lanes are walk-in only, in one-hour blocks, and lane rental ran $35 to $70 per hour in 2024. The venue is all ages before 8pm and 21 and over after that.

Vandell is a Los Feliz cocktail lounge from Bar Flores and Republique alumni, ranked second on a June 2026 list of the city's best bars. Different zones and a bar area keep the room cozy at capacity. The menu includes Old Fashioneds and anchovy toast. Lines often stretch out the door, and a handful of tables open for booking a week ahead. It is open daily from 5pm to 1am.

71Above is an American restaurant on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower in Downtown. For a more casual date, the bar has a seat that faces the sunset. From 71 floors up, the views sweep across Los Angeles. Dress is smart casual, and valet is about $18 plus tip after 5pm. Dinner service starts at 4pm Tuesday through Friday and at 5pm on other days, as of January 2026.