Navigating an L.A. bar crawl without a designated driver is possible by exploring venues situated along the various Los Angeles Metro lines, offering an alternative to driving and parking headaches according to local travel guides.
Exploring the L.A. Metro B Line Bar Scene
The B Line grants access to several notable nightlife spots. According to the source material, Sunset and Vinyl operates on the second floor of an unassuming pizza place as a classic cocktail bar dedicated to spinning vinyl all night, featuring mismatched furniture that mimics a beatnik smoking den. Harvard and Stone utilizes industrial decor and craft cocktails to set a millennial-era tone for alternative music acts. Meanwhile, the Virgil hosts themed music events, some of which are free, requiring visitors to check weekly or monthly event lists before heading out.
Stops Along the D Line
The D Line leads riders directly to downtown and K-Town destinations. The Wolves, a critically acclaimed cocktail bar and restaurant operating in the historic Alexandria Hotel building for nearly a decade, offers a roaring ’20s night out with in-house cocktail ingredients. The Normandie Club provides an inventive, low-light cocktail lounge experience in K-Town, saving patrons the headache of finding parking. Frank ’n Hank serves strong gin and tonics alongside an alternative-hits jukebox in a tiny, cheap dive bar setting where pool players must sign up for a list immediately upon arrival.
C Line Options for Drinks and Music
Along the C Line, Highly Likely functions as a cafe by day and a cocktail bar by night, offering a summer lineup featuring refreshing twists on old-school cocktails. The Den Bar and Grille, a family-owned local spot, hosts events ranging from paint and sip nights to burlesque and DJs, accompanied by a Mexican-inspired cocktail list. Sam First concludes the C Line crawl with a mid-century-modern interior, an extensive spirits list, and live performances featuring artists ranging from world-class musicians to budding jazz school bands.
A Line Venues for Alternative and Goth Dwellers
The A Line brings transit riders to spots like Footsie’s, a punk bar hosting goth, new wave, and alternative DJs without the pretense of long-stemmed martini glasses. La Cuevita features a brick cave setting with kitschy decor, mezcal cocktails, taco nights, and DJ dance parties in Highland Park. Sid’s Bar occupies a former schoolhouse alongside the indie music venue Sid The Cat Auditorium, preserving vintage character through green-light interiors and Tiffany-esque lamps.
K Line Destinations for Jazz, Food, and Community
The K Line connects riders to the Six Seven Five Lounge, a crafted cocktail bar featuring a flashy exterior, precise drinks, and a rotating list of live music. The District by GS functions as a community hub with an American classics menu and colorful cocktails. Harold and Belle’s, an iconic L.A. institution in the historic New Orleans Corridor of South L.A. since 1969, serves house cocktails and gumbo.
E Line Hotspots for Conversation and Vinyl
Finally, the E Line services Santa Monica and surrounding areas with distinct neighborhood options. The Chestnut Club features over 400 spirits and craft cocktails in an intentionally TV-free, low-light environment designed for conversation in leather booths. Weary Livers combines a spooky Victorian haunted house aesthetic with dive bar drinks, hosting events like singles night and chess nights. Dusty Vinyl rounds out the area with a sleek, ’70s Playboy den vibe, craft cocktails, pool tables, and food pop-ups featuring chefs from across Los Angeles.
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