Where to Go After the Show - Bars in Downtown Los Angeles

Ask most Angelenos where to grab a drink or snack after a performance at one of the downtown Los Angeles Music Center’s five theatres and you're likely to get a blank look and a suggestion to drive to Hollywood.

However, for those in the know, libations are within easy reach.

On Site

Although Pinot Grill on the Music Center Plaza is closed after the show, other on-site restaurants at the Music Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall remain open for an hour after the last performance in their respective venues. Don't dawdle exploring the grounds before stopping for a drink though. If no one shows up in twenty or thirty minutes, they close early.

Kendall's Brasserie at the Music Center (formerly Otto's)

• Address: 135 N. Grand Avenue
• Phone: (213)972 7322
• Venue: French Brasserie; high-end casual with sidewalk seating
• Food: French and seafood, orders taken until 15 minutes before closing
• Last Call: no last call; closes one hour after last performance ends

Patina at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

• Address: 151 S. Grand Avenue
• Phone: (213)972 3331
• Venue: exclusive
• Food: Caviar to wild grouse, served until 1 hour after performances at the Disney Hall
• Last Call: serves until 1 hour after performance end

Walking Distance(distance in blocks depends on which theatre you exit)

Noé Restaurant and Bar (1/2 to 1 ½ blocks)
The term "walking distance" really depends on what shoes you're wearing, as any footwear conscious female will tell you. The distance from the Disney Concert Hall across the street and half a block south to Noé Restaurant and Bar at the Omni Hotel should be walk-able even in stilettos.

• Address: California Plaza, 251 S. Olive St. (enter the hotel off of Grand next to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Noé is to your right)
• Venue: A typical upscale hotel bar with a cigar patio on California Plaza
• Food: Progressive American cuisine until 10:30 p.m. Sun -Thurs; until midnight Fri - Sat
• Last Call: 1:30 am nightly
• Extras: Live piano music from 7 pm to 2 am; Extensive cigar selection (smoking only on outdoor patio)

Gallery Bar and Cognac Room (3-5 blocks)
For cocktails among ornate cherubs, go through the Biltmore lobby to the Gallery Bar and Cognac Room in the heart of the hotel.

• Address: 506 South Grand Avenue
• Phone: (213) 624-1011
• Venue: Elegant
• Food: Bar snacks
• Last Call: 1:15 am nightly
• Extras: Live jazz weekend nights

Library Bar (4-6 blocks)
Open 7 nights a week until 2 am, the Library Bar is a relatively small and unpretentious book-lined refuge near the LA Central Library. The bar food is reputed to be quite good.

• Address: 630 W 6th St, Ste 116-A, Los Angeles, CA 90017, at Hope Street, entrance and parking on Hope.
• Phone: (213) 614-0053
• Venue: smallish bar with book-lined walls and leather banquettes
• Food: Bar menu
• Last Call: 1:45 am nightly
• Guest List: none
• Extras: $5 parking with validation, happy hour 3-8 M-F

The Rooftop at The Standard (4-6 blocks)
Open 7 nights a week until 1:30 am, the Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel is the party place to be in Downtown LA. The open-air poolside venue has an outstanding view of the surrounding high rise buildings. I recommend going after a weeknight show, when there's no cover charge and there's less likely to be a line. It's a bit insane on weekends, and there's a $20 cover. (Read Review)

• Address: 630 W 6th St, Ste 116-A, Los Angeles, CA 90017, at Hope Street, entrance and parking on Hope.
• Phone: (213) 614-0053
• Venue: smallish bar with book-lined walls and leather banquettes
• Food: Lunch/Bar menu until midnight
• Last Call: 1:15 am nightly
• Guest List: only for special events
• Extras: $5 parking with validation

Casey's Irish Bar & Grill (4-6 blocks)
No good for after-theatre action Sunday through Tuesday, but the rest of the week you can keep the night going for a few more hours at this popular Downtown hangout.

• Address: 613 South Grand Avenue
• Phone: 213.629.2353
• Venue: Large pub/restaurant with pool table, foosball, dance floor
• Food: Bar snacks
• Last Call: 1:15 a.m. Wed-Sat, 10 p.m. Mon-Tues, closed Sunday
• Guest List: 310.403.1774; events@bigcaseys.com (Weekend club nights)
• Extras: Karaoke Wednesdays; Live jazz Thurs-Fri; Dance bands and DJs late Fri-Sat; Weekday happy hour drink and food specials; Domestic bottled beer always $3, well drinks $4

The Edison (5-6 blocks)
Also closed Sunday through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday may be the best nights for a quiet after-show drink at the Edison since there's often a line of 20 and 30-somethings waiting to get in on the weekend. There's more "scene" on the weekend if that's what you're looking for, but be prepared for the wait. The former power plant turned 1920s-themed bar offers pricey vintage cocktails, a wide selection of single malt scotch and absinthe, with silent movies playing on the exposed brick walls. There is a $25 food/drink minimum per person for table service, so if you want a late night dinner from their limited menu, go ahead and reserve a table to bypass the line.

• Address: 108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, in the Higgens Building at 2nd and Main, entrance off Harlem Place Alley
• Phone: (213) 613-0000
• Venue: 1920s themed bar and lounge with multiple rooms with a swanky industrial feel
• Food: Bar menu includes some full meals
• Last Call: 1:15 am Wed-Sat
• Reservations: (213) 613-0000; events@bigcaseys.com (Weekend club nights)
• Extras: Dress code enforced. DJ most nights, occasional burlesque shows, happy hour 5-7 Wed-Fri

La Cita (3-5 blocks) If you're up for a little cultural adventure, this authentic Mexican bar has live music and dancing and can be packed at any time of day.

• Address: Hill Street between 3rd and the, next to Grand Central Market
• Phone:
• Venue: Mexican bar and dance club
• Food: Mexican food
• Last Call: Open until 2 a.m. nightly
• Extras: Live Mexican dance music, cover charge

Ye Olde Taco House #1 (3-5 blocks) This isn't the place for alcohol, but if you have the munchies after a weekend show, you can grab a couple great (and cheap) late night tacos.

• Address: Hill Street between 3rd and the, next to La Cita
• Phone:
• Venue: Taco stand
• Food: Mexican food
• Last Call: Open until 2 a.m. Fri-Sat, otherwise until 10 p.m.