The Tower Bar
Bar · Crescent ·
Classic Hollywood lounge with jazz piano, French-American food
Classic Hollywood lounge with jazz piano, French-American food
"Tower Bar—or, the bar at Art-Deco landmark Sunset Tower Hotel—has been the ultimate L.A. see-and-be-seen place since opening in 2006 (although details about who is in the room never really leave it, thanks to the strict no-photo policy). The feel is retro Hollywood. The martinis are strong. And, most importantly, the vibe is always impeccable. Although word to the wise—make a reservation." —Elise Taylor"
"LA’s Tower Bar is best known for ice cream sundaes and enraged talent agents throwing cellphones into the pool, but this hotel restaurant and bar is also an idyllic place to drink many ounces of vodka and practice your side-eye. It’s an unmitigated joyful mess that makes people-watching at other places feel like a waste of time. Spend even an hour here and you’ll see stressed-out momagers sobbing in the corner, the Olsen twins sucking the youth out of anyone who gets too close, and all those agents desperately fishing their burner phones out of the pool. Drinking martinis is the only way to make sense of it all." - bryan kim, team infatuation
"It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, if you’re visiting LA for the first time you have one goal - to lock eyes with a celebrity. Quick tip: it won’t happen on one of those terrible celebrity bus tours with made-up addresses. It will, however, probably happen at Tower Bar. The scene at this classic Sunset Strip bar/restaurant is a chaotic blend of aging celebrities boozing their way through pitch meetings and young celebrities trying to get photographed. There’s also a whole pool area and a build-your-own-sundae situation that you’re obviously getting involved with." - brant cox, brett keating
"Spending an afternoon at Tower Bar sipping martinis and watching the celebrity-laden crowd slowly devolve into chaos is an LA rite of passage. Even on quiet days, this classic Sunset Strip spot still promises stressed-out managers sobbing in the corner, the Olsen twins sucking the youth out of anyone who gets too close, and every agent west of Century City throwing their burner phones into the pool out of pure spite and rage. End your power lunch with a build-your-own sundae to sweeten the experience even more." - brant cox
"This palatial bar, framed by walnut walls and sultry lighting, calls to mind a bygone era when Hollywood was more about glam than empty flash. Though it doesn’t offer the most inventive drink menu, the cocktails are crowd-pleasing classics. If it's a warm day, be sure to order an Aperol spritz, a hefty pour topped off with plenty of prosecco, and sit back on the terrace and admire your company, plus sweeping views of the city below." - Celeste Moure
