Old School Los Angeles

“Los Angeles is all about the classics. We have all that old Hollywood vibe. I love feeling like I just stepped where Frank Sinatra might have crossed. For me, however, the old classics are probably not some of old Blue Eyes’ faves.”

— Bartender Ryan Wainwright

Americana, Kitsch, & a Classic Deli

Photograph courtesy of The Beverly Hills Hotel

The Fountain Coffee Room

The Fountain Coffee Room is a historical landmark from 1949. Signature banana leaf wallpaper and a classic curved counter. They served breakfast items like omelettes, pancakes, waffles and French toast in the morning, salads, sandwiches, and burgers in the afternoon. They also have sodas, floats, malts, and shakes.

"It's an old school coffee shop hidden in the basement level and really good for breakfast. The corned beef hash and the Eggs Benedict are great."
FED Pro > Bartender Noah Ellis

9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
T: 310.276.2251 | www.beverlyhillshotel.com

Photograph courtesy of Rae's

Rae's

Bottomless cups of coffee, a hearty American breakfast, and classic diner sandwiches are the staples at this classic late 50s diner that not only looks like a movie set, but has been the backdrop for many shoots.

"Rae's is definitely a gem. The best club sandwich in the whole world, perhaps. Get the #1 Club on white toast with mayo, a side of fries and a side of ranch dressing, which you will obviously dip both the sandwich and fries into."
FED Pro > Chef Kris Yenbamroong of Night + Market

2901 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405
T: 310.828.7937

Pink's Hot Dogs | Photo Credit: Paul Sims [Flickr]

Pink's Hot Dogs

This hot dog stand has been in the family since 1939. The menu has scores of variations on the hot dog theme, the walls are filled with stars' head shots, and the line to get your dog can be an event in its own right.

"I love Pink's Hot Dogs. There's got to be something said for a 77-year old family-owned hot dog stand. I like the Huell (Howser) Dog which has 2 hot dogs, chili, cheese, mustard, and onions in one bun, but I also add jalapenos."
FED Pro > Chef Nyesha Arrington

709 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039
T: 323.931.4223 | www.pinkshollywood.com

Apple Pan | Photo Credit: Sam Howzit {flickr]

Apple Pan

They opened in 1947 and have been building a loyal fan base ever since for their burgers and apple pie.

"Apple Pan is my favorite burger in LA. The vibe is great. It's the perfect old school diner burger. It's exactly that classic burger with mayo, yellow mustard, ketchup, coleslaw, and lots of lettuce."
FED Pro > Bartender Noah Ellis

10801 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
T: 310.475.3585

Photograph courtesy of Coles

Cole's

Cole's opened in 1908 as the originator of the French dip sandwich. It closed in 2007 and returned as a revamped retro-tavern-turned-cocktail-bar. You can still get a French dip with your daiquiri.

"This is definitely my go-to classic spot, especially since they serve food late. I always get a half turkey sandwich with potato bacon salad and a daiquiri or old fashioned. It's a great place to just hang out, relax and have delicious food."
FED Pro > Bartender Darwin Pornel of Faith & Flower

118 E 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
T: 213.622.4090 | 213dthospitality.com/project/coles

Photograph courtesy of Philippe The Original

Philippe the Original

Opened in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, he is credited with creating the French Dipped Sandwich. It is either roast beef, roast pork, leg of lamb, turkey or ham served on a lightly textured, freshly-baked French roll which has been dipped in the natural gravy of the roasts.

French Dip Sandwich at Philippe | Photo Credit: Kim [flickr]

"I love it here. They've been around for 100 years and have the best French dip sandwich I've ever had. They make their own mustard which is so good."
FED Pro > Pastry Chef Ivan Marquez of Short Cake

"One of the best sandwiches ever made."
FED Pro > Chef Jimmy Bradley of The Red Cat

1001 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
T: 213.628.3781 | www.philippes.com

Photograph courtesy of Langer's Deli

Langer's Deli

This is a timeless 1947 deli that was the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Bertolli America's Classics Award. The #19 (hot pastrami) is their best seller.

"For the best pastrami. It's pretty amazing. Hand-cut pastrami on crusty rye, Russian dressing and cole slaw."
FED Pro > Chef Roy Choi of Kogi

704 S Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
T: 213.483.8050 | www.langersdeli.com

Old Hollywood Drinking Haunts

Frolic Room | Photo Credit: vjlawson2001 [flickr]

Frolic Room

This is a true Hollywood classic dating back to the 1930s. Rumors are it was a speakeasy at one time. Located next to the Pantages Theatre, stars like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland would drop in. And Bukowski was said to have also been a barfly here.

"I just love the Frolic Room. I love sitting at the bar having a beer here at 4pm, watching everybody get off work. You make a bet with yourself, as soon as ten or more people walk in here, I'm out."
FED Pro > Bartender Michael Neff of Holiday Cocktail Lounge

"I've been coming here for years. It's a classic Los Angeles bar."
FED Pro > Chef Govind Armstrong of Willie Jane

6245 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
T: 323.462.5890

Boardner’s

One of Los Angeles' oldest and historic bars, it was established in 1927 and still attracts all kinds of locals.

"I like Boardner's because it is one of those bizarre things where you walk around and it feels very much like a time capsule. It is right off of Hollywood Boulevard and the thing about bars in Hollywood is the old regular crowd is nowhere else. They are so entertaining. It is a bar full of weirdos. It is lovely. You just sit there and your peripheral vision picks up all these characters, 'What is he wearing?' 'Oh my god, that guy just said that?'"
FED Pro > Bartender Michael Neff of Holiday Cocktail Lounge

1652 N Cherokee Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
T: 323.462.9621 | www.boardners.com

Photograph courtesy of Chateau Marmont

Chateau Marmont

Set above Sunset Strip since 1927, this hilltop hotel was modeled loosely after the Château d'Amboise in France's Loire Valley. It is legendary for its tales of glamour, debauchery, and even celebrity deaths.

"There's something nostalgic about Chateau Marmont and quintessential Los Angeles."
FED Pro > Chef David LeFevre of M. B. Post, Fishing with Dynamite

"The Chateau Marmont Hotel is a great spot for a cocktail or aperitif to begin the night and for great scenery."
FED Pro > Chef Suzanne Goin of A. O. C., Lucques, Tavern

8221 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046
T: 323.656.1010 | www.chateaumarmont.com

Tiki Bars

Tiki-Ti | Photo Credit: Sam Howzit [flickr]

Tiki-Ti

This is mecca for Tiki lovers and one of the most famous of its kind in the country. Bartender Ray Buhen opened the small joint in 1961 and his sons and grandsons are carrying on the tradition mixing his full repertoire of 86 different drinks. 

"They have incredible Tiki drinks. It's really small with about twelve seats at the bar and maybe four tables. They have all the recipes from the original Don the Beachcomber and they know how these drinks were actually made."
FED Pro > Bartender Brother Cleve

Tiki-Ti | Photo Credit: Megan Westerb [flickr]

"It's been here since 1961 and it’s a must visit. It's family-run for 3 generations and the founder of it, Ray Buhen, was one of Don the Beachcomber's first bartenders at the birth of tiki. It's basically a direct descendant."
FED Pro > Bartender Martin Cate of Smuggler's Cove

"It's been continuously operated by Ray Buhen's family. They use the cheapest ingredients, but make magic with them. You can just feel the history in the walls. Mind you, some of that history is just layers of nicotine covered with layers of shellack but, you know."
FED Pro > Bartender Blair Reynolds of Hale Pele

4427 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90027
T: 323.669.9381 | tiki-ti.com

Tonga Hut | Photo Credit: Sam Howzit [flickr]

Tonga Hut

The Los Angeles location opened in 1958 and they are serving iconic cocktails like the Blue Hawaiian, the Mai Tai, and the 1934 Zombie.

"Their first location is in Hollywood and it's been around since the 1950s. It's a little tiny hole in the wall, but it's really neat. They don't have a lot of the original décor, because it just kind of fell down into a dive bar and then it was, ‘Oh wait let's do a tiki bar.’ They revitalized it a little bit a few years ago. The owner has had such success with it that she decided to open a Tonga Hut in Palm Springs."
FED Pro > Bartender Blair Reynolds of Hale Pele

"This is the oldest continuously operating tiki bar in Southern California. New owners have fixed up the old fountains and done really beautiful period and stylistically appropriate remodeling. The drinks are classic tiki cocktails made with fresh juices. It is a real slice of classic LA tiki, but polished up."
FED Pro > Bartender Martin Cate of Smuggler's Cove

12808 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91606
T: 818.769.0708 | www.tongahut.com

Classic Watering Hole

Photograph courtesy of Townhouse

Townhouse

Opened in 1915, this the oldest bar in Venice. The basement was a speakeasy during Prohibition. You can get craft cocktails, beer, wine and a selection of spirits. They also have live entertainment.

"I love Townhouse in Venice. It has an amazing whiskey selection and they have Schlitz. I just love that beer so much. When I get off work late and I need to unwind, this is the place to do it. I know that sounds backwards. It's such a happening almost club, but I love the bar staff and the vibe. It’s a great place for me to meet other bartender friends after work and catch one drink before last call and laugh at all the great drunk people watching."
FED Pro > Bartender Ryan Wainwright of Bombet Hospitality Group

"This used to be a speakeasy and would traffic booze underground, but is one of the best places for post-Prohibition era cocktails. This is a great place to go during the week, but can get pretty hectic on weekends."
FED Pro > Bartender Derrick Bass of Willie Jane

52 Windward Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
T: 310.392.4040 | www.townhousevenice.com

---

Discover our Los Angeles FED 24-Hour Guides

Los Angeles | Downtown

It's the urban part of this suburban sprawl of a city.  But no longer is it just office workers who empty out by sundown. Downtown has become a destination.

Los Angeles | Silver Lake

Located just north of downtown LA, Silver Lake has always had an indie vibe and creative influence.

Los Angeles | Santa Monica & Venice

The west side beach towns of Santa Monica and Venice are a nice respite from “there is no there there” of this sprawling sunbelt city.

---

Los Angeles FED Features