Best Bars in Silver Lake
Silver Lake has always done bars a little differently. You're not going to find a lot of velvet ropes or bottle service here. What you will find: seriously good cocktails, rooms that feel lived-in, and bartenders who actually know what they're doing. Here are the spots worth your night.
The Semi Tropic · 2122 Sunset Blvd
This place earns its 4.7★ rating every single night. The Semi Tropic is the kind of neighborhood bar that other neighborhoods wish they had, dim lighting, thoughtful craft cocktails, and a local beer selection that changes just often enough to stay interesting. The room is small and the vibe is genuinely convivial. Go on a weeknight if you want a seat. Go on a weekend if you want the energy. Either way, let the bartender guide you toward whatever they're proud of that week. Street parking on Sunset is doable before 8pm.
Bacari · 3626 W Sunset Blvd
Technically a wine bar, but Bacari earns a spot on any best-bars list in this neighborhood. The patio alone is worth the trip, strung lights, outdoor seating, a crowd that's relaxed but put-together. They do cocktails, they do live music, they do brunch on weekends. The small-plates format means you can graze for hours without committing to a full dinner. Reservations are a smart move on weekends. Rated 4.5★ and consistently packed for good reason.
Black Cat · 3909 W Sunset Blvd
The Black Cat has history and it wears it well. Named after the 1960s bar that was the site of one of LA's first known protests against police harassment of LGBTQ+ people, this modern iteration honors that legacy with a welcoming, inclusive room and a bar program that doesn't take shortcuts. The cocktail list is solid, the beer selection covers your bases, and the energy on a Friday or Saturday night is exactly what you came to Silver Lake for. Rated 4.5★. Parking: try the side streets off Sunset near Maltman.
A note on the neighborhood
Silver Lake's bar scene is concentrated along Sunset Blvd, which means a good night out can involve walking between spots. The Semi Tropic, Bacari, and Black Cat are all within a reasonable stretch of each other. Pair a drink at one with a bite somewhere nearby, Azizam at 2943 Sunset for Persian-inspired small plates, or Ceviche Project at 2524 Hyperion if you want a michelada made with fresh shrimp stock while you're at it.
These are bars you come back to. Not because there's nowhere else to go, but because there's genuinely no reason to leave.
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