The Best Pre-Show Meet-Up Spots in Los Angeles

Planning on seeing a show in L.A. and making a night of it? Whether you’re on a date, hanging out with buds, or flying solo, here are some of our picks for fun spots near your designated venue.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Wiltern

Open ’til midnight every night, Southland Beer (740 S Western #112) offers a huge draught list.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous near The Wiltern, XIII Social Clubar (3514 W 8th St) has great cocktails, karaoke, and solid DJ sets.

Trying to get a classic Koreatown bite? Road to Seoul (1230 S Western) and Hae Jang Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant (3821 W 6th St) are worth visiting.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Hollywood Palladium

If you’re feeling some stir-fry before the show at the Hollywood Palladium, The Original Hoy-Ka Thai Noodles (5908 Sunset Blvd) is a great option.

If an enormous list of tantalizing burgers and worldly beers is more your speed, try Stout Burgers and Beers (1544 N Cahuenga Blvd).

If you just want to hang, drink, and listen to some classic vinyls, check out Sunset & Vinyl (1521 Vine St).

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Forum

One of L.A. Weekly’s favorite spots in this area is Three Weavers (1031 W Manchester Blvd A-B), a brewing company where you’ll find at least a dozen original beers, from saisons to — take a deep breath — a bourbon-barrel-aged imperial porter with vanilla and lactose.

Market Street Bar & Grill (244 S Market St) is another great choice, with plenty of elevated, drool-worthy bar food near The Forum.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Greek Theater

Big Bar (1927 Hillhurst Ave) stays true to its word: The bar menu is huge. With options like truffle fries and crab toast, this is a worthwhile stop.

Otherwise, meet up at Jacknife Records & Tapes (3149 Glendale Blvd) and pick up an LP by your favorite group. Who knows, maybe you’ll get it signed at the Greek Theater.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Hollywood Bowl

If your night calls for something a bit upscale near the Hollywood Bowl, you won’t do better than Musso & Frank Grill (6667 Hollywood Blvd), a super famous L.A. restaurant serving spectacular American food.

Otherwise, hit up 25º (7000 Hollywood Blvd), a swank hotel bar and burger joint that’s open 24 hours a day, making it the perfect place to go for a late-night drink or bite.

If you just want to chill with a margarita and some solid Mexican food, head to Loteria Grill (6627 Hollywood Blvd).

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Regent, DTLA

Clifton’s Cafeteria (648 S Broadway) near The Regent is only open a few nights a week, but it’s worth it for the old-timey vibe and wildly cool drinks.

Otherwise, swing by The Love Song Bar (446 S Main) to enjoy a great happy hour in their attractive, wood-laden space. Oh, and they play vinyl records.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Belasco Theater

Check out one of L.A.’s best beer bars in Mikkeller DTLA (330 W Olympic Blvd), which serves imported beer from around the world, including, of course, their own.

The Stocking Frame (911 South Hill Street) is a superb joint with good pub food; its killer late-night pizza special ($10 Neapolitans) makes it a perfect post-show hangout spot from the Belasco Theater.

Best Bars & Restaurants Near The Fonda Theatre

If you dig historic dive bars, Frolic Room (6245 Hollywood Blvd) is your move — they’re open late and offer good, strong drinks.

For a solid menu with vegan-friendly eats, visit Blue Palms Brewhouse (6124 Hollywood Blvd), which has a nice tap list that’s rotated daily and is situated just off the lobby of the Fonda Theare.

If you’re nearby on a Thursday night, hit Tabula Rasa Bar (5125 Hollywood Blvd) for its weekly La Morra Pizzeria pop-up featuring a seasonal rotation of toppings and fire-roasted chili peppers from a mobile brick oven.