Apart from the sun and the sea, Santa Monica is a vibrant after-dark destination filled with rooftop bars with a view, elegant lounges, upscale and casual bars, dance clubs, music bars, and more, redefining Southern California’s lively coastal social scene.
Rooftop Bars with a View
Santa Monica rooftop bars offer a unique and unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike. With stunning panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean, these bars provide the perfect backdrop for an evening of cocktails and mingling with friends in a luxurious setting with a laid-back vibe. The rooftop at Elephante Beach House is a must-visit destination for those seeking to enjoy stunning views, delicious food, and handcrafted cocktails. Here, the rooftop bar features a Mediterranean-inspired menu that showcases the flavours and ingredients of the region. Calabra’s rooftop bar and restaurant, located on the 5 th floor of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, provides a sophisticated bar experience with a stylishly decorated modern, minimalist aesthetic, featuring comfortable seating areas and ambient lighting that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. LouLou Santa Monica is a stylish and sophisticated rooftop bar and restaurant located on the dining deck at Santa Monica Place, offering a relaxing atmosphere with stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding city. This French and Californian dining experience features plush seating, comfortable lounge chairs, and sleek decor that exudes elegance and modernity.
Upscale Bars
Santa Monica’s upscale bars offer a luxurious and sophisticated nightlife experience for those seeking a more elevated atmosphere. The Bungalow at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel is one of the more popular bars, where the inviting decor, complete with ping pong tables, board games, and drinks such as Bungalow Margarita or Lychee Gimlet, sets a relaxed and welcoming tone. Visit The Penthouse for unparalleled views of the Pacific, located at the top of the upscale Huntley Santa Monica Beach across from Santa Monica Beach. Enjoy California cuisine alongside signature craft cocktails in one of their swanky restaurant cabanas, all while you soak in the 360-degree views of the city, beach, and Pacific Ocean.
Causal Dive Bars
Dive bars in Santa Monica are known for their casual and laid-back atmosphere, perfect for experiencing local bar culture. Known as the “celebrity dive,” Chez Jay has been serving Santa Monica nightlife for more than 50 years. Grab a seat at the bar and rub elbows with locals while enjoying a glass of wine or a pint of beer. Chez Jay also has a happy hour, from Tuesday to Friday, with specials on wine and a few food items. Consider The Daily Pint for another Santa Monica nightlife go-to dive bar. With pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, plenty of big screen televisions, and a hefty selection of draft beers and whiskey, it is a great place to crack open a beer and have a great time. Whether it is to watch a big game or unwind after a long day of sightseeing, this offbeat Santa Monica bar on Pico Boulevard is a low-key hideaway. They even have a craft beer and whiskey club with specials and discounts for the true connoisseur.
Live Music Bars
Several restaurants and bars offer live music and DJs throughout the week, turning your nighttime bar hopping into a lively, music-filled experience. TRiP Santa Monica offers something unique every night of the week, from live music to open mic nights, and burlesque shows to trivia. No matter what you are looking for, you will find a live performance 7 days a week, as well as dancing, art, 16 beers on tap, and craft beers from around the world.
Happy Hour Specials
Across the city, many happy hour spots offer the perfect way to sample drinks and cocktails without breaking the bank. Regularly voted one of the best West Side happy hours by publications in Los Angeles, The Misfit Restaurant & Bar’s Happy Hour, which runs every day, including discounts on cocktails, sangria, mimosas, wine, and beer, is hard to beat. Housed inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Fig Restaurant offers a weekly happy hour alongside its seasonal and locally sourced ingredient-driven menu. Known for its nightlife on the weekend, visit The Victorian during the week for a happy hour covering an extensive wine offering, plus handcrafted cocktails and delicious bites.
Santa Monica Brew Works
Santa Monica’s first and only independent brewery, Santa Monica Brew Works, crafts California-inspired beers brewed right onsite, including multiple vegan options! Grab a bite from the in-house Emmy Squared and brush shoulders with the locals on their outdoor patio.
Wine Lounge
For a more romantic take on Santa Monica nightlife and fit for a special date night, Bodega Wine Bar is one of those quiet and intimate places where you can enjoy a nice glass of wine. The lounge stays open late every day and offers a simple menu of small bites and pizzas perfect for sharing, along with happy hours every day.
Ending the Night at a Vibrant Dance Club
A great bar-hopping night calls for upbeat dancing with your loved ones, and Santa Monica offers plenty of dance bars to make lasting memories. Harvelle’s Blues Club, the oldest live music venue on the West Side, is a small, dimly lit venue hosting live music across blues, jazz, rock, funk, and burlesque and dancing nightly. The Room Santa Monica, on the other hand, is where locals head for dancing the night away with friends.